Well, I’ve reached that point in my travels. We just left Signal Mountain in the Grand Tetons and camped for a week at the Signal Mountain Campground. Place is beautiful and we have been here before but camped at Flagg Ranch. I don’t know if it’s me but I didn’t like the people and atmosphere in the campground. We usually do State Parks and if we have to a private one. This was my first NP campground and I’ve been camping for years, many years. The young 20 something campers have taken the place over. They seem to be in their own world and are not friendly nor do they clean up after themselves. The campground was listed as full, but it never was. As you walked around you’d see tags on the sites with dates but people never show!!! So it’s blocked out and no one else can use it. But that’s a problem everywhere now. But these campers are something else. Rush in the campground with their vans or cars, drive too fast, set up, goto bed, get up leave and leave a mess. But it could be just me and my grumpiness, hence my nickname and my trail name I was given. Anyway, just wanted to vent and say this new generation of campers, are something else.
Lack of Etiquette
- Thread starter bsandlin
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- jaycoowners
I see it the same as you do, but it's not their fault. I see that same mindset in my family, friends, and neighbors. And it's a way of life, not just at campgrounds. That age group was taught to react to certain stimulus, but not to think.
I will only speak for my family so as not to offend others. The students I'm familiar with in the 80's and 90's were programmed - not educated. Remember "think outside the box"? Looking back, I see it as get out of your box so I can herd you into mine (and you know why without me having to say it).
So, don't expect much in the way of etiquette at campgrounds and you won't be let down. In no way am I suggesting that you accept it. Just remind yourself they really don't know a different way.
Edit: On the lighter side - some of those folks will be building your next RV.
I will only speak for my family so as not to offend others. The students I'm familiar with in the 80's and 90's were programmed - not educated. Remember "think outside the box"? Looking back, I see it as get out of your box so I can herd you into mine (and you know why without me having to say it).
So, don't expect much in the way of etiquette at campgrounds and you won't be let down. In no way am I suggesting that you accept it. Just remind yourself they really don't know a different way.
Edit: On the lighter side - some of those folks will be building your next RV.
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THE MEEKER
Senior Member
And now I'm seeing more and more campers displaying upside down pineapples in front of their campsites. What is that all about? 
And now I'm seeing more and more campers displaying upside down pineapples in front of their campsites. What is that all about?
Do an internet search and surprise yourself (that's what I did). If you decide to participate, I would recommend flowers and/or a bottle of wine - sorry, I'm old-fashioned. And don't forget to protect yourself.
Edit: Where can I get one of those signs? I'm just curious, it's for my friend.
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I'm in the minority but I don't mind people paying to keep a site unused. I like being less crowded, less traffic, less noise, less used facilities. I remember when folks complained when someone took a RV Electric site and "only" pitched a tent.
There has been a decades long decline in families being able to take vacations. Kids have grown up without any real training in shared space outdoor living. The clues from media are horrible. I cringe at times watching camping on YT, Instagram, etc. They see shows like Survivor or other primitive living, build your own structure, and think they can do that on public land. It's just part of the learning curve.
I watched a young couple unbox a lot of new gear at a campground. Looking at the boxes they had in today's money $1500 worth of new gear. They had the site next to me so I introduced myself and learned they had never slept outside before, never cooked other than on a kitchen stove, and were preparing themselves for grad school which would require some remote field work. I remembered my first trip back in high school and how ignorant I was so I offered to answer any questions and left them to their learning.
Long story short hours later they were in an argument with the camp host and almost kicked out for hacking at live limbs with a hatchet and digging a trench around their tent when I returned. "We didn't know" versus "ignorance isn't an excuse". It was the mid 1990s and I had just finished reading a new fangled idea called Leave no Trace. I passed along the photo copied sheets that had been faxed to me and hope it helped.
And how we clean up after ourselves has changed. Outdoor showers and flinging gray water into the woods was normal it's now frowned upon or banned. Burning trash has it's detractors. Putting out a camp fire with soapy water will start a six page thread here.
How we camp and the etiquette is rapidly changing. When was the last time anyone took a late night, moon lit walk in a dark
campground? Now it's LEDs and TVs.
The new campers need to be educated. The folks teaching the lessons aren't always trying to teach, they are looking for followers.
There has been a decades long decline in families being able to take vacations. Kids have grown up without any real training in shared space outdoor living. The clues from media are horrible. I cringe at times watching camping on YT, Instagram, etc. They see shows like Survivor or other primitive living, build your own structure, and think they can do that on public land. It's just part of the learning curve.
I watched a young couple unbox a lot of new gear at a campground. Looking at the boxes they had in today's money $1500 worth of new gear. They had the site next to me so I introduced myself and learned they had never slept outside before, never cooked other than on a kitchen stove, and were preparing themselves for grad school which would require some remote field work. I remembered my first trip back in high school and how ignorant I was so I offered to answer any questions and left them to their learning.
Long story short hours later they were in an argument with the camp host and almost kicked out for hacking at live limbs with a hatchet and digging a trench around their tent when I returned. "We didn't know" versus "ignorance isn't an excuse". It was the mid 1990s and I had just finished reading a new fangled idea called Leave no Trace. I passed along the photo copied sheets that had been faxed to me and hope it helped.
And how we clean up after ourselves has changed. Outdoor showers and flinging gray water into the woods was normal it's now frowned upon or banned. Burning trash has it's detractors. Putting out a camp fire with soapy water will start a six page thread here.
How we camp and the etiquette is rapidly changing. When was the last time anyone took a late night, moon lit walk in a dark
campground? Now it's LEDs and TVs.
The new campers need to be educated. The folks teaching the lessons aren't always trying to teach, they are looking for followers.
muckinfuss
Senior Member
Same upside down pineapple surprise here. We have been seasonal for 4 almost 5 years in the same place and we've had neighbors come and go. This year, there were 3 trailers on our 'lane' with those on the lift jack show up over a weekend (we tend to use ours only during the week and head home on a weekend to attend to stuff). Hit the google and almost fell off the bench. The pineapples are gone now, but still things seem weird...like the trailers are being used like an AirBnB. Diff cars in the spot, diff people coming and going. I'm heading there this weekend and if it's the same, might be time to talk to the owner of the campground.
We have been seasonal for 4 almost 5 years in the same place and we've had neighbors come and go. This year, there were 3 trailers on our 'lane' with those on the lift jack show up over a weekend (we tend to use ours only during the week and head home on a weekend to attend to stuff). Hit the google and almost fell off the bench. The pineapples are gone now, but still things seem weird...like the trailers are being used like an AirBnB. Diff cars in the spot, diff people coming and going. I'm heading there this weekend and if it's the same, might be time to talk to the owner of the campground.
craigav
Senior Member
Same upside down pineapple surprise here.
I have seen that as well. Many (perhaps some is a better word) RV campgrounds not only rent sites, they also rent RV's. I saw this at a campground not too long ago and the RV's where people would come and go were owned by the campground. I suppose it is all about location where some people would prefer staying in an RV instead of a hotel, likely due to the campground's location and proximity to other activities. ~CA
Not sure if the "rentals" are a result of Covid and all of the people who bought RVs and now have something they can't sell or are trying to make their money back on rental but I would be staying away from a park that allowed rentals anyway. That would certainly seem to bring in a bunch of people unfamiliar with camping/RVing polite procedure.
This same complaint comes up about this time every year though and it seems to be getting worse and not better. Sad.
This same complaint comes up about this time every year though and it seems to be getting worse and not better. Sad.
muckinfuss
Senior Member
Our camp prohibits rentals, sharing with family, etc. Each lot is allowed four people and any more than that have an upcharge if family, or a day/night rate if visiting. That said, I've seen cars without lot tags and people using a trailer that weren't the same ones as the last four weeks. That's going to happen from time to time....but the short term rental thing....no way is that ok....and I say that as a landlord.
It is extremely rare we ever go to a private CG. DW likes state parks. I would say generally speaking MN SPs are about the same as they have been for decades. Only major difference is getting a space. If you want electric on the weekend you have to reserve well in advance.
My biggest pet peeves, and this is for as long as I can remember people have been driving through the loops to fast and going the wrong way.
I suspect one of the big differences with MN SPs from other locations; for some crazy reason MN SPs do not allow consumption of any alcoholic beverages in the parks. I suspect this keeps people a little more clear headed. I have seen the sheriff remove a number of campers over the years for violating this rule.
My biggest pet peeves, and this is for as long as I can remember people have been driving through the loops to fast and going the wrong way.
I suspect one of the big differences with MN SPs from other locations; for some crazy reason MN SPs do not allow consumption of any alcoholic beverages in the parks. I suspect this keeps people a little more clear headed. I have seen the sheriff remove a number of campers over the years for violating this rule.
JudyK-JAY22rb
Senior Member
I'm new at this, but happy to say I have manners, don't litter or have what appears to be obvious destructive or rude practice. But this wrong way on the loop thing?? I am not aware of this. Is it only IF posted or is it supposed ot be 'common knowledge?'
Are we always to travel the loop counterclockwise? Or another way?
In quite a few campgrounds, there are "One-Way" road signs. It is not unusual to encounter some of those "special" people who don't think the signs apply to them.
On our most recent outing, there were several truck drivers who obviously "misread" the 10 mph speed limit sign. Repeatedly!
On our most recent outing, there were several truck drivers who obviously "misread" the 10 mph speed limit sign. Repeatedly!
Jayhawk 29
Senior Member
I will add that in defense of driving the wrong way in a campground, there are many instances of campsites not being shaped to an angle that you can back in any towable rv with trees or narrow roads that limit your range width if people are camped across from the reserved site. It may be that communication between a booking agent does not always consider these two issues when giving you the site. So sometimes, which has been rare i have had to do the same thing.
What really frosts me is leftover garbage left in fire rings or on picnic tables. There is a cross section of folks, mainly newcomers to the sport that do not consider simple stuff like leaving beer cans in fire rings, as if they are going to be fire starters for the next person I guess.
Reports from NPS and BLM workers out west in primitive regions are to me the worse of the worse, when they find bags of garbage just left on the ground. I would say those people need to encounter four flat tires about a half of a mile from their position with no cell service in 100 degree temps for the summer camping season.
What really frosts me is leftover garbage left in fire rings or on picnic tables. There is a cross section of folks, mainly newcomers to the sport that do not consider simple stuff like leaving beer cans in fire rings, as if they are going to be fire starters for the next person I guess.
Reports from NPS and BLM workers out west in primitive regions are to me the worse of the worse, when they find bags of garbage just left on the ground. I would say those people need to encounter four flat tires about a half of a mile from their position with no cell service in 100 degree temps for the summer camping season.
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gunafulltime
Senior Member
DW and I walk a local public RV park several days a week. Every time (literally every time) we walk, people of all ages race through the RV site roads. By race, I mean 30-40 mph with no regard for walkers, pets, kids, or other traffic. People drive the same way in retail store parking lots.
Recently, a dear friend of ours (retired LEO) and his wife were run over by an older woman in a parking lot. His wife was nearly crushed to death. She will never function independently again. The driver was driving 30 mph through a retail parking lot. Our friend is a man who teaches and practices situational awareness and self defense. I guess it's that crazy out there. Even the cautious among us can be the target. As drivers, even the elder ones of us have lost our way with this because we see it in all ages and demographics, not just young people and big city folks.
We were taught that pedestrians have the right away. We were also taught to yield to others and look for opportunities to be polite as a matter of civility, courtesy, and a way of initiating and practicing kindness, safety, and putting others before ourselves. It gave us a strong sense of community and built integrity in our daily behavior. This was taught in our homes, neighborhoods, and even public schools in the 60s and 70s, not just church.
DW and I will not be discouraged. We are not joining or contributing to the civil breakdown. We will seek the Lord and His ways each day and pray to live according to His Word.
"It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic games and to bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals." Eric Liddell (Paris Olympics, 1924)
Recently, a dear friend of ours (retired LEO) and his wife were run over by an older woman in a parking lot. His wife was nearly crushed to death. She will never function independently again. The driver was driving 30 mph through a retail parking lot. Our friend is a man who teaches and practices situational awareness and self defense. I guess it's that crazy out there. Even the cautious among us can be the target. As drivers, even the elder ones of us have lost our way with this because we see it in all ages and demographics, not just young people and big city folks.
We were taught that pedestrians have the right away. We were also taught to yield to others and look for opportunities to be polite as a matter of civility, courtesy, and a way of initiating and practicing kindness, safety, and putting others before ourselves. It gave us a strong sense of community and built integrity in our daily behavior. This was taught in our homes, neighborhoods, and even public schools in the 60s and 70s, not just church.
DW and I will not be discouraged. We are not joining or contributing to the civil breakdown. We will seek the Lord and His ways each day and pray to live according to His Word.
"It has been a wonderful experience to compete in the Olympic games and to bring home a gold medal. But since I have been a young lad, I have had my eyes on a different prize. You see, each one of us is in a greater race than any I have run in Paris, and this race ends when God gives out the medals." Eric Liddell (Paris Olympics, 1924)
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JudyK-JAY22rb
Senior Member
I can say there are no one way signs at our state park campground. but I thought maybe it was 'understood.' I also considered the 'what if' scenario of having to approach a site from the opposite position that a one way road might place you.
I'm a 'crawler' on the campground roadways. Nothing would be more upsetting or tragic than hurting a person or small child because I couldn't just slow down and take my time.
As far as the campsites, arriving and finding 'whatever.' I just try to leave it better than I found it and try to let go of my initial anger of the previous sloppy people, since I can't do anything about it...unless of course I witnessed them BEING sloppy, in real time.
We've been in several public land campgrounds where it is forgiven to go against the one way signs to unhook. The driveways were angled in a way that would have made it impossible to back in with a trailer. The Rangers or person in authority suggested having someone at the entrance to alert drivers pulling in that you are driving against the flow.
It would be rather rude to continue going the wrong way after unhooking and without towing.
It would be rather rude to continue going the wrong way after unhooking and without towing.
Grumpy
Senior Member
That is the major issue. Too many people think that if their site is a short distance from the exit it is OK to go the wrong way, rather than drive around the whole loop. Happens at Fort Wilderness all the time too.
Lonetraveler
Advanced Member
For 26yrs I worked in state parks. There always has been and always will be stupid, rude, inconsiderate, disrespectful, drunkard campers in our public campgrounds. Sorry for being so blunt, but I’ve seen them.
But the nicer real campers outweigh those I speak of.
But the nicer real campers outweigh those I speak of.
travelingjw
Senior Member
I've seen a lot but yesterday was something new. An older couple was leaving the campground. They stopped in the road and proceeded to head to the bathroom blocking any exit from the campground. A few cars drove through a campsite to get around them. One camper pulling a trailer pulled up; I told him that they had been blocking the road for 15 minutes. Just as he was getting out of his car in rage, the inconsiderate driver and his wife jumped back in and left. Unbelievable!!! It is not only the younger generation.
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