Login
Facebook
YouTube
WhatsApp
Twitter
Camping in Karnataka is all about waking up to misty hills, fresh air, and the flow of streams. This magical place is not only picturesque but also welcomes travellers to adopt exciting outdoor activities as they remain in touch with nature. From riverside tents and trails through coffee estat es to bonfires under the stars and jungle hikes, each campsite tells its own story. Karnataka promises something that will be easily remembered, whether you are a nature enthusiast, an adventurer, or simply seeking a serene getaway. It is time to enjoy wilderness combined with comfort and memorable moments under open skies.
Top 10 Best Sites For Camping In Karnataka
Camping in Karnataka provides the traveller with a chance to experience everything from a mountain getaway to lakeside lodging and forest camping. Every destination is open to the experience of the outdoors, from starry nights to misty mornings.
1. Coorg
Photo: Lukas / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Coorg is a beautiful area in the foggy Western Ghats, a place that is highly popular amongst all camping destinations in Karnataka. It is a place that provides adventure, relaxation and connection to their cultural heritage. Camping visits in this area typically start with a guided tour of coffee plantations, where local farmers can show you the skill of picking and roasting beans. On early mornings, birding trails, wildlife enthusiasts can see Malabar trogons, emerald doves and even flying squirrels. Abbey Falls camps have riverside trekking activities, and kayaking on the backwaters of the Cauvery adds a tangy touch. Jeep rides off-road to Mandalpatti, a hilltop that is a good spot to photograph the sun in the rolling misty valleys.
Location: Near Abbey Falls, Coorg district
Major Attractions: Abbey Falls, Coffee Plantations, Mandalpatti Hill, Cauvery Backwaters, Bird Watching Trails
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Coorg
2. Sakleshpur Camps
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Sakleshpur is a place offering scenic, adventure-filled getaways in the Western Ghats, making it the best camp in Karnataka. Camps here are normally encircled by coffee and tea plantations. One of the highlights is hiking to the ancient Manjarabad Fort, the star-shaped structure constructed by Tipu Sultan that has a panoramic view of the valley. Off-road jeep rides to Bisle Ghat and plantation trails introduce the visitor to giant squirrels, Malabar civets, pepper vines, and cardamom bushes, respectively. Another experience to be remembered is trekking to the second-highest peak of Karnataka, Jenukal Gudda, most particularly on its mist-laden sunset. The hills are irrigated by seasonal streams that are ideal for soaking sore feet after long walks.
Location: Around Bisle Ghat Road, Hassan district
Major Attractions: Manjarabad Fort, Bisle Ghat, Jenukal Gudda Peak, Coffee & Tea Plantations, Seasonal Streams
3. Kabini Riverside
Photo: Guduru Ajay bhargav / Pexels/ Image For Representation Only
Riverside camping in Karnataka at Kabini is an incredible experience for wildlife lovers. Tents in this area are positioned along the tranquil Kabini River, which passes through a well-known park called Nagarhole Tiger Reserve. Backwater boat safaris often reveal groups of bathing elephants. Early morning kayaking gives people a chance to observe crocodiles lying on the riverbanks. Bird watchers will be enjoying themselves with the ospreys and painted storks, as well as seeing the rare white-bellied sea eagle. There are guided tours into the local tribal villages that include bamboo craftwork and traditional drumming by the Kuruba community in many camps.
Location: Near Kabini backwaters, Mysuru district
Major Attractions: Nagarhole Tiger Reserve, Kabini River Backwaters, Elephant Sightings, Tribal Village Tours, Bird Watching (Ospreys, Painted Storks)
Suggested Read: Places To Visit In Kabini
4. Gokarna Beach
Photo: Chulmin1700 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Luxury camping in Karnataka at Gokarna is a dream come true for the traveller who desires seaside comfort. These camps give beachfront cottages, high-quality tents, and modern facilities. Vacations begin with yoga lessons on Kudle Beach, and the days are followed by extensive hiking along the Paradise-Half Moon-Om beach trail, a coastal walk which boasts of cliffside views. Parasailing or banana boat rides are perfect for adventure seekers. Calmer waters at Half Moon Beach are ideal for kayaking. Beach volleyball tournaments are also organised in the evening so that the energy does not end at sunset. It is a major tourist attraction, particularly around Om Beach, with dolphin-spotting boat rides being organised by local fishermen.
Location: Kudle and Om Beach, Uttara Kannada district
Major Attractions: Kudle Beach Yoga, Paradise-Half Moon-Om Beach Trail, Parasailing, Banana Boat Rides, Dolphin Spotting
5. Dandeli Jungle
Photo: W457137120 / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Camping in Dandeli, Karnataka, will be an adrenaline rush for adventure lovers. This destination is centred on the Kali River, which has river rafting with Grade 2-3 rapids. Jungle camps often organise zip-lining on the backwaters, kayaking and coracle rides as a blend of adventure and leisure. Black panthers, sloth bears and barking deer can frequently be seen on wildlife safaris within the Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve. Limestone caves and the legendary Syntheri Rocks, in which a waterfall flows through an enormous piece of granite, can be visited by trekkers. In the camps, there are events such as rope climbing, rappelling, and archery that adrenaline junkies will be busy with.
Location: Near Kali Tiger Reserve, Uttara Kannada district
Major Attractions: Kali River Rafting, Dandeli-Anshi Tiger Reserve, Syntheri Rocks, Limestone Caves, Zip-Lining, Rappelling
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Dandeli
6. Chikmagalur Coffee Estate Camps
Photo: Aziz Boujemai / Wikimedia Commons / Image For Representation Only
Budget camping in Karnataka is characterised by its affordability and natural beauty, and the best place to do it is Chikmagalur. The camps are usually established on large coffee estates, where mornings start with fog over plantations. Hiking up Mullayanagiri, the highest peak of the state, is the favourite of trekkers. Jeep rides to Hebbe Falls, well within the forests, can be enjoyed by others. Planned estate walks provide campers an opportunity to pick coffee cherries, learn how to roast them, and drink fresh brews. Birdwatching is also a good experience, as parakeets, bulbuls and hill mynas can also be seen. The best afternoons are spent in hammocks between coffee bushes, reading or just quietly enjoying the calm.
Location: Baba Budangiri foothills, Chikmagalur district
Major Attractions: Mullayanagiri Peak, Hebbe Falls, Coffee Estate Walks, Birdwatching (Parakeets, Bulbuls), Hammocks in Coffee Plantations
7. Jog Falls
Photo: ITUBB / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
The camping in Karnataka close to Jog Falls is memorable if you are fascinated with waterfalls. It is an Indian natural phenomenon that falls at a height of 830 feet, which is the second-highest plunge waterfall in India. Here, the campsites are the ones that arrange trekking to various vantage points, such as Watkins Platform and British Bungalow Viewpoint, both of which present panoramic views of Raja, Rani, Roarer and Rocket – the four cascades. Glowworms that appear in the undergrowth as stars in the night can be seen as a result of guided treks along forest trails. Herbal teas of collected herbs and spices are drunk at the campfire in the evenings.
Location: Sharavathi Valley, Shivamogga district
Major Attractions: Jog Falls Waterfall, Watkins Platform, British Bungalow Viewpoint, Glowworm Trails, Campfire Herbal Teas
Suggested Read: Places To Visit Near Jog Falls
8. Agumbe Rainforest
Photo: Quang Nguyen Vinh / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
Agumbe rainforest camps will be affordable but rewarding to adventurers who are interested in the price ranges of camping in Karnataka. Agumbe is what is referred to as the Cherrapunji of South India and gets a lot of rainfall, forming a fertile biodiversity. In these camps, guided walks in herpetology are common, where the visitors may be able to see rare species like the king cobra under strict guidance. Treks to Barkana Falls, which is one of the tallest in India, and Kundadri Hill, which is a Jain pilgrimage site, are common inclusions. Another sight of interest is the sunset perspective of Agumbe, where orange skies sweep over vast forests.
Location: Agumbe Ghats, Shivamogga district
Major Attractions: Barkana Falls, Kundadri Hill Jain Pilgrimage, King Cobra Sightings, Herpetology Walks, Sunset Views over Forests
9. Bheemeshwari Adventure Camp
Photo: Brooks Rice / Unsplash / Image For Representation Only
To take a group getaway, family camping in Karnataka is best at the riverside resort of Bheemeshwari, on the Cauvery. Family-friendly camps available here offer secure but exciting experiences. Water adventure is also introduced to the kids with easy coracle rides and supervised kayaking, and kids can also see the iconic mahseer fish on the fishing trips. It is common to find wildlife, and deer, langurs and peacocks move freely around the camp. Beginner-friendly trekking routes go to Doddamakali, which provides some views of the forest without making it too hard. Camps also offer rope courses such as the Burma Bridge, zip-lining, and parallel-rope-walking, all of which involve safety equipment.
Location: Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Mandya district
Major Attractions: Cauvery Wildlife Sanctuary, Coracle Rides, Mahseer Fishing, Rope Courses (Burma Bridge, Zip-lining), Wildlife Sightings (Deer, Langurs)
Suggested Read: Things To Do In Bheemeshwari For A Perfect One-Day Vacation
10. Kudremukh Trek & Camping
Photo: Chulmin1700 / Pixabay / Image For Representation Only
Camping in Karnataka at Kudremukh will be a bucket-list adventure for hiking enthusiasts. The trek to Kudremukh Peak lasts for around 9 kilometres while traversing beautiful shola forests, cascading streams and wide open grasslands. Campsites here serve as base stations, as trekkers assemble them before starting their early morning expeditions. The adventurers also find colourful wildflowers along the trail, rare butterflies and refreshing waterfalls, including Kadambi and Hanuman Gundi. Wildfire observations can be whisky-coloured sambar deer grazing or wild boar snorting in the bushes. Campers come back after the trek with the Malnad meals prepared on firewood and relaxing herbal teas.
Location: Kudremukh National Park, Chikkamagaluru district
Major Attractions: Kudremukh Peak Trek, Shola Forests, Kadambi and Hanuman Gundi Waterfalls, Wildflower Trails, Sambar Deer Sightings, Traditional Malnad Meals
Camping in Karnataka offers unforgettable adventures amid tropical forests, waterfalls, and starry skies. Each campsite boasts unique culture and natural beauty—from Coorg’s misty coffee hills to Chikmagalur’s rugged mountains and Dandeli’s riverfront resorts. Whether seeking comfort or thrill, Karnataka’s campsites promise treasured memories. Begin your journey with TripXL and experience the perfect blend of nature, comfort, and endless excitement in this outdoor paradise.
Cover Photo: Xue Guangjian / Pexels / Image For Representation Only
