Camping holidays in their own country have been very popular not only since Corona – even if you can now travel to many European countries again. In a new series, FOCUS Online presents the most beautiful campsites in every state: today North Rhine-Westphalia.
1st campsite in North Rhine-Westphalia: Amici Lodges on Effelder Waldsee
Camping Amici Lodges is located on the Dutch border, very close to the town of Wassenberg – right on the shore of the crystal-clear Effeld forest lake. So in the middle of the green and on the edge of the De Meinweg National Park. The facility has a total of 80 parking spaces for holidaymakers – 36 of which are divided into plots.
If you do not travel with your own tent, caravan or camper, you can also rent nice lodges, which are available in different sizes for up to five people. They have a kitchenette with a stove, fridge and coffee machine and some have a private bathroom.
The best thing about the resort is the sandy beach and the chic in-house beach club, which every guest has access to: If you relax here on one of the white loungers with a drink in your hand, you almost feel like you are at the sea. For sports enthusiasts and children there is also an aqua park with water bouncy castles and a water ski facility.
2. Camp Hammer, Eifel National Park, Simmerath
Forest, meadows and the Rur right in front of your nose – the location of Camp Hammer in the Eifel National Park near Simmerath near the Belgian border couldn't be nicer. Especially animal lovers, more precisely riders, are in the right place here: Because here they can even bring their horse with them and place them in paddocks with shelter and feed. Dogs are also welcome on the facility – there is even a separate area for this.
There are 50 parking spaces available to holidaymakers, holiday homes and so-called pods: these barrel houses made of spruce wood offer rustic flair and space for two and four people. In addition, guests can rent a larch wood sauna, which heats up to 90 degrees, and a hot tub, a wood-fired outdoor bath, on a daily basis.
Other activities: pony rides for children, children's entertainment, horse rides for adults, paddling in the Rurschleife and hiking – for example via the Eifelsteig, one of the most beautiful long-distance hiking trails in Germany, which leads right past the camp.
- Info and prices: Stands 10.90 to 14.90 euros, adults 7.70 euros, children up to 14 years 4.80 euros, pasture including shelter and paddock 12 euros per day, sauna 80 euros per day, hot tub 70 euros per day; www.pincamp.de/camp-hammer
3. Camping Park Kalletal, Weser Uplands
Camping Park Kalletal is located directly on the 25-hectare Lake Stemmer in the Weser Uplands: with its own 500-meter-long sandy beach, it is the right place for water lovers and connoisseurs to swim and relax. If you want, you can rent a pedal boat or a stand-up paddling board and explore the lake or let off steam in the water ski and wakeboard facility next door. Tip for afterwards: Warm up and relax your muscles in the Kelo sauna (90 degrees) or in the sanarium (60 degrees).
Tip for excursions: bike tours to Bückeburg Castle or Möllenbeck Monastery and a trolley ride through the Lippisches Bergland. The Dinopark Rehburg-Loccum and the animal park Bad Pyrmont are also in the region.
In addition to 450 parking spaces, the camping park also rents out holiday homes for two to four people. If you don't want to cook yourself, you can stop by in the cozy beach restaurant with a large beer garden and enjoy the food and the view of the lake.
- Info and prices: Stand 43 to 59 euros, adults 10 euros per person, children from 5 to 15 years 5 euros, chalets for two adults and two children from 89 euros per person; www.pincamp.de/campingpark-kalletal
4. Camping complex Gut Kalberschnacke, Sauerland
Nestled in lush green forests and meadows of the Sauerland near Drolshagen is the beautiful Kalberschnacke campsite – directly above Lake Lister. The 125 pitches are arranged on terraces on the slope, so that campers can enjoy a beautiful view over the water.
If you don't have your own tent, camper or caravan, you can rent one – even with an awning. Guests can also stay in wooden barrels, which even have infrared heating for cooler nights – and feel like they are in a cocoon.
The lake is an Eldorado for water sports enthusiasts: Because of the very good wind conditions, you can surf and sail here – the campsite even has its own jetty with boat berths. The lake is also a designated diving area, which can be dived at the time of the day with prior notice. During the holidays there is also an entertainment program for children with handicrafts, sports and games.
5. Campingpark Haddorfer Seen, Münsterland
The Haddorfer Seen Camping Park is located in the middle of the Münsterland region with its magnificent heathland and waters. It has 500 parking spaces for tourists and long-term campers and borders directly on the natural bathing lake of the same name, including a 200-meter-long sandy beach with a sunbathing area and a sea bar.
If you do not travel with your own camper, tent or caravan, you have two different accommodation options to choose from: first, simple cyclist huts with beds that can be used to sleep on your own air mattresses. On the other hand, comfortable safari tents that have two sleeping areas and a living-dining area with kitchen.
For children there are lots of lawns to run around and a large adventure playground with slides and climbing frames right on the lake. Tip: Make sure to take walks in the surrounding heathland.
More information and other campsites in North Rhine-Westphalia can be found at www.pincamp.de/deutschland/nordrhein-westfalen