Camping etiquette.

It seems like something that all campers should know, right?

Well, maybe. But maybe not. If you’ve spent most of your time in cities or towns or prefer a hotel to a campsite, some of these etiquette rules may not be common sense. 

And if you’re a parent like me? They’re definitely not common sense to our kids. 😅

Because, well…basically, I think they’re just wild things at heart. At least ours are, anyway. 🤷‍♀️

Good for them, they’re also lovable and sweet enough to offset the wild, crazy, loud, and obliviousness that seems to come so naturally to them. Usually. 🤪

Camping is the ultimate way to unplug, unwind, and recharge your batteries. But before you get too carried away with visions of stargazing and campfire sing-alongs, let’s talk about the camping rules (both written and unspoken) you need to know about to make the most of your next camping trip.

In this ultimate guide to camping etiquette, we’ll cover everything you need to know to be a happy camper, from respecting quiet hours to avoiding your neighbor’s personal space. You’ll learn how to be a good neighbor, avoid common mistakes, and follow campground rules. 

Whether you’re a first-time camper or a seasoned pro, these camping etiquette tips will help you stay safe – and maybe even make friends with your camping neighbors!

man and boy walking on large logs on dry lakebed under clear blue skies

Follow Campground Guidelines 

Being a polite camper and following basic camping etiquette is the key to everyone having a great time.

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Before you let loose and channel your inner wild child, remember that campgrounds have rules for a reason. These guidelines exist to ensure your safety, the safety of others, and to protect the environment 🌲. So don’t be that one camper who thinks rules don’t apply to them! Take a few minutes to read and understand your campground’s posted regulations. 

From speed limits to quiet time hours and fire restrictions, you’ll come across various rules. While it might seem like they’re cramping your style sometimes, but they’re in place to help you avoid accidents and conflicts with other campers.

Here are a few simple rules you’re likely to encounter at almost every campground:

  • Trash and Food Storage: Campgrounds will let you know the best practice for disposing of your trash and storing your food. You may be required to keep all food in your car or a bear locker.
  • Pet Rules: Most of the time, you will also see guidelines about pets – if they are allowed, leash laws, and picking up after them. In general, it’s best practice to pick up after your pet and leave them on a leash at campgrounds even if you don’t see it written somewhere.
  • Campfires: Campfires are one of our favorite things about camping – but we sometimes can’t have them when the fire risk is high. You’ll want to plan ahead and check the status of campfires before heading out, especially if you plan to cook most of your food over the fire. It’s best to have a portable grill or camp stove as backup, just in case.
  • Generator Use Restrictions: Most campgrounds will designate hours that you can run your generator so as not to disturb the peace and quiet at night.
  • Parking Guidelines: If you plan to bring more than one vehicle, check first to find out what the parking situation is. Some sites only allow one vehicle, but occasionally you can park another car in a designated lot. It’s common for an additional parking fee to be charged for other cars.
  • Quiet Hours: Quiet hours are the hours when you should keep noise to a minimum.

Be Respectful of Quiet Hours

Nothing can ruin a camping experience more than being woken up by loud noises in the middle of the night. That’s why many campgrounds have designated quiet hours posted (if they’re not posted, a good guideline is from 10 PM to 6 AM). 

It’s essential to respect these hours and keep noise levels to a minimum. This means no loud music, no shouting, and often, no running your generator so your fellow campers can get a good night’s sleep too.

If you’re a night owl and prefer to stay up late, try to do so quietly. It’s fine to have a quiet conversation by the fire, but blaring music at midnight? Not so much. 😅

And if you’re an early bird, remember that not everyone wants to be woken up at the crack of dawn. So keep the noise level down until it’s an appropriate time to start your day. 🤫

picnic table in foreground with two mason jars of overnight oats and 3 containers of fresh fruit on top with tent, fire pit and camp chairs in the background

Be Respectful of Other Campers

We’ve all been places where we noticed someone being obnoxious…even if they didn’t realize it.

And, when it comes to camping, some of the etiquette is a little bit different from other settings, so it’s good to know what things might get you the side-eye.

When you’re sharing a campground with other people, respecting their space and privacy is essential. Here are a few tips to keep in mind:

  • Avoid walking through your neighbor’s campsite: It may be tempting to take a shortcut through your neighbor’s site to get to the restrooms or the trailhead, but it’s essential to resist the urge. Just like you shouldn’t run through your neighbor’s backyard without permission, the same goes for campsites. Walking through someone else’s camping area is a big no-no in the camping world, so be sure to use the designated paths and roads instead.
  • Be mindful of noise and loud music: While you may enjoy your camping playlist, your camp neighbors may not share the same taste in music. Keep the volume reasonable and avoid playing music, particularly late at night or early in the morning. Remember, the great outdoors is peaceful, and loud music can disturb the tranquility.
  • Avoid early departures or late arrivals: If you plan to arrive at the campground late at night or leave early in the morning, try to be as quiet as possible. The sound of car doors slamming or engines revving can wake your fellow campers and disrupt their sleep.
  • Be respectful of quiet hours: Many campgrounds have designated quiet hours. During this time, it’s important to keep noise to a minimum and avoid using electronic devices that emit loud sounds or bright lights. If you have young kids, you know how important this one is! When you’re trying to get excited kiddos to settle down, loud talking or music from neighbors can keep them up waaaayyy past their bedtime, meaning much more cranky parents…uh, I mean kids 😅…the following day.
  • Pick up after your pets: We already kind of touched on this one, but nothing is worse than stepping in a pile of dog 💩…especially if you aren’t somewhere convenient to clean it off.
  • Follow the speed limit: There is often a lot of activity in a campground. Kids running and playing, pets on leashes, families walking or biking, and following the speed limit will help to keep everyone safe.
  • Be considerate if you smoke: If you smoke, consider walking away from the main campground before lighting up and make sure to dispose of any cigarette butts safely.

Remember, camping is all about having a good time, and being good campground neighbors is an essential part of that experience. By following these written and unwritten rules of camping etiquette, you’ll be well on your way to becoming a happy camper. 🏕️

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Be Respectful of Wildlife

We get it. That chipmunk is super cute. 😍 But it’s important to remember that these furry friends are just that – wild! Here are some tips to minimize your impact on wildlife:

  • Keep a safe distance: No, that raccoon doesn’t want to be your new BFF. Keep a safe distance from all wildlife and admire them from afar.
  • Store food properly: Sorry to break it to you, but your snacks aren’t just attracting your human friends. Store all food and garbage properly to avoid attracting unwanted animal attention.
  • Don’t feed the animals: Seriously, don’t do it. (Yes, even the cute little chipmunks.) Feeding wild animals can disrupt their natural diet and put them at risk of becoming dependent on humans.

Respecting wildlife not only keeps them safe but ensures that future generations can enjoy these amazing creatures too!

Be Respectful of the Land

Ah, the great outdoors. Endless landscapes and breathtaking views. It’s no wonder why so many of us flock to public lands, national forests, and state parks for a quality camping experience. However, with great enjoyment comes great responsibility. As campers, we must be mindful of our impact on the environment and strive to preserve it for future generations. 

Here are some tips to minimize your impact on the land:

  • Stay on designated trails
  • Avoid disturbing natural features
  • Use existing fire rings and grills
  • Dispose of waste properly
  • Respect boundaries and private property

Always Follow Leave No Trace Principles

In addition to these tips, the golden rule is to follow Leave No Trace principles. These guidelines provide a framework for minimizing your impact on the environment while camping. These are the seven Leave No Trace principles you should know:

  1. Plan ahead and prepare
  2. Travel and camp on durable surfaces
  3. Dispose of waste properly (sometimes this means you’ll need to pack it out) 🗑️
  4. Leave what you find
  5. Minimize campfire impact
  6. Respect wildlife
  7. Be considerate of other visitors

By following these principles, we can all do our part to ensure that the land remains a beautiful and sustainable place for future generations to enjoy.

These are just a few simple things you can do when you go camping that will make a massive difference in reducing your impact and help you do your part to Leave No Trace and keep our natural resources beautiful for future generations.

🔗 Related: If you’re planning any hikes during your camping trip, make sure you also know the standard hiking etiquette guidelines.

man with camp stove on folding table boiling water for coffee
But, first…coffee.

Keep Your Campsite Clean

There’s nothing worse than arriving at a campsite littered with cigarette butts, bottle caps, and other garbage left behind by previous campers. Not only is it unsightly, but it’s also harmful to the environment and wildlife that call the area home. That’s why ensuring you’re doing your part to keep your campsite clean is crucial.

To start, always make sure to properly dispose of your waste. This means using the campground’s designated garbage cans and recycling bins (or packing it all out) and not leaving any trash or food scraps behind. 

If your campground doesn’t provide trash service (some more primitive sites don’t), bring trash bags and plan to take your trash back with you. To reduce the waste you have to manage, bring reusable plates and silverware instead of paper or plastic options.

Another helpful tip is to designate an area in your camp for a camp kitchen. This helps prevent food scraps and other waste from being scattered around your campsite, attracting unwanted animals.

🔗 Related: Ridiculously Easy Camping Food Ideas (That Don’t Need Refrigeration!)

If you happen to be camping without designated bathroom facilities, be sure to have supplies and a plan to manage your waste according to the specific rules of the area you’re camping in. Many regions still allow you to bury your waste in a cat hole (make sure it’s at least 200 feet away from water sources, campsites, and trails). Still, it’s becoming increasingly common to pack out your own poop (yes, like you do for your dog). Especially in high-traffic areas, increasing human waste and toilet paper are becoming problematic.

Lastly, leave your campsite in the same condition as you found it. This means packing up all your gear and checking for any trash, small bits of food, or other items that may have been left behind. Remember, we want to leave the natural beauty of our campsite for the next campers to enjoy just as much as we did!

a fire burns brightly at an RV campsite with rv and jeep in the background
glowing flames and sparks flying our of a fire ring with a large recreational vehicle in the background as a camping concept

Follow Fire Restrictions and Campfire Safety Guidelines

There’s nothing quite like gathering around a warm and cozy campfire, roasting marshmallows, telling ghost stories, or having meaningful conversations. However, it’s important to remember that campfires can be dangerous if not managed properly. Always follow fire restrictions and campfire safety guidelines to prevent forest fires and keep yourself and other campers safe. 

  • Check for fire restrictions before starting a fire. We like to check current restrictions online before heading out, but it’s always a good idea to check with campground staff as well. 
  • If fires are allowed, use designated fire rings or pits.
  • Keep the fire small and manageable. Don’t burn large pieces of wood or materials that could create sparks or embers that could ignite surrounding vegetation.
  • Use local (or certified heat treated) firewood instead of bringing from home as this can introduce tree-damaging insects or diseases. If your campsite allows, you may be able to collect downed, dry wood. Alternatively, you can purchase local wood (camp hosts or stores will often have some).
  • Always keep a close eye on the fire and never leave it unattended. Make sure the fire is completely extinguished before leaving your campsite or going to bed.
  • Never burn garbage, plastic, or other non-natural materials in a fire pit. These materials can release toxic fumes and pollute the air.
  • Be aware of wind conditions and never start a fire if it’s too windy. Wind can quickly spread embers and sparks, creating a dangerous situation.
  • If you’re using a portable stove or grill, make sure it’s placed on a flat, stable surface away from flammable materials.
  • Keep water and a shovel nearby in case of emergencies
  • Fully extinguish the fire before leaving your campsite. Use water to put out the fire, not dirt. Pour water over the fire, stirring the ashes and embers until everything is cool to the touch.

By following these fire safety guidelines and being mindful of fire restrictions, you can enjoy the warmth and comfort of a campfire while protecting the environment and keeping yourself and others safe.

Scout Campers Kenai on F350 Tremor with rooftop tent in place setup at campsite
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FAQ’s About Camping Etiquette

Following the Leave No Trace principles. Ultimately, the goal should be not only to leave no trace but to leave things better than we found them. This ensures that generations to come will get to experience the beauty of nature as well.

Be mindful and work quickly and quietly to set up (or take down) camp. The truth is, it will probably happen to everyone at some point, and most people will understand.

Though this isn’t probably the best time to loudly hammer in every single tent stake. 🤫 Remember that everyone else is sleeping, and even a car door closing when everything is silent can be disturbing. Do what you need to do before climbing in to sleep – you can always adjust or set up additional camp equipment during daylight.

It definitely can be considered rude to play loud music while camping. It’s best to keep your music at a considerate level in most scenarios. However, there may be exceptions, such as certain camping meetups or events.

Final Thoughts on Camping Etiquette

Being a respectful camper means being mindful of your fellow campers, the environment, and the rules of the campground. Keep those in mind, and you’ll have an enjoyable camping experience while leaving a positive impact.

By following these simple tips, you’ll not only have a great time on your next camping trip, but you’ll also be doing your part to preserve our natural resources for generations to come. So go ahead, pitch that tent, roast those marshmallows, and enjoy all the wonders the great outdoors has to offer.

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