RVers discuss ‘entitled campers’; no regard for others at the campground

Campgrounds are changing and evolving, some for the better and some for the worse. In this weekly column, RVtravel.com readers discuss their experiences and offer tips to help other campers find that perfect spot.

Irritations

This week, we received a number of emails talking about things that irritate people when camping. My biggest campground irritation has always been an incessantly barking dog.

We just got back from a week of camping at a wonderful county park in Arizona. At 105 degrees, there were plenty of sites open. Unfortunately, right across from us was a camper with three, perhaps four, incessantly barking dogs. They barked when I stepped out of the RV, they barked when people walked by, and they raised the woof woof (pun intended) when another dog went by. Not once did the owner hush them, nor, for that matter, return our waves and greetings.

So, on top of the dogs not being friendly, he was not either. Pet peeve!

One reader, Philip, writes below about entitlement, and as a camp host, I have seen it, too—particularly during COVID. I do wonder if others feel that a lot of folks in upscale rigs can be jerks, too. In full disclosure, we have what was once considered an “upscale rig”
until it can’t pass the seven-year rule anymore!

Here are a few observations from our readers. These do not necessarily represent the views of RVtravel.com.

Entitlement

Philip W. is a park host and can deal with just about everything except “entitlement.” He shares, “I have seven years of experience as a park host, and some owners expect us to be a ‘fix-it’ guy, particularly on electrical service.

“My biggest issue is not kids (they are having fun or old people are being crabby). The greatest irritation to me is the ‘entitled’ camper who seems to think that the world revolves around them. I had one who went ballistic over a ruined outing because they found a cigarette butt in their campsite.

“I have had campers in pretty ragged rigs who were the nicest people, and some in very upscale rigs who were unsufferable jerks. As a camp host, your job is to make people’s camping experience the greatest possible. My mom had a saying, ‘You catch more flies with honey than vinegar.’

“Let’s face it, fair pricing and treating your customer like they are really appreciated is the key to any business.”

Dog poop and trash

Mary S. expects dog owners, and other RVers, to keep a clean campsite and wrote, “Our biggest pet peeves are campers who leave their sites littered with dog poop, cigarette butts, and trash.

“Plus, allowing dogs to bark incessantly, allowing children to run rampant (screaming and running through campsites, touching others’ belongings, etc.). And, also, permanent sites that look like slums.”

Sweet revenge

John M. writes to us about getting even with loud noise. “One night by a lake, we camped near a group of teenagers who were carrying on till about 3 a.m., keeping everyone awake. They would not settle down even after being approached numerous times. Well, at about 7 a.m., our kids (5-9 years of age) found revenge. The large metal garbage can stood about 5 feet from their tent. Boy, did that lid make lots of noise when it was dropped, and of course, there was lots of crying and complaining from their group.

“No, we adults didn’t scold our boys, but found more garbage for them.

“To help the noise along, the outhouse doors were fewer than 10 feet from their camp, and boy, did our group have to pee!

“The revenge was great!”

Charging more and getting less

Jim J. commented on KOA’s investment in glamping. “Pet peeve: KOAs investing in glamping using money that should be spent maintaining the traditional FHU sites. Staff are still wonderful, but these parks are charging more and giving less. Loose electric connections, worn out hose bibs or valves, untended ruts in the park streets.”

Yapping dogs and NASCAR kids

John W. is not happy with barking dogs, either, and wrote, “We don’t generally have any significant problems finding campsites if booked a couple of weeks in advance, but campgrounds are definitely more filled than in the past.

“Too many people just don’t pick up after their dogs. Too many people are leaving dogs (usually the small, yappy types) unattended in portable pens outside their RVs. You can’t walk past the RV without constant barking. The owners either don’t care or are oblivious to the barking.

“Also, kids bike like NASCAR drivers through the campgrounds.”

Anything to add?

What are your biggest camping pet peeves?

More questions for you:

• Are you finding campgrounds booked up or is finding a site not a problem?
• What do you like best about RVing?
• What are your pet peeves?
• Are you seeing more permanent and seasonal RV parks?
• Are rising costs affecting your camping style?
• Do you have favorite campgrounds or RV parks?
• What is the most memorable experience you have had RVing?
• Do you have any tips or secrets you’d like to share?

Please use the form below to answer one or more of these questions, or tell us what you’ve experienced with campground crowding in general.

Read last week’s Crowded Campgrounds column: RVers discuss: Is the 10-year rule ‘snooty’?

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