New to RVing in parks? You’re not alone!
With over 19,000 car camping sites at Ontario Parks, there’s new adventurers getting into the RV game every year.
With help from our friends at Wayfarer Insurance Group, we’ve compiled a few unwritten RV rules to know before your first road trip:
Know the written rules
We know, we just said these rules are unwritten.
However, understanding park rules is an essential first step to having a safe and positive camping experience.
Before heading out, check your park’s individual webpage for everything you need to know about your visit.
Have everyone in your group take time to review the Park Rules tab to ensure you all understand the ins and outs of camping in parks.
Remember, there is one basic rule in Ontario Parks: have respect and consideration for your fellow visitors and the environment.
Perfect parking
Finding the right campsite for your RV is important.
If you have slide-outs, ensure they are included in the total length of your equipment when reserving online.
When you’re parking and setting up, remember to consider the location of your slide-outs.
There’s nothing worse than sliding out right into the trees or in an inconvenient spot!
Park your trailer and test the slide-outs before unhooking. This step will save you time, and prevent you from having to hook everything back up and re-park.
Make sure you park in a good, flat area is key. Higher ground is preferred.
Ensure your RV is also more than 6 feet away from your fire pit.
Making new friends
It’s easy to form new friendships while camping — especially when you are sharing a mutual love for parks!
As exciting as it may be to meet new people, always give other campers time to set up and get settled before introducing yourself.
If you sense they need some help, call out to offer some assistance. Try not to take it personally if someone does not want to connect, and do your best to respect their boundaries.
This rule applies to human friends and fur friends!
Speaking of new friends…
As cute as they may be, not all dogs want to play!
Always check in with the owner before you or your kids (fur or human) interact with their dog.
When at your campsite or going for a walk, keep your dogs secured on leash no longer than 2 metres in length.
Respect quiet time
We all have fond memories of gathering around a roaring fire, having a sing along or a few good laughs.
Excessive noise is not permitted at any time, but there is a greater expectation for quiet at night. This applies to conversations, music, generators, and bright lights.
You can still enjoy that fabulous campfire (if it’s not a forest fire risk – watch for postings), but do it with your neighbours in mind.
Social trails and shortcuts
Never walk through someone else’s site.
It may seem like just a second or just the edge of the site, but it can make people feel uncomfortable and disrupt the park’s ecosystem. Not to mention the possibility of running into irritating plants like Poison Ivy!
Take the extra steps to make sure your neighbours can enjoy their camping experience, too.
Respect checkout times
Like a hotel, your checkout time is when you must be off the site.
For car campers, this means your site is clean and ready for the next set of campers at 2:00 pm.
This goes for campers arriving, too! Please be respectful towards the campers before you. If you arrive before 2:00 pm, don’t sit and wait for them to pack up.
Why not use your extra time to start exploring the park’s beach, trails, or Visitor Centre?
Leave your site better than you found it
It’s just as simple as that!
Do a sweep of your site after you pack up and move your RV.
Ensure there is no garbage behind, and your campfire is extinguished.
Prepare for the trailer sanitation station
Have your gloves, the black tank hose, and connector piece handy when you pull up to the station.
If you are uncertain of what to do, don’t be afraid to ask for help.
In the RVing and camping community, someone is always willing to lend a hand.
Make sure you’re covered
If you’ve ever been involved in an accident where another driver caused damage to your property, you know how disappointing and stressful the experience can be.
Now imagine it happening on your vacation.
No matter how experienced you may be at driving, towing, or parking your RV, accidents happen.
Before you head out for your first RV trip of the season, make sure that your insurance policy is up to date with the most comprehensive coverage.
Wayfarer Insurance Group has been specializing in RV insurance for over 30 years, and we truly understand the importance of protecting your home away from home.
Give us a call at 1 (844) 929-4768 or contact us today to find out what makes us different from other insurance providers, discuss your policy and look for opportunities to help you save on your premiums.
Ontario Parks thanks corporate partners like Wayfarer Insurance Group for their support.