Imagine sleeping peacefully in your camper when your neighbors arrive at midnight. They spend half an hour parking and arguing, finally settle in… and then wake you up at 3 a.m. with a roaring bonfire, lights everywhere, and music blaring.
Apparently, they thought, “Great! We’ve still got the whole evening.”
Where do you find that kind of energy? At 8:30, I’m looking for my pajamas.
After my original video about unruly campers, I asked you what I missed. Based on your comments, apparently quite a bit! Your stories covered everything from noisy campground neighbors to an unexpected use for a dog-poop bag—and one family who brought a chainsaw.
These are your experiences, along with my reactions and a few campground etiquette reminders. You might recognize a neighbor. You might even recognize yourself. I certainly did!
When Your Campground Neighbors Share a Little Too Much
Magenta mentioned couples who shout across their campsite instead of walking over to each other.
“Where are the hot dog buns?”
“In the camper!”
Thank goodness. Now the whole campground knows where campsite 33 keeps the buns.
Another viewer said they learned far too much about the family camping nearby. There’s something wrong when you head home knowing enough to draw your campground neighbors’ family tree.
And the entertainment didn’t stop there: a big speaker came with flashing lights.
Oh, flashing lights… I’m way too old for a middle school dance!
The camping etiquette reminder here is simple: enjoy your conversations and music, but consider how far they travel. Your neighbors may have come for a quieter kind of entertainment.
Campsite Lights, Car Alarms, and Generators That Never Stop
One viewer described campers who brought poles, strung lights from trees, and illuminated every light option on their RV. Doctorsmog added floodlights left on all night.
A few lights while you’re sitting outside? I get it. But when you go to bed and leave the whole production running, now I’m camping next to a grand opening.
Doctorsmog also mentioned car alarms. Nothing interrupts that almost-asleep feeling quite like the vehicle next door suddenly having something urgent to announce.
Then Teresa shared a story about someone on BLM land running a construction-style generator all day and all night.
I know people rely on generators when boondocking. I’ve used one myself. But there’s a difference between considering the people nearby and making everyone feel like they’re camping next to a construction site.
Check the rules where you’re staying, think about your neighbors, and turn off unnecessary outdoor lighting when you head inside.
My Own Unruly Camper Confession
Before I get too comfortable talking about noisy campers, I have a confession: I’ve been the early-morning-departure camper a few times.
Sorry.
One viewer described what it feels like when someone leaves noisily before dawn: “Well, I’m up now.”
That’s exactly what I don’t want someone saying when I pull out.
Sometimes an early departure is necessary. What I can control is getting as much ready as possible the night before and keeping the noise down when I leave.
Campground etiquette isn’t always about pointing at someone else. Sometimes it’s noticing a habit of your own.
Dog-Poop Bags Do Not Have a Return Slot
SQWIB described seeing someone pick up after their dog—and put the used bag in the complimentary bag dispenser.
The dispenser. Where you get the clean bags.
That is not a return slot.
You were so close! You already did the hard part. Just finish the trip to the trash can.
HoneyandMe brought up another important dog-related issue: their older, deaf dog could panic if another dog rushed up to them.
“He’s friendly” only tells me about your dog. It doesn’t tell you how the dog—or person—he’s approaching will feel.
I love dogs, but I don’t want to referee a surprise introduction while taking Thor for a walk. Follow the leash rules and give other campers and their pets some space.
And please clean up spilled food. Nancy arrived at a campsite covered in wet dog food, and I’d recently experienced the same thing.
I saw a mess. Thor saw a buffet.
Your Campsite Isn’t a Shortcut—or Someone Else’s Parking Lot
John said the campers behind him treated his site like their parking lot. Someone also kept riding an electric bike through it.
At that point, I think he needed a sign: “Parking: five dollars. Bike rides: ten.”
Ivan’s imaginary response to campsite cutters made me laugh: follow them back, pull up a chair, and start visiting, since apparently they consider you family.
“Hi! What’s for dinner?”
Funny to imagine, but the frustration is understandable. You paid for a campsite, not a shortcut. Use the campground roads and paths, even when walking through someone else’s space would save a few steps.
Friendly Campers Still Need Personal Space
Barbara likes friendly neighbors, but she doesn’t necessarily want strangers joining her campfire when she came for some time alone.
There’s a difference between saying hello and deciding you’re spending the evening together.
For the record, if you see me camping, please say hi! I love meeting you and have made wonderful memories chatting with viewers. It’s still worth paying attention to someone’s timing.
One viewer described a host who kept talking while they were trying to leave. I’ve been there: smiling politely, saying I should get going, and eventually dangling my keys in the hope they’ll speak for me.
On the other hand, Kevin noticed “invisible campers”: their site looks ready for a Fourth of July cookout, but they’re rarely outside.
Kevin, were you parked next to me? My chairs might be out while I’m inside editing all day.
As Kevin pointed out, that isn’t unruly behavior. Sometimes people are working, resting, or enjoying their privacy.
Campground Laundry Etiquette: Are All Four Washers Fair Game?
Jeff brought up campers who use all four washing machines instead of leaving one or two available. Donna admitted she’d do that.
Straight to the confession booth!
My first reaction was that it would be frustrating. But with my hubby Tom and me preparing for full-time RV living, I can picture walking into an empty laundry room and thinking, “Wonderful! Four loads at once!”
I see both sides. Follow any posted laundry rules, but beyond that, what do you think? If nobody’s waiting, should you leave a machine open?
The Unruly Campers Who Brought a Chainsaw
Anne said a family arrived at the neighboring campsite with an enormous RV and several other vehicles. Everything didn’t fit the way they wanted.
So they pulled out a chainsaw and cut branches to make room.
The campsite didn’t fit, so they started remodeling the trees.
I’ve heard of checking site dimensions. I’ve asked for a different campsite myself. Bringing your own landscaping department was a new one.
If your rig doesn’t fit, talk to the campground staff about your options. Visiting a campsite doesn’t give you permission to alter its trees.
Leaving a Burning Campfire Goes Beyond Bad Manners
Joan shared a story about a family with leftover firewood. Instead of offering it to someone, they lit a roaring fire—and drove away.
Thankfully, Joan put it out. Thank you again, Joan.
This goes beyond an annoying neighbor. An unattended fire can put people and the campground at risk. Put your campfire out completely before leaving.
The next camper should arrive to enjoy their site, not discover a problem they need to handle.
Have You Met One of These Campground Neighbors?
Most campers I meet are friendly and considerate. These stories don’t represent every campground, but they do show how much our habits can affect the people nearby.
Sometimes we don’t notice until someone points it out. Ask the early-morning-departure lady.
You bring the comments. I’ll bring the chairs.
