Harvest Host users - what’s your favorite Harvest Host spot you’ve stayed at and why? I have avoided some hosts because the information was too sparse and the reviews tend to be of the strictly “friendly and level” type without much more info. Would love some details to make an informed decision! Thanks all.
Tonight I’m at the Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood, NM, just outside of Albuquerque. It is a wildlife rescue park for animals indigenous to New Mexico that can’t be released into the wild. This has been a highlight of the trip.
Purchase: Entrance at $9/pp (there is also a gift shop and you can make donations)
Site: In their gravel parking area. I was the only one here on a Saturday night. I’m completely level (but in part cause I had my choice of where to park). I can hear highway noise, so that may bother some. The sunset and sunrise were beautiful. No hookups of any kind, but 4 bars of LTE on AT&T without boosting, and video streaming via cell was fast.
Experience: The park is small. They estimate 60-90 minutes to go through it. I took 2.5 hours because I love learning about animals and taking photos. Could have stayed longer. This is not a traditional zoo by any stretch of the word. It was built primarily by teenagers under guidance via the Civilian Conservation Corps. They’ve got 25 animals or so in large spaces, plus old farm equipment and a replica western town area. Animals include Elk, Cougars, Owls, Deer, Birds. During the busier months, there are animal encounters, but in late October, it is walk-through. On Saturday afternoon there were perhaps 10 other people in the park. Each animal includes information on why it is there (injury, illegal wild animals as pets that have imprinted on humans) and basic animal facts. Other than a short nature trail, it has a concrete path throughout that is wheelchair accessible although not all of the exhibits would be fully viewable from a wheelchair. There are benches throughout for sitting. Total walking path is about 1.25 miles (I logged about 2.5, but I doubled back to favorites and went in and out and around to get many angles). It’s’ a photographer’s dream, whether pro or just for fun. If you can, come during golden hour before sunset for amazing views and photos.
Ease of Access: Easy access within a mile off route 40. The driveway is gravel but well maintained. There is a Walmart super center within a mile for stock ups.
Vibe: I called ahead, the volunteer on the phone was welcoming and said come on over, we’re never full (but still call ahead). When I got here, I parked to one side and left the nearer spots for day use people. Same volunteer greeted me, I filled out a little form, and he was very nice. Shared info and a map of the park and I paid my $9 for entry. He answered questions when I came back after touring. There were no staff in the park itself on this lazy Saturday afternoon.
This is my preferred type of Harvest Host experience (what’s yours?) - Although I’m super friendly, I don’t like feeling like I’m in someone’s yard or have to make forced friendships.
Note: The gate closes at 6:00 PM and opens at 8:00 AM and you can’t get in or out when closed. I thought this was great because it was Halloween weekend and I was happy to be away from mischief, but this may bother some.
I love this place and never would have found it or stopped were it not for Harvest Hosts.
Tonight I’m at the Wildlife West Nature Park in Edgewood, NM, just outside of Albuquerque. It is a wildlife rescue park for animals indigenous to New Mexico that can’t be released into the wild. This has been a highlight of the trip.
Purchase: Entrance at $9/pp (there is also a gift shop and you can make donations)
Site: In their gravel parking area. I was the only one here on a Saturday night. I’m completely level (but in part cause I had my choice of where to park). I can hear highway noise, so that may bother some. The sunset and sunrise were beautiful. No hookups of any kind, but 4 bars of LTE on AT&T without boosting, and video streaming via cell was fast.
Experience: The park is small. They estimate 60-90 minutes to go through it. I took 2.5 hours because I love learning about animals and taking photos. Could have stayed longer. This is not a traditional zoo by any stretch of the word. It was built primarily by teenagers under guidance via the Civilian Conservation Corps. They’ve got 25 animals or so in large spaces, plus old farm equipment and a replica western town area. Animals include Elk, Cougars, Owls, Deer, Birds. During the busier months, there are animal encounters, but in late October, it is walk-through. On Saturday afternoon there were perhaps 10 other people in the park. Each animal includes information on why it is there (injury, illegal wild animals as pets that have imprinted on humans) and basic animal facts. Other than a short nature trail, it has a concrete path throughout that is wheelchair accessible although not all of the exhibits would be fully viewable from a wheelchair. There are benches throughout for sitting. Total walking path is about 1.25 miles (I logged about 2.5, but I doubled back to favorites and went in and out and around to get many angles). It’s’ a photographer’s dream, whether pro or just for fun. If you can, come during golden hour before sunset for amazing views and photos.
Ease of Access: Easy access within a mile off route 40. The driveway is gravel but well maintained. There is a Walmart super center within a mile for stock ups.
Vibe: I called ahead, the volunteer on the phone was welcoming and said come on over, we’re never full (but still call ahead). When I got here, I parked to one side and left the nearer spots for day use people. Same volunteer greeted me, I filled out a little form, and he was very nice. Shared info and a map of the park and I paid my $9 for entry. He answered questions when I came back after touring. There were no staff in the park itself on this lazy Saturday afternoon.
This is my preferred type of Harvest Host experience (what’s yours?) - Although I’m super friendly, I don’t like feeling like I’m in someone’s yard or have to make forced friendships.
Note: The gate closes at 6:00 PM and opens at 8:00 AM and you can’t get in or out when closed. I thought this was great because it was Halloween weekend and I was happy to be away from mischief, but this may bother some.
I love this place and never would have found it or stopped were it not for Harvest Hosts.
