exterior light use

[suzieshome]

Has anyone noticed that the use of exterior lights in a campsite is regional? We mostly camp in provincial parks in Canada and State parks in the USA.
We like minimal lighting ie outside lights only when needed, not on all the time, use a flashlight and no "patio lights. We have noticed more use of outside lights in the states.

[wags999]

No clue why, but some leave all their OS lights on 24/7. Very rude to their neighbors in my mind. Why ? Not some remote boondock sight in a campground. Have one in the park now that has all his running lights on 24/7

[suzieshome]

My bil scared himself to death one time. He left lights on around his tent and a huge shadow passed over it. He thought it must be a bear. Turned out to be a raccoon

[Snake Plissken]

I like to have outside lights on until we go to bed. Then all lights go off, even the yellow light.

[Filthy-Beast]

If we're having visitors over I like to have the lights on. I've also installed a dimmer for my hanging ball lights and turn them way, way down when it's just us around the fire. Just enough light so I don't walk into a table or chair. I will be installing a dimmer on the awning LEDs so I can use them.

[Jace817]

Currently camped next next to someone with two halogen work lights on a stand shining on their campfire. No idea why.

[Lifespalette]

Stayed in a CG once that had a sign at each loop entry...."Remember, lights out after 10:30 PM. One light at your door maybe left burning as long as it's amber." It was actually nice. You could see the stars if you took a walk outside.

[namusmc65]

I hate those lights on all night. Actually covered all my bedroom windows with black cloth to keep out the morning light even. Can't sleep when light starts shinning in my bedroom! Turn all our lights off when we are in for the evening. The low led lights under the awning make for a nice low light ambience until we are all inside.

[bluie5]

Pet peeve of mine is all the lights on. I sit around the campfire and my eyes are adjusted to the darkness. I walk to the vault toilet and loose my night vision by the bright lights at other camp sites. I never can figure out what people are afraid of that they need all the light.

[clubhouse]

Interesting topic. We leave our porch and step lights on till we go to bed typically. Sometimes on a more festive trip we will hanging awning lights and they too stay on till bed time.

Now occasionally we will make a trek to the desert with several other families. This is complete dry camping not in any developed campground or other development for miles. Out in the desert nights are pitch black, there is no light except moon and stars. Sounds like many folks here would be appalled, but on these trips we typically have 5 +/- TT/5rs in a semi-circle and on the roof of 2 or 3 we will set up large halogen lights to light our camp.

And of course each of our Honda generators turn on when we arrive, and run non-stop till we leave.

The desert isn't like most camping trips we go on. All those things you can't do in most everyplace else are welcome in the desert.

[norty1]

We turn on our scare lights when we go out to walk the dogs. They are off when we return.
I would not have a problem asking someone that had them shining in my eyes to turn them off.

[suzieshome]

What are people afraid of when it's dark? A small led flashlight in everyone's pocket should be enough. That way everyone around you can enjoy the stars. I think light pollution is just as annoying as noise pollution.