“Rules and responsibilities: these are the ties that bind us. We do what we do, because of who we are. If we did otherwise, we would not be ourselves. I will do what I have to do. And I will do what I must.” —Neil Gaiman, “The Sandman: Book of Dreams”
By Nanci Dixon
In addition to weird RV park rules, there are some rules that are just downright irritating to campers. Sometimes they just don’t make sense to anyone except those in the campground office. Many of you left comments on last week’s article, 12 weirdest campground rules, and said that sometimes these weird rules are made because one weird person does one weird thing.
Readers’ speak out…
Laurie left a comment and said, “I work at an RV park in Ranch Country and I have to tell guests more than you would believe, ‘No, we don’t allow livestock in the park.’”
Another reader, Leslie, posted about a rule I hadn’t heard of before: “We set up at a campground south of Louisville. Our two grandchildren were with us. Our grandson wanted to dribble his basketball, so joined us on our walk up and down the road. My husband stayed at the RV. When we returned, a man was leaving our site and grumpily told my grandson, ‘No ball bouncing.’ He had just informed my husband that ball bouncing was against the rules. My husband apologized and asked why. The man said it was too loud, and it was stated in the rules. ‘Where are the rules posted?’ my husband asked. ‘On the back of the map,’ answered the man. My husband held up the map with a blank backside. My husband even pointed out the ball bouncing wasn’t in the park. The man said it could be heard in the park, either follow the rules or leave. So much for the child-friendly grandma and grandpa campground.”
Reader Jesse added, “I agree about being wacky. But some of them were probably in response to someone doing the stupid and disgusting behavior mentioned in the rule.”
Everyone agreed that spitting chewing tobacco was disgusting and a valid rule, but my question is still, why would you even need that rule? Shouldn’t it be obvious? Guess that takes us back to Jesse’s comment about someone actually doing something that required a rule…
Here are the top 10 most irritating campground rules:
Again, thanks to Desert Valley RV (now apparently permanently closed, BTW), KOA, and a number of RV parks and campgrounds we have stayed at for providing us these rules.
1. Fees, fees and more fees!
There are an assortment of add-on fees: a visitor fee, a fee for getting packages, a fee for the gate remote, a fee for kids, a fee for required vests to walk at night, a guest fee for the swimming poll, an arm band fee and a $25 dumping fee upon entering the park even if camping there! I am sure the list of fees goes on and on…
2. No tents allowed on RV site
Our kids and grandkids were visiting and we actually would have had to rent a tent site for them because the campground did not allow their tent on our x-large RV site.
3. No hanging of laundry or beach towels outside of the RV
I do understand that perhaps airing dirty or even clean underwear might not be the most appealing site for neighboring RVers, but prohibiting hanging swimming towels outside the RV even when at a beach campground or one with pools and hot tubs? Come on…
4. No RVer can have more than two guests at one time without permission from management
Well, there goes July 4th, Memorial Day and Labor day get-togethers. Kinda limits those spur-of-the-moment festivities too. And it’ll be awkward to tell family friends that they have to leave the kids at home in order to come over for dinner…
5. All RVs will be escorted to their site by campground staff and staff will direct all parking maneuvers
By now my husband and I have a system to find our site. Sure, an escort saves time finding it, especially in large parks. BUT we have also worked out our own backing up system and someone else flailing their arms around just adds to the confusion. I know exactly how far our slides go out and where our utility connections are. I can direct my husband where to go. Okay, I admit, in the beginning he was telling me where to go… but we are doing better now.
6. No firewood, certified or not, can be brought into park
This was at a state park in Minnesota and we had purchased certified, kiln-dried and wrapped firewood from the RV park literally across the road. The park ranger demanded we leave it with him or not camp at the park. We trudged up the hill and returned it to the RV park, got a refund and bought the SAME certified kiln-dried firewood from the park ranger. Was he stockpiling the confiscated wood?
7. Back end of RV cannot extend over the grass
This is not about parking on the grass. This irritating rule irritated us when our RV was on the gravel pad and the rear end hung over the grass. After a complete setup we needed to take everything down and move forward three feet. Guess I should have read the rules more closely on that one…
8. Weight restrictions on dogs
My guess is that the temperament of the dog is more important than the weight or size. Don’t three small dogs equal one big dog? And aren’t small dogs usually louder anyway…?
9. Walk dogs outside of park grounds
So a dog is allowed in but can’t walk in the park? Did they say they were pet friendly or just pet tolerant? In addition to not walking in the park, one reader told us about an RV park that had a dog walk area BUT the dog couldn’t walk in the park, so he needed to drive the dog to the dog walk area in his car.
10. For protection of deck furniture, please place towels over chairs when using suntan oil, creams, or lotions.
This was from the same place that requires everyone to be fully clothed in the clubhouse. I have been trying NOT to ponder what does fully and not fully clothed actually mean in a 55-and-up RV park…
I am sure that everyone has a downright irritating rule that they’ve come across at a campground or RV park. If you can remember one, please leave it in the comments below.
##RVT988
Most parks have rules posted on their websites so I can choose whether to go there and abide by them or go elsewhere.
MY pet peeve about rules is the reluctance of most parks and park staff to ENFORCE them! Biggest example is off leash dogs running amok. Even advising the office of the problem doesn’t help.
A campground in Kansas made us pull into a site in the far back of their campground because we were in a class c with a bathroom. I literally had to beg for the bathroom code because we can’t use our shower set up. The code was especially handy when the grandkids went swimming in the pool near the bathrooms and didn’t have to hike to and from our camper to not pee in the pool. The reason for this rule was that there was too much vandalism in the bathrooms. However, long term campers were put in sites near the bathrooms. At another campground in another state, the owners said they didn’t allow long term campers (and work related) at all was because of the vandalism they caused. We will stay again at the second campground and always avoid the first.
There was a situation where the clothes line remained when the towels were removed. A child ran thru the empty lot and hurt himself because of the line draped thru the trees. That’s why they also stopped the use of them. Too many lawyers trying to file suit over anything.
Regarding #4…..As a campground worker, our park charges for daytime or overnight visitors. Extra people in the campground means possible parking issues, and more use of electricity, water and sewer . Seasonal lease holders are allowed 12 yearly credits for visitors but are charged after that number. No visitors are allowed on July 4 holiday weekend.
My greatest pet peeve is about pet rules. They simply aren’t followed and aren’t enforced. Constantly barking dogs inside and outside the campers. No dogs in pens nor off leash, and yet that’s what we frequently find. Owners must pick up after their pets, but when you go to areas where they can poop, there’s poop all over the place. Camp ground management can do better, but the campers also must do a lot better. Why can’t people just follow the rules and make it easier and more pleasant for everyone?
Some pet owners think that what their pet(dog) does is natural and refuse to pick up after the dog does it’s business. Last year we were in a park in Dade City, FL that was about 60% permanent residents and 40% RVers. One of the permanent residents would take his golden retriever for a walk a couple times a day on a long retractable leash(against the 6’ leash rule) and allow his dog to explore every RV site on the walk. The dog seemed to favor corner lots which our daughter and son in law occupied one and the dog left it’s calling card to which the SIL complained to the office. The next day the same thing happened, the next day the SIL was waiting outside when the dog came by and gave the owner what for about his dog crapping on their lot and him not cleaning up. The dog owner did not walk the dog by there again. He still wouldn’t pick up after his dog but at least our SIL wasn’t picking it up either.
Be honest, most pet owners adhere to the rules and pick up after their pets. I agree that what you are talking about is annoying. It is even more upsetting to those of us that follow those rules because we know there is going to be a lot of non-pet owners that are going to be up in arms about ALL pet owners. Give those of us that are respectful a break please.
On #5, I was in a park where they escorted you to the site and guided you into your spot. I mentioned that we, my wife and self could probably handle the backing in without your help. He said the reason they do it, is if their is an accident and you run over a pedestal or water connection it is their expense to repair. If unassisted by them and I do the damage, the repair bill is mine. which would only be fair. So I happily agreed to his assistance.
Sounds like our rule at Quail Run RV park in Quartzsite, AZ when we managed it. The water input pipes stood up only about 3 feet and if you drove a mh, it was very hard to see the pipe. We always helped put people into their sites, then let them re-adjust as needed.
Maybe not in the top 10 rules, but how about enforcing the “no departing camp before 7am rule”? We were staying at the KOA in Billings, MT over Labor Day weekend, and if you know this KOA it’s the oldest in the U.S. and spaces are VERY tight. A 45-foot diesel pusher next to us started its engine at 5:45am, which was situated right outside our bedroom. Boy, what a wakeup call! The engine ran for what seemed like forever and then they were gone by six.
Agreed on the early leavers but then that would require someone to BE UP and WORK :wpds_razz: ING at 5AM. Many CGs don’t even open until 9 or later. And how would you enforce it? Make them leave????? Isn’t that what they’re doing already? 😮
There is a campground in Salmon, ID that absolutely forbids guests visiting campers. A review accounts how one camper was ordered to leave because a couple of family members from town came to visit.
That is ridiculous.
The road goes both ways! Too many campers use family members as a way to get free entertainment. We have often wondered how one camper could hold the number of people indicated by the cars parked nearby. Most parks charge very reasonable fees for visitors who then take advantage of the privilege of having “party central” via one paid camper.
Park with overhanging the grass? Riding mowers can’t cut it.
Tents next to RVs? Damages (kills) the grass, encourages campers to exceed the number of site occupants.
No visitors allowed? Park occupancy limits easily exceeded, too many cars, too many pedestrians, heavy restroom use requires multiple resupply and cleaning throughout the day and evening. The sound of a dribbling basketball can be quite annoying.
Bravo, Mike!!
As frequent park hosts, AMEN to that! The problem is not the rules…it’s the people who won’t follow them.
There’s a park in PA that’s convenient on our trip to visit grandkids. I won’t stay there because the escort insists on you parking in an EACT spot (side-side and front to back) on a long pull through. The problem is that the spot is way out of level in both directions and the sewer connection is an inch higher than the outlet in my trailer so I can’t dump the last 1/8th of my tanks.
As far as no tents on the grassy area, I agree. The tents kill the grass and then that area turns into a muddy mess. Some campgrounds do not even allow outdoor rugs on the grass. Nothing worse than setting up your rig and then finding the steps are situated in a puddle.
I have to say, I’m in agreement with part of No 5 – “All RVs will be escorted to their site by campground staff”; the RV Park where I currently stay doesn’t do this and a large majority of the rigs are parked in such a way that they are actually in the way of either a rig getting into the space behind them or on either side. (I’ve only witnessed the staff ask someone to move their rig into their space one time.) I’m not in favor with the latter part of No. 5 – “and staff will direct all parking maneuvers”; my wife and I have a system that works and I really don’t need or want your help. I have on more than one occasion asked someone to be quiet or quit with giving directions as it was distracting me from seeing or hearing my wife.
We use walkie talkies for backing in. When the staff guides us in, we play along and wait until they leave to readjust. They’re only looking at the hookup side and usually way off on the door side, leaving us stepping out into a hole, etc.
I don’t really have a “most irritating rule” but I will say I get really irritated with RV parks that do not enforce their rules. I’m not talking about small infractions (although I’m pretty black and white so if they did I’d be ok with it) necessarily but the blatantly obvious rule violations. Like; no trailers (cargo, dollies, boats, etc), no parking on the grass, no fires, no freestanding canopies overnight, the list could go on. Again while I don’t always agree with the rules if I decided to stay at the park I have decided to play by the rules of the park (read the contract it says so) so to that end – ENFORCE THE RULES
Yep I am with you on this.
The two rules I want to see enforced are keep your dogs on a leash (or at least in your camp and in your control) AND, no noise after a set hour.
This Canada weekend, the camp host actually came over to our camp and asked if we “minded” the yahoos beside us playing their exceptionally loud music after 10 pm- because no one else did. Essentially, she was saying we would be jerks if we complained. We tried to go with the flow, but by doing so, the yahoos got worse each day and the host was useless. It got so bad that I had to call the cops.
Camped at Lackawanna State Park in Pa. They had no rules posted. On our 2nd day A ranger came by and gave myself and another senior citizen a warning citation. It was because my whole truck was not parked on the asphalt pad. Two wheels were about 16” off pad on modified stone. I could not back my camper further back because the lot had a large slope in the rear. No one would have the amount of blocks needed to support the stabilizer jacks. She said she’d be back in ten minutes to check if we moved our trucks. Camped at two other Pa state parks and visited other and there were never any parking issues.
We have a large quiet Golden Retriever. We’ve encountered RV parks with a 40 pound rule. I agree, smaller dogs are usually noisier and also can be more prone to aggressive behavior. I was told at one park with a size restriction that big dogs make big poop. Okay, don’t you also require pet owners to pick up said poop?
Sad. The most obnoxious, unpleasant breed of dog I have ever met are the Chihuahuas which are naively accepted at ‘”RV parks”. I would much prefer a pack of your Golden Retrievers wanting to say “hello” than one of those yapping cucarachas with fur.
I very much agree with that. Give me golden retrievers anytime over any little ankle bitter, yappy thing. I know a lot of people love those little dogs but that doesn’t mean that someone’s big dog shouldn’t be welcome. My own sister and brother have chihuahuas, never understood them. lol
Sure do agree. Goldens are just the best. We have a new one on the way!
In regard to #4, it should be noted that there IS a difference between an RV Park and a Forest Service or Nat’l/State Campground. Take your holiday gatherings to a Campground, not an RV Park where they are trying to provide a different experience. There’s something out there for everyone, just choose an appropriate setting for what you want, rather than trying to impose what you want into an inappropriate place.
Well spoken guys.
The sound of a basketball dribbling can get pretty tiresome after a while, just as radio-controlled cars or airplanes, barking dogs or some peoples’ idea of ‘music’. There should be a designated area.
OK, now imagine the pleasures of having your site within “hearing distance” of the pickle ball court….just great!!!
😳😳😳
But you have no control if that ball is being dribbled outside the park and you hear it. Remember you’re the transient not the resident kid.
At a campground in Wisconsin long closed now the owners would require you to submit to a search of your coolers, cabinets refrigerator in a quest to discover alcohol. If they found any you had to pour it out a attend a mandatory re-education class on the sins of said alcohol or you could not stay. Can’t imagine why they closed up.
I’m glad he went out of business.
We stayed in a beautiful campground in Wilson, NY and, while backing in, the front ‘swing’ of the motor home hit a short fence. The CG manager had been sitting there on his golf cart watching! After the $3,500 damage to the coach, the fellow said “I don’t like to tell people how to drive.” I just wish he’d have told me when to ‘stop’!
No spotter?
Dogs barking all day, dog poop not picked up near my campsite, people cutting through our campsite and smoke from campfires. These are my pet peeves. If it becomes unbearable in one of my long term stays, I approach the offender. The smoke always bothers me but it’s necessary to many campers. I close all my windows and door…..and turn on the air condioner.
I totally agree Dog poop,Camp Fires and big parties on the campsite pretty much makes for a not fun time
Dogs are fine but owners need to pay attention to what their dog is doing
Dog poop not good, cutting through just depends on what this really means.
camp fires all I can say wants some cheese with your whine.
You know da.. well what “cutting through” means/is. I have no doubt. Now that resort campgrounds” pack us in ala ghetto, campfires are a nuisance. Especially when your friends decide it is appropriate to burn their garbage/trash. Our camping i.e. “Resorts” may have become transient slums. And by the way, I do not like your radio or choice of noise.
Oh so true about music or even outdoor tv! Drives me nuts…We do NOT want to hear your music or what you are watching.
Well said.
👍👍
I agree. Who goes camping only to complain about camp fires? Yeesh.
Well, I feel honored that a comment of mine was mentioned in the newsletter. Got another one-” Can’t fix stupid; only what stupid does.” and the rest of us who know better just have to put up with the crap stupid causes.
I don’t know what I like worst the stupid rules, that people that complain all the time about every little thing or the ones that go out of there way to be problem children. Add the covid summer of last year and almost impossible to get camping spot and I am doing a lot of soul searching wondering if I should sell my unit. Some of the camping spots have also become so pricey that I can sometimes find motel rooms for only a few dollars more than camping spots in some parts of the country. Lots to think about.
A couple of weird rules we’ve encountered –
No use of onboard washing machines – no laundry facilities on site either.
Campers must provide proof of $300,000 insurance coverage
The rule about the weight of dogs is for the safety of other people. My daughter and her husband live in a mobile home park and they have that rule to keep out the heavy dogs that usually turn mean like the owners. Good call by the park owners.
Sounds like profiling to me.
How does one count a service dog, which are usually 60 pounds or greater?
I’ve had many large dogs and none of them were mean, unless you came after the kids ,then you might be missing a leg or arm. Many large breeds are gentle giants. Never worried about kids be kidnapped though. Who’s gonna grab a kid walking a 180 lb dog.:):)
I can tell you 100% that ER visits from dog bites to humans are mostly from small dogs. Quit believing TV shows that falsely portrays large dogs. And even when a large dog is involved it becuase of a nasty human that taught it to fight or be mean.
And the insurance companies writing a dog list that is not factual. True more bites by old peoples small dogs.
We had a 90 pound yellow lab that very rarely barked and loved everyone. About the only time she barked was inside the house when she heard the Fed-Ex or UPS truck come up the driveway and only because she knew they would give her a treat. Don’t ask how many times she sneaked into the back of the trucks and took an unnoticed ride so she could get another treat, furthest she went was about 3 miles. Yet we were denied many a RV park because of her size!
Stereotype people most guide dogs are large and I haven’t seen too many mean disabled people, I being one of them in the VET category.
My wife and I have been full timers for 10 years. We have worked in State and Federal parks as hosts for most of that time. I agree there are some strange rules, that being said, you wouldn’t believe some of the things we have seen people do, say and act like. Try working at a park sometime.
You have peaked my curiosity. Any chance you could write up some of your experiences and submit them to RVTravel? I know I would be like to hear them.
PIQUED!
It’s a rule.
“Piqued”. Too funny. Now I know!
I had considered correcting it when I first read your comment, BadWolfe, but I liked your version! Have a good evening. 😀 —Diane
Love it.
Some health departments or other local government agency will not allow more than one camping unit on a campsite, so many times it’s not the park that makes that rule.
We camphosted at a campground because it was convenient to our son’s house. They had a long list of Rules. Most were added because of a “situation” that arose. Some were typical, some a bit unusual. They had some long term sites but they did not want residents to be able to claim residency in the city or the state. So in addition to the No Mail, No Deliveries, campers were required to move to a different site every 60 days. Camphosts included.
Not RV related. Not sure if this is the reason, but, we own rental properties on Florida and Pennsylvania. In both states, if a person NOT on a lease is in the property without permission and you try to remove them for whatever reason , if they receive any mail at the residence, they are considered to be a resident and can not be trespassed but you must go an eviction with the courts to have them removed. Squatters’ rights.
We had a tenant that died and when we went to turn over the unit, we found her boyfriend moved in. He lived there for two months rent free while we went through the legal process.
Have not paid any attention to #2 thru #10, if they even exist, and never had a problem the past twelve years… hope my luck continues but probably should start to read the instructions… 😮
The stupid camp rules are why I usually dry camp. It’s a lot like a HOA. Power hungry owners.
Good call Jim.
My biggest peeve is that the restrooms close for cleaning at the same time you must check out. We like to use the facilities and wash our hands after hitching up and heading out.
We’ve encountered all of these rules, and discretionary fees.
To me it’s lack of common sense and decency that results in rules.
Yes, some such as firewood are trying to prevent infestation issue and not being over grass is to allow trimming and mowing.
Some are just ridiculous such as not hanging swimsuits outside…
Yet again it’s people’s disregard for others that
Resents such rules.
You are so correct my friend!
I remember the “no shoes, no shirt, no service” signs. I watched a woman walk in wearing shoes and a shirt, but nothing else. They served her.
As A campground worker, I can see reasons for #1, #2, , #3, #6 & #7.
#1 visitors and extra kids mean more people using utilities, bath house, etc. Gate remotes tend to disappear or given to others with no monetary charge if missing.
#2 Tents on grassy areas on sites will eventually lead to wearing down of grass. Also easy to have more than the limited # of people per site that may be rule.
#4 Extra people mean extra use of facilities increasing owners overhead.
#6 Some areas or states have legal limitations on wood being brought in from other areas.
#7 If the back of an RV or other vehicle has an exhaust that is over the grass, the heat from the exhause will kill the grass in that spot.
When you work at a campground, you definitely get a different view of what goes on!
From one campground worker to another – great job. The only thing I would add is that our campground is on the outskirts of a city. On Friday and Saturday nights the biggest problem are the locals that come up with their RV’s and bring all their friends to PARTY rather than doing it at their own house. When they don’t even want to listen to us (too drunk) we make a call to the police. It has gotten to the point when they answer the phone they just automatically say “which site number”
One rule that irritates me is posted at all Texas state parks. Public consumption of alcohol is prohibited. Does that mean that if the top of a beer can extends above the top of the koozee then you are publicly consuming? Just saying…
I guess a completely tattooed body wouldn’t qualify as completely clothed?
Really I don’t think the 5er is going to put (what exhaust) on the grass? And a lot of MHs exhaust come out the rear side. Seems like common sense of campground host are lacking. I find/found some senior campground host have this power control trip. Either making one believe they never supervised people so now it’s my turn attitude or they had power over people, retired and continue to want to do so. Those are the people I avoid, bitter souls.
No rugs on grass. What grass? The sites are dirt! or weeds! or rocks!
I guess if they do have grass this would apply to those that are there for months but someone only there for a few nights to a week. However, I guess full-time residents would get mad about it. On the other hand, if the full-time residents are allowed to accumulate junk around their RVs why aren’t the “visitors” allowed some decorations
These may sound ridiculous, but you know they exist because of problems / issues the campground has dealt with in the past. Rules like limiting the number of guests is because someone had 10 people come and visit for a picnic and parked in other campers spot. I have seen people parking in the wrong site and have enjoyed an adult beverage while watching someone trying to back a 16 foot trailer into a wide open spot, after several painful to watch attempts, a cg host came and offered to assist. Rules are rules so enjoy and make sure you know and follow rules – And if you don’t like them move! – more room for me!
We stayed @ a campground “once” that had 2 pages “rules”! 🤔🤯🤬🤷🏻♀️