Camping In The Black Forest [2023]: Tips, Best Campsites, Wild Camping & More!
The Black Forest is one of the most striking regions of Europe, so it’s no surprise that camping in the Black Forest is a must-do adventure on many people’s holiday bucket list. The ancient forests that cover this iconic German mountain range have been the starting point of countless myths and mysteries, but it’s the scenery here that’s the real star.
Thankfully, there are many campsites in the Black Forest. And wild camping in the Black Forest is possible too (although rules apply to it). We cover both in this article.
So get ready for an adventure to Germany’s cuckoo clock region, and to eat some famous Black Forest cherry cake!
Camping In The Black Forest: An Unforgettable Holiday
Camping is a very popular hobby for many people in Germany so there are campsites throughout the Black Forest region covering all budgets. Almost all of which have spots for RVs too.
Many of them lie beside great hiking and cycling trails, or popular tourist hot-spots – like lakes or medieval German towns.
If you want to plan what campsite to stay at in relation to the hiking paths nearby, then a good hiking in the Black Forest book will be very helpful. We recommend this one here, or check out our previous popular article on hiking in the Black Forest.
Wild camping in the Black Forest is possible too, but before we talk about that, here’s some of our favorite campsites in the Black Forest.
The Best Campsites In The Black Forest For Fun, Views & Adventure
One of the great things about the Black Forest is that there are a variety of campsites that cater for all types of tourists.
From travellers looking for an adventure, to ones searching for a relaxing holiday in natural surroundings. Here’s a few of our favourites:
1. Campingplatz Weiherhof
This dreamy campsite is situated at the end of Lake Titisee – a lake formed by the historic Feldberg Glacier. So you can set up your tent or RV just meters from the shore.
With 400m of private shoreline, this campsite is perfect for any water-based activities. But this site is perfectly situated for hiking enthusiasts too as many long-distance trails pass nearby.
The shared facilities are fantastic, every pitch has electricity, and this campsite even has a small on-site shop as well as a restaurant/bar. So grab a beer in the sun, hire a kayak and stroll a few meters to your own private beach. No wonder we like this place!
Price: From €8.60 per person
Address: Bruderhalde 25, 79856 Hinterzarten
2. Camping Langenwald
This campsite is set in lush green surroundings and has several walking trails leading off around it – many that have existed for hundreds of years. We know that, because signposts from that time still exist on those very walks!
We find this place the perfect spot to recharge as there’s no phone reception. Instead you get to really enjoy a vacation away from work calls or emails. So what is there?
Well you get great well-maintained shared facilities, generous sized pitches with electricity hookups, a bread delivery service, swimming pool, restaurant, playground and lots more!
The facilities are extremely good and there’s plenty to keep you occupied as there’s table tennis and volleyball on site, and although set deep in the Black Forest, this site is also close to the pretty historic town of Freudenstadt.
So if you’re looking for a chance to unwind, but in a place you will never get bored, this is a fantastic Black Forest camping option.
Price: From €50 for a family of four per night.
Address: 72250 Freudenstadt
3. Camping Alpirsbach
A family-friendly campsite surrounded by trees and set in idyllic surroundings, we also like this place due to the food. The small restaurant on site is well worth eating at, plus there’s a great selection of local beer!
On top of that they do fresh bread rolls in the morning (is there anything better?), there’s nice shady pitches with great forest and river views, and there’s loads of hiking trails close by.
It’s get better too, as the quaint town of Alpirsbach is just a few hundred meters away. There you’ll find the gorgeous typical wooden style buildings from this region, alongside a great local brewery and historic monastery.
Price: From €6 per night.
Address: Grezenbühler Weg 18, 72275 Alpirsbach
4. Campingplatz Trendcamping Wolfach im Schwarzwald
What we love most about this campsite are the views and the food.
Most Black Forest sites are set in picturesque wooded surroundings. This campsite not only has that, it has breathtaking views of the forest-covered hills that encircle it.
The facilities are exceptional here, with some of the best toilets and showers we’ve ever come across at a campsite. Couple that with the free public transport card you get at the campsite reception which allows you to travel for free on the bus or train (the train station is a ten minute walk away) and this campsite is a perfect base for exploring the Black Forest.
The on-site restaurant is very good too with lots of regional dishes to try and a notable beer selection. Plus, there are many great hiking and biking paths nearby.
Price: From €30 per night
Address: Schiltacher Str. 80, 77709 Wolfach
Wild (Free) Camping In The Black Forest: Everything You Need To Know
DISCLAIMER: Below we give general advice, but we always recommend staying in an official campsite. If you choose to go wild (free) camping/dispersed camping, then make sure you do so with someone who already knows the area where you’re planning on camping for your own safety.
The bad news is that wild (free) camping in the Black Forest, and Germany in general, is technically illegal.
The good news is that people often turn a blind eye to it, as long as you follow a set of principles and guidelines for good camping etiquette.
Therefore wild camping appears to be generally tolerated in the Black Forest if you stick to the following principles:
You should camp in the same place for one night only, and pitch your tent discretely and in a remote place. Therefore don’t camp in or near settlements, someone’s farm or on cultivated land. If you think you’re on private land, always seek out the landowner and ask permission.
Campers should set up their tent at dusk, and take it down at dawn. A tent that is discreet and pitches quickly is best. Therefore a lightweight hiking tent like this one would be a great investment for someone planning to hike and camp in the Black Forest.
If you are hiking a main trail you should camp away from the path as a matter of courtesy. You should also avoid camping in tourist areas completely.
When wild camping in the Black Forest you must never make a campfire. You might want to think about bringing a storm cooker with you for cooking. They tend to be safe, and are often fine to use – but you should check local laws first. The Swedish brand Trangia make fantastic storm cookers that are virtually indestructible.
If you want to go completely fuel-less, a portable solar powered cooker like this one would work well. Plus, is there anything cooler than harnessing the power of the sun for your breakfast!
And of course, take any trash with you, and leave your camping spot the way you found it.
Below are our must-know tips for wild camping in the Black Forest.
Tips For Wild Camping In The Black Forest
- Thunderstorms and heavy rain can happen in the Black Forest – even during the holiday season. Make sure you have a durable, rainproof tent that can survive heavy rain. A lightweight one-man hiking tent like this or similar would be perfect. For a good value tent that fits more than one person, this mosquito-proof one would work well too.
- Keep an eye out for animal poo – if there’s a lot near your perfect camping spot, you may end up being woken up by some enthusiastic sheep or something else in the middle of the night!
- There are lots of different water sources in the Black Forest, but remember to always have plenty of water on you when you’re walking. A space-saving collapsible water bottle would be a good purchase.
- When going to the toilet you should do it far from water sources, such as rivers and lakes. Make sure to use a trowel (like this folding one) to bury any human waste – don’t just leave it out in the open.
- Like many rugged and wild rural areas around the world, there are flora and fauna to be aware of. So read up and make sure you know what to expect in the region or area you are planning to wild camp in.
Recommended Reading For Your Trip To The Black Forest
Tempted to go wild camping elsewhere? Check out our guides to camping in, Estonia, Finland, Norway, Patagonia, Pyrenees and many others!
