Charlie wasn’t happy. I could see his frustration before I even got situated at the campfire. His anger quickly erupted. “After buying a trailer and hauling it across the country, now I find out that my golf cart is banned in this campground!”
“That’s why you should always check the campground rules before you reserve,” Chet advised.
“I did that!” Charlie angrily responded. “Their website said that golf carts were welcome! So, now what?! My wife has trouble walking and we counted on using our golf cart to get around.”
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The small print
When I got back to our RV, I checked the campground’s rules and, sure enough, it clearly stated, “Electric golf carts welcome!” I guessed that Charlie’s golf cart must be gas-powered. It was a good reminder to always read campground rules and regulations carefully. Get clarification for things that may be game changers for you—like whether or not gas-powered golf carts are permitted.
Why not gas-fueled?
Some campgrounds disallow gas-powered golf carts for the following reasons:
- Too fast. Carts fueled by gasoline can reach higher speeds than electric carts. Campground managers I spoke with said that they worry about this increased speed potential, fearing that the carts may cause personal injuries, campground infrastructure damage, and/or damage to the vehicles belonging to other RVers.
- Noise. Another reason for not allowing gas-fueled golf carts is their noise. Electric carts are much less disruptive when it comes to the sound they make. Campground owners understand that visitors want to relax in peace and listen to the sounds of nature, so many campgrounds choose electric vehicles over gas-powered carts.
- Emissions. Many campgrounds prefer electric vehicles because they do not produce the pollution and fume odors that come with gas-powered golf carts.
Common sense
Here are some common sense rules for operating golf carts in campgrounds—no matter whether you’re driving gas- or electric-fueled golf carts:
- Speed. Always follow the campground’s posted speed limits. Be aware that children, other campers or animals may suddenly dart out in front of you. Drive defensively. If you allow someone else to drive your golf cart, make sure they know and follow the speed limits.
- Yield. Always yield to pedestrians.
- Operators. Understand and follow the campground’s (or state’s) rules about who is legally allowed to drive the golf cart (age, licensing requirements, etc.) Before allowing anyone else to drive your cart, make sure they can safely do so. Remind drivers that they must follow all common traffic and campground rules.
- Passengers. It might be tempting to carry more folks than the number of seats on your cart. Don’t do it! Hanging on the sides or carrying someone on your lap is not safe. Falling from a cart can cause serious injury. Don’t risk it. Also caution passengers to keep their hands, arms, legs, and feet inside the cart at all times while in transit.
- Parking. Use caution when parking the golf cart, especially on hilly terrain. Fully set the parking brake each time so that your cart won’t accidentally roll away. (Yes, it’s happened.)
- Signaling. Although most golf carts have turn signals, they can be difficult to see. It’s best to use hand signals so that your intentions are clearly displayed.
- Gas cans. Be especially careful about where you store your gasoline cans when camping. Keep cans well away from campfires, grills, and other areas that may be potentially dangerous.
- Keys. Never leave the keys in the golf cart. Curious teens and others may decide to take the cart “for fun” and you may bear responsibility, especially if you’ve rented the cart from the campground.
What about you? Do you think golf carts should be banned in campgrounds? Vote in the poll, then tell us in the comments below.
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##RVT1122
I have seen very few golf carts in campgrounds in our travels. At this point I am okay with them. If I’m around many in the next few trips, then my opinion may change.
Now we have the battery powered personal transporter problem, and it’s worse. Bicycles, skate boards, mono wheels, etc.
Around the camp ground, on trails and paths where they shouldn’t, and too fast most everywhere.
I guarantee my dog is way better behaved than most of the screaming kids that we have to deal with. They tromp right through the middle of your site. If I would have done that as a child my parents would have corrected me but these dead beat parents don’t even know where their kids are. They scream all day long, they are shining lights through our camper at night. And they think the bathroom is a romper room. Come on people get control of your kids.
I do love the crazy fun loving screaming wild kids but I am in agreement the 10-16 do play havoc and destruction on camp bathrooms and showers.
When I go camping I go to get away and relax. I enjoy the peace and quiet of the forest camping. Settle back and get comfortable and here comes the golf carts whizzing by. They don’t have any reason to be in your area of the campground other than to disturb your privacy or gawk at you. And what about the loud trucks that roam the grounds constantly. I’ve counted 10-15 passes a day from same vehicles. Why go camping and drive around all day? Whether it’s carts or trucks it’s still disturbing
Any vehicle needs to be operated responsibly by anyone any age, bicycles, skateboards included.
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I have no problems with any golf cart. It’s the irresponsible adults that allow kids to drive them with zero oversight. These adults only care about themselves. I had over $10000 damage to a new car after a couple of kids out joy riding in their parents golf cart. Both were under 12 years old and tried to get away after hitting my car. After the police arrived the father had the gall to tell me “that’s why you have insurance!” The police issued over $250 in tickets to the parents. My insurance company had to sue the parents for the repairs because they had no insurance on the golf cart.
What you’re supposed to have insurance on a golf cart? What’s this world coming too? And parents supervising their children? What a unique idea that would be!
IMO, golf carts are fine as long as they are driven responsibly…and by an adult. Have seen too many teens…and younger…wheeling outrageously around campgrounds ignoring all the rules endangering themselves and others. They and their parents should be removed from the campground.
Stayed at one campground where they allowed ATV/UTV use. Now that was a disaster! Never went there again.
Camping in State parks, I have had no problem with barking dogs. I have two which I keep from barking. Battery golf carts would be ok for responsible adults to use. Problems happen when kids start using them.
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Golf carts should be allowed in all campgrounds. Set rules should be followed, respect everyone, be courteous, have much fun and if some violate rules/regulation/speed limits go report the abusers. Hopefully campground owners have a backbone and give the abusers warning and the second offence immediately expel them from the campgrounds and ask them never to return. Sorry but why do a few abusers have to always ruin it for us all.
Golf carts have become the new problem in campgrounds. They are loud, park where ever they want to, raise dust on gravel roads, avoid all the rules of traffic and are the new toy for teens racing around the campground just for fun. Gas or electric doesn’t matter. I voted to ban them all. Why can’t people get out and walk anymore. A little exercise never hurt anyone.
Just maybe some people have mobility issue. I have run into several of vets are using carts to get around.
I have a gas golf cart and not to toot my own horn, but when I have my golf cart at a campground, I go as slow as I can without the engine stalling. That’s my way of getting around and it also allows me to say hello/wave to fellow campers. I wish I could say the same about all the kids flying around as fast as they can on golf carts!! Unfortunately, I have yet to see any campground owner/manager do anything about the speeders and it’s those speeders that ruin it for everyone!!
Yep, I can’t even walk the dogs around the block anymore.
The problem anymore is there’s just too many people and a goodly portion of them are dumber than a box of rocks!
As I’ve heard quoted “you can’t fix stupid “! Well, at least not legally 🤪
Then reserve thier use to people who qualify for handicapped parking.
I have a Cricket SX-3 Mini- Golf Cart and use it as a Mobility aid. When I was told I could not use it, I showed the park the Federal ADA Rules on what a Mobility aid is and the issue is normally settled. Had an issue in a State Park this summer and wrote an E-Mail to the State Park Commission and a couple of hours later the Park Ranger was at our camp site and apologized and provided me a copy of the State Park rules, she didn’t understand and said I was legal and to have a good time. Beautiful park and we enjoyed the two weeks we were there.
We workkamp in a campground in NC. It’s a small, private campground with lots of trees and narrow one-way roads. It’s also considered a low impact campground. So not only do we not allow guests to use golf carts we also limit vehicles (discourage guests from bringing second vehicles). It works for us.
Would definately prefer golf carts over constantly barking dogs! We are currently in a RV resort @ 130 per night and surrounding by yappers! Have been to 10 RV parks (so far) this year, ALL have had obnoxious barking dogs and brain-dead owners that simply don’t care!
I would ban dogs before golf carts, the noise of a a barking dog does not compare to a golf cart. Dogs also will relieve themselves where ever, hoping some one will bag it.
Yep. Had to clean up two piles today of someone’s “fur babies ” decided to deposit. (I ALWAYS laugh when someone refers to them as that. I want to ask did they “breed” with the dog’s mother but don’t. 🤣)
I guess you need to start choosing different campgrounds…maybe lower cost ones not full of people that wouldn’t know how to properly train their yapping little “poo-poo” if their lives depended on it and seem to think it’s someone else’s job to pick up after their little yapper.
I have only once had “constantly” yapping dogs around me, but I don’t go to expensive resorts. Yes, some minimal barking from time to time is normal, but not continuous. Must be the kind of campgrounds I choose.
The one I experienced was this year when some {bleeped} left his two dogs in a popup camper on a hot day, all day, with no AC. The campground had the police there and I was shocked they didn’t have animal control remove and confiscate the animals. Cops were there from around 1pm until 11pm when the {bleeped} came back. Hopefully he at least received citations for animal cruelty.
Actually, it really doesn’t matter about costs. We have seen it from State Parks with the pit bulls to other “resorts ” with ankle biters. It just seems most dog owners don’t give a rat’s behind for other people (yes, I know there are some that say “my little Buffy would never do that”). I don’t know the solution other than “no dogs allowed” and I am not in favor of that (I like dogs, just hate most dog owners). But irresponsible owners should be kicked out, fined, banned, whatever, because their dog rights should trump others. Often the owners are indignant if you point out their dog is being a nuisance. Those most militant seem to be the large(r) women that think their dog can do no wrong…at least that has been my experience.
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