We’re sure you’ve been there or perhaps you were one of the guilty ones: It’s late, you’re trying to relax or sleep after a long drive to your favorite RV park and someone pulls into the site next to you and cranks up their TV, shattering your tranquility.
Campground etiquette can at times be subjective and flexible, but there are hard and fast rules by which every RVer should abide. And while the general cost of living gets higher, more people than ever are turning to RVing and camping as leisure activities, crowding already crowded RV parks and campgrounds.
These 18 rules are ones to live by when on the road. They’ll ensure you don’t disturb your neighbors, making everyone a happy camper.
Know the rules
RV parks and campgrounds have rules for everyone’s comfort. Some RV resorts have more rules than others. Upon check-in, your host will go over those rules or hand them to you to read.
Be a good neighbor
Whether camping in an RV or tent, being a good neighbor will set the tone for your stay. Following the rules of campground, etiquette is an easy way to ensure that everyone can camp together in harmony.
Hook it up correctly
Full hook-up sites have sewer, water, and electric connections. If you are using the sewer and water hookups, make sure that you are using the ports designated for your site and that your hoses are in good repair. A leaking sewer hose is unpleasant and unsanitary and illegal.
Related: Camping Etiquette: Getting Away From Each Other & Doing It Together
Don’t cut through someone’s campsite
If you’re walking around the campground, do not walk through other campsites. Even if it would make it easier to get to washrooms, dumpsters, or other park locations. It can be tempting to quickly cut through the “common grass” between sites to get to another site or to nearby amenities. While it may add a few extra minutes to your walk time, you should always walk on the road or public paths at the RV park to respect others’ space. Walking through another person’s campsite is a major no-no. Respect your neighbors’ privacy and stay on the roads and pathways.
Keep track of your kids
Most RV campgrounds are family-friendly and, yes, kids deserve to have fun too. However, the fun shouldn’t be at the expense of the neighbors in your campground. Make sure that youngsters are supervised when roaming about and that your kids know the campground rules.
Don’t overflow
Be respectful of each other’s space by not overflowing your own RV camping site and into your neighbors. If you bring a bunch of gear, like bikes, chairs and outdoor games, make sure it fits inside your site.
Don’t Put Your Grill on the Picnic Table
It’s tempting to take your portable grill and set it up on the campsite’s picnic table, but think twice. Grills can leave stains, cause the table material to warp, and leave a residue. Instead, bring along an inexpensive portable table so you can leave the campsite clean for future campers.
Related: 12 Unspoken Etiquette Rules of RV Camping
Around the campfire
Dying to tell that awesome campfire story? Go ahead and scare your buddies but keep your voices down. Voices easily carry without all the traffic and horns in the background from the city. If you’re going to sing and dance around the campfire; do so early before your neighbors are going to sleep.
Resist blasting your music
Keep it quiet OK, so we’re all getting out to nature to have a good time. It’s easy to get carried away when you’re having a fun time camping, but if your music is too loud, it can be disturbing for your neighbors. Keep your music at a comfortable level so it can’t be heard from your neighbor’s campsite. If you’re unsure, walk by neighboring sites and see if you can hear your music. Adjust your volume accordingly. Be courteous and ask the neighbors if you’re being too loud.
Adhere to Quiet Hours
Most RV parks, resorts, and campgrounds have quiet hours. You’ll typically receive a pamphlet at check-in with rules of the park that includes this information. Quiet hours are a range of hours (for example 10 p.m. to 8 a.m.) when all guests can expect the noise level not to be at a daytime high. Many campers are inside their RVs or enjoying a quiet and relaxing time by the campfire, and you definitely want to avoid being reported to the office for noise during designated quiet hours.
Generator power
Be mindful of where your AC-generator’s exhaust is going and try not to choke out your neighbors with stinky fumes. Most established campgrounds have posted generator hours; if none are posted, use good judgment don’t use generator between 10 p.m. and 8 a.m. Also, think about your generator’s exhaust and be sure you’re not smoking out your neighbor with smelly fuses. If you’re concerned about the fumes or the noise, ask your neighbors if it bothers them. Believe me, they’ll tell you.
Related: An RVers Guide to Campground Etiquette
Late arrivals, early departures
If you’re arriving late to the park, perform a bare bones setup with the least amount of noise as possible. Everyone has arrived late to a campsite before but no one likes to wake up to a noisy engine, voices, and slamming RV doors. Your neighbors will be more understanding if they don’t have to listen to loud voices, slamming doors or an idling engine. Use the same consideration if you have to leave early the next morning.
Don’t Speed Through the Park
A speed limit is just that— a limit. Don’t go over the posted number. You follow the speed limits on the freeways and you can follow them in a campground, too. Campgrounds are busy with campers walking their dogs, children chasing balls, bike riders, and RVs pulling in or out of their site. For the safety of you and those around you, please slow down.
Leash your pets
Many RV campgrounds are pet-friendly, but you’ll want to double-check the pet policy before you arrive. Most campgrounds require that your pets be leashed and under your control, both for the safety of your pet and other campers. Many RV campgrounds require that the leash is no more than six feet long and that your pet is secured when not leashed (like in a crate or pen).
Pet etiquette
Most RVers love nature and animals and that includes dogs. However, when your dog starts exploring your neighbor’s base and foodstuff it can be disrespectful. So keep your pet on a leash at all times. Many RVers love animals but they don’t want your dog running through their campsite. Also, stop excessive barking and don’t leave a howling dog unattended.
Scoop the poop
A sure way to get your camping neighbors really mad at you is by leaving your dog’s poop around for them to step in. Many RV campgrounds have designated areas for your pup to do his or her business. Pick up after your pet and dispose of the waste properly. Make sure you carry some bags on the leash and you can also hang them off the entry handle to the RV as an easy-to-reach place to grab one when needed.
Don’t leave a barking dog
Dogs bark—that’s just a fact. However, not everyone is a dog lover. Being in a new area can be an adjustment for your pets due to new people and changing surroundings. Try to teach your pet how to behave around the campsite. If you have a dog that barks non-stop when left alone, consider taking him or her with you on hikes, or don’t bring them on your RV trip.
Related: No Regrets Camping: How NOT To Enjoy a Camping Trip
Keep it clean
No one likes a dirty site. Don’t leave trash at your campsite. The smell alone may bring raccoons or unwelcome furry visitors while you sleep or when you leave your site for a hike. Take your trash to the park-provided garbage bin and recycling containers. Follow the old camping adage of “leave no trace” and double-check that all your trash is picked up before you pull out.
Worth Pondering…
When Robert Frost declared his intention to take the road less traveled in his 1916 poem “The Road Not Taken,” who could have guessed that so many people would take the same trip?
