7 Of The Best Camping Sites in Lonavala for A Weekend Adventure

Cover Photo by Ankita Gkd

Lonavala is a quaint hill station and a popular tourist destination in Maharashtra. If you want to enjoy the lake as well as its tranquillity and the beautiful nature, while you escape from the chaos of Mumbai city, then Lonavala is a great option for you. It is a great destination for a weekend trip that offers several alluring places to visit for a relaxing vacation. You will find age-old forts with vantage points offering panoramic views, forested lands and golden sunsets. Trekking and hiking is also a great option for tourists visiting Lonavala. Camping in Lonavala is also a top activity. The hills, lakesides and riversides around this hill station make camping a memorable experience. There are several campsites in and around Lonavala that promise a serene and fun-filled experience for you to spend time with your friends and family.

Although there are many places to visit in Lonavala, a large flock of travellers visit here with the desire of camping around bonfires and spending their night gazing at the stars. Camping spots in Lonavala are surrounded by lush greenery, gigantic hills, magnificent waterfalls, and pristine lakes. Camping near Lonavala at one of these spots is sure to rejuvenate your soul. Let the cold breeze of the evenings tingle you to the core and make you fall in love with the wilderness. Gather some woods, start a bonfire, crack open some snacks and get to know your loved ones better. There is nothing better than a fun-filled night camping with your friends, playing games or listening to music and having good food.

Best Camping Sites in Lonavala

There are a lot of picture-perfect spots for camping near Lonavala where you can set up camp with your friends or dear ones. Visit any of these camping sites that we recommend for an absolutely amazing tent stay in Lonavala, closer to nature with a peaceful environment that acts as a great stress buster.

Camping at Pawna Lake

Pawna lake is one of the most famous camping places in Lonavala. It is a serene place and a delight for those seeking to spend some time in the lap of nature. You will realise the tranquillity of this place while absorbing its silence, and the fresh air.

Visitors can trek to the nearby hills and camp beside the lake while enjoying good food and music. A safe spot with security, tents as well as some freshly prepared local food can be easily availed from the locals. Pawna lake is located within driving distance of 58 km from Pune and 21 km from Lonavala.

Camping at Lohagad Fort

The Lohagad Fort is a popular tourist attraction that has preserved its charm and prominence over the years. Trekking is a fairly common activity here. A barbecue dinner with a campfire session here is a great way to celebrate the ending of the trek. It comes with comfortable and hygienic accommodation as well as delicious meals, which you won’t be able to keep away from for long after a long and tiring trek.

Camping at Rajmachi Fort

Rajmachi is a fort located near Lonavala which offers an amazing view of the Sahyadri mountains as well as the backwaters of the Shirota dam. It is a relatively less explored spot in Lonavala but offers a great way to connect with nature. The site is located at a distance of 16 km trekking distance from Lonavala and is one of the camping places in Lonavala which is visible from the Mumbai-Pune Expressway.

An exciting experience awaits you when you take a trek from Jambulpada to the Rajmachi village, which comes to life at night with numerous fireflies, making it one of the more unique spots for camping in Lonavala.

Camping at Khandala

Khandala is again a very popular tourist attraction and Lonavala camping site, where loads of people visit every weekend. It is known for its picturesque views and beautiful surroundings and makes for a great spot to relax in the lap of nature. You can camp in Tiger Valley, also known as Canyon Valley, both of which provide a great place to de-stress yourself and camp here for a day or so. It offers a panoramic view of the hills, a rocky trek path and some lovely food.

Camping near Shirota Lake

Shirota Lake is that vacation spot that every nature lover loves to explore again and again. It stands out for its alluring beauty and scenic camping site. Shirota Lake offers forest camping in Lonavala with a huge forest cover, wonderful flora and fauna and a secluded spot to camp. The place welcomes anyone and everyone looking for a total change from their daily life routines. The campsite is located at a distance of 18 km from Lonavala and is at an elevation from the nearby Shirota Lake.

Camping at Korigad

Korigad is a beautiful fort located on top of a hill near Aamby valley. This fort is at the centre of green thickets of forests and chirping birds, which makes way to a safe but exciting forest trek. This is an easy 6 km trek, with stone-cut steps leading up for the most part. Korigad presents itself as one of the most nature-friendly and adventurous forest camping destinations in Lonavala. It is situated about 20 km away from Lonavala.

Camping by Pavana River

Pavana River makes for a great holiday spot with nearby attractions such as Lohagad Fort, Tikona Fort, Tung Fort and Visapur Fort. You can swim in the river here or enjoy a karaoke session with your friends, alongside a warm bonfire on a cold winter night. A simple walk by the river will also make your evening rejuvenated. Spend the night in a tent stay here in Lonavala and grill your own dinner. This charming campsite near Lonavala is located just 15 km from Lonavala.

Best Time to Visit Lonavala

The best time to visit Lonavala is from October to May when the temperature ranges between 12 to 29 degrees Celsius. In the summer months, Lonavala displays a moderate climate during the day while the nights are pleasantly cool. The monsoon season between June and September is not an ideal time to visit Lonavala as it experiences heavy rainfall during this time. Winters in Lonavala are pleasant with not so low temperatures throughout the day. If sunbathing is your thing while comfortably relaxing your day at this hill station, then you can visit here in the winter season. Winters are also famous for camping in Lonavala for couples.

If you are looking for a getaway from the hustle and bustle of city life and do not want to waste even a single minute of your vacation, then we’d suggest that you plan a camping trip in Lonavala during October to May. You will experience a wonderful phenomenon while being so close to nature and away from all your worries.

Tips for Camping in Lonavala

Although Lonavala is a famous tourist destination and offers several adventure activities and adventure tour packages, a visit here is not complete without camping at least one night in the woods.

Prepare a Checklist: An outdoor camping trip is very different from other adventure activities you might have previously done. And if you are a first-time camper, it is advisable to prepare a checklist of all the important things you need to take with you such as the right clothes, medicines, food articles etc.

Right Camping Equipment: For a fun-filled trip, do not forget to carry necessary camping equipment with you, such as a backpack, hiking/trekking shoes, camping knife, compass, etc.

Plan to reach before dusk: It is always advisable to reach your campsite before it gets dark so that you can familiarise yourself with the surroundings, nearby trees, water bodies, etc.

At the campsite: Keep your campsite clean and avoid creating a nuisance. Do ensure that you are not littering on the campsite or anywhere else in the region and are leaving the natural environment the way you found it.

Pack a first-aid kit: Always keep a pack of medicines and first-aid equipment handy. Out in the natural environment, you never know when you might need a band-aid or an antiseptic cream.

Clothes: Since you will be spending a majority of your time outdoors while camping, make sure to carry clothes that are light, comfortable and which can protect you from bugs and mosquitoes. Also, keep caps and umbrellas in case of sudden rains.

Check out a range of Lonavala sightseeing packages that Veena World offers and experience the beauty of this quiet little hill station.