The dream of freedom: alternatives to wild camping in Germany

Waking up surrounded by trees in a forest, watching the sunrise over a mountain or directly on the beach and sleeping wherever you want. For many people, wild camping sounds like a dream come true. But where is wild camping permitted in Germany and what alternatives are there? We explain everything about existing rules and what you need to bear in mind

When wild camping, you simply park your car or camper where you are to spend the night. Even if you set up your tent in a place not explicitly designated for this purpose, you are considered a wild camper.

A distinction must be made between wild camping and bivouacking or camping. The latter means that you are only taking a small break, for example to rest or protect yourself from bad weather. This can also be done in a car or campervan. Bivouacking involves spending the night, but without a campervan or tent - such as with a sleeping mat and a sleeping bag. This type of overnight stay is particularly popular with hikers or if you are travelling by bike.

In national parks and nature reserves in particular, wild camping is prohibited and you can expect severe penalties if you break this rule. Unless you have an official permit - more on this below. These areas are not protected for nothing. After all, they are home to particularly endangered creatures or you will find sensitive and special ecosystems that are very rare and therefore require protection. You should also avoid spending time on crops or fields so as not to risk destroying a farmer's harvest.

First and foremost, you should take care to protect the nature around you. Leave your overnight accommodation as you found it. Dispose of your rubbish appropriately and don't leave anything lying around. Always take a rubbish bag with you and dispose of it afterwards.

Also keep quiet so as not to disturb nature and its inhabitants.

One piece of information up front: Wild camping is generally not permitted in Germany. Especially on private property or in nature reserves, you will otherwise have to expect heavy fines. In most federal states, however, you will find different exceptions, which we have summarised for you in the following table.

As you can see, it is often possible to obtain permission - especially on private land or in forest areas. However, we present some alternatives to wild camping in Germany that allow you to enjoy nature to the full and pitch your tent or park your camper off the beaten track.

With 1nitetent, for example, you have the option of staying overnight on private properties. The hosts refer to existing regulations and briefly describe what you can expect on site. These pitches are often on farms or in private gardens. The website Hinterland.camp also offers you the opportunity to spend the night in free nature. Similar to 1nitetent, you can book a pitch privately. Whether for a tent, caravan or motorhome - you're sure to find the right pitch for your next adventure here. You can find many more options online here.

Away from the typical tourist trails and in the middle of nature, you will find 28 so-called trekking sites in Schleswig-Holstein where you can pitch your tent free of charge. However, stick to the rule of only staying one night in one place and leaving the trekking site as you found it. These campsites are specially designed for hikers or cyclists. Try to choose a more compact tent. The Dale 3 or Vaasa 4 would be the ideal choice. These are also easier to transport.

You can only reach the trekking sites in the Eifel on foot - so only take light luggage with you. Each of these natural sites has a wooden tent platform and a compost toilet** and offers space for a maximum of two small tents. There are 18 trekking sites in total, and an overnight stay in a tent costs €10. It is best to book your wild camping pitch online in advance and plan your individual hiking stages.

At 15 different trekking sites in the Palatinate you have the opportunity to experience the feeling of wild camping. An overnight stay costs €15 per tent - each campsite has enough space for four tents. In addition, each trekking site offers a fireplace, as well as seating facilities and a toilet block. Here too, you can only spend one night in one place. However, this gives you the option of planning your hiking tour in different stages and pitching your tent in the right place.

You can also find an exciting alternative to wild camping in the south of Germany. Here you will find 12 different campsites where you can spend the night in the middle of the Black Forest. There is space for three small tents and you will also find a fire pit and a toilet block on site. These trekking sites can also only be reached on foot and offer you the opportunity to experience the Black Forest up close. However, remember to take enough food and water with you. One night costs €15 per tent.

Even though Germany has many different regulations on wild camping, you have the opportunity to get close to nature. Either obtain the appropriate authorisation or spend the night in private gardens or farms. Trekking sites are another ideal way to sleep in the midst of beautiful countryside. This will bring you closer to your dream of wild camping!