RV Park Etiquette: 10 Tips on How To Be a Good RV Neighbor

by | June 2022 | 6 comments

*All photos are protected by copyright and the property of Briana Nickas unless they are stock photos or otherwise noted.

After driving for hours to reach a destination, going through the hassle of getting the RV set up, and finally settling in for a nice campfire, the last thing RVers want to deal with is an inconsiderate or downright rude RV neighbor.

Thatโ€™s where RV park etiquette comes in. When you stay in an RV park, youโ€™re bound to have RV neighbors. Things can get pretty tight at times with neighboring slides practically touching and little to no privacy.

So it helps when all RVers do their part to allow everyone to enjoy their time at the RV park. Unfortunately, it seems like thereโ€™s always at least one RVer thatโ€™s completely oblivious of all their RV neighbors (or just doesnโ€™t give a *bleep*).

Donโ€™t be that RVer.

Use your manners. By having RV Park Etiquette with the following 10 Tips on How To Be a Good RV Neighbor, youโ€™ll be well liked by your fellow RVers. Hey, you could even make some new BFFs!

RV Park Etiquette - How To Be a Good RV Neighbor

Get your FREE RV Trip Packing Checklist!

Enter your info below to get the Checklist delivered right to your inbox.

By signing up, you are subscribing to the Next Destination Unknown Nation email newsletter. But you can unsubscribe at any time. See theย Privacy Policyย for more info.

10 Tips for Good RV Park Etiquette

RV park etiquette really just comes down to being respectful and considerate of your RV neighbors. And while youโ€™re at it, why not be friendly too?

Itโ€™s as simple as taking a moment to think of your fellow RVers and following the Golden Rule: treat them how you want to be treated.

RV parks will have their own set of rules that youโ€™ll need to follow. In addition, these are some basic guidelines to follow for good RV park etiquette.

Donโ€™t be โ€œthatโ€ RVer. Use RV park etiquette with these 10 Tips on How To Be a Good RV Neighbor to be liked by your fellow RVers and help everyone enjoy RVing. #RVers #RVing #RVlife #RVingforbeginners #RVnewbies Click To Tweet

1. Give new RV neighbors some space

When a new RV neighbor is pulling or backing into their site, give them some space and time to get set up. That especially goes for back-in sites.

Backing into an RV site can be challenging and stressful. RVers tend to be super friendly and helpful. So you may want to offer to help or give advice.

But rather than rushing over and giving well-intentioned yet unsolicited advice, donโ€™t offer to help someone back in unless they ask. 

Perhaps theyโ€™re trying to figure it out on their own or they already know how to do it and are just trying to get everything lined up.

Either way, give them a chance to do it on their own. And be willing to help if and when they ask.

You may also like: RV Must-Haves Every RVer Needs to Make RVing Easier

You should also give space to RV neighbors who are hooking up to head out. RVers have their own methods for getting packed up. 

If you start chatting it up with them while theyโ€™re in the middle of their process, they could get distracted and miss a step. 

They could also be trying to get on the road by a certain time, and you donโ€™t want to hold them up. A friendly wave as your fellow RV neighbors head out does the trick.

RV Park Etiquette - Don't Walk Through Other RVer's Sites
We got an end site at one of our fave RV parks. Score!

2. Donโ€™t walk through other peopleโ€™s RV sites

This is one of my BIGGEST pet peeves at RV parks. When Iโ€™m sitting outside or in my RV, I donโ€™t want to see a stranger walking through my site. 

Even if weโ€™re not there, our dog may be in our RV while weโ€™re out exploring. And sheโ€™ll go crazy if she sees someone right outside our RV. This could cause her to potentially herself or, at the very least, annoy our other RV neighbors with her barking.

When someone is staying in a campsite, it becomes their temporary property. So treat other peopleโ€™s sites like private property, and donโ€™t trespass. Respect each otherโ€™s space. 

If the bathroom, dumpster, clubhouse, pool, or playground is between your site and someone elseโ€™s, donโ€™t cut through their site. Donโ€™t be lazy, go around. Walking a few extra feet will go a long way in being a good RV neighbor.

RV Park Etiquette - Don't Be Too Loud
enjoying ourselves (quietly) at this nice RV park

3. Donโ€™t be loud (respect Quiet Hours)

RV parks have quiet hours for a reason. Some people might be RVing for vacation and getting together with friends to live it up.

But other people are trying to have a peaceful, relaxing time. Or there are full-time RVers and families with children who want to go to sleep at a decent time. 

Follow the RV parkโ€™s quiet hours, and be considerate of your RV neighbors within earshot. They donโ€™t want to hear your music or your outdoor TV, especially late at night.

You may also like: 70 Useful RV Terms You Need to Know Before RVing

4. Be a responsible parent

Kids just want to have fun. But itโ€™s the parentsโ€™ responsibility to make sure their children understand the campground rules and are respectful of other RV campers.

Share these guidelines with your kids and make sure they use proper RV etiquette too. Keep an eye on them. 

And donโ€™t let them cut through other peopleโ€™s sites, run around screaming, or ride their bikes in the middle of the street.

RV Park Etiquette - Be a Responsible Pet Parent
Our furbaby LOVED the dog park at this RV park!

5. Be a responsible pet parent

Pets need responsible parents too. So when you have your dog at an RV park, be sure to follow proper RV park etiquette with these rules:

Keep your dog on a leash at all times.

This includes at your site. Someone could be walking by your site and not want to be ambushed by your dog running up and jumping on them, even if your dog is friendly. 

Or they could have their own dog with them. Even if your dog does well with other dogs, another dog might not react as well. 

For example, our small dog gets super defensive when larger dogs stand over her. Sheโ€™ll go into attack mode to protect herself even if the other dog doesnโ€™t mean her any harm.

Nobody wants their dog to get in a brawl with another dog. And people donโ€™t like having random dogs jump on them.

Donโ€™t leave your dog unattended outside.

Even if your dog is leashed up or contained in a crate or play pen and loves being outdoors, donโ€™t leave them alone outside (especially if youโ€™re not there). 

They could get hot and need water or shade. They could bark incessantly or try to get out and hurt themselves. Itโ€™s just not good parenting and most RV parks wonโ€™t allow it anyway.

Pick up after your dog.

This goes for in the dog park too. Iโ€™ve seen RVers chatting it up, not paying attention to their dogs dropping a deuce in the dog park. Nobody wants to step in that. 

Keep an eye on your dog. And make sure you pick up after them whether youโ€™re in the dog park, walking around the RV park, or at your campsite.

RV Park Etiquette - Be Responsible With Campfires
keeping an eye on our campfire at one of our favorite RV parks

6. Be responsible with your campfires

Campfires are one of the best things about RVing (IMO). But with more and more wildfires destroying nature, homes, and lives, itโ€™s important to be responsible with wood fires.

If you have a campfire, donโ€™t leave it unattended. And make sure the fire is completely out before you retire for the night. 

We usually pour water on our campfires to be sure. We would absolutely be devastated if our fire started a wildfire or fire in the RV park.

If you donโ€™t want the responsibility of a wood campfire, go with a propane fire instead.

Keep RV Park Bathrooms Clean for Proper RV Park Etiquette
This RV park had one of the nicest and cleanest bathrooms weโ€™ve come across!

7. Keep the RV park restrooms clean

RV parks typically have someone clean their restrooms several times through the day. But do your part to keep the restrooms as clean as possible between the official cleanings.

Ladies, please donโ€™t leave your hair all over showers or sinksโ€ฆ ew.

Fellas, please wipe up any overspray. 

Treat the camp restrooms like theyโ€™re at your momโ€™s house.

You may also like: Top 10 Insider RVing Tips You Need To Know

8. Donโ€™t smoke near campsites

Even though your RV is your own personal space, smoking affects everyone around you. I absolutely despise smoke and donโ€™t want to have to smell it when Iโ€™m RVing.

We recently stayed at an RV park on a river with sites crammed in together barely a few feet apart. And a guy two RVs down from us kept smoking a cigar. Talk about bad RV park etiquette!

There were three separate times we tried to sit outside to enjoy the river and had to go back inside our RV to avoid the smoke. It was extremely frustrating, annoying, infuriating, disappointing, all of the above.

Before you light up, please use RV park etiquette and consider the following:

  • Is your RV neighbor sitting or eating outside? 
  • Do any nearby RVs have their windows or doors open?
  • Are children nearby? 
  • Could there be any pregnant women in the area?
  • Which direction is the wind blowing?

One of your RV neighbors could be trying to get pregnant or have a medical condition. Personally, I have asthma and smoke can bring it on. Or there could be kids around. 

Basically, other RVers donโ€™t want to inhale second-hand smoke. They want to be out in nature taking in fresh air. So be considerate of others. Donโ€™t smoke at your site or walk around the RV park while smoking. 

That goes for cigarettes, cigars, and vaping. If you need to smoke, please take a walk far away from all campsites.

You may also like: How To Choose the Best RV for You

9. Be courteous with your black tank

Your RV neighbors donโ€™t want to smell your waste, especially when theyโ€™re sitting outside enjoying a meal at the picnic table right next to your sewer hookup.

Be conscious of your RV neighbors. Donโ€™t leave the black tank open. And try to only empty your tanks when your RV neighbors arenโ€™t outside.

If you canโ€™t wait to empty your black tank and your RV neighbors are right by it, at least give them a heads-up first. Thatโ€™s good RV park etiquette.

Keep RV Site Tidy for RV Park Etiquette
Deluxe riverfront site at our favorite RV park!

10. Keep a tidy campsite

Take pride in your campsite and keep it tidy when youโ€™re staying at an RV campground. 

Most RV parks wonโ€™t let you hang your laundry out to dry. Thatโ€™s because they donโ€™t want their sites to look cluttered and unkept.

Also, donโ€™t leave trash out, even if you intend to throw it away eventually. There could be bears in the area that would love to get a hold of leftover food.

And donโ€™t leave trash behind for the next person to have to dispose of. When you get to a campsite, you donโ€™t want to have to clean up other peopleโ€™s trash.

Well, neither does the next person who comes after you. Leave the campsite as clean as you found it.

You may also like: 10 Reasons Why Traveling by RV is the Best Way to Travel

Wrapping Up Good RV Park Etiquette

RV park etiquette comes down to basic manners. Always keep the Golden Rule in mind and treat your RV neighbors how you would want to be treated. If something would annoy you, it will annoy someone else too.

Enjoy yourself, but be considerate so your RV neighbors can enjoy their time at the RV park too. Think about your fellow RVers before you turn your music up or walk through an RV site.

Taking an extra moment to consider how something will affect other RVers will go a long way. Theyโ€™ll appreciate your thoughtfulness just as youโ€™ll appreciate theirs when they follow these suggestions too.

Letโ€™s all make each otherโ€™s RVing experiences as best as possible!

Whatโ€™s your biggest RV park etiquette pet peeve when you stay at an RV park? Share it in the comments below. Iโ€™m dying to hear!

Like this Post? Pin it!

RV Park Etiquette - 10 Tips for RV Newbies
RV Park Etiquette - RVing for Beginners 10 Tips
RV Park Etiquette - 10 Tips on How To Be a Good RV Neighbor
Follow Next Destination Unknown on Pinterest

Affiliate Disclosure

This post may contain affiliate links or links to Amazon. If you choose to purchase anything through these links, I may earn a commission at no cost to you. As an Amazon Associate, I earn from qualifying purchases. Thank you for supporting me and my blog. Youโ€™re the best! See the full disclosure for details.

Join the Free Blog Launch Course and learn how to start a blog in just 7 days!

Let’s Connect!

Briana Nickas of Next Destination Unknown

Behind the Blog

Hey there! I’m Briana, a blogger, hiker, traveller, RVer, photo-taker, and National Parks lover who is passionate about exploring the great outdoors while practicing clean living for a healthier lifestyle to continue doing the things I live for. My goal is to inspire others to live a life focused on wellbeing and wandering. Join me!

READ MORE

Top Blog Categories

RVing

RVing

Blogging with Next Destination Unknown

Blogging

A Few of My Faves…

1

RAKUTEN

Get cash back on your purchases through Rakuten for free! This is seriously one of my favorite things in life!


2

SITEGROUND

Reliable hosting for your self-hosted WordPress website is a must! SiteGround is not only reliable, but it's also affordable!


3

DIVI THEME

If you want to design a custom WordPress website without having to know code, the Divi Theme is the way to go!


4

WP ROCKET

Boo for slow websites! Does your WordPress blog need a major site speed boost? You need the WP Rocket plugin!


5

MAILERLITE

For an affordable yet customizable email marketing service, MailerLite is my go-to choice!

Powered by…

Divi WordPress Theme
WP Rocket - WordPress Caching Plugin

Earn Cash Back

Get Cash Back with Rakuten!

Go Natural

Try natural skincare with 10% off Primally Pure!

Use code NDU10 for 10% off EVERY Primally Pure purchase!

Go Shopping

Get What You Need from Amazon!

Try RVing

Blogging Tools I use, LOVE, and highly recommend:

  • SITEGROUND I use SiteGround as my web hosting provider for this self-hosted WordPress blog. Their plans are affordable and include must-have features. Learn more about SiteGround and their web hosting plansย HERE.
  • DIVI THEME –ย I love the Divi Theme’s page builder to create a fully customizable website. Plus, it comes with some super handy plugins! Get 10% OFF the Divi Theme HERE.
  • WP ROCKET –ย Site speed is critical for blogs. I use the WP Rocket Plugin in conjunction with my SiteGround hosting and their SG Optimizer plugin for a super fast site. Check out the WP Rocket plugin HERE.
  • CANVAย –ย Canva makes it super easy to design eye-catching graphics and Pins for your blog. Sign up for a FREE Canva account and try Canva Pro FREE for 30 daysย HERE.
  • MAILERLITE – I love using MailerLite to design and send engaging emails to my subscribers.ย Get MailerLite FREE for your first 1,000 email subscribers HERE.

You may also like…

Leave a Comment!

6 Comments

  1. Taylor Abrams

    I completely agree that when an RV is staying at a property, it is theirs for that time so you shouldn’t trespass and respect each other’s space instead. I will take this in mind for when I go camping in an RV with my boyfriend next month. It’s so exciting but I still got to find an RV park so wish me luck!

    Reply
    • Briana Nickas

      I’m glad you agree. ๐Ÿ˜Š That’s exciting that you’re going RVing with your boyfriend next month! Where are you going? Best of luck finding an RV park!

      Reply
  2. Eve Mitchell

    I loved that you mentioned that you need to clean up the RV park before you leave. I’m hoping to go on an RV trip with my husband for our second anniversary. I’m hoping that I can find an RV park with enough space for us to set up our chairs.

    Reply
    • Briana Nickas

      Thanks, Eve! I was raised to leave a place as I found it, if not better. ๐Ÿ˜Š Congrats on your upcoming anniversary! An RV trip is an awesome way to celebrate! Most RV parks have enough space for a few chairs. Hopefully you can set them up by a campfire!

      Reply
  3. Ryan Biddulph

    Being even a tad mindful of your RV neighbors makes all the difference I see. Smart post Briana.

    Ryan

    Reply
    • Briana Nickas

      Thanks, Ryan! It really comes down to the Golden Rule of treating others how you want to be treated. It goes such a long way! ๐Ÿ˜„

      Reply
Submit a Comment

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Treasure Chest of Freebies with Free Resources for Blogging, Travel, RVing, and Hiking

Unlock the Treasure Chest of Freebies!

ย 

Sign up for the key to unlock the Treasure Chest of Freebies and get your free Travel, RVing, Hiking, Wellbeing, and Blogging resources!

Success! Check your inbox for the key to unlock the Treasure Chest of Freebies.