More than 81 million Americans spent some vacation time camping last year, according to a recent survey from The Dyrt. In fact, since the COVID lockdowns, 25 million people have tried outdoor lodgings for the first time, the campsite booking and accessibility app notes. Unfortunately, it seems the new campers may need a crash course in the unspoken courtesies longtime campers take for granted.
Kampgrounds of America, or KOA, reports more than 11 million new households camped in 2024 compared to 2019. New campers make up 5% of people using campsites every year. On average, these campers are younger and prefer to stay closer to home, embarking on weekend trips more often than longer jaunts. They also prefer private campgrounds or glamping locations, which may be why they don’t comprehend the unwritten rules longtime adventurers are well aware of. The first rule? Etiquette is all about being mindful of other people.
Better than you found it
One of the oldest camping rules is simple, yet powerful: leave no trace. Whether you’re at a campsite, RV park, glampsite or truly roughing it, you’ll want to restore it to the way you found it, if not in even better condition. If you’ve dug a hole, fill it in. Moved a picnic table? Put it back. Trash, no matter how small, gets thrown away.
“Too often, the information is buried or optional when it really should be front and center,” says Kimberly Stroh, with Savvy Mama Lifestyle. “If we want to protect our natural spaces, education needs to be clear, engaging and unavoidable. This is especially true for first-time campers who may not even know what they’re missing. We may be to the point where stricter fines are finally enforced.”
On the other hand, if you have extra resources, leave them for the next person. That includes excess water and firewood, but not torn-up tents, or even leftover stakes and pieces of metal. Also, don’t grab more resources than you need. Try to only cut a little more than the wood you need.
Lynn Campbell, co-founder at 10Adventures, points out that some people abuse the great outdoors to get away with things they couldn’t in more civilized areas. “What we have seen in just the last couple of years includes groups of people hiking into the backcountry to have a party … trashing the area and keeping all the people awake … with music, drinking and shouting into the early hours.” Don’t be those campers.
Kids and their dogs
In a quest for lower-cost holiday weekend alternatives and to escape the slog of urban life, many people have turned to camping, even if they didn’t grow up doing it. As the saying goes, you don’t know what you don’t know. Never trained or indoctrinated themselves, these young parents can’t pass on what they’ve never learned to their kids.
For example, many don’t understand the simple rule that you don’t cross through another person’s territory. Just because you’re in the great outdoors doesn’t mean it’s all free range.
Nick Leighton, etiquette expert and co-host of the podcast ” Were You Raised by Wolves? “, explains: “Don’t cut through other people’s campsites. This is like walking across someone’s lawn right in front of their home. You wouldn’t do that, would you? Remember to walk around, not through, the areas where people have set themselves up.”
Once parents know, they should share that rule with their kids. While your neighboring campers understand that you may need to work while on your vacation, they didn’t come here to babysit your kids either. If you need to do a work phone call or Zoom call, plan ahead with an activity to keep them occupied.
Dogs should be kept on a leash at all times. Camp hosts and park rangers point out that this includes small canines and even the ones “who’d never bite anyone.” Remember, they’re in a new location, too. Protect yourself and your pets by keeping them leashed.
Also, regardless of how cute or tame they look, don’t feed the wildlife. Ever.
Lights out
Remember that people go camping to get away from it all, or at least a little peace and quiet. Don’t run your vehicle all day, use a generator past the posted times, or leave lights on 24/7 that keep others from relaxing or enjoying nature.
“One of the best parts of camping is stargazing! Yet, newer campers don’t realize how easy it is to cause light pollution that will spoil the nighttime for everyone. Many RVs and travel trailers have external lights in bright white, blue or red that can be overly bright when they’re the only light source in a campground or boondocking site,” explains Natalie Vereen-Davis, content creator at Camping Kiddos.
“While these are good for helping you see your way to your car after dark, they draw attention away from the night sky … Opt for head lamps or handheld lanterns in addition to a campfire, and avoid large stationary lights. And definitely never hang these lights in the trees, which can harm the branches and trunks, and is against many campground policies.”
Take the time to make sure your idea of a good time doesn’t impact other people’s idea of a good time. Be mindful of playing music or talking loudly late at night while making s’mores.
Under the influence
One of the hottest trends on social media is revealing hidden gems, often with the influencer acting as if they are the first to see it. No shade to these folks, but many want to explore the countryside without the technology. Or the crowds.
Adam McLaughlin, a full-time traveller wants to be sympathetic, but, “These people are not typically showing up at the campground to ‘get away’; they’re sitting in the site next to us loudly livestreaming while I’m working in my RV, or leaving their outdoor lights on to ‘get the perfect shot’ at night when the rest of us are trying to get it as dark as possible to enjoy the stars, or they’re playing a TikTok trend 20 second sound bite on repeat from their phone until they get their dance perfect.”
That’s not to say campers need to be Luddites. Using an electrical outlet or renting an RV is fine. Just don’t make your technology or need for remote work a burden on the rest of the campsite. Pay attention to where you’re walking or filming. And, if at all possible, remember the world doesn’t revolve around you.
Fire in the hole
Smokey the Bear ‘s lesson still rings true today: only you can prevent fires. Yet some people think that just means at the end of your camping trip. Rangers say no, every time you go to bed, your fire should be properly extinguished. Further, trash belongs in a trash bin, not fire pits. Remember, people cook there, and don’t need the residue from your burnt plastic tainting their food.
On the other hand, sometimes the problem is not campers, but closer to home. Steve Marchal, a veteran camp host, notes the biggest problems he sees, “… stem from the ‘locals.’ Most of the ‘new’ campers I meet are courteous, respectful and eager to see the country. The locals are coming up for a weekend to blow off steam and are much more likely to show up in large rowdy groups, who let the kids and dogs run wild, fill the fire pit with beer cans, stay up till 2 a.m. and then drive away and leave a smoldering fire.”
Pitching our tents
Camping can be a fun, exciting and relaxing adventure for couples, families and groups. It’s definitely a change of pace over hotel stays and cruise lines, although the best glamping can also be luxurious. By being aware of your surroundings and mindful of the unwritten rules of camping, you can make it a fun time for everyone around you.
Bella Bucchiotti is a freelance writer with a passion for adventure, delicious recipes and authentic storytelling. Through xoxoBella and social media, she shares vibrant travel experiences, mouthwatering dishes and everyday moments that inspire connection.
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