Campground Etiquette
Definition of Etiquette
: the conduct or procedure required by good breeding or prescribed by authority to be observed in social or official life
(Merriam-Webster online, Sept. 25, 2021)
The word “etiquette” is simply a term for “proper behavior”. Most of us know what kind of behavior is expected of us when out in public, when we are invited to a party or into someone’s home. The funny thing is some people’s upbringing seems to disappear when they are outdoors, or their lack of upbringing is on full display.
If you have watched National Lampoon’s Christmas Vacation with Chevy Chase, then you certainly know who Cousin Eddie is. If you haven’t seen it…rent it, buy it, borrow it, or stream it! You do not want to be a camper like Cousin Eddie or be stuck beside one at your next campground. NOTE: Dumping your black tank on the ground, in a storm drain, river, stream or other body of water is illegal in most cases. Don’t do it!
Here are some of the most overlooked “rules” of campground etiquette:
Be Kind!
This may seem like a simple concept…believe me, it is not! We have several friends that manage campgrounds up and down the East coast. They told us that 2020 was horrible but this year takes the cake for rude, entitled guests. Many parks and campgrounds are understaffed AND full due to the surge in people camping. Please, please, please be kind and understanding. If you’ve had a long stressful drive, take a deep breath, and clear your head before entering the office to check-in. Staff may have been dealing with grumpy travelers all day. A smile or thank you will go a long way!
Observe check-in/check-out times
Check-in times are not a suggestion! If a campground website or staff indicates that the check-in times are between 3:00 pm and 7:00 pm plan to arrive in that time span. Arriving early or late without prior notice is rude! In some cases, you may be turned away or forced to wait. Contact the campground as soon as possible if you know you will be either early or late for further instructions. Some campgrounds allow early check-ins if the site is available, some may have extra fees involved. Late check-ins are highly frowned upon unless the park has a late check-in policy in place. We have stayed at parks that do not allow late check-ins for any reason. Usually, it is due to safety issues and often is dictated by the parks’ insurance coverage.
Check-out time is also not a suggestion. Campground staff need the time between departures and arrivals to clean up campsites, perform maintenance, and all manner of things. If you are having a mechanical issue or simply wake up late, contact the office ASAP. They may be able to allow you a later check out. Be aware there is often a charge for it. Late check-outs disrupt the staff and can interfere with other reservations. Plan to vacate your site promptly!
Observe quiet hours
Quiet hour times do not mean you have to be asleep or even in your camper. It does mean that you need to turn down the music or television and use quiet voices. Even in a campground that is spread out, voices, laughter, music, and TV sounds can carry.
Be respectful of other campers during the day. Keep voices, music, and TV sounds at acceptable levels. If you have been away from the park and come back later in the evening, slamming doors, setting your vehicle alarm, and even driving on gravel after quiet hours can annoy other guests. It may even wake a sleeping baby in the camper next to you, and no one wants to hear a crying child all night!
When you arrive back at the campground, turn your radio down, roll up windows and start using quiet voices before you drive to your site. Keep in mind that some parks prohibit motorcycles, diesel trucks, quads, gas powered golf carts and other potentially loud vehicles. If you don’t find this information on the website, check with the office before you arrive.
Observe the speed limit! I cannot stress this enough! Speed limits are set for everyone’s safety including yours. Depending on where you are staying, there may be wild and domesticated animals roaming the park, young children, or elderly campers. During check-in/check-out times there may be many rigs trying to navigate around the park; be respectful as you would want someone to be for you. You may only receive a warning and a caution to maintain the speed limit, you may be fined or even asked to leave the park in some cases. Many campgrounds have odd speed limits like 5 ½, 7 ½ and even 9 ¾ MPH! It catches a guest’s attention and hopefully makes observing the speed limit a bit more pleasant.
Be a responsible parent whether it’s four legged and furry or walks upright!
If you bring pets, pick up after them! Don’t leave them unattended, especially if they are prone to making noise when you are not present. Observe campground rules regarding leash laws, number of pets and what types or breeds. Some campgrounds have a maximum number of animals allowed per site. Ask if there is a daycare nearby or consult an app like www.rover.com for a mobile sitter.
Don’t walk your pet on any site whether vacant or occupied! It’s just not good manners.
Notify the office if you see another guest being irresponsible. It doesn’t make you a snitch or tattle tale. It helps the park keep the grounds up and address issues with inconsiderate guests. Note the guest’s site and type of animal if possible so they can make an identification. Some parks will just need a time and location to verify the issue with video footage.
If you travel with children make sure you understand to observe any rules the campground has in place regarding minors. If in doubt, always accompany your child while in the campground. You are responsible for your child’s actions and their safety. Even if you are at a park that has amenities for children, don’t assume you can leave them unattended at a playground, pool or clubhouse.
Be a responsible host!
If you have guests while at a campground, be sure they understand the campground rules. You are responsible for your guest’s behavior in the campground. You don’t want to be asked to leave due to an unruly guest or relative.
Alcohol, knives, firearms, explosives, and fireworks
Some campgrounds do not allow alcohol, some allow it in discrete containers only on your site. Respect the camp rules especially if you or anyone in your party tends to overindulge.
Knives and firearms are never a good idea to display in the campground, even on your site. Many campers carry for protection and managers/owners know and understand it. However, you do need to follow the rules of the campground and the state(s) where you are traveling.
Explosives/Fireworks – observe the campground rules on these items. Most parks and campgrounds do not allow any type of explosive, fireworks and even sparklers. You could accidentally injure yourself, a fellow camper, wildlife or inadvertently start a fire. This is especially true if you are in a wooded campground.
Keep bathhouse and other facilities clean
Facilities are used by many guests and visitors throughout the day. Do your part to keep them clean. Pick up after yourself and report any issues to the office so they can address them quickly. If there is an emergency or facilities number use it if there is a leak, overflowing sink, toilet, or other pressing concern.
Observe laundry room policies. Don’t leave clothing in the washers or dryer. If you leave, set a timer, and come back a few minutes before clothes are ready.
Observe policies on pets and pet items. Many parks prohibit animals in any buildings, office, rec room, cabins, lodges, yurts, glamping units and so on. Check to see if the park has a dedicated washer/dryer for pet bedding. Guest’s may have allergies to certain animals, so as a courtesy you shouldn’t use the regular machines. If in doubt, ask!
Outside Lighting & Decorations
Check with the park before erecting any decorations or outdoor lighting. Be respectful of trees, shrubs, and other plants.
Don’t place stakes or dig in the ground without asking or at least reviewing the park rules. A park we stayed at had a guest that erected several flag poles and damaged the underground cable. There were a lot of unhappy campers since it was Super Bowl weekend!
Keep in mind that leaving your awning lights, flood lights or scare lights on at night can be detrimental to other campers. Shut them off when you retire so they don’t shine in someone’s bedroom window when they are trying to sleep.
Utilities
Be mindful of using park utilities.
Don’t waste water.
Don’t waste electricity.
Don’t put anything in your black tank, gray tank or sewer connections that doesn’t belong there. Some parks are on well and septic systems. Grease, sanitary supplies, and flushable wipes are just some of the items that should not be put in sewers, sinks, toilets, or laundry machines regardless of whether it is a septic or city sewer system.
Firewood
Check with the campground before you bring in your own firewood. It may save you money but can cost the campground plenty. Outside firewood can harbor invasive pests or disease. The campground we are staying at now has lost a number of Ash to a disease and is losing all of it’s mature Cherry trees in one area due to a fungus. It will take years for new trees to mature and provide shade to those sites. It is cost prohibitive to purchase mature trees and the location would require a crane to get them planted which would be another expense.
Rules and regulations may seem to be restrictive or silly, but they exist because someone, at some time, thought it was a good idea to say, “Hold my beer!”
