An insiders look at Campground Etiquette

As full time campers and work campers, we have come to the conclusion that for the most part, other campers are awesome!  We all have so much in common.  We love the outdoors, we enjoy cooking on the grill, we enjoy the stars at night.

But there is always one bad apple in the barrel.  Isn’t there?

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Circle Pines KOA, Williams, AZ

The problem is that most campgrounds this time of year become very full.  A larger campground such as the one we worked in St. Petersburg, Florida has nearly 500 campsites.

Filled to capacity, you are looking at the very least, 1000 people crammed into one campground!  St. Petersburg KOA was full to capacity the entire winter season that we were there.

The closer people camp together, the grouchier they become.  It’s just a fact.

rv life camping etiquette
St Petersburg/Madeira Beach KOA, FL

That is why campgrounds have the need to post rules.  Usually you will receive a pamphlet of rules along with a map of the campground upon arrival.  Some of those rules may seem a tad restrictive, but I have to tell you that there is a reason for every one of them.

As campground workers, we are more than aware of some of the biggest pet peeves of those that camp around us.  Here is our list of the top 10 complaints that we receive at the campground and how to avoid being the bad apple.

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Top Ten Rules of Campground Etiquette

life at the campground
Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA, Maine

10. Quiet time is not just a suggestion

Many of the campgrounds that we have worked at post quiet time as 10:00 PM at night until 7:00 AM.  Why?  Well, some folks want to sleep at night.  Common courtesy is at play here.

Yes, we are all on vacation, but do respect your neighbors and keep the noise down after 10:00 PM.  Most campgrounds try to enforce quiet time as best as possible, but we cannot be at all places at all times.

Click here for the rest of the list!

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6 thoughts on “An insiders look at Campground Etiquette”

  1. LOVE you comments, so true! Drives us crazy when you are sitting eating, having a quiet moment, and someones kid flies through on a bike. Just want to take the bike, toss it in the trash, and knock some sense into the parents who don’t understand.
    THANKS for all your projects.
    what kind of vehicle do you have? Is it an automatic? My husband can’t drive because of medical problems, but we still want to camp. We have a stick shift pull car, and I need an automatic. Just wondering.

    1. Hi Dianne!

      We currently have a Kia Soul- Stick shift. It is only towable with a manual transmission. If you are looking for automatics that can be towed, google “dingy towing”, then click on motorhome magazine downloadable dingy guides. It will give you all the information that you need for automatic vehicles that can be towed. And it is free!

      Hope to see you on the road sometime!
      suzy

  2. Just wondering what kind of lift do you have for your M/C? Ours is big Electra Glide. How does it mount on rv? Can u still tow a car ? Thanks,looks like u all r having fun!!

    1. It is a Cruiser Lift and it is welded to the frame. Yes, we can tow a car. Cruiser Lift has lots to offer. This one is rated at 1000 pounds. We have an Ultra Classic that weighs nearly that much.

      Hope to see you on the road!

      suzy

  3. This camper’s pet peeve with commercial campgrounds : There are lights everywhere all night. When I go “camping”, I’m trying to get away from the city and its lights. In some cases, it’s impossible to darken the sleeping area in my RV. I was recently at a campground that had annoying lights all night at EVERY campsite. It was to be the peak of the annual Perseid meteor shower. My viewing experience was seriously minimized by my being surrounded by lights.

    1. Hi Julian!
      I do have to agree. Unfortunately, the campgrounds (at least the ones we have worked at) have to add lights to the pedestals for
      those that show up after hours. And you would be surprised at how many folks do that. Watching the stars is one of our favorite past times. I think everyone should look up now and then and stop and take in all that nature has to offer.

      Hope to see you on the road again. We really enjoyed meeting both you and your wife, both in Santa Fe and here in Williams.

      suzy

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