Campground Etiquette from Seasoned RVers

Campground etiquette is essential for any camper. When you hit a campground, you expect a fun experience. No one wants that ruined by an inconsiderate camper. 

When it comes to camping, respect is a two-way street. That means it’s crucial to your neighbors with the respect you hope to receive. If you aren’t familiar with core campground etiquette, we’re here to help you brush up on your manners. 

The below rules are great guides for life on the road. They ensure you don’t disturb your fellow campers and help to foster a more positive experience all around. 

Keep the Volume Down

For many campers, camping is about the peace of the great outdoors. As some people hit the trails, others prefer to hang around the campfire. However, a relaxing day can easily become a loud mess with an unruly campsite nearby. 

Now, this doesn’t mean you can’t have a good time. It’s just about respect. 

• Reasonable volume: Be in tune with your kids, friends, and pets. When the volume gets out of hand, remind them there are others nearby. That goes for inside your RV rental, too. 
• Keep your pet calm: If you have to leave your pet alone in your RV, be sure they don’t cause a ruckus. Close the shades and turn on the radio to distract from the sounds outside. 
• No slamming doors: We know they’re called “slam latches,” but don’t just slam the door willy nilly. 
• Lay off the horn: Lastly, it’s good etiquette to avoid using your alarm or horn. 

By following these simple tips, you help to reduce your noise impact. 

A Quieter Start to PowerSport Rentals

If you have some powersport rentals with you, proper etiquette is to idle the engine for a short time. Moreover, avoid revving or idling during the “quiet hours” of the day. If your vehicle needs to idle longer, it’s a good idea to walk it away from the campsite. 

Mindful Arrivals & Departures

To build upon the noise etiquette, consider making it a rule for yourself to check-in/out between the hours of 8 am and 8 pm. Typically, the quiet hours of a campground are 10 pm – 8 am. If you arrive or leave in these hours, try to do so quietly and quickly. 

This helps you have happier neighbors, who only feel more rested when you wait to set up until morning or pack up before you plan to leave. 

Additionally, many RV parks and campsites have specific arrival and departure times. Try not to linger around your campsite longer than necessary. It only delays incoming campers, and that’s not great campground etiquette. 

Generally, site rules tell you not to arrive before check-in unless you have a prior agreement with the staff. 

Clean Up After Pets

One of the biggest complaints about campground etiquette is guests who don’t clean up after their pets. Be sure to bring poop bags with you on your trip. 

It’s just unsanitary and messy to leave it lying around, not to mention poor manners. Don’t walkway assuming no one will notice. They will.

Additionally, try to stick to specified areas for pets. 

Leash Your Pets

Speaking of pets, it’s crucial (and often unlawful) to have your dog unleashed outside. Campgrounds have rules about pets for a reason. Even when you believe your dog is trained and safe, you never know what else is going on around you. 

Leash your dog – and your cat for that matter. Moreover, never leave your pets outside unattended. That’s simply not safe for anyone. 

Remember, not everyone likes your dog or cat. Additionally, some people are allergic and have had bad experiences with animals in the past. Practice proper campground etiquette and keep your furry friends safe. 

Secure Your Gear

If you leave for the day or turn in for the night, be sure to securely stop your outdoor gear. A storm can pop up suddenly and turn your site into a mess. Canopies, toys, outdoor gear, and camp chairs all become projectiles when the wind kicks up. 

Similarly, no one wants to park around a site that looks like a terrible yard sale. Try to keep your site tidy and neat. 

Don’t Cut Through Other Sites

Oftentimes, RVers are possessive and territorial about their campgrounds. People pay site fees for their area, so if you wander through, it feels invasive and disruptive. Generally, a site lasts from one utility box to another. 

So, don’t be that lazy camper. Stick to roads and footpaths and avoid site cutting. 

Additionally, it’s important to ensure your vehicles don’t protrude into roadways. That makes it difficult for others to move through the area and park. Moreover, it keeps emergency vehicles from being able to reach areas. 

Cut Back the Smoke

If you have a campfire, proper campground etiquette means not letting it continue to smolder or smoke. This releases toxins no one wants to breathe in. Additionally, remember that a fire pit is not a trash can. 

Please, don’t burn your trash. 

If you are a smoker, it’s good to stay mindful of tight campsites. Often, tobacco smoke travels into doors and windows. Moreover, if you do smoke, it’s a good idea to strip your cigarette butts and store them. 

Never toss them into a fire pit or leave them on the ground. It’s unsightly, sure. However, it also makes wildlife ill if they eat them as they forage.

Be Neighborly and Kind

Part of the fun of RV life and renting an RV is enjoying the community. As such, campground etiquette is about more than just annoying behaviors. It’s about reaching out to others, being nice, and staying helpful. If you see your neighbor struggling to change a tire, offer them a hand. 

Whether you have the strength or skill, it’s sure to be nice. Small acts of kindness help us all foster a better community. 

Leave the Site Better Than You Found It

Campground etiquette is essential in many forms. However, this is a crucial component of campground etiquette. No one wants to arrive at the campsite that is covered in trash, cigarettes, wrappers, etc. 

Moreover, if you arrive at a dirty site, it’s best not to leave it that way. As you camp, secure your outdoor trash cans. Whether it’s a burst of wind or a nosy critter, a toppled trash can sends napkins, plates, and other trash across the site. 

Campers and wildlife alike deserve clean habitats. Practice good campground etiquette and keep your trash where it belongs. Additionally, clean out your fire pit before you leave. 

That helps your host and campground staff out a lot. 

Have a Good Time And Help Others Have a Good Time

When it comes to campground etiquette, a good rule of thumb is the golden rule. Treat others the way you want to be treated. 

In some cases, people don’t know how their behavior impacts others. So, it’s a good idea to try to stay respectful of the park, the wildlife, your neighbors, and the land.