Camping for New Year's Eve in a Campervan

What makes New Year's camping so special – and what are the best campgrounds open during this time? Camping for New Year's Eve in a Campervan adds a unique sense of freedom and celebration to the experience.

Want to celebrate New Year's uniquely? What about a camping trip? Camping in the new year is a great way to enjoy New Year's Eve while enjoying nature and peace. This article will tell you everything you need to know about camping for New Year's Eve, from the best campgrounds to helpful tips.

New Year's Eve: peace and fireworks at the campsite

Camping is popular with outdoor enthusiasts and families who wish to get away from the bustle and noise of the city. They can also enjoy a peaceful time in the forest, near a lake or some other picturesque place. Some campsites will also host their own New Year’s Eve celebrations or invite you along to other public events.

A motorhome trip on New Year's Day is a memorable experience for anyone, whether you are a seasoned camper or new to the sport.

Rent a campervan on New Year's Eve in 2023

Many camping enthusiasts are happy to spend New Year's Eve on a campground, as many hotels and holiday apartments, particularly in popular tourist areas, are already booked. Here's why you should: rent your campervan to enjoy a memorable New Year's Eve. There are also cheaper deals outside of the high season. Take a look at the offers.

We've listed some of our favourite destinations to start the New Year in style.

Are the campgrounds open for New Year's Eve in 2023?

This depends on the operator. Many campsites are closed in the winter months. Some campsites will not only be open, but they'll also host special New Year's Eve events. Sylt even hosts a huge New Year's party. More on that later.

Opening dates and event plans are set by each site, so a quick call or email before you commit saves a wasted drive. If you are weighing up several options, our guide to choosing a winter campsite covers what to check.

Find the best winter campsite

Winter camping is a great way to enjoy the beauty of starry skies, snowy landscapes and cozy campfires. The best winter campsites are near mountains, forests or frozen lakes. They combine comfort with access to cold-weather activities such as skiing, snowshoeing, or just relaxing in a warm tent.

Camping in Bavaria for New Year's Day

Start in the south. The Kur Gutshof-Camping Arterhof is a popular winter camping destination in a motorhome or caravan. The site is situated near the Bavarian Forest, and it offers a beautiful pitch as well as a fantastic programme. Enjoy a tasty meal at the restaurant on site, or relax in the spa. By the way, your dog can join you.

Alpsee Camp offers a luxurious winter camping experience. You can enjoy a variety of winter sports, including skiing, cross-country skiing and tobogganing, in this region. There is also a sauna where you can relax after completing arduous activities. The lake next door is probably too cold for many people, but the view from the top of the hill is worth it. The pitches are great because of the stunning view of the mountains.

Spend New Year's Eve with your family without fireworks

The Sudsee-Camp campground is a family-friendly campsite in Lower Saxony that offers comfort and service to make your holiday a memorable one. Choose from a range of pitches, Swedish wooden holiday houses, or hire caravans.

You can choose between a large New Year's Eve buffet party at Pier One Wietzendorf or a delicious New Year’s Eve dinner at Insel Wietzendorf. Children can enjoy a variety of activities between holidays, including a fantastic indoor playground, swimming pool and entertainment. A ban on fireworks is in place for a family-friendly and dog-friendly campground at the beginning of the year.

A no-fireworks site is worth seeking out if you have young children or a nervous dog, since bangs carry a long way on a quiet campground at night.

Camping for New Year's Eve: where to celebrate the new year

Do you want to party and not relax? On Sylt, you can enjoy beautiful fireworks and a party at Hornum Harbour. Not only is a "Drewoldke" campsite located directly on the Baltic Sea. You can choose from a wide range of pitches that offer a sea view all year long. If this doesn't sound cozy...

You might want to consider the Netherlands if you are looking for a place to spend New Year's outside of Germany. You can find a lot of useful tips in our article about camping by the sea.

Celebrate New Year's in the city

There are many options to camp on New Year's Day. Many campsites around major cities invite you to celebrate New Year's Eve. You can experience the New Year's atmosphere in any of the major cities, whether it is a New Year's Eve party in Cologne or fireworks in Munich, and then return to the campervan at night. You can pick from a wide range of destinations to spend your New Year's Holiday.

The appeal is simple: you get the crowds and the countdown without paying city hotel prices, and a warm bed is waiting at the end of the night.

Camping in the Harz Mountains for New Year's Eve

Campsite Braunlage is a highly rated campsite located in the Harz Mountains. This campsite is situated in the forest right next to the National Park and only one kilometre away from Braunlage.

The Harz Mountains, located at the intersection between Lower Saxony and Saxony-Anhalt, as well as Thuringia, are the highest in northern Germany. They make a great choice for a camping holiday during winter. You can choose from cross-country skiing or hiking, to skiing.

If you fancy trying the snow on foot, our beginner's guide to snowshoeing explains the basics.

What to think about when you spend the new year in a van

You can probably guess that we are talking about winter. You should check that your motorhome has a parking heater. In my view, a reliable heater matters more than any other single piece of kit on this trip. We also recommend you bring warm blankets with you or, if you are travelling with us, simply add them to your booking. Do we even need to mention weatherproof boots or shoes and warm clothing? You can pack skis, snowboards and other winter gear if you like.

It can be magical to spend New Year's in a van, but you need to plan carefully for comfort and safety. Here are a few important things to consider:

1. Location

• Select a Safe Spot: Search for designated camping areas or parking lots that permit overnight stays. Choose scenic locations for a festive feel.
• Accessibility: Ensure that the location can be reached in winter, as certain roads may close due to snow.

2. Weather Preparedness

• Insulation: Ensure that your van is properly insulated to retain heat. Cover windows with thermal curtains or insulating materials. Our tips on insulating a tent for winter camping apply to vans in many of the same ways.
• Heating options: Use a reliable source of heat, such as a propane heater or an electric heater. Make sure to ventilate properly to prevent carbon monoxide accumulation.

Carbon monoxide has no smell and no colour, so a working detector and a slightly open vent or window are the sensible minimum with any fuel-burning heater. Our guide on how to keep warm while winter camping has more on staying comfortable overnight.

3. Clothing

• Layer your clothing: Include thermal base layers and insulated jackets. Also, include hats, gloves and warm footwear.
• Sleeping Gear Use a sleeping bag that is rated for cold temperatures, and add extra blankets to keep warm.

4. Food and Drinks

• Warm Meals Plan easy-to-cook, hearty meals that you can prepare in your van. Think about soups, stews and warm drinks.
• Celebrate by bringing festive drinks. Consider hot cocoa, coffee, or bubbly to toast at midnight.

Safety, connectivity and celebrating together

5. Entertainment and Activities

• Plan Indoor Fun: Bring books, games or movies to entertain. Create a relaxing area for your van.
• Outdoor Activity: Enjoy the outdoors by going on a winter hike, building a campfire, or snowshoeing.

6. Safety Precautions

• Road Conditions: Check the weather conditions and road conditions before travelling. Snow chains are a must for tires. Also, make sure your vehicle is ready for winter.
• Emergency Supply: In case of an emergency, carry a first-aid kit, food, water, blankets and a flashlight.

Official forecast services, such as the National Weather Service in the United States, show how quickly winter conditions can change. For more general advice, see our camping safety tips.

7. Connectivity & Technology

• Stay Charged: Make sure you always have portable chargers with you, especially if your goal is to capture memories or communicate with others.
• Wi Fi Options: Check your connectivity options before you stream events or keep in touch with family and friends.

8. Respect for the Environment

• Leave no Trace: Use eco-friendly methods, properly dispose of waste, and respect wildlife. The seven principles at Leave No Trace are a good checklist.
• Noise Levels: Please keep noise levels to a minimum to respect your fellow campers as well as the environment.

9. Reflect on and Celebrate

• Reflection: Take the time to reflect and set goals for the coming year. Consider journaling or meditation to mark the transition.
• Celebrate together. If you are with family or friends, plan a little celebration. You can have food and drinks. Maybe even count down the minutes to midnight.

What to remember when camping for New Year's Eve

You're not too far away. Book as soon as you can. First, campsites have already been fully booked. It's also a good idea to ask if there are any plans for a party, fireworks or music on the campsite. Plans for New Year's Day vary widely depending on where you are camping.

You can ensure that you don't have to travel too far from the toilets by planning your trip. You will appreciate it if your motorhome is close to the bathroom or sauna.

You may be beginning to see why New Year's Eve is such a popular time for camping. Many campsites are going to be quiet. It's worth a shot. If you plan to stay beyond the holiday, our notes on setting up a winter campsite will help you settle in.