Whether you’re camping in a crowded campground in the frontcountry or a remote campsite in the backcountry, following proper camping etiquette is important.
I’ve camped in dozens of settings all over North America. From backcountry camping along the Olympic Coast and deep in the Red River Gorge wilderness to frontcountry camping in the Great Smoky Mountains and the Mojave Desert, I’ve collected many campsite etiquette tips over the years.
Keep reading because I’m going to share 15 tips for being a good neighbor while camping. Practicing good campsite etiquette is important not only for your neighbors’ sake but for the well-being of the landscape and wildlife.
15 Campsite Etiquette Tips
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1. Don’t Cut Through Your Neighbor’s Campsite
It might be tempting to take a shortcut through your neighbor’s campsite to get to the bathroom, utility sink, or dumpster, but this is poor campsite etiquette.
In the same way you wouldn’t want somebody cutting through your backyard at home, respect your neighbors and their space by taking the long way around.
2. Be Mindful of Lights
When it gets dark, lights are needed to see around camp. But try to keep the lights to a minimum by only shining them when necessary, using softer lights, and using red instead of white whenever possible.
Don’t shine bright white light on your neighbors, and definitely don’t leave floodlights on all night. These acts could not only blind your neighbors but could prevent them from stargazing, sleeping, or enjoying the evening.
I use this headlamp for camping & hiking because it has multiple brightness levels and a red light option. Plus it’s rechargeable!
And this inflatable solar lantern is amazing for inside the tent and on tables for food prep and games because of its soft light and multiple brightness settings.
3. Familiarize Yourself With Vehicle Controls Before It Gets Dark
If you’re car camping for the very first time, or if you’re driving a rental car, it can be overwhelming to figure out the vehicle’s lights and controls on your first night camping.
Familiarize yourself with your vehicle’s lights, buttons, remote, and controls before it gets dark so that you don’t accidentally shine lights on your neighbors and/or sound the alarm.
I’m not saying you’re a poor neighbor if you accidentally flash your brights. Just do what you can to understand your vehicle’s controls before nightfall. Turning your interior and exterior lights off saves the car’s battery and your neighbor’s eyes!
4. Keep Voices and Music Low
Excessive noise is one of the quickest ways to annoy your neighbors. Some campers, like myself, are not fans of loud music and loud voices when camping and enjoying nature. Respect those around you by keeping your voice and music to a low volume.
If you bring a wireless speaker, ensure you are far enough away from your neighbors and keep the volume low. Consider wearing a pair of wireless earbuds if you’re camping in a crowded campground with close neighbors.
READ NEXT: 30 Excellent Gifts For Campers Under $30
5. Keep a Decent Distance
This may seem obvious but when you’re camping in an area with designated campsites (in the frontcountry or backcountry), it’s important that you stay in your area. Make sure your tent is on the tent pad (if there is one) and that all your gear, including your chairs, table, food, hammocks, backpacks, etc., is in your space.
6. Clean Up After Yourself
Leaving trash behind is not only disrespectful to the campers who are staying at the site after you, but it also goes against Leave No Trace.
Never leave trash in the fire pit, on the picnic tables, or anywhere else. Your trash could harm the landscape and attract unwanted attention from wildlife.
Before leaving, do a sweep around the campsite to check that you haven’t left anything behind. Always leave the campsite exactly the way you found it.
7. Be Friendly and Kind
Kindness and friendliness go a long way when camping! Wave “hello” to your neighbors or other campers walking by. Start a friendly conversation if you and your neighbors want to, but don’t pry if they aren’t chatty. Give your neighbors a heads-up if you notice an animal nearby. You get the idea!
8. Have Control Over Your Pets
Most campgrounds require pets to be leashed, and this is for the safety of the dog, other dogs, people, and wildlife. You never know how one dog will react to another dog or wildlife, so it’s important to always have control over them. Also, do everything you can to prevent excessive barking. And of course, pick up after your pet!
9. Share Extra Supplies
If you have leftover firewood or other supplies that you can’t take with you out of the park, give them to your neighbor! You’ll likely make them very happy, and you won’t be wasting that firewood bundle, piece of gear, or other supply.
We’ve handed over firewood, fuel, and sunscreen before, and we’ve been the recipient of firewood many times. It’s a mutually beneficial transaction!
10. Put Out Your Campfire
This is another neighborly and Leave No Trace matter. Ensure your campfire is completely extinguished before going to bed and before vacating the campsite. Leaving hot coals is a hazard to you, your neighbors, your gear, and the landscape.
READ NEXT: Campfire Safety Tips
11. Respect Quiet Hours
It’s important to respect quiet hours. Quiet hours in campgrounds are typically from 10 PM to 6 AM (or dusk to dawn) but hours vary from place to place and in different seasons. While it’s a bit harder to enforce quiet hours in the backcountry, it’s still considered proper camping etiquette to observe this general rule.
Don’t stay up all night laughing, shouting, slamming doors, and shining bright lights.
If you arrive after dark and have to set up camp, or if you have to tear down camp and leave before dawn, be mindful of your noise and light levels.
12. Drive Slowly
Slow speed limits in campgrounds are posted and enforced for a reason. Everywhere you look, people are biking, walking with dogs, playing, etc. Always use extra caution by driving slowly around campgrounds and campsite areas.
13. Share the Amenities
Amenities like showers, toilets, potable water stations, utility sinks, and dump stations are common in frontcountry campgrounds. In large, touristy campgrounds, you might even find pools, hot tubs, laundry facilities, and tennis courts. Make sure to share the amenities with everyone by not hogging them!
Ready to have a comfortable night’s sleep in a tent? I’ve got guides that will help you with that!
14. Follow Campground Rules
Most camping areas have rules, even in the backcountry. If you’re camping at a frontcountry campground, stop by the office, visitor center, or ranger station to get a rundown of the campground rules. If you’re camping in the backcountry, stop at the area’s local ranger station or call ahead to inquire about the current rules and restrictions.
Examples of rules you would need to know are quiet hours, generator hours, pet policies, current firewood and campfire regulations, check-in and check-out times, camping locations (ex: 200 feet from water, trails), hammock setup, etc.
15. Leave No Trace
This is the most important rule on this list! I’ve mentioned this many times in this blog post, but I wanted to make sure it got its own section.
Follow these 7 Leave No Trace Principles anytime you are recreating outdoors, whether you’re camping, hiking, paddling, rock climbing, etc.:
- Always plan ahead & prepare.
- Travel & camp on durable surfaces.
- Dispose of waste properly.
- Leave what you find.
- Minimize campfire impacts.
- Respect wildlife.
- Be considerate of others.
If you want to learn how to practice all seven of the Leave No Trace principles while camping and hiking, check out my full guide.
READ NEXT: How to Practice Leave No Trace While Camping and Hiking
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