Discover the Untamed Beauty: 10 Best Camping Spots in India

Do you feel the hustle and bustle of your busy schedule stolen away all the fun from life? Or are you someone who craves to escape the concrete jungles of city life and experience a deeper connection with nature? Well, then it is probably time for you to pack your bags and set out for a little camping adventure.

Camping is an activity for someone who seeks comfort in the thrill of the unknown and wants to discover peace amidst the sound of crickets, under the lights of nothing but the stars and the moon. Hiking and trekking through the muddy slopes and narrow jungle roads and finally discovering a spot that becomes home for a night is what many think camping is all about. Still, it is more about discovering the peace within oneself through what nature has to offer in the form of sounds, lights, and aesthetics. In the end, coming back from the lap of nature without leaving any trace in the form of plastic and other wastes and just coming back with calmness in people’s hearts is what sums up the experience of perfect camping.

Importance of selecting the right camping spot for an unforgettable experience

Though camping presents itself as a synonym for adventure, it is always clever to choose a safe spot for it, as calmness cannot be achieved in an unsafe setting.  Apart from that, the availability of a small stream of water for cooking and cleaning purposes can make it a quality experience. If the same stream can be used for activities like fishing and swimming, a person would get just a little more from nature. Looking for amazing aesthetics can not only be soothing for the eyes but can also provide something for the restless soul to drench into. Apart from all these factors, the most important one is to check for any rules and regulations that apply to the specific spot, respect the culture and traditions of the residents, and remember to leave no non-natural trace when a person finally leaves the place.

This article focuses on 10 diverse camping spots in India to help in the decision-making process of a person looking forward to spending one or more nights in the serenity of Nature. It focuses on the aesthetic value of the place along with some information like distance from the nearest city and other adventurous activities one can take up during their trip.

Dandeli Jungle Camping, Karnataka

Located approximately 90 kilometres away from the busy city of Bengaluru, Dandeli Jungle Reserve offers a unique experience of the Western Ghats and the diverse flora and fauna. It can also be reached from other cities like Goa and Hubuli using roads and rails.  The dense forest of Dandeli is home to tigers, leopards, and elephants and thus is a dream destination for wildlife enthusiasts.  It is also home to approximately 270 species of birds, the most famous of them being the Indian hornbill. The camping sites are located amidst these wildlife and some adventure activities. To completely cherish the beauty and essence of the place, a visitor can opt for guided tours for a much more detailed understanding of the species and explore other adventurous activities like kayaking, jungle treks, coracle riding, and river rafting.

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Pawna Lake Camping, Pune

Approximately 60 kilometres from Pune, the Pawna Lake site serves as a canvas for the most beautiful sunrise and sunset. The Pawna Lake is surrounded by green hills that provide a mesmerizing view. Approximately two hours away from Mumbai, lakeside camping by Pawna Lake can be a perfect weekend escape spot. The visitors can enjoy several activities like bonfires, BBQ, and trekking. Water sports like kayaking and boating can also elevate the experience of camping in the lap of nature. It is recommended to pre-book as many people line up to get a gist of the experience. The weather is pleasant throughout the year but can get chilly at night and therefore any time of the year is a good time provided a person carries some warm clothes for the night.

Sillery Gaon, West Bengal

Only a few gems have not come under the lens of commercial tourism, and Sillery Gaon in West Bengal is one of them. Located in the Darjeeling District of West Bengal and being part of the eastern Himalayas, Sillery Gaon presents a beautiful view of the Kanchenjunga mountain range. For a nature lover, it is nothing less than Paradise as it can serve as an ideal spot for bird watching or simply appreciating the beauty of the Himalayas. The locals of the area are known for their hospitality and they sometimes like to treat the visitors with homemade food, thus giving a unique experience of the local cuisine of the place.

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Chandra Taal Lake, Himachal Pradesh

 Almost 4300 meters above sea level, is the beautiful ChandraTaal which owes its name to its shape that resembles a crescent moon. After obtaining the required permits from the local authorities, one can prepare for an adventurous stay in high-altitude camps and trekking adventure in the Spiti Valley. Preparations are required to be made to tackle the extreme weather and a person might want to carry enough food and water supplies because there are not many commercial establishments around the place and scan for some medical facilities in case of emergencies before setting up a camp.

Nagtibba, Uttarakhand

Nagtibba offers a beautiful panoramic view of the Himalayas and a person is required to cover a moderately difficult trek to reach the base of the Nagtibba peak to camp. On the way, diverse flora and fauna grace the path, making it worthwhile. Camping at Nagtibba includes bonfire nights and if a person makes an effort to have a conversation with the locals, they can get an insight into the culture of the place and their indigenous practices. The Himalayas, valleys, and several wildlife make Nagtibba a photographer’s dream.

Dzukou Valley, Nagaland

What is a better escape during the spring and summer months if not camping at the ‘Valley of Flowers of the East’, amidst blooming flowers and pristine landscape? Known for its rolling hills and vibrant flowers, Dzukou Valley can serve a camper’s utmost satisfaction. Due to minimal pollution, it is also a dream destination for stargazers. Depending on the chosen route, the trek can be either difficult or challenging. The route itself is an opportunity to explore the unique flora and fauna. Camping at Dzukou Valley can be a learning experience about the Naga tribe. One can know a lot by having simple conversations with the locals about their culture, food, and traditions.

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Jaisalmer, Rajasthan

Camping at the heart of the Thar desert, under a starlit sky, with the view of dunes as far as the eyes can see is what desert camping in Golden City has to offer. A luxury camping under the traditional Rajasthani tents, along with Rajasthani folk music and dance performances, showcases the royal nature of the place and the royalty in the heart of the people. Ancient temples, abandoned forts and remote villages can be explored on the back of a camel. Apart from Camel Safari, a person can opt for activities like quad biking, dune bashing, and Parasailing for the adrenaline rush.

Ombattu Gudda, Karnataka

Ombattu Gudda is one of the less explored camping sites located in the Western Ghats of Karnataka, India. The dense forest and the terrain make it adventurous with doses of untouched wilderness. Ombattu Gudda lies at the end of a challenging trekking trail surrounded by greenery, waterfalls, and streams. When visiting Ombattu Gudda, it is advisable to take the help of a guide as stories of disappearances have not escaped the ears of many.

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Wayanad, Kerala

Wayanad offers camping experiences both in designated spots within national parks, wildlife sanctuaries, and tea estates, as well as camping in secluded locations to go for wilderness. Wayanad is blessed with forests, rolling hills, and waterfalls that form an extremely aesthetic backdrop for camping. It is home to many waterfalls and trekking trails making it an interesting choice for understanding the highs and lows of nature and how nature embraces a wide variety of animals and plants in it. Bird watchers should not skip visiting this home to different species of beautiful birds.

Daringbadi, Odisha

Often known as the “Kashmir of Odisha”, Daringbadi is a hill station located at the Eastern Ghats. The location provides an escape from the usual heat of the plains by offering a rather cool climate and mountain air. The region is covered with coffee and spice plantation that adds to the beauty and aroma of the dense forests and beautiful valleys. Camping amidst coffee plantations and pine forests near the Duduma Waterfalls and Putudi Waterfalls washes off stress in nature’s lap. The area is home to pine forests that can also be used for camping. This place is home to tribal communities such as Kondhs and Souras and camping in Daringbadi generally includes experiences like tribal dance and tasting Odia cuisine.

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Conclusion

Nature has all the elements to heal the body and the soul. It only requires a determined person to pack a bag and start a journey that might not be very comfortable but will be comforting to the soul. In the end, the goal should not just be about taking a few things from nature but also leaving a bit of us in it.