Thuringia Remains Germany's Most Affordable Camping Destination for 2026 Season

Thuringia has emerged as Germany's most affordable federal state for camping, with an average high-season price of 34 euros per night for a family with one child — roughly half what campers pay at popular destinations in southern Europe. The ADAC reports that high-season camping in Croatia and Italy averages over 60 euros per night, and in some cases exceeds 70 euros. Despite a seven-percent price increase compared to the previous year, Thuringia retains its position at the bottom of the German price table. The Easter weekend launched the 2026 season on a high note, with bright sunshine and fully booked campsites across the Free State. According to the Thuringian Ministry of Economic Affairs, the region counts nearly 100 campsites, supplemented by motorhome parking areas and smaller overnight options. The range of terrain on offer — reservoirs, national park forest, and historic cities — means the region draws water sports enthusiasts, hikers, and culture tourists alike.

Popular reservoir site already fully booked for May holidays The Stausee Hohenfelden campsite, reportedly Thuringia's largest, has already filled its slots for the long weekends around May 1st, Ascension Day, and Pentecost. Jana Müller, the reception manager at the site, confirmed the bookings but noted that gaps for last-minute stays during regular holiday periods can usually still be found. At 48.50 euros per night for two adults and one child with a motorhome, Hohenfelden sits at the upper end of the Thuringian price spectrum. By contrast, the Campingplatz am Tor zum Hainich still has availability for all weekends, though its staff expect crowds around Pentecost and Ascension Day. „I have never sent anyone away” — campsite employee via N-tv The employee added that a full site is expected around the major long weekends. The contrast between the two sites illustrates how booking pressure varies sharply depending on location and reputation within the state.

Campingplatz Tor zum Hainich: 33, Camping Georgenthal: 33, Camping Saalburg Kloster: 34, Camping Paulfeld: 34.50, Stausee Hohenfelden: 48.50

Weather and sanitation facilities drive last-minute cancellations Campsite operators in Thuringia report that short-trip bookings are highly sensitive to weather forecasts, with guests frequently cancelling when storms are predicted. Jana Müller described the dynamic directly: if a storm is forecast, many people cancel, but if the forecast is good, demand surges sharply. „We could have 100 more spaces then” — Jana Müller via DIE WELT Sanitary facilities rank as the second major factor influencing guest decisions, according to staff at the Campingplatz am Tor zum Hainich. „If that is tidy, then many people stay” — campsite employee via DIE WELT The Ministry of Economic Affairs data shows that guests in Thuringia stay an average of 2.7 nights, slightly shorter than the pre-pandemic figure. The short average stay reinforces the pattern of Thuringia functioning primarily as a destination for weekend and long-weekend trips rather than extended holidays.

Post-pandemic camping boom pushed overnight stays past 830,000 Thuringia has recorded a sustained rise in camping overnight stays since the end of the pandemic restrictions. Around 700,000 overnight stays were counted in 2019, a figure that climbed to approximately 830,000 last year, with 2024 registering slightly more still. The Hainich National Park area, the Bleiloch Dam reservoirs, and the Thuringian Forest remain the principal draws for nature-oriented visitors. The ADAC's annual analysis covered only 15 of the approximately 100 Thuringian sites, meaning the 34-euro average figure is based on a partial sample. The organisation advises campers to book early for peak periods and, where possible, to travel outside official holiday windows, when prices can fall considerably. Some Thuringian campsites do not apply seasonal pricing at all, offering a flat rate year-round — a further advantage for flexible travellers seeking to avoid peak-period surcharges.

34 (euros) — average high-season nightly rate in Thuringia for a family

Camping in Germany has undergone a significant shift in perception since the early 2020s, moving from a budget-only option to a mainstream holiday choice following pandemic-era travel restrictions that pushed domestic tourism sharply upward. Thuringia, one of Germany's smaller federal states by both population and area, has historically been less prominent as a tourist destination than Bavaria or the Rhine Valley. The Hainich National Park, founded on December 31, 1997, is the only national park in Thuringia and one of the anchors of the region's nature tourism offer. The ADAC, Europe's largest automobile club, publishes annual campsite price comparisons that serve as a benchmark for the German camping market.