This Uruguay camping guide brings together all 19 departments for your next outdoor journey. Explore Atlantic beaches, river shores, inland hills and thermal destinations. Start with the department links below, then choose a confirmed campground and build a relaxed route around it.

Explore all 19 departments

Use the green links to open each department guide. Every page includes local nature highlights, camping leads and practical checks before you travel. Montevideo appears as a department too, with an outdoor option beyond the central city.

Choose your Uruguay camping route

For an eastern trip, compare Canelones, Maldonado and Rocha. Their guides combine coastal bases with inland alternatives. Rocha includes Santa Teresa and La Aguada, while Maldonado offers a camping lead at the Grutas de Salamanca complex. Choose one or two bases for a short visit, so you have time to enjoy each setting.

For a western route, consider Colonia, Soriano and Río Negro. Blancarena and Las Cañas provide specific camping leads, while Soriano adds reservoir scenery and Parque Bartolomé Hidalgo. Keep departmental boundaries clear when booking: Bartolomé Hidalgo lies in Soriano beside Flores, even though it also appears in the Flores geopark visitor material.

If thermal pools are your priority, look at Paysandú and Salto. Guaviyú and Almirón list camping among their accommodation options. Pool admission and overnight accommodation can follow different arrangements, so ask the operator what your booking includes. Leave time between a campsite arrival and your first thermal visit.

For an inland nature circuit, explore Lavalleja, Treinta y Tres and Rivera. Arequita, the Quebrada de los Cuervos area and Valle del Lunarejo offer different outdoor settings. These destinations can suit walking and quiet stays, but each has its own booking and access arrangements. Reserve your overnight base before planning the day outings.

Campground booking and budgets

First, contact your chosen host with the dates, group size and tent type. Ask about drinking water, toilets, showers, electricity and shade. Also check whether the site accepts individual travellers, group bookings or both. A directory listing is a useful starting point, but it does not guarantee an available pitch.

Next, request the current total price. Park entry, camping, electrical connections and pool access may be separate items. Treat old tariffs and festival promotions as historical information unless the operator confirms they apply. Free day access does not establish free overnight camping, and a public shoreline does not establish permission to pitch a tent.

Weather, equipment and travel plans

Pack a reliable rain cover, strong tent pegs and a warm layer. Ask staff for a sheltered, well-drained plot and keep bedding dry. Check the forecast before a long walk or an exposed coastal stay. When conditions are unsettled, choose a shorter outing and keep a room or cabin as a backup.

Arrive in daylight and allow time for registration. Carry food and water for your first evening, especially when travelling to a small inland site. Download route details before leaving. If you rely on public transport, confirm the final connection and the return journey with the host or transport operator.

Enjoy nature with care

Use designated camping areas and follow the local instructions for walks, cooking and swimming. Stay on approved paths, leave wildlife undisturbed and take rubbish to the proper collection point. For protected landscapes or private land, arrange access with park staff or the local host before setting out.

Use the department pages in this Uruguay camping guide for their local source links. For broader planning, consult the Uruguay Ministry of Tourism and browse our Camping Destinations collection. Book a suitable base, leave room for changing weather and enjoy a slower outdoor trip.