This is where you’ll find the rules and guidelines for our campground. From being kind to keeping things tidy, these rules help us all have a great time together. Take a look and make sure you’re in the know!
1 – Respect nature
All campers must respect nature — whether traveling in a 40-foot motor coach or motorcyclers staying in a pup tent. That means enjoying the beautiful views while being mindful of the impact visitors have on these places. Never interact with wildlife, dig up plants or trees or cut down live trees for firewood. Pay attention to every step you take and avoid damaging precious habitats.
2 – Respect other campers
Many people who stay in a campground are looking for peace, quiet and solitude. While a friendly neighbor is nice, keep in mind that some people aren’t looking for new best friends.
It’s hard because some folks are social and outgoing, while others would rather keep to themselves. Respect other campers by limiting conversations and interactions so as not to become a bother.
3 – Respect the facilities
Some campgrounds provide showers, toilets, changing rooms and sinks for our campers’ needs. But many people forget that a real person must clean these areas every day.
Dropping trash on the floor, leaving the sink messy and forgetting to flush are simply rude. Treat every campground facility like it’s your home and clean up after each use.
4 – Use inside voices at the appropriate times
Campsites are incredibly close and every sound, from a sneeze to hollering at the kids, can be heard nearby. Being outside doesn’t have to mean being loud. It’s best to maintain the same speaking volume at camp that would be appropriate at a restaurant or other public place. This is especially important during quiet hours and when campers are sleeping.
5 – Keep the kids (relatively) quiet
Campgrounds are a great place for kids to make friends, run and play. But parents should keep a close eye on the children to make sure they’re safe and not disturbing other campers.
6 – Mind the language
A little personal censorship goes a long way toward creating a pleasant environment. Tent walls are super thin and camper walls aren’t much more insulated. Some people are OK with swearing, but it might be offensive to others — particularly in a family-friendly area.A thoughtful camper will keep his or her conversations private and avoid rough language, especially around children.
7 – Manage the music
There’s nothing quite like some good music for an awesome camping weekend. It’s tempting to crank it up, but if there are other people around, take them into consideration.
That’s not to say you have to sit in silence. Just watch your volume and avoid disturbing others.
8 – Control pets
Pets are welcome at some campgrounds, but it’s essential that their human companions are considerate neighbors. That means leashing dogs, never leaving pets alone and controlling barking. Responsible pet owners clean up after their pet.
9 – Consider the lighting
Campers sometimes like to hang strings of lights, often with whimsical shapes, around the awning of their rig. It’s a fun way to add some light when it gets dark. LED rope lights and flashing lights, on the other hand, don’t just illuminate one campsite, they also negatively affect other campers. People camp so they can see the stars. Save the bright lights for the city.
10 – Think about vehicles and machines
Camping is all about enjoying the sights, sounds and smells of nature. Running vehicles, air conditioners and generators compete with natural sounds and can produce fumes nobody wants to breathe. Avoid running noisy motors that disturb the natural peace that other campers have come to the forest to enjoy.
11 – Campfires and flames
Everyone gathers around the campfire to roast hot dogs and marshmallows, and to share the day’s tales.
A few tiki torches around the perimeter of camp keep the darkness at bay but common sense rules when it comes to fires. Only use designated fire rings or pits, build a reasonably sized fire and make sure that tree branches, weeds and any dry materials are placed well away from flames. Never leave a fire unattended and always completely extinguish every fire by pouring water on the coals.
There are usually plenty of places nearby to buy pre-split firewood. That’s a good start, but those firewood bundles are usually hardwood that are difficult to burn. A tinder bundle and plenty of kindling will do the trick, which can be found for around the campground. A reusable shopping bag with a sturdy handle is a good stick-collecting bag that will hold enough to get a fire started. Kids love to help, so give them a bag and send them out, too, and in no time at all there will be plenty of firewood available.
12 – Stay organized
Camping, whether in a tent or in a camper, requires organization. Everything needed for the stay has to be packed and carried to the site. Then, it’s all got to come out again so that meals and snacks can be prepared. Keep everything in order by bringing plenty of plastic totes, baggies and storage containers.
13 – Contain the campsite
Be a good neighbor in a campground by staying within your designated campsite.Pay attention to nearby tents, campers, picnic tables and other items next door. Belongings should not encroach on neighboring sites — but don’t overcrowd, either.
Provide room enough for people to move about, cook and clean up. Only bring out the items when needed and leave everything else in the car.
14 – Keep it clean
The golden rule of camping is to leave the campsite better than you found it. Clearing brush and plants and raking a spot for the tent are great ways to improve a campsite. It also deters insects and critters.
Unfortunately, not everyone cleans up after themselves and sometimes campers have to pick up after others. Always place your trash in a designated can, or pack it out if there is no bin. There’s no excuse for leaving trash in the woods, on a campsite or in a fire ring.
15 – Choose the right campground style
There are a variety of campground types that cater to specific kinds of people and equipment. For example, some campgrounds are for RVs only, while others allow a mix of RVs, travel trailers, pop-up campers and tents. The right campground for a family or group depends on the type of equipment, but also the experience level of the group, how long they’ll be staying, and how they intend to enjoy the camping experience. A lone camper or quiet couple might be more comfortable in a small campsite next to a lake, or a dispersed camp in the middle of the forest, but a family might like a full-service family campground.
