10 Best Summer Camping Options in Uttarakhand

Summer is the perfect time in India to materialize your long dreamed plan of exploring a new place. It is also the ideal season to go rafting, camping and trekking in the hilly region. If we talk about Uttarakhand, there are several places to enjoy adventure activities along with camping. The green rolling mountains, the thick forests, rich wildlife, adventure activities and salubrious climate call out loud to those who wish to experience something more than usual. Summer camping in Uttarakhand is just the right thing to make your summer vacation memorable.

Kanatal

About 33kms from Mussoorie, Kanatal is an ideal place to go outdoor camping in Uttarakhand. Kanatal is situated at an altitude of around 2590m above sea level on Mussoorie-Chamba Road. The rustic charm of the place is what attracts tourists here. Far from the rush of the cities, Kanatal allows you to camp amidst the mountains and enjoy the impeccable views. Kanatal has a rich forest that is festooned with multi-hued wild flowers, number of fruit trees and many medicinal herbs. There are many camps that have been set here with good facilities. One also has the choice to enjoy nature walks, trekking and practice yoga.

Sattal

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Situated in Kumaon hills, the cluster of seven lakes, Sattal makes a perfect place for family vacation. Surrounded by lush greenery and rolling mountains, Sattal is a picturesque place to be at. Unlike, its neighbor Nainital, Sattal is tucked away from the confines of commercialization and hence offers a very quiet and peaceful ambiance that is apt for camping. During camping at Sattal one can go hiking in the forest, go bird watching and if lucky one can also sight barking deer grazing in forests.

Rishikesh

An adventurous holiday in Uttarakhand certainly includes camping in Rishikesh. I mean how much better can it get than camping on the banks of the River Ganga? Rishikesh is also one of the few places in Uttarakhand, where you can find white sand. Also during camping in Rishikesh, one has the opportunity to go for white water river rafting, trekking, rappelling, bungee jumping, fox flying and many other similar adventure activities. The bonfire at night also adds to the fun of camping here.

Deoria Tal

For the adventure buffs, camping at Deoriatal in summer can be the best idea. Situated off the  road from Mastura and Sari Village at a distance of 3kms, Deoria Tal is one place that must be visited once in a lifetime. It is an isolated place, with a crystal clear lake at the centre; the background is decorated with the mighty snow-clad Chaukhamba Mountains. On a clear-sky day, one can see the reflection of the hulking high mountains in the lake water, making the place ever so beautiful. Trekking is the only way to reach Deoria Tal and it is an uphill climb all the way. There are a few summer camps organized near it, which also give you the opportunity to explore the nearby areas as well.

Dhanaulti

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Dhanaulti can be made an important part of adventure programs near Delhi and Dehradun as the place open doors for many adventure activities. It is situated at a distance of about 306kms from Delhi and only 55kms from Dehradun. Located at an altitude of 2286m, Dhanaulti is a serene little hill station that makes for a great place where you can go camping. It is covered with lush forest of oak and the beauty is further enhanced by the thick plantation of rhododendrons. While camping at Dhanaulti, one can enjoy the nature’s bountiful beauty and attain absolute peace of mind.

Chopta

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Amongst one of the finest camping places in India, Chopta is the base for the trek to Tugnath Temple. From Chopta one can witness the mighty peaks of Chaukhamba, Nanda Devi and Trishul. This beautiful destination is covered with pine, deodar and rhododendron forests. One can head out for many interesting treks from here to places like Tugnath Temple, Chandrashila (at a height of 4000m), Deoria Tal and Dodi Tal. An important reason as to why you should camp at Chopta in summer is that the sky remains clear offering incredible views the of famous mountain peaks.

Chaukori

Chaukori is a lesser known destination in Uttarakhand. Located at a distance of 36kms from Gangolihat and 53kms from Bageshwar, Chaukori is a beautiful hamlet overlooking the mighty Himalayan peaks like Trishul, Nanda Devi, Chaukhamba and Nanda Kot. For those who are looking for a new destination for camping in Himalaya, Chaukori can be an excellent choice. One has the chance of exploring a new destination and the opportunity to enjoy the pristine nature’s beauty and witness some of the most beautiful sunrise and sunsets.

Tons Valley

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In the Jaunsar Bawar region, Tons valley offers itself as an ideal place to camp in Uttarakhand. Perched at a height of 3000m above sea level, this valley has some of the most picturesque places to witness. In fact Dehradun and Chakrata also are a part of this valley. The valley is densely forested with pine, deodar, oak, chestnut, jamun, rhododendron and birch. Here, you can enjoy hiking, nature walks, angling and bird watching. Also, one has the opportunity to witness a unique culture in some parts of the valley, where instead of the Pandavas, the Kauravas are worshipped as gods.

Pangot

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About 15kms from Lake City, Nainital, Pangot is a small little village that offers great opportunity to camp amidst pristine nature. Blessed with a salubrious climate in summer, Pangot makes for a good summer camping destination. It is a betel leaf-shaped village that is covered with dense greenery and has a sizable population of bird species. Thus, Pangot is a bird watcher’s paradise. There are many beautiful trekking trails that are naturally decorated with several seasonal and perennial brooks and creeks. A good number of wild animals including ghoral, barking deer and sambhar can also be spotted here.

Dayara Bugyal

If records are to be believed 8 out of 10 trekkers would proclaim Dayara Bugyal the best meadows in India. Situated near Barsu Village, Dayara Bugyal or Dayara Meadows are amongst the best places to go camping in Uttarakhand. The meadow stretch out as far as the eyes can see and is fringed by lofty mountains. Oak and Rhododendron makes a colourful forest near the bugyal and the tall pine trees form the borderline of the meadows. Far in a distance, one can see mountain peaks like Bandarpoonch, Bhagirathi Peaks and Black Peak. A small lake in the area with crystal clear water makes this place look even more beautiful. Camping in Dayara Bugyal is limited to its suburbs; however it is an incredible experience. One can enjoy exploring the nearby region of meadow like Siyaari, Devikund and Dodital.