Why Are Some Campers So Rude? (vent)

[Chattyaholic]

DH and I took our 5th wheel out for the first time this season and we camped at the Hartwick Pines State Park (about a 2-hour drive north of where we live) Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday nights. We always like going during the week as it is almost always less busy than on the weekend. Tuesday and Wednesday nights were great, but Thursday night when we were ready to go to sleep I noticed some rather loud campers down the road from us. They were probably 10-12 campsites away from us, yet we could hear them talking and laughing. I shut the window and we went to sleep. About 1:00 a.m. I was awakened to the boom-boom-booming of the bass from their music. I listened a moment and could actually make out the words of the song, even with windows shut!! I was so angry!! Why would anyone play music in a campground at 1:00 in the morning?! It was obvious that they didn't care about anyone else trying to sleep. Their talking and laughing was louder than it had been too, so I'm pretty sure they were drinking as well. Part of me wanted to get up, get dressed and walk down there and ask them to tone it down, but if they were drunk (and I imagine they were) I might get more than I bargained for, so I just stayed put, but it was so annoying!! I just wish people would be more considerate. I mean, loud music during the day is annoying enough (especially when it's that "rap crap!!") but at 1:00 in the morning it's a whole lot worse!!!

 

[doxdogy]

I am so sorry this happened to you. Unfortunately, I am literally amazed by the incosideration and rudeness of others almost daily.

 

[lindajo]

Most campgrounds have quiet hours-usually 10:00p.m. to 7:00a.m. We used to camp a lot in a tent, and this was always a source of frustration to me, too. People would take a stroll around the campground at midnight and talk in a louder than normal speaking voice like they were the only people there, passing within a few feet of where we were trying to sleep! Also late arrivals would slam their car doors unpacking their cars about a hundred times at midnight, too. I don't know what else you could have done, I would have been afraid to approach a bunch of drunks that hadn't a clue in the middle of the night too. I have reported loud campers to an all night guard before, but most of the time there isn't anyone awake at 1:00 a.m.!!! Sorry you had such a bad experience, been there too!!

 

[ScarlettO]

That's terrible...and during the week I'd think it would be quiet.

Can I ask what brand Fifth wheeler you bought? We are just starting to look at them-so many brands and styles-yikes!

 

[Chattyaholic]

I like private campgrounds because, as lindajo said, they have "quiet hours" and the owner is usually there to enforce it, but I don't think state parks have "quiet hours" or even if they do, there is no DNR officer around at 1:00 a.m. to enforce it. We don't stay at state parks very often anymore because of that, but this was early in the season and not on a weekend so we thought it would be all right. Guess I was wrong.

 

[swanmom]

Sorry this happened but I wanted to commend you on your restraint in avoiding a confrontation. I sure you were really tempted to 'give them a piece of your mind' but you probably avoided much worse by controlling the urge to let them have it.

 

[Chattyaholic]

Scarlett: Our camper is an older Jayco Designer. We bought it from DH's father when they got a new one last summer. We had our last 5th wheel (also bought from DH's father) 10 years, and we will probably have this one about that long too. Once we start spending winters in a warmer climate we plan to buy a new one.

Have fun shopping for yours, like you said there are so many different brands and styles. But shopping is half the fun!

The one we have now has a slide-out for the couch and dinette set and I absolutely LOVE that!! Gives you so much more room. Some of the new ones have slide-outs on both sides, plus one in the bedroom, now THAT is camping in luxury!!

 

[msdznyduck]

We almost always tent camp at state parks and have also had some bad experiences with loud, late parties. Usually though, there are RAngers that patrol at least every few hours, that will tell them to hold it down after 10 or 11 on wkends. Most times, I think people just don't realize how much sound carries in the woods at night. (but some, I know, probably just don't care).
I think you did the smart thing by just staying put, since you didn't know about alcohol, etc. Most state parks, I thought, do not allow alcohol. (I know, I know, there are ways) But I definately would have found a ranger in the morning to complain, if there were none around at night.

 

[gshoemate]

When I was younger camping was a family event. I think alot of people do it now as a place to sit around a fire, drink and socialize. We gave up tent camping, it just wasn't worth not getting any sleep and having the following day ruined. I remember when my DH took me out to Yellowstone for the first time. We were tent camping at a campground in the park that was next to a river, where buffalo liked to hang out. Well one morning while sleeping in a tiny 2 person tent, I heard this thundering noise and the ground was shaking. My first thought was it was a heard of buffalo and we were going to be crushed, I was terrified. Then come to find out we had a bus load of children camping behind us and they were making an early morning run to the bathroom that happened to me next to us. We moved our campsite that day.

But I know where you are coming from. It is hard to camp and enjoy the outdoors when people have no respect for those around them. My FIL works for a State park in Michigan and boy does he have stories to tell about people.

 

[Kermit]

Most of the state parks I've camped at do have rangers on call at night. Usually, there's at least one who lives at the park. Next time, you should ask when you check in what you should do about late night noise. I think all parks have a plan for something you can do to get help.

 

[Dizzy-Disney4]

That is the most annoying thing. We usually hit family campgrounds that are "family friendly"....and have their quiet hours posted, but we went to one place up near Lake Sunapee a few years back that claimed to enforce their quiet hours. Well at midnight heavy metal was still blasting out of their stereo and the people themselves were loud and obnoxious. I was so mad, our kids were 2 and 7 at the time and we packed up and left the next day two days early. The owner wanted to know what the problem was so I told him and said we would not be back.

 

[lindajo]

Originally posted by gshoemate
Well one morning while sleeping in a tiny 2 person tent, I heard this thundering noise and the ground was shaking. My first thought was it was a heard of buffalo and we were going to be crushed, I was terrified. Then come to find out we had a bus load of children camping behind us and they were making an early morning run to the bathroom that happened to me next to us.

(sorry, I know it wasn't funny at the time!)