Wild & Free
110 campsites scored and mapped — from riverside to high-altitude
Eco-friendly beach camping on Goa's quietest beach. Turtle nesting site — lights out after 9pm. Yoga every morning. The anti-Baga experience.
Eco huts, yoga shala, organic cafe, no WiFi by design
📍 Agonda
Camp in the Cherrapunji of the South. Agumbe Rainforest Research Station nearby. Guided night walks to spot King Cobras and Malabar Pit Vipers.
Basic tents in spice garden, guided rainforest walks, snake sighting tours
📍 Chikmagalur
Beach camping on the Alibaug coast. Wake up to waves. Jet ski, banana ride, and parasailing from camp. Closest beach camping to Mumbai.
Beach tents, bonfire on sand, water sports desk
📍 Alibaug
Weekend camping in deciduous forest 79km from Hyderabad. Bonfire nights and morning forest walks.
Operator-managed sites with basic facilities.
📍 Ananthagiri Hills
Camp in the Eastern Ghats valley surrounded by coffee plantations and tribal villages.
APTDC managed site with basic facilities.
📍 Araku Valley
Camp on the cliffs above Arambol Beach. The drum circle happens below at sunset. Walk to the sweet water lake in the morning. Hippie Goa at its most authentic.
Cliff-top tents, drum circle access, sweet water lake nearby
📍 Arambol
Glamping in the beautiful Aru Valley near Pahalgam. Green meadows with the Lidder River flowing through. Popular base for Kolahoi Glacier trek.
Swiss tents, attached bath, bonfire, pony rides, restaurant
📍 Pahalgam
Camp in the Western Ghats forest near Athirapally Falls. The sound of the waterfall is your backdrop. Night walks with forest guides. Excellent birdwatching at dawn.
Forest tents near waterfall, guided walks, bonfire, birdwatching
📍 Athirapally Falls
Camping at Gorson Bugyal (alpine meadow) above Auli with 270-degree Himalayan panorama including Nanda Devi. Easy 3km trek from Auli cable car top station.
Trek tents, sleeping bags, meals, guide service
📍 Auli
Camp at the edge of Banasura Sagar Dam (Asia's 2nd-largest earthen dam). Wake up to mist over the reservoir. Kayaking, bamboo rafting, and guided nature walks. Coffee plantations surround you.
Tents by dam reservoir, kayaking desk, bonfire, nature walks
📍 Wayanad
Hidden gem campsite along the Uhl River in Barot Valley. Famous for trout fishing. Very few tourists. Surrounded by thick pine and deodar forest.
Dome tents, common bath, trout fishing, campfire
📍 Barot Valley
Upscale camping in the iconic Betaab Valley (named after the Bollywood film). Surrounded by dense pine forests and snow peaks. Well-maintained luxury tents.
Luxury tents, attached bathroom, heater, restaurant
Camp on the banks of Arthur Lake beneath the Sahyadri hills. Famous for firefly camping in May-June. Stunning mirror reflections of mountains in still water.
Tents by Arthur Lake, bonfire, stargazing, kayaking
📍 Bhandardara
Camp at the edge of India's 2nd largest mangrove. Saltwater croc territory — stay within camp boundaries.
Forest dept managed with basic facilities.
📍 Bhitarkanika
Camp at the paragliding landing site in Bir. Watch paragliders land all day. Tibetan colony nearby with monasteries and cafes. Budget-friendly with good vibes.
Tents with beds, common bath, paragliding booking, cafe
📍 Bir Billing
Camp in the Biligiriranga Hills where Western and Eastern Ghats meet. Tiger reserve with elephant herds. Forest Department camping with safari access.
Forest dept tents, guided safari, campfire, basic meals
📍 Bengaluru
Quieter alternative to Shivpuri. Deeper in the valley with better cliff formations. Some camps offer cliff jumping and rappelling. Basic facilities.
Dome tents, common bath, cliff jumping point, rappelling
📍 Rishikesh
Backpacker-style camping across the bridge from Kasol in Chalal village. Right on the Parvati River. Basic but atmospheric. Popular with budget travelers and trekkers heading to Kheerganga.
Basic tents, bonfire, common toilet, chai stall
📍 Kasol
Camp on the disappearing sea beach. Watch the ocean retreat and return. Horseshoe crabs at dawn.
Basic — near OTDC for facilities.
📍 Chandipur
High-altitude camping beside the crescent-shaped Chandratal Lake. No permanent structures. Nights drop below freezing even in summer. Multiple operators set up seasonal camps.
Basic tents, common dining area, dry toilet
📍 Spiti Valley
High-altitude camping in coffee country. Wake up above the clouds. Some camps offer cupping sessions with estate-grown coffee.
Hilltop tents, sunrise viewpoint, coffee tasting, bonfire
Camp amidst coffee and pepper plantations. Morning mist rolling through cardamom bushes. Most estates offer guided plantation walks and Kodava cuisine.
Tents on coffee estate grounds, bonfire, plantation walk, home-cooked Kodava meals
📍 Coorg (Kodagu)
Camp near Courtallam's nine waterfalls. Fall asleep to the sound of cascading water. Waterfall bathing in the morning. Monsoon is peak.
Riverside tents near falls, bonfire, waterfall access
📍 Courtallam (Kutralam)
Camp inside Mizoram's largest wildlife sanctuary. Elephant tracks, rare hornbills, and the sound of the jungle at night. Forest department permit required.
Forest rest house, basic tents, guide mandatory
📍 Aizawl
Camp on the banks of the Kali River. White water rafting, kayaking, and coracle rides right from camp. Dandeli Wildlife Sanctuary access.
Riverside tents, kayaking, rafting desk, bonfire, jungle walk
📍 Dandeli
Camp among Daringbadi pine trees. Sub-zero possible Dec-Jan. Tribal bonfire possible with local guide.
Basic — bring own gear.
📍 Daringbadi
Camp among tea gardens with Kanchenjunga views. Cool mountain air. Pre-dawn start for Tiger Hill.
Organized camping with basic facilities.
📍 Darjeeling
Camp on the India-Bangladesh border beside the crystal-clear Umngot River. Boat rides at dawn when the river looks like glass. One of India's most surreal camping experiences.
Tents provided, basic toilet, boat rides available
📍 Dawki
Camping in the lush Chopta meadows (Mini Switzerland of India) with Deoriatal lake nearby. Starting point for Tungnath-Chandrashila trek. Rhododendron forests in April-May.
Tents provided, common kitchen, bonfire, trekking guides
📍 Chopta
GMVN-style eco camping in deodar forests between Mussoorie and Chamba. Clean air, bird watching, and snow views in winter. Quiet alternative to crowded Mussoorie.
Eco cottages + tents, attached bath, nature trail, bonfire
📍 Dhanaulti
Camp in the Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary near Dudhsagar Falls. Trek to the falls in the morning. Dense jungle setting with wildlife sounds at night.
Forest dept camping, basic tents, bonfire, guided treks
📍 Dudhsagar Falls
Camp at Dudhwa — rhino and tiger territory. Terai grasslands. Dawn elephant safari.
Forest rest house with basic facilities.
📍 Dudhwa National Park
Camp in the "Valley of Flowers of the Northeast" — seasonal lily meadows, bamboo groves, and stream bathing. A moderate trek from Viswema village.
Guest house or free tent, stream water, no electricity
📍 Dzukou Valley
Day camping on Elephant Beach with snorkeling.
Beach only, day camp, no overnight
📍 Havelock Island (Swaraj Dweep)
Camp on the rim of Pennar River gorge. Sunset over the canyon and star-filled skies.
Basic — bring own gear. Haritha resort nearby for toilets.
📍 Gandikota
Camping at Ghangaria, the gateway to Valley of Flowers and Hemkund Sahib. Government-run and private camps available. Short monsoon window only. UNESCO World Heritage trek.
GMVN tents, dormitory, meals, guide service
📍 Valley of Flowers
Camp at the edge of the last Asiatic lion territory. Dawn safari departure from camp.
📍 Gir National Park
Camp on the less-crowded beaches between Gokarna and Om Beach. Fall asleep to the sound of waves. Basic setup — bring your own gear or rent tents.
Beach tents, bonfire on sand, basic facilities
📍 Gokarna
Camping in the meadows of Gulmarg with views of Apharwat Peak. Gondola ride to Phase 1 nearby. In summer, the meadows are carpeted with wildflowers. Cold nights even in July.
Alpine tents, meals, trekking guide, pony rides
📍 Gulmarg
One of the most remote and beautiful camping locations in Kashmir. Near the LOC. Habba Khatoon peak views. Extremely limited tourist infrastructure — that is the charm. Permit required.
Basic tents, home-cooked meals, no electricity, guide mandatory
📍 Gurez Valley
Base camp for the popular Hamta Pass trek. Set in a pristine valley with glacier views. Trek-oriented camping — no luxury, just mountains and silence. 2-day trek minimum.
Trek tents, sleeping bags, guide, meals on trail
📍 Manali
Camp among eucalyptus trees at 1200m. Cool nights even in summer.
Basic — near APTDC resort for facilities.
📍 Horsley Hills
Camping at the unique cold desert sand dunes of Hunder in Nubra Valley. Ride the rare Bactrian (double-hump) camels. Surreal landscape where desert meets mountains. ILP required.
Swiss tents, attached bath, double-hump camel ride, restaurant
📍 Nubra Valley
Camp in the cardamom hills. The air smells of cardamom and pepper. Guided spice plantation walks. Home-cooked meals using fresh spices from the garden.
Plantation tents, spice walks, bonfire, cooking demo
📍 Idukki
Camp in the Sahyadri hills near Igatpuri with views of Tringalwadi Fort. Waterfall treks in monsoon. Vipassana center nearby for the spiritually inclined.
Hilltop tents, waterfall trek access, bonfire, rappelling
📍 Igatpuri
Camp in the Thar Desert under stars. Camel safari to camp. Cultural performances around bonfire. Sam/Khuri dunes.
Full luxury to basic — range of operators.
📍 Jaisalmer
Year-round camping in dense deodar forests of Jibhi. Mix of tents and wooden huts. Peaceful stream nearby. Home-style Himachali food. Great for couples and solo travelers.
Wooden cottages + tents, bonfire, stream access, home-cooked meals
📍 Jibhi
Premium riverside glamping on the Kosi River near Corbett National Park. Tiger safari bookings available. Night sounds of the jungle. Morning birdwatching from the river deck.
Luxury tents, AC, attached bath, pool, jeep safari, bird hide
📍 Jim Corbett National Park
Camping along the Bhaga River in Jispa, a key stop on the Manali-Leh highway. Dramatic barren mountain landscape. Acclimatization point for Leh-bound travelers.
Swiss tents, attached bath, bonfire, mountain views
📍 Keylong
Camp at the edge of Kabini backwaters with elephants and deer visiting at dawn. Coracle rides at sunset. One of the best wildlife camping experiences in South India.
Safari tents, coracle ride, campfire, wildlife guide
📍 Kabini
Turtle nesting camp — watch olive ridley turtles nest Dec-Feb.
Eco-huts with basic toilet
📍 Diglipur
Well-managed adventure camp in dense forest near Kanatal. Popular weekend getaway from Delhi (300km). Zip-lining, rappelling, and Surkanda Devi temple trek nearby.
Luxury tents, attached bath, zip-line, rappelling, nature walks
📍 Kanatal
Camp on Maharashtra's whitest beach. Kashid's sand is unusually white for the Konkan coast. Quiet alternative to Alibaug.
Beach tents, bonfire, basic facilities
📍 Kashid
Glamping-style camp on the banks of the Spiti River in Kaza. Heated tents with proper beds. Good base for exploring Ki, Kibber, and Langza.
Swiss tents, attached bathroom, restaurant, bonfire area
Camping at Gaurikund before the 16km trek to Kedarnath temple. Basic but functional. Good for acclimatization before the steep climb. Helicopter booking desk nearby.
Basic tents, common facilities, hot meals, porter booking
📍 Kedarnath
Base camp for Khaliya Top trek with panoramic views of Panchachuli peaks. Remote Kumaon location. The trek is moderate (6km) with stunning alpine meadows at the top.
Trek tents, sleeping bags, basic meals, guide
📍 Munsiyari
Trek-in-only campsite at the famous Kheerganga hot springs. 12km trek from Barshaini. Natural hot water pool with Himalayan views. No electricity — candles and starlight only.
Tent rental, hot spring, basic food stalls, no electricity
Quieter alternative to Sam dunes. Authentic village experience in Khuri with local Rajasthani families. Simpler setup but more genuine cultural immersion. Fewer tourists.
Mud huts + tents, basic bath, camel ride, village walk
Camp near Kodaikanal's star-shaped lake. Morning mist over water. Cycling around the lake and forest treks from camp.
Tents near lake, bonfire, cycling desk, nature walks
📍 Kodaikanal
Camp on the Kundalika River during the rafting season. White water rafting starts from camp. Maharashtra's answer to Rishikesh.
Riverside tents, rafting desk, bonfire, common bath
📍 Kolad
Camp in the oldest Nilgiri settlement. Morning fog, Catherine Falls trek from camp, Toda village visits nearby. Zero other tourists.
Hilltop tents, tea estate access, bonfire, guided treks
📍 Kotagiri
Camp on one of 13 forested islands in the Kakatiya-era lake. Reach by boat.
Basic — no facilities on islands.
📍 Laknavaram
Pristine beach camping at one of Andaman's most isolated beaches.
Beach only — no facilities, carry everything
📍 Long Island
Camp in sub-zero temperatures at South India coldest spot. Frost on tent in morning.
None — fully self-sufficient camping only.
📍 Lambasingi
Peaceful cantonment town camping surrounded by oak and pine forests. No commercial chaos — Lansdowne is a restricted cantonment area. Good birding destination.
Tents with beds, common bath, bonfire, nature walks, bird watching
📍 Lansdowne
Informal beach camping at sunset point.
Informal, nearby guesthouses for water
📍 Neil Island (Shaheed Dweep)
Comfortable glamping in Leh town with mountain views. Good acclimatization base before heading to Pangong, Nubra, or Tso Moriri. Oxygen support available for altitude sickness.
Deluxe tents, attached bath, restaurant, oxygen cylinder, garden
📍 Leh
Glamping in the Sahyadri valleys near Lonavala. Misty mornings, waterfall treks in monsoon, and bonfire nights. Popular with Mumbai weekenders.
Swiss tents, pool access, valley views, bonfire, BBQ
📍 Lonavala
Camp on the world's largest river island in the Brahmaputra. Satra monastery drums at dawn, river island night sky, and a landscape that shrinks each year.
Basic tents, homestay option, river access
📍 Majuli
Camp on the Malvan coast near Sindhudurg Fort. Snorkeling and scuba diving from the beach. Fresh Malvani seafood for dinner — the best on the Konkan coast.
Beach huts, snorkeling desk, seafood dinners
📍 Malvan
Community-owned camping in semi-evergreen forest. Bamboo chicken cooked over campfire.
Tribal-managed eco-camp with basic toilet facilities.
📍 Maredumilli
Camp at the edge of a centuries-old sacred forest where no leaf has been removed for generations. Morning walks into the Khasi sacred grove, stargazing at night.
Basic tents, no electricity, village homestay nearby
📍 Mawphlang
Remote river valley camp near the last airstrip before the China border. Siang River views, tribal village visits, and total disconnection from the grid.
Basic tents, no electricity, river water nearby
📍 Mechuka
Camp inside Goa's only national park. Rich Western Ghats biodiversity — leopards, sloth bears, endemic birds. The wild side of Goa tourists never see.
Forest lodge tents, guided nature walks, birdwatching
📍 Mollem (Bhagwan Mahavir Sanctuary)
Camp on the edge of Mudumalai National Park. Elephant herds visit at dawn. Safari from camp. Nilgiri backdrop.
Forest-edge tents, safari desk, bonfire, nature guides
📍 Mudumalai National Park
Camp above the tea line at 1700m. Sunrise above cloud layer. Walk through tea estates in the morning. Some camps offer cupping sessions with estate-grown tea.
Hilltop tents above tea estates, bonfire, sunrise viewpoint, tea tasting
📍 Munnar
Camp at the base for an early morning sunrise trek. Mango orchard setting. Popular with Bengaluru weekenders.
Tents in mango orchards, sunrise trek access, bonfire
📍 Nandi Hills
Seasonal beach huts on Palolem's crescent bay. The huts go up in October and come down in May. Fall asleep to waves, kayak to Butterfly Beach at dawn.
Beach huts, shared bath, restaurant access, kayak rental
📍 Palolem
Camp near Asia's second-largest plateau. Sunrise from the tableland, paragliding in season. Strawberry farm visits nearby.
Hilltop tents, sunrise viewpoint, paragliding access
📍 Panchgani
Camping right on the shores of Pangong Tso with surreal blue-green water. Extremely cold nights. No running water — water is trucked in. Inner Line Permit required.
Basic tents, sleeping bags, common toilet, meals included
📍 Pangong Tso
Camp at the edge of Panna tiger reserve. Ken River gorge nearby. Safari departures from camp.
Safari lodge style camping.
📍 Bandhavgarh National Park
Forest Department camping on the edge of Periyar Tiger Reserve. Wake up to elephants at the lake. Night sounds of the jungle. Morning boat safari from camp. The Tiger Trail programme includes overnight camping inside the reserve.
Forest dept tents by Periyar Lake, guided safari, bonfire
📍 Thekkady (Periyar)
Camp near the sacred Pushkar Lake. Best during Pushkar Camel Fair (Nov). Brahma Temple at sunrise.
Organized camps with basic facilities.
📍 Pushkar
Camp at the base of Shivaji Maharaj's capital fort. Trek or ropeway to the summit next morning. Night under the Sahyadri stars with Maratha history all around.
Basic tents at fort base, bonfire, guided fort trek
📍 Raigad Fort
Official Rann Utsav tent city on the edge of the white salt desert. Full moon walks. Cultural performances nightly.
Full luxury tent city with attached bathrooms, dining.
📍 Rann of Kutch
Glamping at the edge of tiger territory. Dawn safari departures. Wildlife sounds at night.
Luxury safari tents with attached bath.
📍 Ranthambore
Premium glamping experience at the edge of Ranthambore Tiger Reserve. Air-conditioned luxury tents with four-poster beds. Morning and evening safari drives. Tiger sighting probability ~40%.
Luxury safari tents, AC, attached bath, pool, restaurant, jeep safari desk
Camp near the famous abandoned railway line. Walk through tunnels and over bridges during the day. Coffee estate setting with Western Ghats views.
Tents near abandoned railway track, bonfire, trekking access
📍 Sakleshpur
Classic Thar Desert camping experience at Sam Sand Dunes, 42km from Jaisalmer. Camel safari at sunset, Rajasthani folk music and dance under the stars. Package includes dinner and breakfast.
Swiss tents, attached bath, camel ride, folk dance, dinner buffet
Camp amidst apple and apricot orchards in Sangla Valley with views of Kinner Kailash. Some camps offer attached bathrooms. Fresh fruit in season (Aug-Oct).
Apple orchard tents, attached bath option, home-cooked meals
📍 Chitkul
Camp in the valley where endangered black-necked cranes winter. Apple orchards all around, star-lit skies, and complete silence. A birder's paradise.
Tents provided, basic toilet, campfire
📍 Dirang
Camp at Gujarat only hill station. Monsoon camping with cloud immersion.
📍 Saputara
Camp on the rim of the Mahanadi gorge. Gharial-spotting dawn boat rides. Star-filled canyon nights.
Forest dept eco-camp with basic toilet, guided activities.
📍 Satkosia
Camp in Satpura hills — walking safaris (rare in India), canoe safari, jeep safari. Less commercial than other tiger parks.
Forest dept eco-camp.
📍 Pachmarhi
The most popular camping stretch near Rishikesh along the Ganges. White sand beach camps with rafting starting point. Attached bathrooms and hot water in winter.
Swiss tents, attached bath, rafting desk, volleyball, bonfire
Camp on the bank of the crystal-clear Umngot River. Cliff jumping, kayaking, and campfire nights under Meghalaya stars. One of India's most Instagrammed camping spots.
Basic tents provided, no toilets, river bathing
📍 Shnongpdeng
Camp in UNESCO biosphere tiger territory. Waterfall sounds at night. 96 orchid species around you.
📍 Simlipal
Camping near the stunning Sissu waterfall in Lahaul Valley, just north of Atal Tunnel. Dramatic mountain scenery with the Chandra River. Easy access via the tunnel from Manali side.
Swiss tents, attached bath, restaurant, bonfire
📍 Sissu
Adventure camping in Solang Valley with a range of activities — paragliding, zorbing, rope course, and snow activities in early season. 14km from Manali town.
Swiss tents, common bath, paragliding, zorbing, rope course
Camping near the Thajiwas Glacier in the Meadow of Gold. Snow-capped peaks all around. Short trek to glacier. Pony rides available for families.
Alpine tents, sleeping bags, meals, guide service
📍 Sonamarg
Camp in the world largest mangrove. Swimming Bengal tigers. Tidal channel sounds at night.
Forest dept eco-camp with basic facilities.
📍 Sundarbans
Camping and fishing retreat on the Tirthan River in Great Himalayan National Park buffer zone. Trout fishing permits available. Some of the cleanest river water in India.
Cottages + tents, trout fishing gear, bonfire, riverside deck
📍 Tirthan Valley
Remote camping at one of Ladakh's most pristine high-altitude lakes. Changpa nomad territory. No electricity, no phone signal. True wilderness camping.
Basic tents, sleeping bags, dry toilet, kerosene heater
📍 Tso Moriri
Camp in the rolling meadows surrounded by pine forests. Morning mist creates a dreamlike atmosphere. Paragliding launch point nearby. One of Kerala's most scenic camping spots.
Meadow tents, pine forest walk, bonfire, paragliding desk
📍 Vagamon
Camp in the Anamalai Hills forest. Lion-tailed macaques in the morning. Tea estate surroundings. Genuine wilderness.
Forest dept tents, guided walks, bonfire, birdwatching
📍 Valparai
Sleep in a treehouse in the Western Ghats. Macaques in the morning, fireflies at night. Several operators in the Vythiri-Meppady area offer treehouse stays with meals and guided walks.
Treehouse accommodation, nature walks, spice garden, bonfire
Camp in a working coffee estate in the Shevaroy Hills. Morning plantation walk. Orange groves nearby.
Estate tents, coffee tasting, bonfire, nature walks
📍 Yercaud
Pre-trek campground for the legendary Goechala trail. Wake up to monastery bells and Kanchenjunga views. Popular with trekkers and solo travelers.
Tents, basic toilet, campfire area
📍 Yuksom
Remote camping in the Zanskar Valley accessible only in summer. Gateway to the famous Chadar frozen river trek (winter). Rafting on the Zanskar River. True adventure territory.
Basic tents, meals, trekking support, river rafting coordination
📍 Zanskar Valley
High-altitude hillside camp on the historic Silk Route. Watch sunrise over Kanchenjunga from above 32 hairpin bends. Permits required for this restricted area.
Army-style tents, basic facilities, no running water
📍 Zuluk