One of the best things about camping can be that you’re surrounded by lots of other people who enjoy spending time exploring the great outdoors like you. But depending on what type of campsite or RV resort you’re staying, sometimes you can feel like you’re parked right on top of your next door neighbor.
Given how close RVs can be parked together in some places, it helps to know some basic house rules when it comes to being a good neighbor in a campground.
Rule #1: Keep Your Music to Yourself
Keep your noise at an acceptable level. What’s acceptable? If you walk over to your next door neighbor’s site and you can hear every word of your speaker playing Tears for Fears, your music is too loud. Everyone wants to jam out at the campsite – listening to music around the campfire is AWESOME! But not everyone wants to hear YOUR music – so keep the volume at a level you can hear in your area only.
We just returned from a camping trip in Richmond, Va. On the last night of our trip, the RV parked across the way from us had a party. And I mean a PAR-TAY! They had an actual sub woofer speaker propped in their doorway playing music at a volume I’m pretty sure the entire campground could hear. We had to turn our music off because it was futile to try and play over it. It was a total nuisance. Finally, after hours of hoping they would do the right thing and turn it down, my husband had to go over and ask them nicely to lower the volume.
Be a good neighbor and keep your volume at a tolerable level.
Rule #2: Be Friendly, But Know Your Limits
I love traveling in a travel trailer because I feel like everyone is just so friendly. When we’re sitting outside our camper in the afternoons, and people are walking by, everyone just loves to say hi or stop and chat a minute. We’ve met some really interesting people this way!
I love meeting new friends as much as the next person, but sometimes, you just want to sit and hang with your family. We’ve had people that want to sit a spell, and then sit, sit and sit some more. I’m all about Southern hospitality, but unless someone invites you to stay for dinner, after the conversation has run its course, it might be time to mosey along.
Rule #3: Be a Good Samaritan
We are somewhat new to the RV/camping culture. To say we’ve had to learn a lot of new things would be a huge understatement! It’s like learning an entirely new language, especially if you didn’t grow up camping (which we didn’t!).
Luckily, every time we’ve had a question, or experienced a glitch setting up or breaking down camp (“Why won’t this stupid tongue jack unlatch from the hitch!!!“), we’ve had a kind hearted Good Samaritan drop everything to come help. We’ve learned so many tips and tricks from these RV camping veterans, and for that, we are forever grateful.
The willingness to help each other out is what makes the RV camping culture so special, I think. We will absolutely repay the favor whenever someone needs us, too!
Rule #4: Share Your Favorites
Sure the Internet is a great place to research your next RV vacation spot, but nothing beats the recommendation of someone who’s actually been there. The next time someone asks where you love to camp, tell them your favorite spots! Have tips on how to snag that hard-to-get site reservation? Pass it along! We’re all in this together, to have fun and explore new places. Let’s share our favorite campgrounds with each other so we can keep adventuring!
These are just a few simple rules to help make your RV travel the best it can be for you, and for your neighbors around you!
What rules do you have to share for others to help make camping more fun for everyone? Have you spotted something during one of your trips you’d like to share? We’d love to be part of the discussion! Leave a comment below.
