Whether you love or hate RV park camping, there’s a certain etiquette to follow when staying at an RV park. That’s why we’re sharing the “7 Don’ts of RV Park Camping.”
This article isn’t written to shame or criticize RVers (I’ve broken many of these “rules” myself). Rather, it’s to help educate RV travelers about the nuances of RV park camping.
Feel free to share this article as a kind nudge to anyone that needs a little RV education.
With that said, this list doesn’t include basic human decency rules. Being kind and observing the Golden Rule is the best way to make friends at the RV park.
Let’s dive in!
#1 Don’t Walk Through Occupied RV Park Sites
Walking through an occupied RV site is rude. Sure, it may provide a quicker route to the bathroom or pool area, but no one likes to see someone right outside their RV window…we all know RV sites aren’t big in the first place.
This rule seems to be broken mostly by kids excited to reach their ideal amenity (playground, pool, splash pad). While we can’t fault a kid for being excited, sharing this simple rule with youngins is in everyone’s best interest.
#2 Don’t Leave Your Dog’s Poop on the Ground
Please, for the love of all that is holy, pick up your dog’s poop! No one wants to step in a fresh pile of dookie.
Additionally, it doesn’t matter how small your dog or your dog’s poop is; it needs to be picked up. Just a few days ago, our RV neighbor let their tiny pup out, off-leash, to poop in our site…and never picked it up.
#3 Don’t Speed Through the RV Park
Of all the rules, this is the one I’m most guilty of breaking. My wife has to remind me to slow down in the RV park constantly.
Speeding through a crowded RV park is dangerous. Kids, pets, bicycles…they can come outta nowhere! Even though 5mph may seem painfully slow, I encourage you to follow the speeding rules.
#4 Don’t Gawk at Fellow RVers Trying to Back into a Site
Watching RVers try to back into their sites can be entertaining. But, if you’re anything like us, you’ve had your share of challenging back-in moments.
Please don’t stare at your RV neighbors while they unsuccessfully back in!
Backing in can be embarrassing and lead to many arguments; the last thing anyone wants is an audience for that.
Pro Tip: How to Earn Respect at an RV Park
#5 Don’t Build a Smoky Campfire in an RV Park
Camping in nature (National Park, State Park, boondocking) is a perfectly acceptable place to display campfire-building skills. However, a smoky campfire at an RV park affects many innocent bystanders.
With so many smokeless campfire options, don’t be the guy who smokes out the RV park.
#6 Don’t Judge How Others Do It
Some people display yard signs, others like pink flamingos and some like privacy – live and let live 🤟 We all camp for different reasons. And, we all stay at RV parks for different reasons.
We encourage all RVers to keep an open mind and avoid judging fellow RVers. There’s enough judging that happens in the “real world”…let’s keep camping special!
#7 Don’t Stay at an RV Park too Expensive for your Budget
We’ve broken this rule before, which usually makes for a bad stay. A high-priced RV park doesn’t mean it’ll be great. It usually means you’re camping near a city. We like to stay within our means. It makes us much less stressed!
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Here are two more:
Don’t let your dog run loose EVER! Just because your dog usually obeys you doesn’t mean they always will.
Don’t run your generator constantly
Totally agree, Diane Reed.
Totally agree….loose dogs in a campground is definitely WRONG & unfair to the other campers. We’ve been afraid to walk around some campgrounds after being chased down by some loose dogs & the owners, who had no control over them, saying “don’t worry, they’re friendly” as they approached us growling & barking.
This was the best, most logical, and most useful list about RV parks!!
Try the National Forest Campgrounds. Less of everything you don’t want, people, sites, smoke, pools and playgrounds. And more of the things you do want, space between sites, trees, shade and most of all quiet.
Do not surround someone trying to site the RV with your body, your car, your golf cart or your kids. Turn your back on them. If you are so entertained, watch discreetly from inside your rig.
I love your 7 don’t be in an RV camp. Those can be translated to any campground. However, the million-dollar question is, how do I get other people to comply? And I would add, don’t pour lighter fluid on fire and smoke out your neighbor and be inconsiderate. And no loud music or generators. We are all there to be quiet and close to nature. Listen to your boom box at home.
All these rules are great….maybe do an article on how to handle some of these rule breakers. Ie; what did you do when your neighbor allowed their small dog to poop in your campsite. They Do need to be told that it is inappropriate…not just ignored or accepted.
#7 Don’t Stay at an RV Park too Expensive for your Budget
I agree, BUT so many of the ones we can afford are Shytholes. I also don’t want to stay next to someone who is living there year after year and yelling at his wife all night.
I know its all we can afford sometimes. But we have some dignity also.
Thank for all the information you provide. What to do and what not to do rather it be with what we are driving or on when staying at any type of campsite. Haven’t been able to get out and about with my new van, purchased less than a year ago. One surgery down and one to go, right knee. Then I can put the peddle to the metal and hit the road. I sleep in my van occasionally so my dogs stay accustomed to it. Have 30amp service outside of my garage 👍🏻.
Ha, ha. Our first camping trip included us sitting at our campfire while facing our new neighbors backing into their spot. He did a great job and I told him he got an A+
Thank-you
OMG….yes please educate your kids on camping etiquette.I was once struck on my own campsite by kid on a bicycle…neither of us was hurt but I was very unhappy 🙁
Also,just because you have a radio that plays outdoors, doesn’t mean the whole campground wants to listen .
We are newbies at camping, having just bought a travel trailer and started exploring the Midwest states. I love getting your emails every day and have learned a lot! Thank you for the useful information. I especially loved today’s about the 7 things NOT to do. We’ve only violated the “gawking” at those trying to park, but we actually watch so we can pick up some tips on how to park the beast!
Do the parks have places big enough for rvs
Very informative, Thank you!
Very informative and helpful.
Short and spot on.
Don’t swear other people be considered to others.camping is a family time to enjoy kids.All ways have your day on a leash.
Don’t play the music LOUD!!!
No comment. Nice to check site
Very good advice to follow! We’ve all made boo boos in an RV park. Hopefully we all learn from it too.
Stupid story. Use common sense, respect each other
This sounds like a great idea .
Thanks for caring n taking the time to share 👍👍 Video is good, I liked the funny points!
Love n blessings 🌟
Just because you’re retired doesn’t mean I am. So you may be up at 7:00 a.m. with your dog who is barking and everybody coming down the street. I am trying to sleep until 8:00 a.m. until I have to get up.
Thanks for the article. We are new to rving. And are still learning about the experience.
Don’t talk politics
My girlfriend and I have become motorhomes and we are excited about it.
Great information for all new RVers
For the love of God, do not let your kids run around screaming at the top of their lungs from sunrise to 10 at night!Having fun is one thing, screaming endlessly is another
How do I get included, on this site. I love reading, from other campers and I would like to meet others.
Western New York/Chautauqua County
Absolutely
You rebuilt a trailer, then you wife had a baby, end of travel get off you tube!
All good points to pay attention to. RVers have always been excellent people, people appear to be changing. They are not as friendly as in the past.
Common sense? Whaaaaat????
Doesn’t exist in today’s world.
You forgot about don’t light fireworks or let your kid ride your ATVs by the same campers multiple times. But yea thats a good start.
I’ve been thinking of living in an RV, so what do you think?
Thanks, thinking of jumping in but worry about the mechanical stuff that could end up costing an atm and a leg. How have you found the better mechanics around the country?
Agree on loose dogs, we have a nice dog but you never know how a dog could react to another dog or a stranger. If I take the time to walk my dog on a leash then I expect the same from other pet owners.
Always clean up after yourselves. Unsightly trash littering campsites or in our waters can harm other wildlife. Leave it cleaner than how you arrived.
We had the pleasure of staying at a state park in Missouri. They provided a mesh bag for recyclables. They would come by and pick them up for you. It was awesome. Wish this was the case everywhere.
Those are all very important! I am going to say one more: don’t let your dog off leash, these tips are very helpful for me because our family is always traveling,oh Don’t use a generator or let your dog pee on other people’s belongings.
Thanks for these suggestions. Some we knee but not all.
Thank you free camping is just what I need
For the “can’t afford nice campground” crowd, Two words for ya……..State Parks!!!!!!! The cheapest and mostly well kept up places you can find!! Take advantage of these gems. I’m in Indiana and I think Indiana and Michigan have some of the best state parks in the country.
We are just getting back into camping after a few long years of not camping.My husband and I are excited to get back into it.
Wife and I are about ready to sell off our home shop and 25 acres and buy a motor home to live in we are very experienced campers but have not committed ourselves to live this lifestyle but can’t wait!!!!!
As a lifetimer these rules are 100% on the money. Boondocking is fun and has a different set of “rules”. Thanks.