RV Lifestyle & Repair Editors

Proper RV Campground Etiquette: Being Good to Your Neighbors

RV Lifestyle & Repair Editors
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Exercising proper etiquette at an RV campground means treating your space and the space of those around you with equal effort and decency. Anyone who’s traveled the country in an RV for a few years know how frustrating it can be to set up next to a camper who doesn’t understand campground etiquette. Sites overflowing with trash, excessive noise, and unruly dogs can make for an unpleasant stay.

With that image in mind, full-time RVer Lauren Grijalva teaches you some of her favorite advice for good campground etiquette so you ensure that you remain in the good graces of your neighbors and campground staff. Here are Lauren’s top ten tips:

  1. 1) Keep your campsite tidy, making sure to throw away all trash and cleaning up after parties and get-togethers.
  2. 2) Avoid walking through other campsites. Think of each site like a temporary home with a yard and surrounding sidewalks.
  3. 3) Look up each campground’s quiet hours and respect them. Shut the party down or lower the volume when the time approaches.
  4. 4) Drive slowly through the grounds. Observe all posted speed limits; you never know who or what’s around the bend.
  5. 5) Keep dogs on leashes whenever walking through the grounds, pick up after them, and be sure to put the barkers inside!
  6. 6) Always check out on time. Another RVers is expecting to have their reserved space available when they arrive; don’t make them wait!
  7. 7) Try not to disturb your neighbors by knocking if their door is closed and the shades are drawn. Wait until they’re out and about!
  8. 8) Don’t talk to someone when hooking/unhooking. Strike up conversation once they’ve gotten settled, not while they’re figuring out the parking situation.
  9. 9) Leave your campsite cleaner than you found it. You don’t like showing up to a dirty site, and neither does whoever arrives after you!
  10. 10) Introduce yourself to your neighbors. Be approachable, say hello, grow your community!

These are just some of the great ways to make America’s amazing campgrounds even better places to spend the night. If you have other suggestions for campground etiquette, feel free to fill us in!

Share tips, start a discussion or ask one of our experts or other students a question.

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9 Responses to “Proper RV Campground Etiquette: Being Good to Your Neighbors”

  1. Pete Baker

    In item #10 there is a glaring breach of etiquette. Never park your car, truck, etc where it is hanging over into the street. You make it difficult for neighbors to back into their sites.

  2. Karen

    Try to not chop wood at 6am. Keep children in during quiet hours. Keep your sounds (voice & music/tv) limited to your site. Don't leave pets inside alone and leave the campground, yes they do bark. Keep your children's bikes/toys/stuff to your own site.

  3. RICHARD SALO

    During set-up or tear down, don't lay sewer hoses or sewer connections on the picnic table. Also, don't put pet cages, crates on picnic tables. These is simply unsanitary, and disrespectful practices.

  4. Jeff Nene

    Is this article available in printed or pdf form? Would love to share with new campers that check into our campground.

  5. Mark

    Sound travels long distances outside. While you may enjoy “rocking out” to your favorite tunes while camping, your neighbors may not have the same tastes. Keep the volume down.

  6. Robert Fukai

    Make sure your tow or toad vehicle isn't blocking the camp roadway. RV's coming and going shouldn't have to wind their way around you. I've seen some rv bumps and bruises when trying to snake their way around.

  7. Neil

    #11. Don't run your slide out out over your neighbor's site. This has happened to me for several years with the same neighbor. When sites are already small this is very annoying!

  8. Dan

    Don’t feed the local wildlife, as animals will return looking for more handouts long after you leave.

  9. Gary Nichols

    #11 - Pull your truck and/or toad all the way into your campsite and don't partially block the road like the minivan in your number 10 does.

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