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Camping Neighbors

Camping Neighbors

There is an old expression, “be the person your dog thinks you are.”  In line with that statement, campers should be the neighbor you would like to have.

In many campgrounds, your camping neighbors are relatively close in proximity.  This closeness can provide an opportunity of meeting and getting to know fellow campers.  Many great friendships have evolved from this type of setting. However, this co-existing event can also come with challenges.

We have probably all been camped beside an inconsiderate person or group of people.  These folks play music non-stop at a sound level only exceeded by a live Rolling Stones concert.  They stay up most of the night and sit by a campfire talking and shouting loudly.  Their dog wanders unattended through your campsite, stopping and leaving a calling card that will remain there well after they have departed the camp.  Their departure at six o’clock in the morning is highlighted by the clatter of a diesel pickup truck engine with backup instructions shouted loudly.  Once hooked up, the diesel engine remains clattering like a herd of knock-kneed cattle until they are ready to depart, which happens some thirty five minutes later.  Well, you get the picture; total inconsiderate people.  Unfortunately, this type of behavior can spoil an otherwise great camping experience.

So what we want to do is to be the type of neighbor that you would like to have, and it is easy. Follow these guidelines for being a good camping neighbor and it’ll be smooth sailing at the site:

  • Loud music is not conducive to the outdoor camping environment.  If you want it, use earbuds or headphone.  The sound quality will be better and you can have it as loud as you like.
  • Staying up late around a campfire is part of the camping experience.  It can be done without the need of loud voices.  The night offers a quiet backdrop usually without even the white noise associated with the daytime campground activity.  Therefore, the need for loud voices in such a setting is not required.
  • Early morning can be a very peaceful time.  In consideration of others, use hand signals if backing instructional aid is needed.  Shut off the engine when vehicle movement is not needed.  Even better, why not hook up the tow vehicle the night before if possible.  This will also help get you on the road quicker in the morning.
  • Keep your pet safe and on your own site.  Generally, this is best accomplished by keeping them on a leash or short line.  Don’t leave the pet on the site if you are going out.  Take them with you.  Dogs, for example, tend to bark more often when left alone.  Make sure you always pick up after your dog immediately.  This is standard procedure for any responsible pet owner.

Well, I’m sure there are more courteous actions that should be addressed, but those will come naturally.  Just don’t do anything that you would find distasteful if it was your neighbor’s actions.  Be a good neighbor, make a new friend.  Enjoy!

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26 comments

  1. Kathie Yeagley

    I agree with your last sentence but the owners probably leave them outside and barking all day at home too. We travel with a dog and yes, I clean up, keep him entertained so he doesn't feel the need to bark at everybody walking by and if we leave he goes with us. That being said I was at campground where the owner walked her big dogs right over to our site every morning so her dogs could leave us a "present". She never picked up and would practically run back to her RV. After the third day I went out and asked her if she needed a bag to pick up. She said no and just arrived in the dark the following morning instead and let them do their thing again. OK, so I decided this woman is just plain ignorant and I did what I swore I would never do . . . . I picked up the leavings and then deposited it on her top step (the dogs would jump out of the RV) for the next morning and left a roll of bags on her picnic table. Yup, she got a slipper full. Definitely not the best solution but it smartened her up and she came over to apologize, thank me for the bags and from then on picked up. Hopefully the lesson stayed with her.

  2. At Newby Fun Resorts, we like to follow the Golden Rule. It helps everyone get along better. 🙂 Happy camping!

  3. But what do you do when the inconsiderate person comes your way?

  4. Sharon Garman

    I agree!

  5. Cindy Puranen Trombley

    When dry camping in close quarters be aware of where your generator exhaust is directed. We were next to someone who did not want to turn off his generator despite the fact that our carbon monoxide detector was going off. I prefer to wake up in the a.m.

  6. Daniel Carson

    Same thing happened to us just last weekend up at Lake Roberts. They didn't get back until after 10 PM, and the dog barked non stop.

  7. Lance Lemieux

    I know it keeps getting said over and over but your dogs are are a pain in the &$s. I don't travel with dogs and i don't want to hear or pickup after yours, if you can't take care of them in the campground then leave them at home.

  8. Jan Ouellette

    we are planning to be in Baxter at the Bonanza around noon on Sat. the 27th to meet up with Mike and his wife and mother-in-law. If able, stop and say "Hi".

  9. Jan Ouellette

    we are planning to be in Baxter at the Bonanza around noon on Sat. the 27th to meet up with Mike and his wife and mother-in-law. If able, stop and say "Hi".

  10. Donna Wilson

    being a good camp neighbor needs to be published and distributed by all RV Dealers to people who purchase a RV.. A lot of people just don't have any idea..

  11. Donna Wilson

    being a good camp neighbor needs to be published and distributed by all RV Dealers to people who purchase a RV.. A lot of people just don't have any idea..

  12. 1. Not everyone is a fan of the "guitar around the campfire". And no, the more beer you consume it doesn't make you sound just like James Taylor. 2. Leave the wind chimes inside until you are boon docking all by yourself in the middle of nowhere.

  13. 1. Not everyone is a fan of the "guitar around the campfire". And no, the more beer you consume it doesn't make you sound just like James Taylor. 2. Leave the wind chimes inside until you are boon docking all by yourself in the middle of nowhere.

  14. 1. Not everyone is a fan of the "guitar around the campfire". And no, the more beer you consume it doesn't make you sound just like James Taylor. 2. Leave the wind chimes inside until you are boon docking all by yourself in the middle of nowhere.

  15. 1. Not everyone is a fan of the "guitar around the campfire". And no, the more beer you consume it doesn't make you sound just like James Taylor. 2. Leave the wind chimes inside until you are boon docking all by yourself in the middle of nowhere.

  16. Bonnie Binder

    Just as loud talking and noise late at night is annoying, the same can be said for loud talking and noise early in the morning. I'm not just talking about the people hooking up to leave. My husband and I were awakened many mornings this past winter in an RV Resort in Casa Grande, AZ by people taking early morning walks. I'm talking 6-6:30 am and they're not talking softly. Not everyone is an early riser!

  17. Bonnie Binder

    Just as loud talking and noise late at night is annoying, the same can be said for loud talking and noise early in the morning. I'm not just talking about the people hooking up to leave. My husband and I were awakened many mornings this past winter in an RV Resort in Casa Grande, AZ by people taking early morning walks. I'm talking 6-6:30 am and they're not talking softly. Not everyone is an early riser!

  18. Bonnie Binder

    Just as loud talking and noise late at night is annoying, the same can be said for loud talking and noise early in the morning. I'm not just talking about the people hooking up to leave. My husband and I were awakened many mornings this past winter in an RV Resort in Casa Grande, AZ by people taking early morning walks. I'm talking 6-6:30 am and they're not talking softly. Not everyone is an early riser!

  19. Please park your vehicles within the area designated for you vehicle. Please do not park at a diagonal blocking the camper next to you, and then leave for the day making it impossible to hook up and leave!

  20. Do not cut through another occupied camp site, unless invited. It's an invasion of privacy. Also, as noted here before, but it bears repeating: ALWAYS pick up after your dog. Nothing ruins my day worse than stepping in doggie do do. I have my own dogs and attach baggies to the leash.

  21. Geri Robin Cook

    Without fail, we will be camped next to the family that leaves for the day with their dogs locked up in a pop up tent camper. They WILL bark all day long!!

  22. Geri Robin Cook

    Without fail, we will be camped next to the family that leaves for the day with their dogs locked up in a pop up tent camper. They WILL bark all day long!!

  23. Geri Robin Cook

    Without fail, we will be camped next to the family that leaves for the day with their dogs locked up in a pop up tent camper. They WILL bark all day long!!

  24. Geri Robin Cook

    Without fail, we will be camped next to the family that leaves for the day with their dogs locked up in a pop up tent camper. They WILL bark all day long!!

  25. Geri Robin Cook

    Without fail, we will be camped next to the family that leaves for the day with their dogs locked up in a pop up tent camper. They WILL bark all day long!!