Camping in Uttarakhand

Camping in Uttarakhand

Camping in Uttarakhand is a mesmerizing and serene experience that lets you escape into the lower Himalayas where you get to explore the gorgeous landscape and spend some time amidst nature. During camping in Uttarakhand, the nights are spent in quaint campsites under the starry skies and days are spent either relaxing, trekking or engaging in other adventure activities. All of this with the backdrop of Himalayan peaks. You also get to explore the lush alpine forests, visit quaint waterfalls and lakes, and spend time in some of the most pristine locations of the state.

Lying at the foot of the Himalayas, Uttarakhand is a place of magnificent beauty with 86% of its landscape being mountainous and 65% covered in a lush blanket of forests. The state is home to many national parks and wildlife sanctuaries. And within the many folds of the Himalayas, there are some of the most famous hill stations and campsites.

Camping sites in Uttarakhand

For camping in Uttarakhand, you have many options, you can either book campsites that lie atop alpine meadows, amidst thick forests of deodar and oak, along the snowy slopes of deeper Himalayas, or on the banks of gushing cerulean rivers. At most campsites, you can either be adventurous and spend the night in alpine tents, or book a comfortable swiss tent that comes with electrical amenities. For those who don’t want to dirty their feet but also want to experience camping, you can book gorgeous cottages or villas at these campsites that offer great comfort and luxury.

Adventure activities in Uttarakhand

And while adventure camping in Uttarakhand, you can try your hand at many adventure activities in Uttarakhand too. You can go white-water rafting over wild rivers, or you can speed down slopes while skiing. You can even go bungee jumping or paragliding. And if this is not enough, you can head deeper and higher into the Himalayas with many treks in Uttarakhand. Most of these camping sites in Uttarakhand are located in major adventure destinations and there are always many thrilling trekking routes around the campsite.

Here are some of the top camping sites in Uttarakhand:

Rishikesh

Located in Dehradun, Rishikesh is a charming hill station that is steeped in myths and legends. It is one of India’s major pilgrimage spots for Hindus, and the Yoga capital of the world. Here, you have to option of either go camping on the banks of the Ganges River’s tributaries or amidst the lush alpine forests. Rishikesh offers one of the best rafting experiences in Indiat along with India’s highest bungee jump and exhilarating paragliding sessions.

Explore more adventure activities in Rishikesh here.

Chopta

Chopta, also known as the ‘mini Switzerland of India,’ is a gorgeous hill town located at an altitude of 8,790 feet. Here, you get to camp amidst the busting forests of pine, deodar and rhododendron. Chopta is also a starting point of some of the best treks in India like the Chopta Chandrashila trek Here, you get breathtaking views of Nanda Devi and Chaukhamba Range right from your campsite.

Jim Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve

The Jim Corbett National Park and Tiger Reserve is a great camping destination located in the lower Himalayas for those who want to explore the rich forests and wildlife of Uttarakhand. It is home to the royal Bengal tigers. Here, you get to camp in dense forests and you can go on jungle safaris where you get to see tigers, elephants and many other wild animals.

Auli

Located at 8,200 feet in Chamoli District, deep within the Himalayas of Uttarakhand, Auli is one of the best skiing destinations in India. Here, you get to enjoy the snow-blanketed landscape along during the winter season. You wake up to gorgeous sunrise crowning the Himalayan peaks in gold, and then you can go skiing on the many slopes of Auli.

Nainital

This hill station is located at 6,837 feet at the foothills of the Outer Himalayas of Uttarakhand. Here, you get to spend the nights in gorgeous campsites that are pitched in lush forests overlooking serene valleys and meadows. While camping in Nainital, don’t forget to explore the colourful markets and visit the gorgeous peak-shaped lake.

Binsar Wildlife Sanctuary

Located in the Jhandi Dhar Hills of Uttarakhand, this gorgeous campsite offers splendid views of Kedarnath, Nanda Devi, Trishul and Shivling peaks. This place flourishes with a variety of flora and fauna, making it a perfect camping site for nature lovers, bird watchers and photographers.

Camping in Uttarakhand Summary

• State: Uttarakhand
• Nearest City: Rishikesh
• Total days: 2-3 days
• Season: Throughout the year
• Accommodation: Alpine tents, swiss tents and cottages

Best time to go/Weather

You can go adventure camping in Uttarakhand any time of the year, it all depends on what you want to experience while camping in Uttarakhand. You can go during the summer season if you want to escape the city heat and head into the pleasant climes of the Himalayas. During the summer season, the days are warm and breezy and the nights are cool, offering a serene camping experience.

If you want to experience the lush landscape of the Himalayas of Uttarakhand and see the forests and valleys brimming with flora and fauna, then you should visit during the monsoon season from mid-June to September. During this season, the Upper Himalayas experience heavy rainfall along with Dehradun, Nainital and Rishikesh. If you don’t mind getting soaked, then this is the season for you.

And if you want to experience the Himalayan winters, then you should go during the winter season from November to February. During these months, the valleys are still bustling with wildlife, and the upper reaches are covered in thick snow. During these months, you get to enjoy the heavenly Himalayan landscape covered in snow.

Do note that if you are going for trekking, then the best time is to go from March to April and from September to October. During these months, the temperatures are generally mild and the weather is clear, offering great views of the Himalayan peaks.