This Germany camping guide divides the country into all 16 federal states, with a dedicated English guide for each one. Choose a region for its landscape, use an authorized campsite as your base, and combine outdoor days with local food and culture. The directory below links to every state guide, so you can build a route without trying to see the whole country at once.

Each regional article includes a camping base, published price information, restaurant ideas, cultural visits and practical planning notes. Tariffs were checked on 16 October 2026. They are dated planning references, not live availability or a promise that every facility operates throughout the year.

Germany camping guide: choose your federal state

Germany’s states include three city-states—Berlin, Bremen and Hamburg—as well as much larger touring regions. The German National Tourist Board’s federal-state overview provides the national context. Start with the landscape you want, then open the relevant guide below.

Choose a landscape and a manageable route

For forest and lake days, consider the Black Forest in Baden-Württemberg, Edersee in Hesse, Brandenburg’s lakes or the Sternberg area in Mecklenburg-Western Pomerania. For upland walking, compare Bavaria, the Harz bases in Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, the Eifel in North Rhine-Westphalia, or the Thuringian Forest. Saxony offers a different rocky landscape in Saxon Switzerland.

For water and coastal atmosphere, choose Fehmarn in Schleswig-Holstein, the Moselle in Rhineland-Palatinate, Bostalsee in Saarland or a city break beside Hamburg’s waterways. These are different kinds of trip: a sheltered inland lake and an exposed coast require different equipment and expectations. Read the local guide before booking.

A useful first itinerary has two or three bases, with several nights at each. Combine neighbouring regions when travel distances make sense, but check actual driving times. Leave a flexible day for weather or a cultural visit. A shorter route makes it easier to enjoy walks, markets and meals without repeatedly packing up camp.

Authorized camping: book the right kind of pitch

The state guides identify established camping operators and, where relevant, a designated motorhome stop or trekking site. A motorhome stop may restrict awnings, tents or length of stay; a trekking site may be intended only for walkers and cyclists. Check the operator’s rules for your actual unit before arriving.

Do not assume that a scenic parking space permits camping. Look for explicit overnight permission or book a campsite. If travelling with a tent, confirm that tents are accepted rather than relying on a motorhome listing. Ask about vehicle dimensions, dogs, accessible sanitary facilities and late arrival when these affect your stay.

Verified price examples and budgeting

Compare like with like: some operators charge a pitch plus each person, while others include two or four guests in a package. Electricity may be included, charged daily or metered. Tourist tax, booking fees, showers and extra vehicles can change the total.

These examples come from the operator links in the individual state guides. Their seasons and inclusions differ, so they are not a ranking of the cheapest campsites. Where a site still publishes a 2025 tariff, the regional article labels it clearly. Request a complete dated quote before committing to a booking.

Restaurants and culture along the way

Use campsite restaurants for an easy evening when they are operating, and town restaurants for a longer cultural day. The guides name specific places, including Fairhouse at Edersee, Harzer Fuchshöhle near Goslar, Seeterrasse at LuxOase and Paulfeld-Baude in Thuringia. Seasonal kitchen hours can be shorter than campsite opening hours; confirm directly and carry an arrival meal.

Build culture into the route rather than saving it only for rain. Choose a castle in Cochem or Wernigerode, museums in Gotha or Dresden, Celtic heritage near Bostalsee, or maritime history in Bremen and Hamburg. Check tickets, tour languages and access with the venue. A single thoughtful visit often fits a camping day better than a long list of rushed stops.

Practical planning for a Germany camping trip

Spring and early autumn can suit walking, while summer is a busy period for lakes and coasts. Winter requires a campsite that explicitly supports your dates and equipment. Confirm reception hours and arrival procedures, especially when gates close overnight. Check weather, local route notices and any seasonal transport before leaving the pitch.

Pack layers, rain protection, comfortable walking shoes, warm bedding, a torch and an offline map. Keep a separate budget for food, transport, attractions and tourist taxes. Use designated wastewater facilities, follow quiet hours and current fire restrictions, and leave natural areas clean. Open a state guide above to turn this national overview into a practical regional stay.