If you’ve ever dreamed of turning your land into a peaceful retreat, offering farm stays could be the perfect agritourism option. Whether it’s a cozy guest cabin, a yurt in the pasture, or glamping under the stars, overnight accommodations let visitors fully immerse themselves in the rhythms of rural life—and create an additional revenue stream for your farm.
Why Offer Farm Stays?
Today’s travelers crave authenticity. More and more people are trading in hotel rooms for real-life experiences—and nothing says “authentic” like waking up to the sound of roosters or helping feed the goats.
Benefits of farm stays:
- Consistent income from short-term rentals
- Deeper engagement with your farm brand
- Minimal maintenance once infrastructure is in place
- Off-season tourism if marketed right
Options for Farm Stays
There’s no one-size-fits-all model, which means you can design a setup that works for your land and lifestyle:
🛏️ Guest Rooms in the Main House
A great starting point with minimal overhead. Just be prepared to share common areas and offer a personal touch.
🏡 Tiny Homes or Cabins
Popular for their privacy and charm. Bonus points if they overlook a scenic view or grazing animals.
⛺ Glamping Tents or Yurts
Appeal to the adventurous traveler. These can be rustic or luxurious, depending on your audience.
🚐 RV Hookups or Campsites
Ideal if you have flat land and want low-maintenance guests who bring their own lodging.
Legal Considerations
Before listing your stay on Airbnb or booking your first guest, be sure to:
- Check zoning regulations for short-term rentals in your area
- Obtain the necessary permits and inspections
- Invest in appropriate liability insurance
- Consider a business license if required locally
Your county extension office or a local real estate attorney can help navigate these requirements.
Creating the Experience
Farm stays are more than just a place to sleep—it’s about connection and memory-making. Here’s how to make yours stand out:
🐓 Let Guests Participate (If They Want)
Offer optional chores like collecting eggs, milking goats, or harvesting herbs.
🍳 Welcome Packages or Farm-Fresh Breakfasts
A few eggs, a loaf of fresh bread, or even homemade jam goes a long way in making guests feel welcome.
🔥 Outdoor Gathering Spots
Fire pits, picnic tables, hammocks—spaces that encourage guests to linger and relax add to the overall charm.
📖 A Simple Guidebook
Leave a binder or QR code with farm rules, activity ideas, local recommendations, and emergency contact info.
Pricing and Platforms
Research local listings on Airbnb, Hipcamp, and Vrbo to get a feel for competitive pricing. Don’t undervalue your space—rural retreats are in high demand!
Your Guest, Your Pace
You get to decide how interactive your experience is. Some guests want to help feed chickens, others just want to sip coffee and admire the view. Either way, well-run farm stays can turn into a reliable income stream and an exciting new chapter in your homesteading journey.
We have multiple new series starting now to give you the best in information and instructional posts in all areas of homesteading. Join our community so that you never miss anything, plus get some great exclusive insight!
MORE WAYS TO CONNECT
We also, as a homesteading family, have a variety of blogs that might interest you. A Life on the Farm focuses on the more personal side of the homesteading life. We discuss subjects like family, parenting, relationships, homeschooling, cooking, canning and so much more.
Two Oaks Farm Talk concerns the more technical side of homesteading. We discuss subjects like gardening, food prep, and farm building and construction with lots of tutorials!
Farm Raised Family is basically a hub for everything under the Two Oaks Farmstead umbrella. You can learn a great deal about all parts of the farmstead there. The Farm Raised Family blog focuses on financial matters such as budgeting, saving, and more and on current events affecting families.
You can also have a more in depth look at all that we do by visiting our Two Oaks Farmstead YouTube Channel and be sure to subscribe so that you don’t miss a thing!
Farm Life and Freedom is the new podcast we are in the process of launching! It is going to be so much fun! You could also check in with our Farm Life and Freedom Youtube Channel.
Two Oaks Farmstead is the farm store… the one that holds the umbrella! Check us all out and join us, not only on our blogs and Farm Life and Freedom podcast but come join the fun on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter… wherever you get social!
