Camper Vans & Class Ber's only. How late is too late?

I'm not a Class B but, I don't think that really matters.

I think it would be up to the CG management. If they allow late arrivals at 2 or 3 AM, that's their choice.
It's up to the camper to do exactly what you do, get parked as quietly as possible.

You can't always get to the CG earlier because of traffic, construction, accidents, etc..

I don't mind if someone pulls in next to me late at night. I do appreciate it when they're courteous and as quiet as possible.

I always try to get tucked in before dark, on the rare occasion that I push later into the night, I go Wallmart....I have no problem with someone coming in anytime, if the park or campground allows it, its OK by me....

I'm a Class B and for me if the gate is open I will try to find a spot no matter what time it is, but I wait until morning to do any hookups. I do stop at the gate and check to see if there's a sign posted about late arrival procedures and there usually is. I've never had a problem with this and never had anyone at the parks talk to me about it, object or complain.

I did miss meeting the Park Ranger at a Provincial Park in BC once because I was taking a stroll thru the park when he stopped by for the camp fee. I had actually pulled into the park late in the afternoon and there were no signs, no place to self register and the "office" was closed but the park was nearly empty. I tried to find the Ranger so I could pay but never did and left the next day on my trip. Still feel guilty that I owe them $16CDN.

Before dark....if you have to use a flashlight to set up, you're there too late. Yes, things happen....but those that HABITUALLY get to a campground after dark and then bang and crash around drive me up a wall...(we have friends that do that and think nothing of it....we won't camp with them any more)

amandasgramma wrote:
Before dark....if you have to use a flashlight to set up, you're there too late. Yes, things happen....but those that HABITUALLY get to a campground after dark and then bang and crash around drive me up a wall...(we have friends that do that and think nothing of it....we won't camp with them any more)

I think part of the reason he(she) asked for "Camper Vans & Class Ber's only" is because people don't realize what a huge difference there is between pulling a 34' FW and driving a 20' camper van. In a van you just pull in and park. There is no maneuvering into your spot, little to no leveling and basically no setup. B'ers are movers and often just there for the night. They literally just pull in and park. Maybe -- MAYBE plug in the electric. Maybe not even that if it's late. We owned a 5th wheel for 7 years before downsizing to our B and believe me, it's very different.

That being said, we always try to get in before dark. In a case where that won't work, we basically do what the OP describes -- park in the most level spot we can, then snuggle up in bed with a good book.

I completely agree with you that it sucks when your neighbors show up at midnight and start an elaborate setup, slamming doors, clanging tent poles, etc. Very rude!

The reason I ask for Class B, and Camper Vans is because most/many travel differently than other RVers. They tend to be tourers, moving to a new place every day or two, often driving late at night.
This is the Camper Van Conversion (CVC) forum, and those are mainly the people I hoped to hear from. Of course all opinions are welcome, as long as everyone plays nice.
As someone said, size does matter. :)

I felt really bad when I had car trouble, and then a 1-hour wait at the tunnel, and ended up pulling into yosemite at midnight. I was giving someone a ride, otherwise I would have boondocked outside the park. But we were as quiet as we could be and I just went right to sleep.

In general, I figure try to avoid after 9pm and be super quiet if you cannot avoid it.

Before 6pm is better of course, because that is the time when people tend to shift into quiet time. Of course, that would depend on the type of park :).

we always shoot before 4 PM if going to a campground. Staff will usually be on duty still and more importantly you will have a better selection of campsites and have time to set up and make dinner. If you are traveling through I find it a waste of money to stop at a campground late. If late and heading on again in the morning a Walmart is fine.

I have to agree on arriving about 4-5pm or earlier, if possible. Especially when in new/unknown territory or regions. Better to select a site worthy of your B. Down side is that it never seems to fail that the great spot we selected is right across the road from, or directly under, a dusk to dawn light.
If we do arrive late, we don't even pop the top (Sportsmobile with penthouse top), quietly plug in and relax, cause the late arrival means a long day of driving or what ever. Time to unwind with a beer or two. Sleep comes early, then on to the next site the next day with less to pack.

I plan to arrive in daylight, seldom drive more than ~350 miles a day, and haven't had a problem getting to the park on time. However, with a Class B, every return to the campground is a new arrival, although it's a little easier to get to your campsite and set up once you know they lay of the land.

Some of my RV trips include professional baseball games, often night games, which may involve returning after 11:00 PM. Lots of night time activities could put you on a similar schedule. I try to be real quiet, and it's probably easier for me to do so than someone in a big rig - haven't needed my leveling blocks yet - but anyone coming or going when others may be sleeping should be as quiet as possible.