An insiders look at Campground Etiquette

rv life camping etiquette
Bar Harbor Oceanside KOA, Maine

9. Leave no trace behind.  Seriously.

Always leave your campsite as you found it!  We are all here to enjoy nature.  Why destroy it?  We have seen people lop the limbs off of trees because they blocked their view, burn plastic bottles in their campfires, throw trash everywhere but in the trash can, allow their animals to poop in the roadways and leave it there.

Really?

Teach by example and your children will learn to respect nature and treat their surroundings with care.

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8. Don’t bring firewood with you

 Please purchase it either from the campground or the surrounding area.  Many states have laws regarding bringing firewood across state lines.  There is a reason for that!

Moving firewood long distances transports disease and insects that may destroy trees and forests.  A good example of this is the recent Mountain Pine Beetle epidemic in Colorado that has killed millions of acres of trees.

Be kind to your campground so that it will be there for your future generations.

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Amarillo KOA, Amarillo, TX

7.  Parking your rig without irritating the neighbors

Sometimes it is very clear how to orient the rig on a site – you may even have a cement pad. But in many cases, the only guide will be the hookup for electric and sewer.  Park where you can get to the hook ups, but be sure not to be encroaching on the site next door.

Common sense would be not to park where you have part of your coach or your car hanging out in the street, but you would be surprised at how many folks are simply oblivious.

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The general policy for KOA is to escort guest to their sites and supervise how they park.  This helps everyone to know where they should be and makes it much easier for guests to orient themselves better with the campground.

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Panther Lake Camping Resort, Andover, NJ

6. Moving to a different campsite on a whim

 Most people do not understand how campgrounds book sites.  One common misconception is that if the site next door is empty, you can move over there- even if it was not your assigned site.

Don’t do it.

Yes, it might be empty, but it is quite possible that it is reserved for another guest.  Many people come in late at night and have to find their own way to their assigned spot.  If you have taken it- then where are they going to go?

Also, there are many people who do not have tow vehicles to get around in.  Those people will often take their RV when wanting to explore- leaving their site empty for the day.

Don’t be rude and steal someone else’s site.

Want a different site?  Check with the office to see if it is available.  Often, we can move you!  But be sure to check first.  It’s only common courtesy.

Click here for the top camper complaints!

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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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