Your Campsite Neighbors Matter When Camping

​Why does it matter who is in a campsite around you?  For the most part it doesn’t matter who is in the campsite around you; but, there are some safety concerns that must be considered.

​Do you your neighbors have a dog?  Most campgrounds these days don’t allow “dangerous” dogs.  I have learned though that all dogs have teeth and therefore may be “dangerous.”

Scan your neighbors campsite for dog bowls and/or leash tide to picnic table, tree, or RV.
A quick scan usually lets you know if your neighbor has a dog.  If or when you chat with your neighbors you can easily find out if their dog is friendly to you and your children.

Dogs are wonderful but they are not all created equal and for your safety and the safety of your children you need to know if dogs may be an issue around your campsite.

​As with “dangerous dogs” being banned from most campgrounds so is alcohol.  There is no problem with alcohol but when alcohol is excessive and over the top there are issues.  

Scan your neighbors campsite for any signs of serious partying the night before.  A quick scan usually lets you know whether your neighbors are partiers.

From our experience even if you may see tons of alcoholic bottles and/or cans that doesn’t mean they will party when you are there.  Most of the time if they see a family next to them they will keep the noise down out of respect.

​Is your campsite neighbor a stream and/or lake?  If so you have a fantastic site to be close to some fun play in the water.  

​Know your children:  

• Are your children swimmers?
• Do you have extra clothes and/or shoes if or when they get all wet.  
• If you have children are you ok with them going to water on their own?
• Have you set boundaries? (see Setting Up Boundaries For Children at the Campsite
  

Having a stream or lake as a neighbor is ​wonderful just be safe!

There are two types of trails to look for at your campsite.  One is hiking/biking trail and the other is an animal trail.  We have had the experience of both being our neighbor without knowing.

Once we set up our tent ready for a quiet camp-out and were shocked when people came hiking feet from our tent.  Somehow we fully missed the hiking/biking trail right near our campsite.

​Another time we set up our tent in a great “secluded” campsite at the campground and went off exploring the campground.  On our return we saw a large group of campers all looking at our site. There was a bear at our tent!  Some how we missed the animal trail that led right to our tent!

​Who your campsite neighbors are matters and with a quick observant scan around your campsite you will be able to identify any safety concerns.