What Should You Do About Bad RV Park Neighbors?
Pretty much every RVer has a few horror stories about annoying neighbors in their campground or RV park. Parking and living within such close proximity to others is bound to lead to a few personality clashes. But one thing that often leads to trouble is noisy neighbors.
Most of your campsite neighbors will probably be nice, quiet, and respectful. But the ones who break the mold definitely stand out in our memories! In many cases, people aren’t necessarily trying to be rude. They’re probably just unaware of exactly how loud they’re being.
There are a few things you can try if you are parked next to some noisy neighbors. Just remember to treat them with respect and communicate openly because coming out guns-a-blazing will almost always escalate the situation instead of solving anything. You can solve 90% of campground issues by talking it out rather than fighting.
Try to reserve isolated campsites
First things first, you can always try to cut out neighbor struggles altogether by reserving campsites that are isolated (or at least spaced out). This tip doesn’t really help once you’re already parked and settled, but it can be good for RV trip planning.
If you’ve dealt with noisy neighbors in the past and want to minimize the risk of it happening again, then look up the campground layout and try to select sites that are on the outskirts. These spots might cost a bit more, but the peace of mind and extra space are often well worth the price.
In addition, you should research the campgrounds and RV parks where you’ll be staying so you know what to expect. Some places provide spacious sites for each RV and have plenty of space in between each one. Others will have you parked right next to each other. In these situations, you’ll still hear everything from your fellow RVers, even if they aren’t being particularly loud.
Planning ahead and choosing campgrounds and sites with plenty of space can help you avoid confrontations with noisy neighbors.
Consider the time of day and keep track of “quiet hours”
Next up, you need to consider whether or not it’s reasonable to ask someone to quiet down. Obviously, we all have our own individual noise tolerance levels. Many people would prefer their neighbors to be as quiet as possible so they can soak in some peace and quiet.
Unfortunately, this doesn’t always align with reality. People have pets, children, music, loud conversations, movies, and a hundred other things that might crease noise in a campsite. In most cases, this noise is just a natural byproduct of their camping setup.
Some people camp to relax, while others camp to have a fun (and loud) time. Unless they’re shooting off fireworks or running heavy machinery during the day, you probably won’t be able to call in a noise complaint.
Although this clash of expectations can be irritating, you need to consider the time of day and decide whether or not it’s reasonable for you to ask them to quiet down. A certain level of noise is to be expected during the day, but it usually only becomes a problem at night.
Most campgrounds have designated “quiet hours” because they know that most people want to enjoy quiet evenings and nights. Look up the rules for where you’re staying, so you can be aware of when it’s appropriate to ask other people to pipe down.
If the noise starts to frustrate and overwhelm you during the day, try to distance yourself from the situation for awhile. Take a walk away from the campground, run some errands, or put on some headphones and drown them out with your own music.
Be aware of your own noise level
Another thing to keep in mind is the level of noise in your own campsite! It’s easy to overlook the background noise in your own setup when you’re so focused on what others are doing. But sometimes your RV might be setting an example for the other campers in the area. If you have engines running, music playing, loud conversations, and so on, this sends a signal to others that that level of noise is acceptable.
It’s only fair to check your own campsite noise levels before complaining about other people. Begin by quieting down your own campsite and giving others a chance to do the same. Sometimes noisy neighbors are only as loud as they are because they need to be heard above everyone else’s setups.
Talk to them before talking to management (if you feel safe to do so)
Let’s say you’ve followed all the tips above but your neighbors are still making a huge racket. If quiet hours have begun, it’s time to deal with the issue directly. Although it might be tempting to go over their heads and complain to management, try talking it out first. People generally appreciate an equal conversation rather than a reprimand, so there’s a good chance that they’ll listen to you.
Remember to approach the discussion with a level head and a respectful attitude. If you are rude to other campers, there’s a chance that they might just get worse because they feel attacked. Most people don’t like being called out, so the situation could quickly escalate if you are aggressive about your complaints.
Instead, politely address the group and ask them to keep the noise down. If necessary, you can share details of your setup to make your case more convincing. People will usually listen either way, but it works even better if you have a good reason for asking them to quiet down. In most cases, a simple request will be enough to lower the noise level and create a more peaceful environment for everyone.
But unfortunately, even the most polite and respectful requests will sometimes be ignored. If you’re dealing with nightmare neighbors who ignore you at every turn, then it’s time to take things up the ladder. Contact management and file a noise complaint if things continue to escalate between you and other campers. They have the authority to fine people or even make them leave if things get out of hand.
Just try to handle things one on one before you call in the big guns!
Use a white noise machine
Even if your noisy neighbors have quieted down to a low level, it’s often inevitable that there will still be some background noise within the campground. If you’re a light sleeper who is very sensitive to noise, this can be a nightmarish situation.
If you need to block out exterior sounds, you can always try to use a white noise machine. These can drown out faint conversations, music, and other things that might interrupt your sleep. The sound may still be there, but white noise blankets it and makes it less irritating.
You can also listen to music with noise-canceling headphones or just put in some good old-fashioned earplugs! There will always be a little noise everywhere you stay, so it’s important to prepare yourself for these situations to arise.
If all else fails, move to another site or campground
This is an absolute last resort, but sometimes noisy neighbors might make you want to leave. If you’ve tried everything and they’re still as loud as ever, you might need to remove yourself from the situation altogether. Campground management can usually help, but sometimes they might be unwilling or unable to solve the issue.
In these extreme cases, you may need to relocate to another parking lot or campground for the night. It’s certainly irritating, but it’s usually better than spending the night next to a rowdy group that doesn’t respect your needs.
However, you almost never need to resort to these extreme measures. If you approach the situation with respect and open communication, most noisy neighbors will catch the hint and quiet down. Keep these tips in mind next time your fellow campers are partying a little too hard!
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I can’t fully agree with your deductions in handling noisy groups in RV parks these days. In the past, about 8 or more years ago quietly discussing noise with a neighbor was a safe thing to do. However, unfortunately the 20s and 30ish RV’ers who travel in groups have anger issues. We have witnessed older RVer’s quietly ask those noisy RVer’s after 11pm to just turn it down a little, only to be surrounded and pushed to the ground.
The amount were paying for places to stay these days, the responsibility is on the RV park management for safety of customers.
Why should the people who are abiding by the rules of the park be encouraged to move? That gives those breaking the rules more power to abuse them even farther without consequences.
I avoid the issue completely by never camping in these campgrounds at all. Too many hillbillies with the money to buy RVs and boats these days. I’ve regretfully found other forms of recreation which keep me and mine as far from others as possible. Too many aholes out there.
I have found asking an rv neighbor to be quite has been a bad idea 100% of the time. The ones making noise are usually drinking. They are always resentful and have no respect for others. Its much better to call a ranger. If the ranger has to come back a second time the rowdy person is usually told to leave. Your advise will get someone into a confrontation.
Let the campground management handle it, that way you remain anonymous and theres no hard feelings from the noisy party. If you confront the noisy party and then have to turn in a complaint to management, you just look bad.
Sorry, talk to them before going to management? Most time people are loud is late at night and alcohol has been consumed. Talking to them while they are drunk is not a bright thing to do. Go to management right away. Get them to deal with the loud neighbours.
Talking to your noisy neighbors about their excessive noise is a bad idea IMO. You never know how they will react. Maybe they have a gun. Maybe their are prone to rage. Maybe you wake up the next morning to flat tires or damaged paint on your truck or trailer. Contacting the rangers or park hosts is always the best option IMO. You are paying to be there as a guest with the expectation of certain conditions being met. They are being paid to deal with campground management and enforcing the rules. If the campground management is unwilling to stop the problem, the next step is to call the police. NEVER talk to your neighbors about the problem. You are putting yourself and your “stuff” in danger, up to and including a lethal outcome.
This is a funny story about noisy neighbors. I was 64 years old, bicycling from Indiana to Pennsylvania – a trip spread over 10 days. I was camping, so I hauled my tent etc. along. This particular night followed an 85 mile, hot day, and I was exhausted – went to bed about 10:30. At 11:00, I quietly walked over to the next campsite, asked if they might be able to talk a little more softly, and returned to my little tent. The woman in the group went off! She was pissed. I found her anger really funny – so I was laying in my tent laughing. She finally ran out of words, but she wasn’t done yet, so her final barrage was, “You know, old people just shouldn’t be allowed to go camping!” I was laughing so hard I could hardly keep it quiet. One of her companions came and planted himself right at my tent, as if to challenge me. I was still laughing trying to control myself. Finally, because I was not engaging, he left. I laughed myself to sleep that night.
Years ago someone we camped with each summer would put up with noise one night. He carried several cans of tuna fish which he would open and pour the oil around the offending campsite. Nature took its natural course and chased every one away.
What reasonable person would expect no/low noise in an RV park or campground?
THIS: many people, of various ages, crowded together in a PUBLIC PLACE, literally feet from each other, with varied reasons for overnighting, and you are expecting quiet??…just wear earplugs, very simple.
If you want peace and quiet, go dry camp or boondock…
I am in my late 60s, and I just observed this last week in an RV park… the older group at this RV park that expected quiet from others at night, were “gangbanging” all day with audible derogatory comments about people…an adult version of “be quiet or you can’t play in my sandbox”…with comments trying to get someone kicked out of the RV park…just a bunch of petty troublemaking prunes.
Not a creative interesting standup person in the bunch…yuck
I completely agree with others that BEFORE you consider talking with people directly about the noise issues, you need to evaluate who these people are, drunk or disorderly, their age and how loud and boisterous they are. It doesn’t take a “rocket scientist” to know that you’re way out of line making a racket at an RV Park…. they probably know full well what they are doing and simply don’t care…… that’s when you really need the management or park rangers to be involved.
Listen, people pay attention when the park rangers come around….. those folks have the authority to kick people right out of the park immediately. The problem is… sometimes these people go right back to doing what they were doing once the authorities leave….
If the park rangers have to come back a second time, they’ll probably be thrown out right then and there….
With all the tribalism going on these days, you really don’t want to put yourself in harms way…. yes, let the authorities handle this. They know what to do and can deescalate situations quickly.
Finally, if you know that certain parks are known for problems, just avoid them. People vote with their pocketbook….parks that can’t keep order will pay an economic price for lax attitudes.