What is RV Camping Etiquette?
When you hit the road, all you want is to recharge your mind, body and soul. You wouldn’t want one of your campsite neighbours to ruin that for you – and you don’t want to be one of those campsite neighbours. RV Camping etiquette is all about respecting your neighbours and your surroundings so that everyone can make the most of their RV trip.
So, here are a few of the most crucial RV camping etiquette rules every camper should know!
1. Keep the volume down
Many campgrounds have designated quiet hours, usually around 10 pm – 8 am. During that time, keep your music, radio, or TV volume low, and try not to partake in any activities that will make a racket. Anything noisy can wait till morning.
But even outside of quiet time, it’s basic RV camping etiquette always to be respectful of your volume. Refrain from being too noisy, or if you know you’ll be making noise, at least communicate with your neighbours beforehand to ensure you’re not disrupting them.
2. Be mindful of your space
Usually, campers pay for their designated camping space – but even if they don’t, one of the biggest RV camping etiquette tips is to respect other campers’ space. Don’t cut through other campers’ camping space; don’t take up too much room with your camping gear. If there are shared spaces or amenities, do your best not to hog them.
3. Clean up after yourself
You wouldn’t want to have to set up camp in someone else’s mess, would you? So don’t leave any surprises for the next campers. The adage “leave no trace” is one of the most essential RV camping etiquette tips. Leave your campground as you found it (unless you found it in a big mess – in which case, be the bigger person and set an example for the next campers! Not all heroes wear capes.).
4. Look after your pets
While many campgrounds are pet-friendly, you should always double-check their pet policy. But no matter what, remember that some people may not share your enthusiasm for animals. Out of respect, keep your pets from wandering around other campers’ campsites.
If you’re bringing a dog, try to keep their barking to a minimum. While you can’t always control it, try at least to avoid situations that you know lead to barking. For instance, if they tend to bark when left alone, bring them with you on your hikes or adventures! Both your pup and your campground neighbours will thank you.
5. Hook everything up correctly
If you’re using sewer and water hookups, always ensure you’re using the ports designated for your campsite and that your hoses are in good condition. Leaky sewer hoses, gate valves, and holding tanks can be very unpleasant – for you and your neighbours.
6. Watch over your children
Even if you’re camping at a family-friendly campsite, not all campers will find your kids as adorable as you do. If you bring the little ones, try to keep them adequately supervised and ensure that they respect your neighbours. Kids will want to explore, naturally – just make sure their fun isn’t at the expense of the other campers.
7. Use local firewood
While it may seem innocent, bringing the wrong firewood can actually be detrimental to the campsite – and possibly even the entire park or forest. Foreign firewood can introduce bugs into the campground that could potentially infest the local trees with diseases. It’s shocking how easily these kinds of infestations can get out of control, so always, always use local firewood at your campsite.
If you follow these 7 camping rules, you’re sure to have a great time connecting with nature without disturbing your fellow campers or disrupting the local environment. Happy camping!
