Camping by the lake in Germany

Setting off fishing early in the morning, going for a swim at lunchtime, roaming through the woods with your dog in the afternoon and sitting by the campfire on the shore in the evening - camping by the lake is one of the most popular types of camping in Germany for good reason. Pincamp presents the best campsites on German lakes and provides you with all the important information for your next trip to the water.

The 5 most beautiful lakeside campsites in Germany

Germany has hundreds of lakes that invite you to enjoy cosy camping by the water. We present 5 particularly recommendable campsites where you can spend a great holiday. The campsites are characterised by a beautiful location, good service and excellent facilities ### Campingpark "Ludwig Leichhardt" am Schwielochsee This idyllic campsite is located in a pine forest on the Großer Schwielochsee in Zaue in Brandenburg, which is rich in lakes. Many of the unparcelled pitches have a direct view of the lake, and there are also numerous mooring facilities for boats. ### Campingpark Sonnensee This 5-star campsite on the beautiful Sonnensee in North Rhine-Westphalia offers everything you need for a relaxing holiday by the water: a well-kept beach, large pitches and clean sanitary facilities. The restaurant and leisure facilities also leave nothing to be desired. ### Campingpark Breitenauer See Modern and scenic camping park near the "Swabian-Franconian Forest" recreational area. The landscape is characterised by water, forest and vineyards, and the lake offers many leisure activities, spacious sunbathing lawns and an adventure playground for children. ### Camping- und Ferienpark Havelberge This camping park is one of the most popular sites in the Mecklenburg Lake District and has won several awards. Located directly on Lake Woblitzsee, the fascinating Müritz National Park is in the immediate vicinity. The site itself offers a wide range of activities and countless options for active campers ### Camping Zeh am See Family-run campsite in an idyllic location on Niedersonthofener See in the heart of the Allgäu. Families with children and older campers spend a relaxing holiday here in beautiful natural surroundings. In addition to the beautiful lake, the charming Allgäu landscape is waiting to be explored by you. ## Are dogs allowed when camping by the lake? As a rule, dogs are allowed on most campsites by the lake in Germany. However, you should check with the respective campsite beforehand. Depending on the site, there are special regulations, such as beaches that are only accessible to dogs at certain times or not at all.

Some campsites also have their own dog beaches, dog meadows and free-range areas for your four-legged friend. Here, dogs can let off steam and splash around in the water to their heart's content. Some also have special facilities such as parasols or dog showers. Please note that dogs must be kept on a lead at many campsites out of consideration for other guests. Even if you are walking your dog in nature reserves or in the forest, a lead is compulsory. Out of consideration for the environment, you should also always take care of your dog's droppings.

The most beautiful destinations for lake camping

If you want to camp by a lake in Germany, you are spoilt for choice: there are countless beautiful lakes in Germany. In addition to natural lakes, there are also man-made open-cast mining lakes, reservoirs and prehistoric bodies of water such as the Steinhuder Meer. Lake Constance is particularly popular . Germany's largest lake borders three countries: Austria, Germany and Switzerland. The proximity to the neighbouring nations makes camping on Lake Constance particularly exciting. One very popular lakeside campsite in Germany is Park-Camping Lindau am Bodensee, which has been awarded 4.5 ADAC stars. Campers can enjoy views of the water from many of the pitches. Dogs are welcome and children can enjoy the playground. In the east of Germany, Müritz delights campers and water sports enthusiasts alike. Sailors and surfers have 117 square metres of water at their disposal. This makes the Müritz the largest lake in the whole of Germany. Campingpark Kamerun, which has been awarded 4.5 ADAC stars, is located directly on the banks of the Müritz. A small marina is located in the immediate vicinity and borders the 60 metre wide sandy beach of the lake. Many pitches extend right up to the water's edge. The Kamerun-Lodge offers a culinary highlight. The stylish restaurant serves African specialities.

Steinhuder Meer is located in Lower Saxony and is the largest lake in north-west Germany. The relatively shallow body of water is located in the nature park of the same name and offers numerous excursion options on land and water. The Nordufer-Camping, which has been awarded three ADAC stars, offers spacious pitches on the Steinhuder Meer with deciduous trees and bushes. There is a playground, mini golf and entertainment for children.

3 insider tips for lake lovers

• The Mecklenburg Lake District offers over 100 campsites by the water. The individual lakes are connected by rivers and streams. This huge network of waterways can be explored by canoe and raft. A raft-building event is an outstanding experience. These creative events are organised for friends and families at the canoe station in Mirow, for example.
• The Freilinger See lake in the Eifel region is surrounded by nature. This leisure paradise is particularly recommended for families with teenagers. In addition to beach volleyball and basketball, there is a skater park with a half-pipe and jump ramp. Pony rides and carriage rides are available for children. Teenagers will love the one-and-a-half hour geocaching tours.
• Brandenburg is one of the federal states with the most lakes in Germany and has dozens of idyllic campsites by the water. Water hikers and canoeists in particular get their money's worth here when they explore the unspoilt landscape by boat and set up camp at a beautiful nature campsite in the evening.

Activities and excursions around the lakes

No question: most holidaymakers are drawn to the water when camping by a lake in Germany. In addition to surfing, sailing and swimming, there are innovative sports and underwater worlds to discover. Germany's famous inland islands promise special cultural highlights ### Simply take a dive The German lakes are very popular with divers. They offer exciting underwater worlds and different levels of difficulty. Dives in open-cast mining lakes and gravel pits are particularly impressive. In some cases, steep slopes, underwater forests or the ruins of flooded villages can be admired. The Großer Teich Torgau quarry pond offers some challenges for deep-sea divers. The chalk lake also invites beginners to go wreck diving. Things are more natural in Lake Stechlin. Impressive pike swim past the divers here.

Really cool: Trend sports on the water

Are swimming, sailing and surfing too boring for you? No problem: the waters in Germany are increasingly being conquered by trend sports. In addition to the fast-paced classics such as kitesurfing, water skiing and wakeboarding, more and more stand-up paddlers are taking their leisurely laps across the lakes. SUP involves paddlers gliding across the water standing on a giant surfboard. Permanently installed water ski and wakeboard facilities can be found in the water ski and wakeboard directories of the federal states ### Island hopping to castles and monasteries Some of the most beautiful islands in Germany are located in the middle of large lakes. They were popular holiday resorts for nobles, kings and emperors. Many of these stately estates invite you to take a tour. The most famous island in Lake Constance is the island of Mainau. On the flower island, you can visit the count's residence - Mainau Castle, greenhouses, the butterfly house and the parks. On the shore, the Pfahlbaumuseum Unteruhldingen invites you to go on an archaeological discovery tour. There are also several monastery islands in Lake Constance, such as Werd Monastery. The Herreninsel and Fraueninsel islands in Lake Chiemsee with Herrenchiemsee Castle and Frauenwörth Monastery are among the most popular excursion destinations in the Alpine waters.

Events

Whether lake festivals, markets, concerts or festivals - people like to celebrate on the German lakes.

May

Arts and crafts market in Mardorf: Lake Steinhude favours folk festivals and markets. The popular arts and crafts market takes place twice a year: on Ascension Day and German Unity Day. You can feast, celebrate and shop.

June

Chiemsee Championships: A total of seven regattas challenge the skills of sailors on Lake Chiemsee. Fellow sailors are very welcome. Celebrations are held in the club pubs.

July

Müritzfest: A traditional celebration with lots of music takes place in the centre of Waren. The highlights of the town festival are a parade on Saturday and the final fireworks display on Sunday.

August

Konstanzer Seenachtfest: One of the largest open-air festivals on Lake Constance invites you to feast, dance and celebrate. The highlight is the lake firework display.