Our two favorite aspects of RV life are the sense of freedom and the community! Hands down, the friendliest community you can be a part of is the RV community. But with joining a happy and free community comes a bit of shared responsibility. Quite simply, you want to be a good camping neighbor. And whether you’re rolling into new destinations, setting up camp, or soaking in desert sunsets and mountain air, there are some definite dos and don’ts you’ll want to be aware of. Good campsite manners go a long way toward making your experience — and that of your camping neighbor — more enjoyable.
To longtime campers, the rules may be obvious, but for many newbies, they’re often not. Which means you could — quite unintentionally — be ruffling the feathers of your camping neighbor closest to your site.
So, to avoid all that, here are five simple but effective tips to follow.
1. Mind your noise levels.
Let’s start with the obvious: Peace and quiet are high on the wish list for most RVers. While some campgrounds are livelier than others, keeping your noise in check is key.
How to Be Respectful
- Stick to quiet hours. Most parks and campgrounds set quiet hours — usually around 10 p.m. to 7 a.m. Keep voices low, turn down music, and avoid running generators during this window.
- Don’t blast your outdoor speakers. What’s relaxing to you might not be for the couple next door trying to read or get their toddler to nap.
- Be mindful of barking dogs. A few woofs? Totally normal. Constant barking? Not so much. (If your dog has trouble adjusting, a shaded spot inside with a fan or AC on can help reduce overstimulation.)
RV parks are communities, even if only for a night or two. Being mindful of noise helps keep things friendly and frustration-free.
2. Respect campsite boundaries.
It may not be marked by a fence, but every RV site has its own “property line.” And while many RVers are happy to chat or share a drink, it’s polite to keep to your own space unless you’re invited over.
Tips to Follow
- Don’t cut through other sites. Yes, even if it’s a shortcut to the bathhouse or trash bin.
- Give them some space. If you’re walking your dog or kids are riding bikes, steer clear of others’ gear and sitting areas.
- Don’t crowd. Keep your slide-outs, awnings, and patio setups from crowding your neighbor’s space.
Basically, treat each site like someone’s front yard — because for the night (or week), that’s exactly what it is.
3. Keep it clean (particularly in shared spaces).
Nobody likes rolling into a site and finding trash, cigarette butts, or used dog bags left behind. RVers take pride in their rigs. That same pride should extend to the campsite.
Campsite Cleanliness Checklist
- Always pick up after your pet. Even if it’s not “your” site — let’s all help each other out. We always try to leave our surrounding campsite area better than we found it.
- Don’t leave exposed trash out. Take your trash out nightly, especially in bear or wildlife-prone areas.
- Clean up. Wipe picnic tables and sweep your pad before departure.
- Don’t neglect drips. If your sewer hose leaks or your water connection drips, fix it before it creates a muddy mess.
As full-timers, we’ve seen it al l— from model campsites to neighbors who seem to leave a mini junkyard behind. A little cleanup effort goes a long way in leaving a good impression.
4. Control your lights (especially at night).
After a long day of travel, nothing beats the stars—and it’s a little easier to see them when your neighbor’s awning lights aren’t glowing like a Vegas strip.
Keep Things Night-Sky Friendly
- Unplug the string lights. Turn off bright LED string lights before bed (or better yet, use softer, dimmable ones).
- Opt for motion-detection. Use motion-activated security lights rather than all-night spotlights.
- Tone it done. Consider amber or red lights near doors—they reduce glare and keep bugs away too.
We get it: Safety matters, especially if you have pets or kids. But subtle lighting can still be effective without flooding nearby rigs in a glow they didn’t ask for.
5. Be generator aware.
Boondocking in the middle of nowhere? Let it run. At a campground with close neighbors? Let’s talk etiquette.
Basic Generator Courtesy
- Stick to posted generator hours. Some campgrounds ban them entirely; others allow them during set times.
- Don’t leave it running. You know, for hours just to charge your phone. Try using solar panels or a battery bank if you’re frequently off-grid.
- Position the exhaust away from others. Nobody wants fumes drifting into their open window.
This one’s especially important for national park campgrounds and public lands, where you’re more likely to have neighbors right next to you who came for peace, not engine hum.
Bonus: Little Things That Make a Big Difference
- Say hi! A simple wave or “How’s it going?” can set a friendly tone and help avoid future awkwardness.
- Offer to help. Everyone sets up differently. That neighbor backing in solo might prefer to figure it out without a dozen bystanders, but sometimes a little help can go a long way. A simple smile, wave, and “you seem like you’ve got it handled, but if you need an extra set of eyes, I’m happy to help.” You’d be surprised how many lifelong friends we now have from being on both sides of this type of interaction.
- Mind your kids and pets. They’re welcome — but wandering children and off-leash dogs can cause unintended chaos.
Most RVers are friendly, helpful folks. It doesn’t take much to be a good neighbor — just a little awareness and mutual respect.
Good Vibes = a Good Camping Neighbor
RVing brings people from all walks of life together in some of the most beautiful places in the country. Whether you’re staying one night or settling in for a month, how you interact with others shapes the overall vibe of the campground.
And while there’s no official RV neighbor handbook, following these five simple tips will help you fit right in — and make the road a friendlier place for everyone.
After all, the great outdoors is best enjoyed when we all feel welcome in it.
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