--- title: "12 Things RV Campground Owners Secretly Hate That Campers Do" url: "https://camperfaqs.com/things-rv-campground-owners-secretly-hate" author: "Tory Jon" published: "2025-12-31T13:42:16-06:00" modified: "2025-12-31T13:42:22-06:00" --- # 12 Things RV Campground Owners Secretly Hate That Campers Do Running a large site like CamperFAQs.com and having decades of camping behind me, I spend a lot of time talking with campground owners, managers, and hosts across the country. One question I often ask them is what bothers them the most about campers. Over the years, I started to notice a pattern. The same answers that surprised me a little kept coming up. And this isn't about your usual suspects like loud music after quiet hours or people leaving dog poop behind (though they don't enjoy having to deal with those issues). These are those frustrations that come from smaller habits that many campers never give a second thought to. **Disclaimer**: Every campground is different. Some of the things listed below may be allowed or handled differently depending on local rules, park size, or site layout. Several of these fall under common sense, but they still show up often enough in owner and host conversations that they are worth calling out. ## 1. Washing dishes in bathroom sinks A lot of campers don't think twice about rinsing a pan or washing plates in the restroom sink. From a campground owner’s point of view, it turns a shared bathroom into a messy kitchen. Grease and food particles clog drains, and staff end up spending more time on plumbing issues instead of general upkeep. It is also hard to keep restrooms sanitary when people wash dishes where others brush their teeth. **A better approach:** Use your RV's kitchen sink or bring a plastic dishpan and clean your cookware at your site. If you are trying to limit gray water, wipe plates clean with a paper towel before washing to cut down on waste. ## 2. Cleaning fish in places not meant for it Anglers sometimes clean fish at picnic tables, in bathroom sinks, or anywhere with a flat surface and running water. Unfortunately, leftover scales, blood, and scraps create odor problems for staff and attract wildlife. When cleaning happens inside restrooms, the smell lingers, and other guests complain. Many parks have designated cleaning stations or nearby facilities that handle waste correctly, yet hosts still report finding fish remains in trash cans and sinks. **A better approach:** ask where fish cleaning is allowed ahead of time, and if there is no dedicated station, take waste back with you in a sealed bag and dispose of it at home or at an approved site. That small step saves the staff from surprise cleanup and keeps animals from digging through trash cans at night. ## 3. Leaving “it’ll biodegrade” food waste behind Orange peels, egg shells, and pistachio shells look harmless, but campground staff deal with them long after guests leave. These scraps take longer to break down than many people realize, and staff end up picking through sites by hand, and visiting wildlife learns to associate campsites with easy food. Owners say this habit leads to repeated cleanup work and attracts animals that eventually become a problem for everyone. **A better approach:** treat food scraps the same way you treat regular trash. Bag them and place them in the dumpster instead of tossing them under a tree or into the fire ring. If you pack snacks that leave behind shells or peels, bring a small container to collect them so nothing gets scattered around the site. ## 4. Treating the fire ring like a trash can Bottles, cans, and foil do not burn away the way people think they do. Owners say they often find charred trash mixed into the ashes, which has to be removed by hand before the next guest arrives. In some cases, nails or sharp metal fragments end up buried in the fire pit after someone burns scrap wood, and those hazards pose a risk to children and pets. The cleanup takes time, and leftover debris lowers the experience for whoever comes next. **A better approach:** only burn clean, approved firewood and keep a small trash bag near your seating area. If something falls into the fire ring that should not be there, let it cool completely, then throw it away. That small habit keeps the fire ring usable and safe for everyone in the rotation. ## 5. Stuffing garbage into fireplaces or grills Some older cabins and camp shelters have indoor fireplaces or built-in grills, and staff report finding trash stuffed inside them as if they were extra garbage cans. Leftover food, plastic packaging, and cans create foul smells when someone tries to light a fire later. Metal and glass can crack or warp under high heat, creating further issues for owners. **A better approach:** use the main dumpsters for all trash and double-check the grill before you leave to make sure nothing has been tossed inside. If you are unsure where to throw something, ask the office or campground host. ## 6. Using dumpsters as a bulk trash drop Campground dumpsters are meant for routine household-sized trash, not large items left behind at the end of a trip. Owners regularly mention finding old chairs, broken grills, cracked coolers, and even tires tossed inside or beside the dumpster. Those items do not fit the normal waste pickup plan and often require staff to haul them to a separate facility at the campground’s expense. What feels like “getting rid of clutter before the drive home” turns into extra time, fees, and labor for the park. **A better approach:** take bulky items home or drop them off at an appropriate disposal site along your route. If something breaks during your stay, ask the office how they prefer you handle it. Most campgrounds are happy to point you in the right direction. ## 7. Damaging trees with lines, hooks, or hardware Clotheslines, dog runs, and hammock straps seem harmless at first, yet campground owners often deal with bark damage and embedded metal pieces long after guests leave. Nails and hooks can injure maintenance workers using chainsaws or trimmers, and deep cuts in the bark create entry points for pests and disease. **A better approach:** use tree-friendly straps designed to distribute weight if hammocks are allowed, and always remove lines when you pack up. If you need to hang gear, look for designated posts or your RV itself instead of fastening anything directly to a tree. ## 8. Washing your RV or tow vehicle at your site Many campers rinse off road grime without thinking about where the soapy runoff goes. Owners say the water often carries detergents, waxes, and dirt into grassy areas or drainage channels. In some parks, local regulations require wash stations to collect wastewater instead of letting it run onto the ground, so unauthorized washing puts the campground at risk of fines. Water usage is another part of the puzzle, especially in places with limited supply. **A better approach:** head to a designated wash bay if the campground has one, or use a commercial wash station in town. If neither option exists and you want to keep things clean, wipe spots by hand using a spray bottle and microfiber cloths instead of running a full wash. Or wait until you get home to wash it. ## 9. Doing repairs, oil changes, or draining fluids in the park Maintenance work on vehicles can leave stains on pavement or soil, and campground owners say they often end up dealing with spills long after the guest has driven away. Oil and coolant are not easy to remove from gravel or grass, and once fluids leak into the ground, cleanup becomes a long process that usually falls on staff. **A better approach:** If something unexpected happens on the road, ask the office for guidance instead of setting up a repair zone at your site. ## 10. “Creative” sewer and water hookups Campground staff regularly mention makeshift drain connections held together with tape or loose fittings. These setups leak or come apart under pressure, leaving puddles of wastewater around the site. Even small drips make cleanup unpleasant and create sanitation concerns for the next guest. Staff also have to check for damage to the sewer inlet if someone forces a connector that does not fit correctly. **A better approach:** use connectors that create a tight seal and check them before you walk away. If something does not fit, ask the office rather than improvising. ## 11. Drones and unauthorized filming around other guests Owners and hosts mention that drones bring complaints faster than almost anything. The noise bothers people trying to relax, and the camera raises privacy concerns for families. Many parks have had issues with drones flown over swim areas, occupied sites, and wildlife habitats, which leads to tension between guests and forces staff to intervene. **A better approach:** ask for permission before launching a drone and follow posted park rules. If drones are not allowed, leave them packed away for the trip. When drones are permitted, fly away from other sites and avoid filming people without consent. ## 12. Leaving outdoor rugs down too long and killing the grass Outdoor rugs feel tidy and comfortable, but campground owners say they often kill grass in high-use sites. Once a patch dies, it turns into dirt or mud that has to be repaired, and that takes time and money. **A better approach:** limit how long you leave rugs on the ground, lift them to let the grass breathe, and use breathable mats when possible. If the campground posts a time limit for rug use, follow it so the site stays in good shape for whoever comes next.