The Unwritten Rules of RV Camping: What to Know Before You Hit the Road

You’ve finished your RV-Camping checklist, the bags are packed, the RV is all gassed up and your thermos is full of piping hot coffee – but there’s a couple more things to know before your adventure can truly begin. Whether this is your first trip in the RV, or you just need a refresher, knowing the unwritten rules of RV Camping is just as important as having the proper gear. Let’s get into it!

Campground Etiquette For Health and Safety

There are a couple serious things to consider before heading out on your first RV camping experience when it comes to safeguarding your own health and safety as well as that of your RV neighbors.

Know Your Tanks and Know Your RV

A lot of RV Camping etiquette is about respect and common courtesy – but tank etiquette is a health and safety concern. There are some hard and fast rules to follow when it comes to your tanks/hookups, but these can occasionally be tricky to follow at an RV park.

Typically you have three tanks to keep in mind; freshwater, gray water (sinks, showers), and black water (from toilets). You might be familiar with the catastrophe of Robin Williams trying to empty the black water in the movie RV… don’t be him… make sure to regularly monitor your tanks to avoid overflows. 

Many campgrounds and RV resorts offer full hookups, but if your site lacks a sewer hookup, be sure to locate a dump station within the park. Also use the appropriate hoses for each tank (a separate hose for fresh water) and never put these hoses on picnic tables or other shared spaces.

Fire! Campfires, Fire pits, and Grills

From campfire cookin’ to scary stories, the campfire is an central part of any RV trip. Just make sure that you only use designated fire rings and pits. And if you’re camping in a dry season, respect all fire bans in the area — no campfire recipe is worth setting a whole forest aflame.

Grilling also also a huge part of RV camping culture and it’s really common for RV sites to provide grills or allow campers to bring their own. If you plan to use one during your stay, be sure to only use grills that are allowed by the campsite, dispose of your coals properly, be mindful of wind and smoke, and don’t hog public spaces.

And maybe most important of all, never leave your fires unattended. This is true for both campfires and grills. Make sure they're fully extinguished when you’re done.

Stay Safe and Respectful on Campground Roads

Embrace the calm and slow down! One of the most commonly neglected etiquette tips is following the posted speed limits. If you’re ever unsure what the speed limit is, it’s always safe to assume you should be driving around 5mph — campgrounds are full of children, birdwatchers lost in their binoculars, and pets and wildlife.

Campground Etiquette to Help You Be a Good Neighbor

Whether you’re traveling in a group or riding solo, there are some important unwritten social expectations to follow in order to be a good campground neighbor. A lot of these rules are common sense, but we all need a reminder every now and then before setting off on our camping trips.

Respect Your Neighbor’s Privacy and Space

A common mistake that first time campers make is assuming they can cut through their neighbor’s campsite on their way to the bathroom or a hiking path without asking. While we’re all enjoying the freedom of the outdoors, every camper is entitled to their space.

Another way to respect your RV neighbors is by keeping your own space neat and tidy. Not only does this make for a more pleasant sight, it also reduces the risk of scavengers like squirrels and raccoons taking over the area. Leaving items outside at your site, particularly in areas prone to high winds like Florida or coastal regions, can lead to them becoming hazardous projectiles.

Keep the Noise Down

RV camping is a blast — but it isn’t a nightclub. Most sites have a posted quiet time. It’s super important that we all respect these quiet hours and keep our noise levels to a minimum. You never know if your neighbor is planning to set-off at the crack of dawn for a sunrise hike in the national parks or if your fellow campers might just want to enjoy the peace and quiet of the great outdoors. It’s also important to be mindful of your day-time noise too.

Be Mindful of Your Lights

Don’t outshine the night sky! Bright lights can be extremely disruptive at the campsite, making it hard to sleep, watch the stars, or just enjoy the peaceful evenings.

Make sure to turn off all your RV lights when you’re not using them, never point your headlights at another campsite, and use minimal lights whenever you need a little extra help shuffling around in the dark. Candles can be a great way to light up the picnic table without adding too much light pollution to the area!

Furry Friends

Be sure to check your specific campground rules, but pets are almost always welcome at RV parks. Be sure to always keep your pets under control and in your sight and clean up after them. Whether you’re rving with cats, or traveling with Man’s Best Friend, exploring the world with our furry friends is one of the best experiences around.

Campground Etiquette for Respecting our Environment

We’ve focused a lot on how to respect the people around you, but we can’t forget the land! Here are some ways you can make sure to not only show respect for your neighbors, but also the environment during your stay.

Caring for the Campsite

As a general rule of thumb: leave the campsite better than you found it. Leave no trace that you were ever there, or better yet, that anybody has camped in your site at all. Be sure to also care for the hiking trails you use, bringing an extra bag to pack out some trash with you.

Respecting Wildlife

When you head out on a camping trip, you’re really heading into the home of several different wildlife species so it’s important to respect them the way you expect others to treat you in your home. Approaching wildlife is not only extremely dangerous to you and nearby campers, but it can also cause harm and disruptions to the ecosystem you’re visiting.

So Who Makes all These Rules?

We all do! While each campground has its own specific rules you need to follow, there’s no secret committee coming up with these unwritten rules of RV camping. It really comes down to a collective respect for people and nature we all should have on our adventures.

If we know, and respect, the written and unwritten rules of RV camping we can keep it available to everyone — including pets, kids, first-time campers and everyone in-between.

Bonus Tips for First-Timers!

• Now that we’re all square on the unwritten rules of RV camping, it’s time to start planning your next trip! The first step? Creating a road-trip budget.

• Kids are a great addition on any road trip, and there are tons of kid-friendly attractions across the US. Just be mindful of your children and share these rules with them: it’s never too young to start learning RV etiquette!

• And the RV lifestyle isn’t just for young folk — RV Camping is for Seniors too! Hitting the road is becoming a more and more popular way to spend your retirement.

Ready to start planning your next RV getaway? Spot2Nite offers an easy to use, interactive booking platform that allows you to book multiple sites across the country in one easy transaction. Try it out today!