Lake/River Swim Campsites

De Roos is a family run site in an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, truly a nature lovers’ campsite, immersed in an atmosphere of tranquillity. It is situated in Overijssel’s Vecht Valley, a unique region set in a river dune landscape on the River Vecht. The river and its tributary wind their way unhurriedly around and through this spacious campsite. It is a natural setting that the owners of De Roos have carefully preserved. The 275 pitches and necessary amenities have been blended into the landscape with great care. Pitches, most with electricity hook-up (6A Europlug), are naturally sited, some behind blackthorn thickets, in the shadow of an old oak or in a clearing scattered with wild flowers.

Huttopia Lac de Sillé (formerly Indigo Les Molières) is an attractive recent addition to the Huttopia group. It is a good choice for families looking for an active holiday in a verdant setting. It can be found close to Sillé-le-Guillaume, around 30 km. north of Le Mans. There are 166 large shady pitches here, with 129 for touring units. Most are equipped with 10A electricity connections. A large lake of 32 hectares is ideal for sailing and windsurfing, and the forested surrounds of the Parc Naturel Régional provide an excellent environment for cycling or walking.

Camping Détente et Clapotis is in the Rhône-Alpes, on the banks of the Lac de Paladru. The site has 212 grass pitches, of which 140 are for touring units and have a 6/10-amp hook-up point, and there are 32 chalets are available for hire. At the front of the campsite, the touring pitches are located. These are quite open, and most are in the sun, but the large open lawns mean you have great views of the lake and direct access to the water.

Camping Larrouleta is an all year site located at the heart of the Basque country. The site has been developed around a 2.5 hectare lake which has a sandy beach and is ideal for fishing. On-site amenities include a swimming pool, covered in low season. There is also a bar/restaurant specialised in local cuisine and where occasional Basque folk evenings are held in high season. The 327 touring pitches are of a good size. Choose between the standard (80m²) with electricity (5A), or a number of ‘Grand Confort’ pitches are available (about 100m²) with 10A electricity, water and drainage.

Its fine location overlooking a large man-made lake (Bort les Orgues) makes this site a good choice for waters-based activities. The 10 ha. site is steeply terraced and spacious (not ideal for those with walking difficulties). Of the 220 slightly sloping, medium sized, grassy pitches, 172 are available for camping with 140 having access to electricity (10A long leads required). Tall, mainly coniferous hedges and a variety of trees give good shade, with some having views over the lake. A chalet village, separate but part of the site, has attrative wooden cabins to rent. This is a good value for money site.

Alpenblick is an all-year site in a stunning setting, located at the heart of the Bernese Oberland just 100 metres from the beautiful Lake Thun. A Swiss chalet-style building houses the reception, shop and bar/restaurant that is very popular with campers and locals alike (try the ‘schnitzelbrot’ and dine on the terrace in good weather). There are around 100 touring pitches and a further 80 residential pitches. The touring pitches are mostly grassy and level, with moderate shade, and all have 10/16A electrical connections. Some good hardstanding pitches are available for motorhomes.

This quite large but peaceful, lakeside site with its modern bar/restaurant and swimming pool complex, is useful as a stopover, or indeed for longer stays to explore the region. It can be very busy during the school holidays, but is quiet and relaxing outside the main season.

Camping Ribamar lies to the north of Alcossebre, tucked away within the National Park of the Sierra de Irta, a magnificent landscape of intense colours. Alcossebre is a delightful resort town which has retained its Spanish identity, unlike some of the larger resorts to the north, and offers three Blue Flag beaches and a wealth of cafés and restaurants. Although a little over two hours drive south of Barcelona, this is a very underpopulated region with excellent long-distance footpaths and cycle paths.

Saint-Disdille is situated 300 m. from the beautiful Lake Geneva and the famous spa towns of Thonon-les-Bains, which can be reached on a bus that passes the site, and Evian-les-Bains. There are 297 large, level touring pitches on stone and rough grass (rock pegs are essential). Large trees give some shade. Those reserved for touring have 10A electricity and are scattered amongst mobile homes and permanent weekender caravans and can be some distance from the facilities situated by the entrance. The site is ideally placed for the large range of watersports in the area, and Switzerland is easily accessible by car, bus, train or boat.

Camping Nature Parc l’Ardéchois is a very high-quality, family-run site within walking distance of the amenities of Vallon-Pont-d’Arc. It borders the River Ardèche, and hugely popular canoe trips are run directly from the site. The campsite is just 4 km from the famous Pont-d’Arc, a huge limestone arch spanning the river, and its river beach. A drive along the gorge is a must, with spectacular viewpoints.

This well-run, modern site is pleasantly situated in Delft's park and forest area on the city's eastern edge. It has 200 touring pitches formally arranged in groups of four to six and surrounded by attractive trees and hedges. All have sufficient space and electrical connections (10A Europlug).

A large site situated in the Pyrenees near the Ordesa National Park, Peña Montañesa is easily accessible from Ainsa or from France via the Bielsa Tunnel (steep sections on the French side). The site is essentially divided into three sections opening progressively throughout the season and all have shade. The 330 pitches on fairly level grass are of about 75 sq.m. and 6/10A electricity is available on virtually all (no charge is made for upgrade). Grouped near the entrance are the facilities that make the site so attractive, including an outdoor pool and a heated (out of season), glass covered indoor pool with jacuzzi and sauna. Here too is an attractive bar/restaurant with an open fire and a terrace; a supermarket and takeaway are opposite.

Le Paradis is an excellent, well-maintained riverside site, halfway between Les Eyzies and Montignac in the Valley of the Vézère. The site is landscaped with a variety of mature shrubs and trees. The gardens are beautiful, which gives a wonderful sense of tranquillity. It is very easy to relax on this ecologically friendly site. Systems of reed filters enhance the efficient natural drainage.

You are assured of a warm welcome at this immaculate site, beautifully situated beside the shallow River Dordogne and just a few kilometres from Argentat. There are 120 large, gently sloping grass pitches, 118 for touring. Separated by a large variety of beautiful trees and shrubs offering varying amounts of shade, all have 6A electricity, and many have good views over the River Dordogne as the pitches nearest the river are slightly terraced.

Huttopia Beaulieu sur Dordogne is an enjoyable and well-equipped site on a beautiful small island in the River Dordogne, only two minutes from the centre of the medieval town of Beaulieu-sur-Dordogne, with its ancient streets, old churches, and many shops and restaurants. This seven-hectare site has 185 shady grass pitches and 144 available for touring, all with 10A electricity. These are spread across the site over mowed lawns and under tall trees, providing shade during the hot summer weather.

Le Moulin is a member of the Huttopia group and is situated just 300 m. from the centre of Saint Martin-d’Ardèche. The site has its own river beach and is well placed for canoe trips on the Ardèche. There are 121 touring pitches here, extending over the site’s seven hectares. The pitches have varying degrees of shade and most have 10A electricity. Rental accommodation includes eight modern wood chalets, 39 safari tents (many with a bathroom) and 16 Romany-style caravans. Amenities include a pleasant snack bar and a café. A children’s club operates in peak season, focusing on craft activities and games.

Situated on the southwest edge of Dartmoor, this holiday park has been developed on the grounds of the old Langstone Manor house. The touring pitches are tucked into various garden areas with mature trees and flowering shrubs or in the walled garden area with views over the moor. There are 40 level grass pitches, which vary in size (35 with 16A electricity). A popular camping area has been terraced with open views over farmland and the moor.

Sportcamp Woferlgut, a family-run site, is one of the best in Austria. It lies in the village of Bruck at the northern end of the Großglocknerstrasse mountain road in the Hohe Tauern National Park, near the Zeller See. The level grass pitches are marked out by shrubs, and each has 16A metered electricity, water, drainage, cable TV socket and a gas point.

Camping Huttopia Lac de l'Uby is a campsite located in Cazaubon, France, in the Gers department of the Occitanie region. It is situated on the shores of Lac de l'Uby, a lake that offers swimming, fishing, and boating. The site has 211 pitches, of which 106 are for touring units, and have a 16-amp hook-up point. There are also 105 safari tents and chalets available to hire. The pitches come in different sizes. They have a flat surface and are surrounded by shrubs and plants to provide privacy; some are located right by the water, giving a great view of the lake and its surroundings. 

This site is located just north of the town of Dieulefit. The name originates from Dieu l’a fait, meaning God made it, so it is not surprising to find a Huttopia site set in a managed forest, by a small lake, with stunning views over the town and across the valley. It follows the Huttopia philosophy of high standards combined with a sense of real camping, therefore no cars are generally allowed on pitches. There are 74 pitches with rental accommodation in the form of Cahuttes, Cabanes or Canadiennes, and a variety of clever wood and canvas structures. The remaining 91 pitches (66 with electricity) are for camping amongst the trees, although there are some closer to the central lodge which are more open. ‘Bivouac’ outdoor cooking and eating areas are dotted around the site. There are two pools and a good range of on-site amenities including a shop, bar and restaurant.