Pitch Your Tent at the Water’s Edge: Four Lakefront Campsites in Germany

The way into the water is not always lined with fine sand or pebbles. Möhlauer See’s string of piers proves that summers can also be enjoyed from the comfort of wooden structures. On the eastern shore, you can pick between the public pool’s terraces, benches and sunbathing lawns or the sandy beach. The newly constructed platform is equipped with a diving board for anyone craving an extra dose of summer fun.

On Möhlauer See’s northern shore, you’ll come across a series of hidden, little piers, some of which are equipped with ladders. Meanwhile, to the west, Naturcampingplatz Möhlauer See’s public beach offers access to a sandy bay and pier for a small fee. Between the towering pine trees and lakefront spots where you can pitch your tent, this campsite’s location is idyllic. Rent bikes and SUP boards onsite to explore the region by day; turn back in the evening and dig into smoked fish at campsite’s beer garden. Naturcampingplatz Möhlauer See even has a designated dog beach, so feel free to bring your four-legged friends with you for the weekend. This is a fantastic escape for anyone craving a break in nature in the Leipzig area.

Various locations invite you to swim in the famous Alpine foothills that make up the region around Murnau. Tucked away from the crowds, Riegsee’s waters invite you to enjoy panoramic views of the Ester Mountains, Wetterstein Mountains and Ammer Mountains while swimming. The lake’s northern and western shorelines are surrounded by hilly fields; its eastern and southern shore is lined with clusters of little villages. One of our favourite spots on Riegsee’s northern-eastern shore is the country road that leads to a small sunbathing lawn with a pier that also serves as an anchor for a floating, wooden platform.

Towards the south, you’ll come across a long, grassy lawn on an incline equipped with a wooden pier and waterslide. Further north, you’ll find another small lawn hidden in the forest — the perfect spot for a peaceful afternoon nap. If you’re keen to walk around the entire lake, Riegsee’s circular route takes about two and a half hours on foot. Over on the lake’s western shore, you can pitch your tent or park your campervan at Camping Brugger. Breathtaking views, both of the lake and Alpine landscape await. The campsite features a sunbathing lawn with a designated swimming area, SUP board rentals and a small kiosk.

If you’ve been to Canada, Tornowsee’s landscapes may evoke fond memories of your travels – the dense beech forest perfectly frames the lake as the wind brushes your face and little waves dance across the water’s surface. The best way to explore Ruppiner Schweiz’s wilderness is to rent a canoe at the Campingplatz Rottstielfließ on the lake’s southern shore. This barrier-free campsite provides space to park your mobile home or pitch your tent and offers holiday home rentals. Highlights include a bistro serving fresh bread rolls in the mornings and a little bookcase for reading and book swapping. Dogs are permitted on the premises.

Treat yourself to some ice cream before crossing the lake by canoe from the lawn with the sandy landing by the campsite. Once you’ve paddled around the peninsula on Tornowsee’s western shore, keep your eyes peeled for a small gap in the foliage where you can easily climb in and out of the water. Step ashore to explore the unexpectedly large sunbathing lawn stretching inland from here. You can also reach it via a path that branches off the Fontane hiking trail. If you are travelling by car, it’s best to head to the smaller lawn further north, which has a parking lot.

Spanning an area of almost 3,000 hectares, Großer Plöner See lives up to its name. As the largest body of water in Schleswig-Holstein, the entire region transforms into a bustling meeting point for bathers and paddlers alike in summer. Numerous bathing spots, including Strandbad Plön, Nordbucht and the beach in Bosau, pay host to sun-seekers at this 50-kilometre-long shoreline.

The beach at Camping Lange Wiesch in Ascheberg is the place to be —two piers guide visitors into the water, canoes are available for rent and the little beach restaurant offers chilled refreshments. Perhaps you’re looking for something a bit more secluded. In that case, we recommend booking a stay at Naturcamping Seekamp just a bit further north. This little campsite is idyllically located in a fruit orchard. Quiet spots to pitch your tent and direct access to the water await. What’s more, if you’re craving the seaside, the Baltic Sea is only about half an hour’s drive from the campsite. We also recommend taking a little detour to Prinzeninsel, which can only be reached on foot or by bicycle. Leave your car in the parking lot and follow a small dirt road that leads through the dense forest and guides you to Großer Plöner See’s shallow shorelines and clear waters.