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One of my favorite parts of RV life is meeting people from all walks of life and swapping travel stories around a campfire. But let’s be honest—living in close quarters at campgrounds can sometimes lead to awkward moments or misunderstandings.
To keep the peace and make sure everyone enjoys their stay, here are 12 unwritten RV campground etiquette rules every camper is expected to follow.
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Keep the Black Tank Closed
RV campground etiquette rule number 1 is never leave your black tank (or gray tanks) open. Your neighbors are not interested in smelling everything every time you flush the toilet. Leaving the tanks open is also just a bad idea in general, as your tanks are less likely to get clogged if you let them fill up before dumping.
Also, always try to dump your tanks when your neighbors are not outside. Plan to dump tanks either early in the morning or late at night, when other campers are less likely to be outside. If you have to dump your black tank while your neighbors are outside, walk over and give them a heads-up before hitting them with a stink bomb.
Give Newcomers a Few Minutes
I look forward to meeting neighbors at each new RV park, but often fellow campers will walk up and start asking questions before we have even finished backing in. Give your newest neighbors an hour or so to get set up before you come over to hear their story.
While an offer to help with parking is nice, it is not always welcome. Do not offer to help fellow campers park unless it is clear they are struggling. If you do feel help is needed, ask if they need help instead of just jumping in.
We have had fellow campers run over and start yelling instructions when we were perfectly capable of backing in our trailer, but were just taking our time to discuss where to park.
Walk on the Road
While at the RV park, most campers see their campsite as their temporary backyard. With this in mind, most campers do not appreciate someone trampling through their backyard.
When walking or biking around the campground, always stick to the roads and sidewalks and avoid cutting through campsites. Also, make sure your kids are aware that other people’s campsites are off limits.
Respect Pets’ Space
We often have our cat, Mr. Man, in a kennel on our site. More than one dog owner has walked their dog right up to Mr. Man and informed us “My dog loves cats.” Um. Okay….well our cat doesn’t like your big dog.
With cats or dogs, if they’re not in group areas ask before introducing your furry friend. Our dog, Ted has made lots of friends on the road, but Mr. Man would prefer his own space. Before approaching any campground pet, ask permission from their owner.
Be a Good Pet Owner
On the flip side, pet owners should also practice good campground etiquette. Dogs should always be secured with a leash or a fence, and owners should always pick up after their pets.
Only friendly dogs should be brought into campgrounds’ off-leash dog parks. Before entering a dog park with your friendly pup, ask anyone already inside if their dog plays nicely.
Respect Quiet Hours
Campers all keep different hours, so campgrounds set quiet hours to help everyone get a good night’s sleep. Quiet hours vary by campground, but typically start around 10 PM and end around 7 AM.
During quiet hours, no outdoor speakers or TVs should be used. While it is fine to sit outside after quiet hours start, campers should be aware of their volume and avoid talking loudly. Generators and other loud equipment should also not be used during quiet hours.
In addition to noise, campers should be aware of lights during quiet hours. Turn off all bright, outdoor lighting before heading to bed.
Keep a Tidy Campsite
While your campsite is your temporary backyard, it is important to remember it is not a private space. All of your neighbors can and will see your campsite.
Be respectful of neighbors by keeping your campsite organized and clean. While no one cares if you decorate your campsite or not, fellow campers will expect your site to be free of trash and excessive clutter.
Be Friendly
Our last RV campground etiquette rule is simple: smile at your neighbors. Meeting new people is a great part of RVing, so smile, wave to people, and invite them over for a beer or a campfire.
If you don’t like meeting new people, search for some remote boondocking spots instead of heading to an RV resort!
Boondocking Etiquette
Speaking of boondocking, there are additional RV etiquette rules to follow when you are staying in the great outdoors instead of a campground. Follow the below best practices to be the best boondocking neighbor:
- Get Permission: Before camping on any land, verify that RVs are permitted and check for any limitations on where camping is allowed.
- Keep your Distance: Many RVers choose to boondock to have more privacy. Do not park right on top of other campers if space further away is available.
- Limit Generator Time: If any other campers are nearby limit generator hours and don’t run your generator overnight if you can manage without it.
- Respect the Land: To best protect our public lands, camp in areas where others have already camped instead of creating new campsites. Try to park close to the road and avoid driving over plants. Of course, nothing should be left behind at your campsite. Always pack out all of your trash.
Now that you know all the rules of RV campground etiquette, it is time to plan a trip and hit the road. See our list of the 10 best road trips in the USA for trip planning inspiration!
Happy Camping!
Christina Pate is a seasoned full-time RVer who, along with her husband Justin, has journeyed across the US, Canada, and Mexico. Drawing from her extensive travels, RV repairs and RV renovations, she founded Travels with Ted to guide and inspire fellow RV enthusiasts. Christina is also the co-author of The Owner’s Guide to RV Maintenance and the creator of My RV Log Book.
