Our top 5 campsites in the Netherlands (and why we keep going back)

Our Favourite Family Campsites in the Netherlands

Camping Gems We Return To Again and Again

We’ve pitched our tent (and our awning, and our questionable collection of camping chairs) at a lot of campsites across the Netherlands. Some are forgettable. Some we’ve left vowing never to return. And then there’s this list: the five we keep coming back to, the ones that have earned a permanent spot in our family rotation.

What do they have in common? They’re not your standard “grass field, toilet block, done” campsites. Each one mixes nature with creativity in a way that makes Louie and Leo light up the second we arrive, and gives us (the grown-ups) somewhere to actually relax too. Here’s our top 5, in no particular order.

1. Netl Camping Kallumaan, Flevoland

Camping Kallumaan is big. We’re talking 90 football fields of dune landscape, art installations, and the largest bamboo forest in the Benelux. Yes, you read that right, a bamboo forest in the Netherlands.

Last summer we spent three weeks here in my parents-in-law’s vouwwagen (a folding tent trailer), and it might be one of our favourite stretches of road life so far. Louie made a whole crew of friends within days. Between them they paddleboarded, hunted for four-leaf clovers, fished, and spent more hours than I can count on the mud slide (yes, bring spare clothes, you’ll need them). Leo was barely one at the time, and even he was completely content just taking it all in.

The vibe at Netl is chilled and colourful, with sculptures tucked away around every corner of the park, so you’re constantly stumbling on something new. We loved the markets too, full of local sellers and artists with handmade goods you won’t find anywhere else. And at night, the whole place lights up. It genuinely transforms into a haven for kids, with that magic, anything-could-happen feeling that only seems to exist on summer camping holidays.

It doesn’t feel like a typical campsite, more like a nature park you happen to be sleeping in.

Good to know: no pets allowed on the park, so if you’re travelling with a furry family member, this one’s out.

2. De Lievelinge, Betuwe

If Netl is wild nature, De Lievelinge is wild creativity. This is a self-described “creative stronghold” set in the Betuwe, right where the river Linge winds through the landscape, with a swimming lake at its heart.

I spent my 39th birthday here, staying in Mamaloe, an authentic pipowagen with its own little Poe tent (basically a travel-sized yurt) right on the waterfront. It was 35 degrees that weekend, and it was fantastic. We were in and out of the lake constantly, which felt like the only sane way to handle that kind of heat. The local market that pops up on Sundays was a real highlight too, full of handmade goods and local produce, perfect for a slow morning browse. The boys had so much space to run around and just be kids, finding friends and disappearing for hours.

There’s a Kidslab program packed with art, culture, and nature-based activities, a vintage swing carousel (the boys were obsessed), campfire sessions, and a lineup of artists and performers throughout the season. It’s the kind of place where you stumble across a silent disco or a small concert in a Spiegeltent (a vintage mirror tent) without even trying.

One heads up for fellow parents: this can turn into a proper party camping on the right weekend, with concerts, festivals, and that silent disco scene running well into the night. If you’re after a quiet, early-to-bed kind of campsite, this isn’t it.

Good to know: this is one of the few campsites in the country where you’re still allowed to light a fire at your own pitch. Huge win for evenings with the boys.

3. BuitenLand, Drenthe

Camping BuitenLand sits in a gorgeous patch of Drenthe, and it nails that balance between “switch off completely” and “actually do stuff.” There’s a sauna at the edge of the forest (you stoke it yourself, which the kids think is the best part), a swim lake, a swimming pool, and a skate ramp.

We’ve stayed here a few times now, including once when Leo was just three weeks old. If you’re wondering whether camping with a newborn is madness, it’s not, not at a place like this anyway. Our go-to is the luxury bell tent with its own private toilet and a proper made-up bed. It’s glamping done right: a boxspring bed, comfy armchairs, a kettle, a wood stove for chilly nights, and a hammock and outdoor fire stove right outside the tent. After a day of running around, climbing back into an actual bed (rather than wrestling with an air mattress) is a small luxury that goes a long way, newborn or not.

What really sets BuitenLand apart is the creative streak running through everything: every cabin on site is different, built and decorated by hand, and there’s a rotating program with live music, campfire evenings, theatre, workshops, and even an ice bath if you’re feeling brave. We’ve spent more than one evening just sitting back and enjoying the bands playing on site, which always adds that extra bit of magic to the trip.

Good to know: it’s also popular with digital nomads, with a dedicated workspace called the High Rise. Handy if Marty needs to sneak in a few hours of work between campfire sessions. We share more about working remotely as a family in our remote work guide.

4. Smûk, Friesland

Smûk is the smallest and quietest on this list, and that’s exactly its charm. It’s an old farmhouse property tucked into the meadows of Friesland, right on Friesland’s largest lake.

We stayed here in my parents-in-law’s tent trailer, and the weather was pretty rough the whole time, but it barely mattered. The wood-fired hot tub overlooking the meadows was an absolute highlight, there’s something about sinking into hot water while it’s grey and drizzly outside that just hits differently. One evening they hosted an Italian-style dinner with one long table, and the whole campsite was invited. It felt so warm and community-focused, the kind of thing that makes a place feel like more than just somewhere to sleep. Leo was in heaven with all the farm animals, and Louie spent hours paddleboarding on the canal.

There’s something genuinely lovely about the slower pace here. The kids can collect fresh eggs in the morning, there’s a hot tub you stoke yourself, and an honesty-system farm shop stocked with local meat, cheese, and beer. We’ve spent evenings just sitting by the water watching boats go by, with absolutely nothing on the agenda.

Good to know: it’s tiny compared to the others on this list, so don’t expect a packed activity schedule. This one’s for when you want to do less, not more.

5. Buitengoed de Boomgaard, Utrecht

Buitengoed de Boomgaard is hidden behind a wall of tall pines just outside Utrecht, close enough to the city that you can cycle in within 20 minutes, but far enough that it feels like a proper escape.

This one was close to home for us when we lived in Utrecht, which made it perfect for those weekends when we just needed to get away without going far. Our pitch felt huge, and the facilities were modern and spotless, with a private bathroom that made the whole stay feel a bit more comfortable than your average campsite. The outdoor play area is genuinely great too, the boys were straight into it the moment we arrived. A solid, easy getaway when you want all the good bits of camping without venturing too far from home.

The pitches here are generous (100-200m²), and the natural play area is one of the best we’ve come across: a swimming pond, a mud zone, and a little pull-ferry the kids can operate themselves to get to a small island. There’s also a great on-site restaurant if you fancy a night off cooking.

Good to know: it runs a Buitengeluk family festival during the season, worth timing your visit around if festivals are your thing. If you’re near Utrecht on a rainy day, our favourite Dutch museums make a good backup plan.

See You at the Campsite

So there you have it, our five go-to campsites for when we’re craving nature, creativity, and a place where the kids can properly run wild.

Looking back on all these trips, there’s a common thread running through them. Louie making friends within hours. Leo happily wandering around farm animals. Both boys disappearing into their own little adventures, whether that’s paddleboarding, hunting for four-leaf clovers, racing around on go-karts, or coming home covered in mud and grinning from ear to ear.

Meanwhile, we’re usually nearby with a coffee in hand (or something a little stronger, depending on the time of day), enjoying a rare chance to slow down.

That’s what we love most about camping. Without screens and without a packed schedule, kids simply figure it out. They create their own fun, make friends with complete strangers, take small risks, and spend entire days outdoors without needing to be entertained. They gain confidence, independence, and a deeper connection with nature without it ever feeling like a lesson. That’s worldschooling at its simplest.

And for us as parents, watching all of that unfold while surrounded by beautiful places, good food, and a relaxed community atmosphere is exactly why we keep loading up the car and heading out on another camping adventure.

Planning a trip? Our month-by-month guide to family travel helps with timing, and Family Living Across Europe has more ideas beyond the Netherlands.

Have you stayed at any of these campsites? Or do you have a Dutch camping gem we should add to our list? We’d love to hear your recommendations.