Practicing Good Campground Etiquette
Ten Tips on How to be a Good Neighbor in the RVing Community
Image Caption: Image Courtesy of Kerri Cox
As I sit at the campground writing this article, the early morning sun is shining down, a neighbor’s flag is flapping in the breeze, and the lyrics of the 1987 Guns N’ Roses hit “Sweet Child O’ Mine” are blaring from a neighbor’s RV. The irony is apparent.
Camping is a microcosm of our society, with all sorts of people brought together in a very small space. Not only do we have to exist as neighbors in our side-by-side slices of the campground, we also come together in the shared spaces.
What does it take to be a good campground neighbor? The golden rule of treating others as you’d like to be treated comes first. Unfortunately, we have myriad ideas of how we’d like to be treated, so I did an informal survey of RVers to find out what bothersome behaviors they have experienced at the campground. The following are the most common responses.
Respect Quiet Hours
You might not realize it, but your raucous conversation might be reverberating through the walls of the trailer next door. Also, take special care when setting up or breaking camp early or late in the day. For instance, take care not to slam shut vehicle doors. And quiet hours aren’t just about sound. Turn off or dim exterior lights, which can bother tent sleepers and star seekers.
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Slow Down on the Campground Roads
Roadways are often the playgrounds of little ones. You’ll regularly find kids rolling through the campground. They may be hard to see, especially if you are concentrating on managing your big rig. Plus, driving fast on gravel roads kicks up a lot of dirt, which makes a mess.
Poor Behavior in Shared Spaces
The campground community usually includes shared restrooms, laundry rooms, pools, and playgrounds. Like in the woods, the goal here should be to “leave no trace.” Clean up your trash and take good care of the facilities. Another common annoyance is laundry left in the machines.
Image Courtesy of Kerri Cox
No One Wants Your Music as the Soundtrack for their Camping Trip
Music may add to your good time, but other campers might not appreciate the same jams as you. Do a walk test to see how far the sound is carrying, especially when using the outdoor entertainment system.
Don’t Cut Across Other People’s Campsites
While this might not be the biggest offense, it is the most common complaint. Campers consider campsites their territory and do not like others cutting through. This is especially problematic if the site is near an amenity like the pool or playground, creating a constant parade of site crossers.
Handle RV Hoses Properly
The “stinky slinky” is best when it’s out of sight and out of mind. Neighbors are bothered if you set yours on the picnic table, run it near their site, empty your RV’s black tank while they are eating, and so on. Never dump your RV’s tanks on the ground. Also, when using a shared dump station, take extra care in placing the sewer hose—and spray off any spills.
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Leash Your Pets—Even the Nice Ones
Unleashed pets running around a campground can be a danger to campers and their pets. Telling strangers, “She never bites!” isn’t as reassuring as you might think, especially if your pet is running toward someone.
Keep an Eye On Your Kids
Many adults rightfully expect a certain level of supervision to make sure the little ones are being safe and aren’t outright annoying others. Help your children learn campground etiquette, too.
Pick Up After your Pet
Pet waste left on other people’s sites and around the campground is another egregious offense. Always pick up after your pets.
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What Would You Do?
One of the funniest campground etiquette woes we experienced happened on our first cross-country trip. We were out on our patio enjoying a game of Farkle when we looked over and spotted a stark-naked gray-haired couple walking around in their Class C motorhome—you know, the kind with large front windows. We, of course, let out a giggle and averted our eyes. We never did figure out if it was merely an honest mistake on their part.
Should we have given them a heads-up or was ignoring it the right thing to do? Drop us an email to let us know what you think.
