The best camping regions (federal states & districts) in Germany in 2026

Camping in Germany remains as popular as ever and is even growing to record levels. In 2025, German campsites recorded over 44.7 million overnight stays, an increase of approximately +5% compared to the previous year and the highest level ever recorded, according to trade association BVCD.

The sustained growth underscores the appeal of camping as a form of holiday in Germany. At the same time, the offerings are becoming increasingly diverse: from classic campsites to glamping and nature campsites, spread throughout the country. While many studies focus on national or regional trends, detailed insight at the local level often remains limited.

To change this, JetCamp conducted a large-scale and in-depth study into the quality and popularity of German camping destinations. For this analysis, 2,029 campsites and holiday parks were included, accounting for over 700,000 reviews and rating scores, with an average score of 8.35.

What makes this study unique is its focus on multiple levels of detail. Instead of just national or global comparisons, JetCamp analyzes the results at the level of Landkreise, Bundesländer, and tourist regions . This creates an exceptionally detailed picture of where campers in Germany truly have the best experiences.

Clear differences are visible not only at the local level but also at the state level. At the same time, the average scores are close together, indicating a consistently high quality of campsites throughout Germany. The top 3 are as follows:

1. Schleswig-Holstein

With an average score of 8.61, Schleswig-Holstein takes the top spot. The northern state owes its strong position primarily to the combination of North Sea and Baltic Sea coasts, with many highly rated campsites in coastal regions such as Dithmarschen and Ostholstein.

2. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern

In second place is Mecklenburg-Vorpommern (8.51). Here too, the location on the Baltic Sea plays an important role, complemented by the popular lake district of the Mecklenburgische Seenplatte. The region combines nature, space, and relatively quiet campsites.

3. Saxony

Third place goes to Saxony (8.50), which distinguishes itself with a combination of nature and culture. Regions such as the Erzgebirge and the Zittau Mountains contribute to the high ratings, as do well-rated campsites in the Görlitz and Bautzen districts, among others.

1. Schleswig-Holstein 8.61
2. Mecklenburg-Vorpommern 8.51
3. Saxony 8.50
4. Bayern 8.40
5. Thuringia 8.37
6. North Rhine-Westphalia 8.36
7. Lower Saxony 8.35
8. Baden-Württemberg 8.30
9. Saarland 8.25
10. Hessen 8.24
11. Brandenburg 8.19
12. Rhineland-Palatinate 8.15
13. Saxony-Anhalt 8.13

JetCamp's research shows that campers in Germany give particularly high ratings to a number of diverse regions spread across the entire country. Notably, the absolute top is not only dominated by classic tourist areas, but also by lesser-known, nature-rich regions. The top 3 is as follows:

1. Freudenstadt District – 9.06

The highest rating goes to Landkreis Freudenstadt in Baden-Württemberg, with an average score of 9.06. The region is located in the Black Forest and is known for its vast nature, well-maintained campsites, and excellent hiking and cycling opportunities.

2. Uckermark District – 9.05

In second place is Landkreis Uckermark in Brandenburg (9.05), a sparsely populated region in northeastern Germany with plenty of nature, lakes, and tranquility.

3. Schmalkalden-Meiningen District – 9.03

The top three is completed by Landkreis Schmalkalden-Meiningen in Thuringia (9.03), located in the Thuringian Forest and popular with hikers and nature lovers.

What is also striking is that regions outside the traditional tourist hotspots score very highly as well. For instance, Landkreis Uelzen in Lower Saxony achieves a score of 9.01, while Oberspreewald-Lausitz (Brandenburg) and Landkreis Gotha (Thuringia) also feature in the top rankings.

1. Freudenstadt District (Baden-Württemberg) 9.06

→ Black Forest with forests & nature

2. Uckermark District (Brandenburg) 9.05

→ Nature-rich region with lakes and tranquility, near Berlin

3. Landkreis Schmalkalden-Meiningen (Thuringia) 9.03

→ Thuringian Forest with mountains and hiking trails

4. Uelzen District (| Niedersachsen) 9.01

→ Green region with heathland, forests, and quiet campsites

5. Landkreis Oberspreewald-Lausitz (Brandenburg) 9.00

→ Known for the Spreewald with waterways and nature

6. Gotha District (Thuringia) 8.97

→ Historic region with castles and nature reserves

7. Landkreis Schwandorf (Bayern) 8.94

→ Lake district in the Upper Palatinate, popular with campers

8. Kreis Dithmarschen (Schleswig-Holstein) 8.90

→ North Sea coast with wide beaches and open landscape

9. Harburg District (Lower Saxony) 8.89

→ Region near Hamburg with nature reserves and heathland

10. Kreis Gütersloh (North Rhine-Westphalia) 8.89

→ Diverse region with nature and family campsites

While differences between individual Landkreise provide insight into local outliers, results at a higher level show how camping quality is distributed across Germany as a whole. By aggregating scores by Bundesland, a broader picture emerges of which federal states consistently score high and where campers have the best experiences on average.

Below you will find the Top 5 Landkreise of the 5 best-scoring Bundesländer.

Within Schleswig-Holstein, Kreis Dithmarschen emerges as the highest-rated district, with an average score of 8.90. The region is located on the North Sea coast and is known for its vast landscapes, quiet beaches, and authentic villages – ideal for campers seeking nature and space. A good example of a popular campsite in this region is Eidertal Camping , situated in a rural location in Delve on the River Eider.

Other coastal regions also score well. For example, Kreis Ostholstein, located on the Baltic Sea with popular seaside resorts, is among the best-rated areas. For this analysis, only Landkreise with at least five campsites were included.

1. Kreis Dithmarschen 8,90

→ North Sea coast with wide beaches and peaceful nature

2. Kreis Ostholstein 8.82

→ Baltic Sea coast with famous seaside resorts and family-friendly campsites

3. Kreis Plön 8,72

→ Inland lake district, popular with water sports enthusiasts and peace seekers

4. Kreis Nordfriesland 8.49

→ Wadden Sea area with islands such as Sylt and Föhr

5. Kreis Rendsburg-Eckernförde 8.42

→ Located between the North and Baltic Seas, with varied landscape and coastlines

In Mecklenburg-Vorpommern, a state known for its vast coastlines and lake districts, Landkreis Rostock emerges as the top-rated region with an average score of 8.69. Located on the Baltic Sea coast, the region combines wide beaches with lively seaside resorts and nature-rich hinterlands. A good example of a popular campsite in this region is Campingplatz Zur Kühlung , situated in Diedrichshagen bei Kröpelin near the coast and loved for its location between the sea and nature.

Other regions in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern also score highly, particularly areas around the Baltic Sea and the many inland lakes. For this analysis, only Landkreise with at least five campsites were included.

1. Rostock district 8.69

→ Baltic Sea coast with beaches, seaside resorts and nature reserves

2. Northwest Mecklenburg 8.63

→ Coastal region with quiet beaches and historic Hanseatic cities

3. Mecklenburg Lakes Plateau 8.62

→ Largest lake district in Germany, popular with water sports enthusiasts

4. Vorpommern-Greifswald 8.56

→ Region on the Baltic Sea with islands and nature parks

5. Ludwigslust-Parchim 8,55

Vast and peaceful inland with nature and castles

In the eastern state of Saxony, known for its varied landscape featuring mountains, nature parks, and historic cities, Landkreis Görlitz emerges as the highest-rated region with an average score of 8.87. Located in the far east of Germany, on the border with Poland and the Czech Republic, the region is known for the picturesque Zittau Mountains and its rich cultural history. A good example of a popular campsite in this region is Trixi Ferienpark Zittauer Gebirge , situated in Großschönau, a versatile destination surrounded by nature. Other regions in Saxony also score highly, particularly areas in and around the Ore Mountains and the hilly landscape of East Germany. For this analysis, only districts with at least five campsites were included.

1. Landkreis Görlitz 8,87

→ Border region with nature, mountains, and the historic city of Görlitz

2. Landkreis Bautzen 8,86

→ Varied landscape with nature reserves and cultural attractions

3. Mittelsachsen District 8.71

→ Centrally located region with castles and hilly landscape

4. Erzgebirgskreis 8,70

→ Mountain area along the Czech border, popular for hiking and winter sports

5. Vogtlandkreis 8,43

→ Quiet region with nature, forests, and spas

In Bavaria, one of Germany's most popular holiday destinations, Landkreis Schwandorf emerges as the top-rated region with an average score of 8.94. Located in the Upper Palatinate, the region is known for its lake district and vast natural landscapes, making it particularly attractive to campers seeking peace and space. A good example of a popular campsite in this region is Camping Murner See , situated in Wackersdorf on one of the most famous recreational lakes in the area.

Other regions in Bavaria also score highly, particularly areas in and around the Alps and the Bavarian Forest. For this analysis, only Landkreise with at least five campsites were included.

1. Schwandorf district 8.94

→ Lake district in the Upper Palatinate, popular with water sports enthusiasts and peace seekers

2. Bad Tölz-Wolfratshausen district 8.80

→ Alpine region south of Munich, known for mountains and nature

3. Landkreis Ostallgäu 8,79

→ Alpine region with castles like Neuschwanstein and many outdoor activities

4. Landkreis Regen 8.78

→ Bavarian Forest with forests, nature, and hiking trails

5. Traunstein District 8.70

→ Region around Lake Chiemsee and the Alps, popular with families and nature lovers

In the centrally located state of Thuringia, known for its wooded landscape and tranquil nature, Landkreis Schmalkalden-Meiningen emerges as the top-rated region with an average score of 9.03. The region is located in southern Thuringia and is part of the Thuringian Forest, a popular destination for hikers and nature lovers. A good example of a popular campsite in this region is Campingplatz - Strandbad - Breitungen , situated in Breitungen by the water and surrounded by nature.

Other regions in Thuringia also score well, particularly areas in and around the Thuringian Forest. For this analysis, only districts with at least five campsites were included.

1. Landkreis Schmalkalden-Meiningen 9.03

→ Thuringian Forest with mountains, forests and hiking trails

2. Landkreis Gotha 8,97

→ Historic region with castles and nature reserves

3. Ilmkreis 8,39

→ Varied landscape with forests and cultural sights

4. Saale-Orla-Kreis 8.26

→ Quiet region with rivers, nature, and little mass tourism

5. Wartburgkreis 8,19

→ Known for the Wartburg and the surrounding mountain landscape

Even outside the top-scoring federal states, German camping regions demonstrate a consistently high level of quality. In virtually all Bundesländer, average ratings are well above 8, with clear regional outliers at the district level.

For instance, in North Rhine-Westphalia, Kreis Gütersloh emerges as the best-rated region, with an average score of 8.90 based on five campsites. In nearby Lower Saxony, Landkreis Uelzen even scores a 9.00, indicating a very high rating among campers.

Quality remains high in southern Germany as well. In Baden-Württemberg, Landkreis Freudenstadt tops the list with an impressive 9.1, placing it among the highest-scoring regions in all of Germany.

Similar positive outliers are visible in other federal states. For example, in Brandenburg, Landkreis Uckermark is the frontrunner with a score of 9.00, while in Hesse, the well-known tourist region of Rheingau-Taunus-Kreis scores 8.90.

Further to the west and south, smaller federal states also show solid performances. In Saarland, Landkreis Merzig-Wadern scores an 8.30, and in Rhineland-Palatinate, Landkreis Bad Kreuznach achieves an average of 8.60.

Finally, lesser-known regions also demonstrate that quality is widespread. In Saxony-Anhalt, Börde is the highest-rated region with a score of 8.70, underscoring that good camping experiences can be found outside traditional tourist areas as well.

The city-states of Bremen, Hamburg, and Berlin have not been included in this analysis at the district level, due to the limited number of campsites and the lack of comparable regional classifications.

When the results at both the district and state levels are compared, a clear pattern emerges. Regions with a strong tourist reputation and abundant nature, in particular, score above average, and this is confirmed by the top-rated districts in the study.

For instance, Landkreis Freudenstadt (9.06) in the Black Forest tops the national ranking, while other nature-rich regions also score highly. In the northeast, Landkreis Uckermark (9.05) is among the absolute top, a region known for its vast nature and lakes. In the Thuringian Forest, Landkreis Schmalkalden-Meiningen (9.03) scores particularly high, underscoring the popularity of low mountain ranges among campers.

Coastal regions also show strong performance. For example, Kreis Dithmarschen (8.90) on the North Sea coast is among the best-rated areas, while states such as Schleswig-Holstein and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern as a whole achieve the highest average scores.

In addition, some lesser-known but high-quality regions also stand out. Landkreis Uelzen (9.01) in Lower Saxony and Oberspreewald-Lausitz (9.00) in Brandenburg show that areas outside the classic tourist hotspots are also highly appreciated.

At the same time, these results confirm the strong image of well-known holiday destinations. Regions such as the Black Forest, the North and Baltic Sea coasts, the Bavarian Alps, and parts of the Eifel and Mittelgebirge combine nature, amenities, and recreational opportunities, and therefore consistently rank among the best-rated camping areas in Germany.

“The best campsites are by no means always located in the most famous places – quiet regions actually score the highest,” says Erwin Hoevenaar, CEO of JetCamp.