By Gail Marsh
A few nights ago at our Florida campground, folks around the campfire shared some of their most recent “beefs” or annoyances they’ve experienced. I’m not talking about barbeque here. These beefs were complaints that I had not heard before. While they may not be new to you, when these RVers shared these new beefs, I was genuinely surprised!
E-bikes
Mark and his wife love to bike the trails wherever they RV. This couple has traveled all over the U.S. with their mountain bikes and are as physically fit as they are friendly. I could immediately tell that Mark had something on his mind as I joined the campfire.
Mark complained, “We were biking on a trail about 35 miles from here when two e-bikes passed me on a trail. Can’t folks read?!”
Mark was upset because the trail had been clearly marked for non-motorized vehicles only. Other campers who’d gathered around the campfire wondered if it’s okay to pedal an e-bike on those trails. According to Mark, “They were not pedaling when they flew uphill past me!”
Campfire dousing
“Well, I’ve got one for you,” Carl spoke up next. “We were at a campground where the manager came around at ten o’clock every night with buckets of water and doused everyone’s campfire. Can you believe that? She proceeded from site to site and poured water on the fires! If I hadn’t seen it with my own eyes, I never would have believed it!”
This was certainly a new one for me. Perhaps the campground manager wanted to make sure the camp’s quiet hours were respected. Or maybe she had had complaints about smoke? In any case, this was a beef I’d never heard before.
No mats
Monica spoke up: “My biggest gripe is when RVers are not permitted to put down an outdoor mat.”
“It’s because a mat will kill the grass,” Carl explained. “But I know that you’ll get a lot more dirt inside your rig without a mat.”
I can certainly attest to that! We don’t use our large outdoor mat when we stop for a quick overnight on the way to a specific destination. It’s amazing how much debris, leaves, and sand comes into our RV within such a short amount of time.
Why rules?
Have you ever wondered why campgrounds have rules? There may be several reasons, but most rules fall under two main categories.
- Rules help ensure safety.
- Rules protect property.
As you read the campground rules, you may wonder, “Isn’t this just common sense?” In many cases, you’re absolutely right! It makes sense to drive slowly through a campground, or quiet down by eleven o’clock in the evening, for instance.
The reality though, is that not everyone has the same level of common sense. Not every camper understands the consequences of certain actions, and not everyone can be trusted to do the right thing. Some campers, unfortunately, take advantage of situations for their own benefit. That’s why campgrounds have rules.
Balance?
Having too many campground rules can seem unfriendly, harsh, or even unfair to RVers. However, trusting campers to do the right thing, having too few rules, or failing to enforce the rules, can also be bad for the campground and its visitors.
Here’s one article from Nanci Dixon about outrageous campground rules. Check these out and see what you think.
What about you?
Have you ever encountered campground rules that to you seem unfair or unreasonable? Are there campground rules you tend to ignore? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
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##RVT1145
We both have bad joints in our legs and to compensate both have ebikes. They are PAS bikes (look it up and learn). They give us “old folks” a chance to enjoy ALL the bike trails. Even those maked “Non-motorized vehicles only”. So Mark, the next time you see ebikes on a trail while you ride past, just keep on pedaling. And if/when you get to a point in your life when your joints are failing you, I can only hope you’ll get yourself an ebike and continue to enjoy the ride along with the rest of us.
Well said. Mark is a good example of ableism. E-bikes allow people with ailments like asthma or chronic fatigue to enjoy the trail. Just because a person looks like they could be healthy doesn’t mean they are.
Should 4-wheelers be allowed? Wouldn’t want to be accused of 2-wheelism. Partially tongue in cheek but if I were disabled (which I may be) I wouldn’t expect for reasonable rules to be changed just for me.
Great question John and I respect your tongue in cheek humor.
In my mind, the number of wheels shouldn’t matter provided the carrier fits within the path without obstructing opposing travelers or the shoulder. A parent pedal-pulling baby carriage often has more than 2 wheels.
I figure someone like Stephen Hawking using a motorized scooter should be allowed on the bike path no different than allowing Tadej Pogačar (who’ll get frustrated with even the fastest riders).
I think it’s fair to exclude ATV’s, golf carts, dirt bikes, etc., due to their size and high travel speed potential.
Your thoughts?
I’m generally a rule follower. If the trail is posted for non-motorized conveyances only then that would preclude dirt bikes, motorized scooters and e-bikes PROVIDED THAT this isn’t the only trail available and that there are alternative, similar trails available which do not have such restrictions. Not everyone will always be satisfied.
100% agreement from us.
Can’t tell you how many times we’ve been called “cheaters” because we were riding our ebikes. We agreed with them and said we were cheating death by using them! One day they will feel those aching joints and lack of muscles and lungs and they’ll be on ebikes also!
I think most of us would agree that many campground rules are needed – quiet hours, speed limit etc. However, it would be nice if the rules applied to everyone. Including the use of marijuana. I realize many use it for medical reasons but is there a way to make the campground pleasant for everyone?
There is no way a campground would ever become pleasant for everyone, you have the rule followers, and the rule breakers that don’t give a rip.
What about alcohol? Maybe that should be limited too? Both are legal in my state…
The trouble with “common sense “, it’s not so common.
Exactly, and that’s how you end up with HOA’s. Same thing, different scale. Personally, I’d probably rather live under a bridge in a refrigerator carton than in my son’s neighborhood. He gets a letter if he doesn’t have the trash tote off the street ten minutes after the pickup, and heaven forbid he leaves his garage door open, even though it doesn’t face the street!
In almost all areas “no motorized vehicles” means gas powered. To insist no electric bikes means many of us with certain disabilities are deprived of the joy of cycling. Without electric bikes many couldn’t pedal very far and would be denied many scenic areas. I know many abuse the trails on their e-bikes, the police must patrol a popular trail by my house because of the many who ignore the rules but the disabled have our rights.
Well stated James. I too have disabilities and am OLD! I love my E bike, but we always respect others concerns. I had a buddy that hated e bikes and was an avid off road biker. Now, after riding with others so many times, he purchased one himself! An e bike should not be excluded from off-roading……….IMHO!
Not really true. The state parks we frequent have no motorized vehicles signs that specifically include electrics. It’s not to keep Joe Responsible from enjoying his stay. It’s more to keep the losers from turning loose their kids on anything with a motor.
In my home state of Illinois, as in several states, Ebikes are considered bicycles as long as they have pedals and are Class I, II or III. Most trails allow Class 1 or 2. These Ebikes are NOT considered “Motorized Vehicles”.
Unpublished rules got us this year. Staying on base at a Navy RV camp on NAF Corpus Christi and the “self anointed one” calls the front office to report us and others. This guy is not the camp host! We had a dog fence out, neighbor’s parked their truck on the line, feeding the gulls, etc. There were no rules when we checked in, but sure enough, they’ll call you when you violate them. “Oh we are going to publish those soon”, but we never saw the rules in the two month we were there. Besides……the place is a dump.
We’re parked there right now. I had to initial each and every rule for three solid pages yesterday when we checked in. Not seen that before!
We volunteer as campground hosts at a state park campground where there’s a 4 mile walking/bike trail around the lake. It’s marked ‘no motorized vehicles’. We clarified with management and were told it basically implies combustion engines. We enjoy riding our pedal assist ebikes on the trail, only using the assist on larger hills. For the record, one of our duties is running the trail in the morning to pick up trash, check trail conditions and empty trash containers. We do that in a gas-powered golf cart. It’s the best part of the day!
And those of us out on quiet morning walks just love having our peace ruined by you coming by with your noise and fumes, grinning as if you’re making our day by doing it. Campgrounds need to have electric carts to go with the electric bikes.
Perhaps you could be picking up the litter and trash on your peaceful walk?
So an electric Harley or BMW motorcycle is OK as they are not combustion engine powered?
As a wise friend once said, “common sense isn’t common.” The rule about the mats is one that irritated me. There was no grass. It was a gravel RV pad. Perhaps rules should come with an explanation of reasoning. “Because I said so” is as useless to RVers as it is to children when parents say it. Do not lose the teachable moment.
When deciding where to camp we always look at the web site to see if they have published rules. We read them and decide if this is a place we want to stay. If we decide to stay there and plunk down our hard earned money, we do expect that the rules will be enforced. It bothers us when they are not. Why post what you don’t intent to enforce? If one complains that the rules are being ignored by some, they are looked upon as trouble makers and not just good campers. Frustrating when others feel the rules do not apply to them. Everyone deserves to have the same experience. When someone crosses that line ruining someone else’s experiences, it’s time to call them out!
I like simpler rules lists. The ones that say, ‘We want your business, and we still want to have a business to provide.’ Basically, respect our property, respect fellow guests, and know that if you don’t we retain all rights to kick your butts out without refund.
This assumes the guest has some brains. I think most of the complaints are about guests who are lacking in this capacity. They certainly did not read multiple pages of small type before they chopped down trees, smoked out their neighbors burning green wood, tossed their beverage containers into the fire to see pretty colors, loved their music loud and knew where their kids were by their sound volume.
Are/should e-bikes be considered “motorized vehicles”? I am a 90% disabled veteran, and without my e-bike, I would never be able to travel more than a mile on flat even ground. The e-bike allows me to get into the outdoors and enjoy many of the same things a fit, healthy individual gets to enjoy. Plus, I can ride with my 15-year-old son, which without the e-bike would be impossible. After 7 service-connected surgeries, maybe you should give us decrepit individuals a break–you don’t know our stories or situations. You’ll be physically older one day, but your mind will still think you are still young.
The e bikes are not required to be titled or licensed as a motor vehicle.
The campground would have a hard time justifying calling them motorized vehicles.
Hmmm? I wonder if this would also apply to ATV’s. snowmobiles and 4 wheelers. Can’t say I’ve seen many of them with license plates – however, not sure how they are titled. The “no motorized vehicles” restrictions are for these types of vehicles mostly. Not sure about ebikes
All ATV’s in Pennsylvania must be registered and titled with the DCNR unless they are used only your private property.
You are issued a plate and a registration card. You must provide the VIN number and proof sales tax had been paid.
Certain rural jurisdictions allow them on some of their roads, but only to travel from one off road area to another.
Thank you for your service, Bruce.🤗 Have a great day. 😀 –Diane at RVtravel.com
Thank you, Gail! Interesting comment regarding e-bikes. I presumed that they are considered motorized, but maybe not. The source of the complaint certainly thinks they ARE motorized. I guess the popularity of them requires revision, clarification of the rules regarding acceptable vehicles on trails. Enjoy your sunny visit to Florida! 🙂
When it comes to campground rules our rule is “I may not agree with your rule(s) but it’s your rule and I agreed to stay so therefore I follow it.” Simple as that.
We are always respectful of other guests so many times I don’t read all the rules. We’ve stayed at 7 Feathers RV Resort a couple of times and I just recently found out they require you to elevate the sewer hose off the ground. In retrospect I’d have thought the maint. crew would have stopped to let us know that but no one ever did. Maybe that’s why we got dirty looks from people around us.:)
And this article once again makes me glad our RV is equipped to dry camp or boondock throughout the West. We can even ride our E-bikes on gravel roads and trails without anyone complaining about us!
As to the ebike question, we both have bad knees and other problems so can’t ride normal bikes. We have ebikes and I can’t begin to count the number of times a regular pedal biker has zoomed past us while we meander along on PAS1 just trying to enjoy nature. So, the problem can go both ways. We all need to respect each other and nature.
Absolutely true, as older campers we too enjoy the freedom to ride the trails associated with campgrounds, using our ebikes. And yes we’ve been blown off by non electric bikes more than once, so respect goes both ways.
It would be more appropriate to have a speed limit that is enforced for bikes, especially given the popularity of ebikes. I’ll just say two things — if you are going at a safe speed then I’m glad you get to ride on an ebike and I hope that continues. However, most infractions of any speed rule would apply only to ebikes in 95% of cases. That’s my estimate as a daily very avid trail user for the last 25 years. And the first and only time we rented ebikes just to try them — we could NOT go slow. The bike couldn’t be turned down. This was so bad that we returned the bikes despite having already paid for several hours, after only one mile of use. Those kind of “bikes” shouldn’t be allowed.
Try a different brand of e-bike. My Rad allows pedal assist from 0 ( you do it all) to 5 for assist on hills.
There’s a throttle that you control also for those that want that. But the point is, you’re in control, not the e-bike.
We’ve been Boondockers Welcome hosts for 5 years. All told we hosted about 250 guests, even that small quantity we’ve had guests do very unexpected things. If we published them all, nobody would read to the end of the book.
Oh do publish… I do enjoy not believing!!
MEEEEEE TOOOOOO!
The errors of their ways makes the rest of us feel pretty good about ourselves
No problem when hikers, ebikers or standard mountain bikers are allowed on the trail. If motorized bikes are not allowed on the trail, there might be a good reason. A gas or electric motor, is still a motor. If the campground rules are fires out at 10 PM, then I cannot complain any more than no generators to be run after 10 PM rule. If the RV sites are grassy and no mats are allowed on the grass, it not about keeping dirt and debris out of the RV, it is about not killing the grass. I think “Rules are Rules” and everyone’s overall enjoyment of the park is enhanced when all rules are read and followed.
If a camp site had grass then it’s never been used. Most have stone or mud
What I hate are campfires. Sorry but the science is very clear. They create lung cancer risk and environmental harm that is not minor. They should not be widespread or acceptable. We will report heavy smoke sites by way of bad reviews for private campgrounds, and hope that others who feel the same way will start doing the same. This is a serious health issue and risk. This way, at least we will all have a better chance of knowing the problem campgrounds ahead of time.
Oh Lord. Campfires are a part of camping. If you hate them so much, perhaps the outdoors are not for you.
Bad reviews for campfires is like bad reviews for being to hot or cold. I seriously doubt people pay any attention to your reviews about campfires at a campground. Maybe boondocking should be your thing as you could control campfires around you.
Unsupervised kids walking through others sites, and my favorite is, dog owners thinking every square foot of the entire campground, even when on another persons site, is their precious pooch’s personal outhouse. Had that happen once when we were at our picnic table eating, and less than 10 feet away, on OUR site, the person letting her dog poop! I said NO!! and she responded, “But I’ll pick it up.” I can’t comment further as to what else I said as I got up and was walking toward her, as this is a family site. She, nor her dog, were a problem anymore.
I was at a county campground, that had a dedicated section, for campers with electric generators. Not all the campers in that section had generators, but they insisted that we who had them, needed to Not Run them, because the “noise’ bother them! Even when the camphoste’s came around to tell us to stop using the generators, we pointed out that the section was an electric generator area designated for there use. I had medical equipment that needed AC current to keep me alive, so the camp host backed down on stopping my
generator.
Generators are noisy but too bad. So are their dogs.
Open frame contractor type generators should be banned because they are ridiculously loud!
Regarding E-Bikes, in most states and Federal land, e-bikes are considered the same as regular bikes. Which means they are allowed on the same trails are regular bikes. They are not considered motorized vehicles. Check out the laws specific to your state here – https://www.peopleforbikes.org/electric-bikes/state-laws
We’re 72, and use pedal assist e bikes. It’s the only way I can enjoy the bike paths. Max speed without pedaling is 25 mph. A few years ago I could pedal faster than that on it, now I can’t, due to health issues. Motorized vehicles means those that run on fuel. If you’re that concerned, look up the laws in the state you’re in. In the meantime we will continue to use our e bikes to enjoy the sights. We will ring our bell on the bikes if we’re coming up behind you to alert you 😀
The reason for all the rules. All the new idiots that have no brains or manners, but are now the new RV’ers. Look around you. I live in Oregon, for the moment. You do not have to read, write or know math to graduate. Dahhhh. Maybe the campgrounds have to do those things because the ‘ NEW ‘ RV groups out there can’t read.
I have read whether true or not the story from “Carl” several times about the campground mgr coming around and throwing buckets of water on campfires so much I doubt it is true. Gail needs to come up with fresher re-hashed gossip if she’s going to write more articles.
Ouch! No one else in our campfire crowd had heard of this and Carl isn’t one to spread gossip. But you can have your opinion.
Worked a resort and that never happened. People would be pissed. Thats what fire rings are for. State campgrounds don’t do it
I worked for a campground (resort). I had to drive around at 10:30 to be sure no outside TVs were on (even if no sound), people were only talking in whispers, no one roaming around, and nothing left outside (trash, food, condiments, etc) as it was bear country and to tell them all fires out at midnight. I thought the only allowed to whisper, no tv even muted (closed caption is great) was over the top but not my park. I was paid to do a job and I did it.
What about those ebikers that are slowly traveling the trails, enjoying the views/experience and a stupid mountain biker blows past them yelling “get out of the way old man/woman”? Been there.
I worked at a campground resort and we had a million rules. Problem is no one obeys them . No one is punished anyway so it didn’t matter.
When we travel, we like the sounds of the outdoors. Birds singing, wind through the trees, etc… If you’re playing music or have the tv on outside you shouldn’t be able to hear it at the next campsite.