RV Rules of the Road

Cruising across the country in an RV with the whole family, or setting up camp in a national park with a small group? There are rules of the road — and campsite. One way to ensure a fun trip is to know the written and unwritten rules of RV and camping etiquette.

Let this list be your guide before heading out on your outdoorsy family adventure.

Luckily, most campsite rules are written either on the location’s website or on a sign at park check-in. A few written rules include quiet time hours (when to stop running generators and be mindful of music volume); where to dispose of trash and recycling; whether pets are allowed or not; and if there is somewhere you can wash your RV.

Don’t Block the Road

Remember, everyone has been traveling for miles and hours with cranky travelers in cramped situations — they all want to park and get settled. Be thoughtful of other RVers and move efficiently into the campsite. Don’t let your RV block the road for longer than absolutely necessary while you make last-minute decisions, quick turns, stops and take pictures.

Don’t Spread Out

Sticking together with your fellow travelers and campers is essential. With that said, you may not need as much space as you think — especially when meeting with fellow RVers and friends. While you may be sharing a grill and seating area and need to be mindful of the noise ordinance later, closer may be better, especially it it’s a pit stop on your journey. Reserve campsites as close to your travel buddies as possible. This keeps the group together and less likely to disturb other campers while navigating the campsite in the dark.

No Cutting

Speaking of not disturbing other campers, never cut through a section of someone you don’t know. Cutting through your neighbor’s campsites is not only inconsiderate, but it can lead to unnecessary tension in the camp. It’s often the No. 1 complaint online among campers. It can be easy to forget, as your family may be parked next to friends, but try to be mindful of your neighbors. RV campers often have extension cords running through their site, random objects on the ground and a slew of items you could potentially trip on, break, disrupt and generally create enemies over. Just take the extra few steps and go around.