Camping in North Rhine Westphalia

North Rhine-Westphalia in western Germany has many cultural cities, such as Münster, Dortmund and Bonn to the south of the Rhine. Germany's longest river, the Rhine, runs through the entire state, and the state is also home to a plethora of lakes - perfect for camping with children and dogs. The region also boasts numerous nature parks that are perfect for exploring.

Camping in North Rhine-Westphalia: All important information at a glance

Many of the campsites in North Rhine-Westphalia are located by a pleasantly babbling river or a tranquil lake, which is particularly appealing to water lovers. Exciting water activities such as boat trips, sailing and fishing are on the programme here.

If you like camping in the countryside, the Eifel National Park to the north of the Volcanic Eifel is the place for you. The forest and lake-rich landscape is criss-crossed by a number of beautiful hiking and cycling trails and is the perfect place to unwind.

The nature park also has a number of special offers for equestrian sports enthusiasts. For example, the camping facilities offer their own caravan parks, shelters and pony rides. Thanks to the peaceful nature, the region is particularly suitable for those seeking peace and quiet.

In addition to the usual pitches with waste disposal stations, electricity and water connections, most campsites also offer rental accommodation, such as bungalows, holiday cabins or mobile homes and glamping accommodation. Those who want something a little more unusual can stay in a sleeping barrel, safari tent or luxurious bungalow tent.

Camping with a dog in North Rhine-Westphalia

Dogs are allowed on many campsites in North Rhine-Westphalia. However, guests should enquire in advance about the rules at the campsite and whether there are any additional costs or a general ban on dogs. Dogs are generally required to be kept on a lead on campsites and especially in nature reserves.

Camping with children and family

Family-friendliness is a top priority at campsites in North Rhine-Westphalia. Many sites offer year-round entertainment and leisure programmes with excursions, kayak tours and much more. Throughout North Rhine-Westphalia, numerous campsites are also located in the immediate vicinity of top golf courses. Cologne, the most populous city in the state, is ideal for sightseeing tours with the whole family.

The 3 best campsites in North Rhine-Westphalia

There are numerous great campsites in North Rhine-Westphalia to suit every taste. The following 3 campsites are characterised by a beautiful scenic location, good service and clean facilities and sanitary blocks.

Campingpark Sonnensee

If you are camping here, you should definitely bring your swimming gear. The 5-star site in the Versmold lake district is located directly on the water and has a great sandy beach, which is ideal for relaxing and unwinding, especially in summer. The unusual camping accommodation promises a special experience: Guests can spend the night in the tent-like tepee log cabin or the rustic "butter churns".

Kerstgenhof Camping Park

Spacious pitches, a wide range of leisure activities and many quiet corners characterise this beautiful 5-star campsite in the Sonsbecker Schweiz region. Children in particular will have a great time on the family campsite: The water playground, petting zoo, football pitch and table tennis tables ensure that there is never a dull moment. The team also offers a varied leisure and entertainment programme.

Schafbachmühle campsite

The beautiful Schafbachmühle nature campsite is located in a wooded valley not far from the Eifel National Park and is just the right place for nature-loving campers. In summer, children can play in the water at the mill's stream, and there are also a number of excursion options and hiking trails that start directly at the site. In addition to pitches for tents and motorhomes, guests can also spend the night in cosy hikers' cabins.

How to get to North Rhine-Westphalia

Thanks to its central location, North Rhine-Westphalia is ideal for both longer camping holidays and weekend trips to the federal state for German visitors. It is only around 300 kilometres from Hamburg, with the shortest route being via Bremen. To do this, take the A1 motorway in the direction of Münster.

Campers travelling from the east, for example Dresden, should expect to travel around 450 km to arrive in the region. When travelling here, you can choose between the A38 and the A4, both via Kassel. On the latter route, it is worth stopping halfway in the Mittleres Ilmtal nature reserve, which is bordered by the motorway to the north. After several hours behind the wheel, this peaceful natural setting is a wonderful place to stretch your legs.

Visitors from Munich can reach their destination in more than 500 kilometres. Take the A9 motorway to Nuremberg, then the A9 and A45 to North Rhine-Westphalia. On this route lies the Main city of Würzburg , where a stopover is particularly worthwhile for those interested in culture. The baroque Würzburg Residence, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, is enthroned on the edge of the city centre.

Gastronomic highlights for campers

Camping in North Rhine-Westphalia is ideal for savouring the region's traditional meals. In Rhenish-Westphalian cuisine, hearty meat and sausage dishes are often served. Bratwurst, roast ham with rosehip sauce, the meat casserole Spanish Fricco and the black pudding speciality Möppkenbrot with pumpernickel are just a few of the state's delicacies.

Stews with regional ingredients such as beans, potatoes and cabbage are also frequently eaten. Cabbage dishes are generally very popular, for example Schlabberkappes, which is also known as Schmatzkohl. For dessert, travellers can treat themselves to a typical Lippe pickert. The varied yeast cake tastes extremely good with jam or beet syrup, but there is also a savoury version with liver sausage.

The most beautiful destinations in North Rhine-Westphalia

North Rhine-Westphalia is bursting with attractive travel destinations, such as Remagen and Kalkar, both of which are located directly on the Rhine. Nideggen on the Eifel massif, the town of Heimbach in the Eifel National Park and the Biggesee, near which campers can enjoy winter sports in the cold season, are also wonderful natural oases.

Kalkar

The town on the Lower Rhine is extremely popular with visitors thanks to the Mühlenhof Golf & Country Club and the man-made Wisseler See lake. The lido has a sandy bay, several sunbathing lawns, a long water slide and a bathing island. There are several playgrounds for children, and a sailing, surfing and diving school as well as boat and surfboard hire are available for water activities. The beach volleyball courts and football pitch also appeal to sporty guests.

Nideggen

The small town of Nideggen is located on a hilltop in the Eifel massif on the edge of the Eifel National Park . In the paradisiacal landscape through which the River Rur flows, holidaymakers can enjoy a number of hiking trails, some of which offer fantastic views of Nideggen Castle. The magnificent fortress is the town's landmark and houses a museum, but the old town with its half-timbered and coloured sandstone houses is also well worth a visit. Swimming enthusiasts spend a lot of time in the Schmidt district, which boasts a public bathing beach on Lake Rursee.

Best time to travel for a camping holiday in North Rhine-Westphalia

North Rhine-Westphalia is characterised by a temperate climate. In the warmest months of July and August, the thermometer rises to 24 degrees Celsius and the water temperatures are also pleasant during this time. Lake Bigge, for example, records temperatures of between 12 and 22 degrees Celsius.

Sports enthusiasts in particular appreciate the milder weather in spring and autumn. The coldest period in the federal state is from December to February. When camping around Cologne, travellers can expect an average of 3 degrees Celsius, while other parts of the landscape such as Brilon often record sub-zero temperatures during this time. This makes the region a popular holiday destination for winter campers and sports enthusiasts, among others.

Activities and excursions

When camping in North Rhine-Westphalia, guests can expect a wide range of leisure activities: Families can visit Kernie's Wunderland theme park, for example, animal lovers can take a trip to the Really Wild Panorama Park and nature enthusiasts should not miss out on a hiking tour along the Eifelsteig trail.

Fun and excitement at Kernie's Wunderland theme park

Kernie's family park has more than 40 exciting attractions for young and old that are sure to add variety to your camping holiday. The children's Ferris wheel, the ball pool and the Jungle Town climbing paradise are great for the little ones, while adrenaline junkies will love the rollercoaster, the Vertical Swing chain carousel and the Atlantis fun attraction.

Varied hiking trails in the Really Wild Panorama Park

Wild animals and predators such as wolves, lynx, herds of red deer, mouflons and bison live in the Really Wild Panorama Park and can be seen up close. Here, kilometres of paths, which also lead past the enclosures, invite you to go on extended hiking tours. A walk through the rhododendron avenue, for example, is particularly idyllic, especially during the flowering season in April and May, when it is a riot of colour. The sunbathing lawn at the mountain station, which has a petting zoo and various play options for children, such as a mega bouncy cushion and swings, is a great place to relax.

Hiking on the Eifelsteig trail

"Where rock and water accompany you". This is the motto of the Eifelsteig long-distance hiking trail, which stretches over 300 kilometres from North Rhine-Westphalia via the Volcanic Eifel to the red sandstone cliffs in Trier. The trail is one of the most beautiful hiking trails in Germany and is also ideal for individual day stages. There is plenty of accommodation, holiday flats and campsites along the route.