Farm Camping: A Nature-Close Experience

Table of contents

• 1. Farm Camping: Frequently Asked Questions

  • 1.1. What does farm camping cost?

  • 1.2. Is camping on a farm allowed?

  • 1.3. What facilities are available?

  • 1.4. Best farm camping app?

• 2. The most beautiful regions for a farm camping holiday

  • 2.1. South of Germany: Bavaria & Baden-Württemberg

  • 2.2. NRW

  • 2.3. North of Germany

  • 2.4. Austria

  • 2.5. Italy

• 3. Farm nearby

• 4. Popular searches for farm camping

  • 4.1. Farm - dogs allowed

  • 4.2. Farm for families with children

  • 4.3. Farm by the lake

  • 4.4. Farm with electricity

  • 4.5. Farm with horses

• 5. Farm experiences - Activities

  • 5.1. Life on the farm and with animals

  • 5.2. Hiking, cycling, campfire

  • 5.3. Participatory holiday farms

• 6. Finding a spot on the farm with VanSite

• 7. Tips for equipment and getting to the farm

  • 7.1. Getting there

  • 7.2. Checklist

Unsplash Image by Alexander Klimm |

FAQ: Farm Camping

What does farm camping cost?

The cost of farm camping depends on region, facilities and season . On VanSite you'll find authentic pitches in the middle of nature - on farms, meadows or fields, sometimes in secluded spots - from just 13 € per night.

Is camping on a farm allowed?

Yes, camping on a farm is generally allowed, when private hosts officially offer the spaces through platforms like VanSite . That way you're on the right side of the law and can enjoy your pitch with the farm owner's permission, worry-free.

Alternatively there are also specially designed campsites, holiday farms or a nature-close tent pitch, all of which make rural life tangible.

What facilities are available?

Facilities at farm camping vary: some pitches offer only peace and nature, others also have electricity, water or a fire pit. On VanSite you'll find detailed info on each pitch, so you know exactly what to expect.

Depending on whether you arrive by tent, motorhome or campervan, you'll have different requirements for your pitch. Our handy filters give you the option to search specifically by vehicle and under "Facilities" find exactly the camping pitch that meets your expectations for a comfortable holiday on the farm .

What is the best farm camping app?

If you want to book farm camping without hassle, the VanSite App is your ideal companion. Here you'll find individual pitches and farms with welcoming hosts - with info, photos, reviews and direct booking in just a few clicks.

Top regions for a farm camping holiday

Farm camping in Baden-Württemberg & Bavaria

Farm holidays in the south of Germany offer impressive scenery: in Bavaria and the Allgäu you'll find wide pastures, Alpine panoramas and fresh mountain air. You can go on great hikes , visit idyllic mountain lakes , wander through charming villages and smaller towns while enjoying Bavarian food in the countryside.

Farm camping in Baden-Württemberg takes you to regions like the Black Forest or the Swabian Alb - shaped by forests, fields, vineyards and characterful farms. Nature, culture and regional specialities go together here.

Farm camping in NRW

Image by wirestock on Freepik |

Farm camping in NRW is as varied as the state itself: in the Münsterland wide fields and flat landscapes dominate - perfect for cycling and relaxed days. The Sauerland offers green hills, forests and clear lakes, ideal for walkers. In the Rhineland you'll find spots among vineyards and orchards, while the Bergisches Land scores with idyllic valleys and panoramic views.

Also along the Moselle there are farms with pitches, often on hillsides with views over vineyards and river bends. The region is well suited to combined wine and hiking tours, short drives and quiet pitches among vines and fruit trees. Anyone who nature and variety will find what they're looking for in NRW.

Farm camping in northern Germany

Image by wirestock on Freepik |

The north of Germany is strongly shaped by agriculture. A large share of Germany's farmland is found here, which means there are plenty of pitches and campsites near farms. Anyone looking to spend their next holiday close to nature will find plenty of options in Schleswig-Holstein, Lower Saxony or Mecklenburg-Vorpommern quickly.

Particularly popular are regions such as the island of Rügen, Fischland-Darß-Zingst or the Uckermark, where alongside farm experiences you can cycle, paddle or simply enjoy the clear country air.

Discover Austria: mountain panoramas and farm charm

Image by wirestock on Freepik |

Farm camping in Austria combines impressive Alpine landscapes with authentic rural life. Whether in the Salzburg region, in Tyrol or Styria - many farms sit on hillsides with panoramic views, surrounded by alpine meadows, forests and clear mountain streams. This setting is ideal for campers who want to hike, cycle or simply slow down.

Farm camping in Carinthia: this region is especially popular, where bathing lakes meet working farms and a stunning mountain backdrop.

The combination of farm life, nature and mountain scenery makes a holiday here especially appealing, year-round and with plenty of charm.

Bella Italia: farm camping in South Tyrol

Farm camping in South Tyrol rounds out the list of nature-focused farm destinations perfectly. The region brings together alpine landscapes, a Mediterranean climate and a farming culture that is still very much alive today. The farms are set among vineyards, apple orchards and Dolomite peaks.

Whether around Bolzano, in the Eisack Valley or the Vinschgau: farm camping in South Tyrol offers a special mix of nature, local cuisine and cultural richness that is perfect for a relaxed camping holiday.

Farm camping nearby

A real nature experience doesn't always require a long journey: farm camping nearby is often just a few kilometres away. Whether for a spontaneous weekend or a short break in between, you'll also find idyllic farms with pitches.

Through VanSite you can simply enable the location feature and search specifically for nearby farms. That way you can flexibly and easily look for a suitable host for your camping holiday on a farm.

Inspiration: popular camping pitches on farms

Farm camping with dogs

Travellers with dogs will find ideal conditions on many farms: open spaces, little traffic and direct access to the countryside. It's worth checking in advance whether dogs are allowed at the pitch in question and whether there are specific rules , such as leash requirements or rules about farm animals.

Image by Ajeet Panesar on Unsplash |

Suitable farms for camping with dogs

Farm holiday with children

For families with children, a farm is one of the most exciting places to camp. There's something new to discover every day: animals, fields, large meadows to play in, and often simple hands-on activities like collecting eggs or riding on a tractor. An ideal setting for experiencing nature and learning responsibility.

Farm holiday with the family

Unsplash Image by Jessica Rockowitz |

Farm camping by a lake

A pitch near a lake offers more than just a cool dip on hot days; it brings a special atmosphere too. Farms with their own access to a small lake are particularly sought after. There you can swim, paddle or simply relax by the water, away from the crowds of a public bathing lake.

Farm holiday by the lake

Farm pitches with electricity

Not everyone wants to give up comfort while camping. For motorhomes and caravans, an electricity connection is often essential: for charging, cooking or having light in the evening. Many farms today offer simple but functional utility facilities on their pitches.

Farm camping with electricity connection

Camping pitches on farms with horses

Image by Lucia Macedo on Unsplash |

Farms with horses are especially popular with families and riding enthusiasts. Some pitches are right next to the paddock; others offer guided trail rides or courses.

Holiday on a farm with horses

Experiences on the farm: get active and enjoy nature

Animals and farm life

Anyone who wants to actively experience life on the farm can search specifically for farms with animals such as cows, chickens, sheep or horses. Guests are sometimes welcome to help out in the barn, feed the animals or pet them - a real highlight, especially for children and the whole family.

The direct contact with the farmers also makes the stay special: many offer home-produced products like eggs, milk or jam.

On the pitch pages at VanSite you'll find all the information about possible activities and the contact for the hosts, so you can find out in advance.

Hiking, cycling and campfire evenings

Many farms are perfectly placed for active breaks in the countryside. Hiking or cycling routes through fields, forests and small villages start directly from the pitch. In the evenings, a campfire in the meadow creates a real camping feeling, often with damper bread on a stick, a starry sky and conversations with other camping guests.

Hands-on holiday farms

If you want to really experience farm life not just watch but get actively involved, look specifically for a farm holiday, campsite or pitch with hands-on activities. Many farmers invite you to join in, for example when feeding the animals .

These experiences are not only exciting for children , they also give a real sense of connection to farming.

Find the perfect farm camping holiday with private hosts on VanSite

A farm camping holiday offers not only peace and nature, but also genuine insights into rural life. On VanSite you find a wide range of private hosts, who open their farms to campers, from simple meadow pitches to working farms. Here is what to expect:

• Authentic farm experience
  Camping among animals, meadows and fields, close to nature, unhurried and far from mass tourism. An experience for solo travellers, families and friends, who want to share a break with farm idyll together.

• Wide choice of private hosts
  From small farms, which no longer farm but still keep animals, to fully working farms. There is something for every taste.

• A glimpse of rural life
  Many farmers are happy to share their daily routine, show the farm, barn and machinery, and explain how modern farming works.

• An experience for young and old
  Whether children or adults, a stay on a farm is often the first real encounter with farming and animals.

• Arrive flexibly with tent or campervan
  The pitches are suitable for various vehicles: tents, motorhomes and campervans all find suitable conditions on the farms.

• Fresh produce from the farm
  Many hosts offer camping guests a selection of their farm products, such as fresh milk, eggs or jam. Perfect for a regional breakfast right outside the campervan.

Well prepared: tips on getting there and equipment

Arriving by motorhome, tent or car - what you should know

Before you book your farm pitch , it is worth checking the pitch description: Is the ground suitable for heavy motorhomes? Is there a paved access road or only a farm track?

When camping in a tent, you should check whether there are sheltered meadow areas and access to sanitary facilities.

You can find this information in every pitch profile.

Checklist: what you need for farm camping

A farm camping holiday brings you close to nature and that is exactly why you should be well prepared. The right equipment means you can travel independently, weatherproof and relaxed, whether in a motorhome, caravan or tent.

Make sure you have these things with you:

• Weatherproof clothing and sturdy shoes - for activities in the barn, on the meadow or in the rain

• Torch or headlamp - especially important at pitches without fixed lighting

• Powerbank or spare battery - if no power connection is available

• Extension cable and CEE plug - for pitches with a power connection

• Insect repellent - mosquitoes and flies come with country life

• Rubbish bags and biodegradable products - for environmentally conscious camping

• Picnic blanket - for a relaxed time outdoors

• Games for children - for quiet afternoons on the farm

• Rubber boots - especially in wet weather or in the barn