Highways, the Good Sam magazine, recently had an article about campground etiquette. Have you experienced behavior in campgrounds that does not take into consideration courtesy and common sense? Here are guidelines to keep neighbors happy and have a more enjoyable experience:
Privacy
- Use roads and walkways rather than cut through another camper’s site.
Noise
- Pay attention to the noise level of music and televisions, particularly if windows are open or the source is located outside in one of the storage bays.
- Quiet dogs after one bark. Leave toys to play with and music or the television on low volume when away to muffle outside noises. If your dog barks continually when gone, take it with you.
- Respect quiet hours – usually 10 p.m. to 7 or 8 a.m.
- Minimize the time you run a generator. If you need to run one for health reasons, park away from other campers.
- Face portable generators away from other campers; skip the industrial generators – they are way too loud.
- Heat up the water then turn off the water heater. Especially turn off at night. They are noisy if located right outside someone’s bedroom window.
Keep pets quiet.
Pets and kids
- Keep control of children in the campsite and at the pool.
- Keep all pets on a leash and remember that some people don’t like, have allergies or are afraid of dogs and cats.
- Pick up after your pet even if it is tiny. Do not allow them to go onto another site to do their business nor urinate on the tires of another camper’s vehicle or RV.
Campfires
- Pay attention to the quantity and direction of smoke. Put the fire out at night before going to bed.
Keep children under control
Other
- Use the picnic table on your site and don’t take someone else’s without permission.
- Make sure your vehicles and RV do not block the road or prevent someone from swinging in or out of their site.
- Minimize the time you run an engine – particularly diesel – before leaving.
- Leave something in your site that indicates it is taken if you leave and are planning to leave and then come back.
- Minimize your time in the showers if it is a busy campground. Save some hot water for others!
How do you handle it when a neighbor disturbs your camping experience? Do you say something directly or do you go to the office or to the campground host? Or do you keep quiet but allow your camping experience to be ruined?
Can you think of others? What are your pet peeves? How have you handled these situations? Add your comment. Jaimie Hall Bruzenak