How To Choose
A Safe Campsite
for Your RV

"The following tips how to choose a safe campsite for your RV can go a long way to ensure that you and your family have a memorable camping experience"

How To Choose A Safe Campsite or Your RV

How To Choose A Safe Campsite For Your RV

By The Good Sam Club

Camping is a fun time for the whole family. It is a time to leave all of your troubles behind and reconnect with family and friends. Campfires, roasting marshmallows and sing-a-longs are the memories you’ll cherish for the rest of your life. That’s why it is essential to make your campsite a safe place for everyone.

The campsite you choose is your home away from home. It should be a clean, safe place that is devoid of any debris or low-hanging limbs. And, choosing a site that is flat and level makes it easier to set up camp and park your RV.

Once you’ve chosen the perfect campsite, there are a few safety precautions to keep in mind while setting up camp. The following tips can go a long way to ensure that you and your family have a memorable camping experience.


Good Sam Club

  • Check for potential hazards. Be sure to check the site thoroughly for glass, sharp objects, branches, large ant beds, poison ivy, bees and hazardous terrain.
  • Inspect the site. Look for a level site with enough room to spread out all your gear. Also, a site that has trees or shrubs on the side of prevailing winds will help block strong, unexpected gusts.
  • Build fires in a safe area. Your open fires and fuel-burning appliances must be far enough away from the tent to prevent ignition from sparks, flames and heat. Never use a flame or any other heating device inside a tent. Use a flashlight or battery-powered light instead.
  • Make sure your fires are always attended. Be sure you have an area for a fire that cannot spread laterally or vertically - a grill or stone surface is ideal. When putting the fire out, drown it with water, making sure all embers, coals and sticks are wet.
  • Dispose of trash properly. Remember to recycle - use the proper recycling bins if available.
Good Sam Club
  • Watch out for bugs. Avoid attracting stinging insects by wearing light-colored clothing and avoiding perfumes or colognes. 
  • Beware when encountering wildlife. To ward off bears, keep your campsite clean, and do not leave food, garbage, coolercooking equipment or utensils out in the open. Remember that bears are potentially dangerous and unpredictable - never feed or approach a bear. Use a flashlight at night - many animals feed at night and the use of a flashlight may warn them away. 
  • Beware of poisonous plants. Familiarize yourself with any dangerous plants that are common to the area. If you come into contact with a poisonous plant, immediately rinse the affected area with water and apply a soothing lotion, such as calamine, to the affected area.

About The Author

About The Good Sam Club:  Listed below is why you should join The Good Sam Club

Members Save More!


Join the Good Sam Club Today! Discounts, Tips, Tools & Much More!

Camping Discounts Save 10% at over 2,400 Good Sam Parks & Campgrounds

FREE SHIPPING on orders of $39 or more at CampingWorld.com. – some exclusions apply

Save up to 10% Every Day at Camping World SuperCenters! Plus, Members-Only Specials & Double Discount Days

Everyday Savings - Save up to 10% every day at Overtons.com

Everyday Savings - Save up to 10% every day on all gear at Gander Outdoors retail locations and at GanderOutdoors.com

Save 10% on Camping World Installation Fees

Save $10 on the Posted Hourly Service Rate at Camping World SuperCenters

Save 10% on Good Sam Product Protection

Save up to 10% Every Day at Gander Outdoors Retail Locations! Plus, Members-Only Specials & Double Discount Days

Good Sam Perks – discounts on dining, shopping & more

Exclusive Benefits on Good Sam Services

Members-Only Specials at CampingWorld.com, GanderOutdoors.com & Overtons.com

Fuel Savings Save 5¢ off gas & 8¢ off diesel instantly at select Pilot Flying J locations

Propane Discount Save 15% on Propane every day at Camping World SuperCenters

Dump Service Free RV & boat dump station privileges at select Camping World SuperCenters

Magazine Savings Save up to 40% on a subscription to MotorHome or Trailer Life magazine

Directory Discount Save over 65% on the Good Sam RV Travel & Savings Guide

RV Show Discount Save 50% on admission on up to 2 tickets at Good Sam sponsored RV shows

Trip Planner Calculate mileage, driving time & identify RV-friendly routes

Join the Good Sam Club Today!

More Articles on Making Your RVing Trips Better

  • Journaling is the perfect way of keeping camping trips permanently engraved in your memory. These tips help you write a great travel journal.

    How to Write a Great Travel Journal while Camping

    Journaling is the perfect way of keeping camping trips permanently engraved in your memory. These tips help you write a great travel journal.

  • In order to enjoy RVing to it's fullest, you must stay healthy. Here are some tips on maintaining your health while RV camping.

    Staying Healthy While RVing

    In order to enjoy RVing to it's fullest, you must stay healthy. Here are some tips on maintaining your health while RV camping.

  • Unlock the open road 🚍 with our latest RVing tips and tricks! These tips and tricks will elevate your next RVing adventure.

    RVing Tips and Tricks

    Unlock the open road 🚍 with our latest RVing tips and tricks! These tips and tricks will elevate your next RVing adventure.


Do you have any suggestions or comments on this topic? You can add them to this page by using the comments section located below.

LEARN HOW TO RUN 2 RV A/Cs ON A 30 AMP CONNECTION

Return to the RV Lifestyle Articles page from the How To Choose A Safe Campsite For Your RV page