We’ve been receiving more and more comments lately about kids in campgrounds. Some are complaints: Kids are loud! They run through campsites! Their scooters are annoying! They watch TV outside all the time! And others are complaints about people complaining.
Some RVers cherish the sounds of kids laughing and playing, seeing it as part of the camping experience. They remember their own childhoods—riding bikes around the loop, roasting marshmallows, and making new friends at the playground. For many, campgrounds are family-friendly spaces where children should be welcome to explore and have fun. But for others, that same energy can feel disruptive, especially when they’re seeking a peaceful retreat.
Then there’s the issue of campground etiquette. While many parents teach their kids to respect others’ spaces, not all do.
Some RVers say they’ve had too many experiences where kids have cut through their sites, zipped past on scooters too close for comfort, or played loud games late into the evening. Others point out that the real problem isn’t the kids—it’s the parents who don’t supervise them properly.
If you had the option, would you choose to stay at a campground that allowed kids or did not allow kids (say, 18 and younger)? If you would choose to stay somewhere without kids, would you please leave a comment and explain why? Have you had negative experiences with kids at campgrounds, or would you just prefer an adults-only stay for other reasons?
As always, thanks for voting.
MORE POLLS YOU MIGHT LIKE:
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- Would you rather park next to barking dogs or noisy children?
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- Growing up, were your parents good role models?
##RVT1200b
What ever is cheaper for us is where we stay. Kids can be corrected and I have never had them cut through our camp site more than once and I didn’t have to be mean, just explain the rules. I have never had any parents come back and tell me I was picking on their kids either.
I prefer to stay in campgrounds where parents teach their kids respect – respect of others, property, and nature. I prefer campgrounds where parents watch and discipline (when necessary) their kids instead of relying on campground staff to do it only to get mad at the staff after they have.
Agree!
Most of the time it’s not the kids, but the lack of parenting.
Not any different that ones with dogs.
I would much rather camp with kids than people crotchety enough to want to forbid them. A little kindness can usually solve any problem you feel you have with kids. I love peace and quiet, but I love laughter and play sounds too. Dare I say the grave will be silent soon enough.
Kids are no problem, we were all kids at one time.
Now let’s ask about dogs in campgrounds
Let’s have a dog section in RV parks
Though kids can be very annoying at times, we’re not fond of highly restrictive practices. With no kids rules, you’d have a different mind set & I don’t think we’d fit in.
It’s a mixed bag. We would prefer not to be in sites next to families with kids, if the kids are not well parented. It’s similar with families with dogs. So, we don’t mind camping around kids and animals if they are well controlled. We always have our two large labs with us; they rarely bark, are never tied outside, they are always on a six foot lead when outside with us or walking, and we always pick up after them. It’s just common sense!
Much rather listen to kids laughing and playing then a bunch of loud drunks arguing and fighting. But they do provide a laugh when they start to fall over the chairs, picnic tables, and fire ring.
If a campground/RV Resort has a pool that babies and toddlers wearing diapers are allowed, then I prefer to stay in a facility that does not allow children. It does not seem to upset parents but I actually saw feces in one pool where several parents were playing with their infants. Disgusting!
I couldn’t imagine an RV park without rug rats though I know there are some that exist. Children are part of the fabric in the RV world whether those isolated few like it or not. If I could only have half those little rascals’ energy, I’d be a happier camper in doing things.
If I’m camping for a week or 2, kids are fine. If I’m traveling and staying for several months, I want a more quiet, adults only park.
Depends on how you specify ‘not allowed’. We live in a long-stay 55+ RV park during the winter months. Children are allowed to visit, but not live in the park. The park has no attractions for children. Visiting children can stay a few nights, but visit vs live there means the child officially lives elsewhere. Meaning their parents or guardians also officially live elsewhere. So far the longest I’ve seen a child in the park are grandkids for a weekend – and usually the grandparents take the kids to nearby attractions during the day.
With today’s trends with the younger generation of working from home, i.e. full timers (FT) with all the electronic communications capabilities, and home schooling for the kids, it’s inevitable we will see more ‘families’ year round. No more being able to plan to camp around ‘spring/holiday breaks’ to avoid kids and dogs. There is no ‘spring break’ for full time (FT) families! However, the parks with pools and hot tubs should and must have a schedule for ‘adults only’ so us older folks can enjoy some quiet time!
I prefer no kids, no dogs, and no upwind campfires.
sounds like a hotel is best for you
Stay home or go to an all inclusive resort.
I’d much rather have kids out riding bikes, exploring the outdoors while camping, vs them looking like zombies in front of a screen. Also what an opportunity to use camping as teaching moments for them. Living in the outdoors, respecting the land and the wealth of knowledge the outdoors bring. (here come the comments, kids don’t respect anything these days) I disagree, maybe the way you’re treating them, brings out the disrespect. I guess some have forgotten their childhood when they were able to camp as kids. How that experience stayed with them, carrying on their own camping traditions. How disappointed would you have been as a child, knowing “grown ups” didn’t want you around.
COVID changed the landscape of camping for sure. Many people that grew up spending their vacations at hotels, and resorts, etc, bought their RV during COVID. Unfortunately, these people were never taught the etiquettes of camping. We can also mix into that the feeling of self-entitlement that some exhibit. 95% of the time these behaviors can be ignored and we still enjoy our time and just shake our heads and wonder why bother coming to the great outdoors with every electronic you have at home and sit there looking at them, we kinda feel sorry for them.
As long as they are kept on a leash I’m good. 😉
I would rather not be near kids who are noisy and walk through my campsite. Some kids are respectful and know to not walk through other peoples campsite and not be loud.
Most campgrounds have a playground for kids to be noisy at. The playgrounds are not useually close to the campground. They should go to the playground where they can yell and be loud.
We generally stay in state and national parks, those sites are generally about half younger families on the weekends but not during the week.
As long as the kids are well-behaved, I enjoy the sounds of laughing and play kids. If the kids haven’t been taught respect and campground rules, I prefer they not be around.
Well said. My thoughts exactly. 👍
Lack of Parents being Parents. We knew the rules and had better “obey” them or you lost some privileges.
Can we add dogs to this list?
I often say that I like 55+ parks, but not because no kids but because you’re less likely to have loud drunks next to you.
Thank you for the question, RV Travel. I think that I’d prefer a childless campground, but I am not strongly opinioned unless the parents make little effort to control their children. In that case, then definitely prefer an absence of them. Have a great week and safe travels!
I voted no kids for 1 reason. Twice I stayed in a state park, n both times my neighbors kids kept coming to my campsite because I have 2 very small dogs. I understand the attraction. The parents were more free range parenting than I’d like. The kids even woke me up EARLY wanting to see my dogs at 1 park. Both times (different parks) I had to tell the kids not to come over unless I specifically invite them. All the kids were old enough to know you don’t invade others personal space.
I just know I dont want to stay at a singles campground or a sleazy swingers campground