Camping Altmühlsee – camping right by the lake promises relaxation and fun at the same time.
In addition to numerous swimming opportunities and picturesque nature, the Altmühlsee also offers exciting activities, exciting water sports and activities for the whole family – including children and dogs.
With a roof tent, you can settle down on one of the natural campsites in the Altmühltal and make the most of your time together.
Find out all the recommended tips and nature highlights for your vacation here.
Would you like to get started right away?
Then take a look here in the store for a suitable roof tent.
Camping Ratgeber:
Altmühlsee in Bavaria: vacation tips for the whole family
For a summer vacation by the water, you don’t always have to go to the Baltic Sea or the North Sea.
The Altmühlsee in Bavaria is also a popular destination for many tourists.
Beautiful landscapes, crystal-clear water and exciting activities await you here.
The many natural beach sections definitely invite you to spend a relaxing day by the water.
Relaxing in the sun with a good book in your hand, canoeing on the lake, extensive hikes all around or collecting fossils in the nature park.
There is definitely the right activity for everyone here.
In the evening at the campsite, you can sit down together in the awning and round off the day in comfort.
A camping vacation at the Altmühlsee is definitely recommended and promises fun, games and relaxation for the whole family! Here’s a short bucket list for your vacation in advance:
- Sunbathing and relaxing on the beach
- Action-packed water sports on the lake
- Hiking or walking along idyllic nature
- Cycling on the circular route
- Boat trip with stop at the bird island
- Day trip to Lake Brombach
- Collecting fossils with children in the nature park
Where exactly is the Altmühlsee located?
Here is some interesting information before we come to our top tips for your vacation:
Map: Directions and location in Bavaria
The Altmühlsee is located around 44 kilometers southwest of Nuremberg in Bavaria’s Middle Franconia and is part of the Franconian Lake District.
The popular vacation region can be easily reached by car.
Impressions of the Altmühlsee & Gunzenhausen
Take a look at the following video to get a first impression of Lake Altmühlsee and the Gunzenhausen region: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=v1TqdTJlbhs Now let’s get straight to our absolute highlights and vacation tips on Lake Altmühlsee:
Tips for excursion destinations on Lake Altmühlsee: highlights & activities
Lake Altmühlsee offers you numerous scenic highlights.
You can not only swim in the lake itself, but also explore and experience the surrounding area.
Numerous hiking trails are ideal for long walks.
Cycling on a natural cycle path around the lake is also a popular activity for visitors.
You can also take a boat trip across the lake or try out one of the water sports on offer. Kayaking to Vogelinsel, stand-up paddling close to the shore or fishing early in the morning?
There’s something for everyone here.
Canoeing on the lake – take advantage of the good weather and enjoy the wonderful panoramic view over the entire region! 
You should not miss out on the following activities:
- Boat trip to the bird island
- Water sports on the lake (canoeing, kayaking, stand-up paddling)
- Fishing from the shore
- Cycle tour around the lake
- Hikes on routes close to nature
- Visit to the Altmühltal Nature Park
- Day trip to Lake Brombach
My absolute recommendations again in detail:
Boat trip to Bird Island: nature reserve, birds & landscapes
Vogelinsel is a 200-hectare nature reserve located in the middle of the Altmühlsee.
The island takes up almost half of the entire lake and is characterized by reed zones, wet meadows and shallow water areas.
It is a paradise for around 300 species of birds that can be discovered here.
Guided tours are also available in the summer months, where you can also learn a lot of exciting information about the various birds.
You can also take a walk on your own along the circular path to the observation tower and not only observe the birds, but also explore various plants, insects and natural highlights in more detail.
Ideally, take a boat trip to the island and experience a great day full of fascinating explorations.
The highlights of Bird Island:
- Nature reserve covering over 200 hectares
- Idyllic natural highlights
- Paradise for around 300 bird species
- Circular route to the observation tower
- Different plants and insects
Here is a first impression:
Take a day trip to the Großer Brombachsee
The picturesque Brombachsee is just a few minutes away by car.
If you are on vacation in the Altmühltal, you should definitely not miss out on a day trip to Lake Brombachsee.
It boasts crystal-clear water over an area of 9 km², picturesque landscapes and exciting leisure activities all around.
You are offered an all-round package of amazing nature, scenic highlights, sporting leisure activities, relaxation on the beach and, above all, family- and dog-friendly attractions, so that everyone gets their money’s worth here.
An eventful day out with the whole family is highly recommended!
Read more about the highlights and exciting activities on a vacation at Lake Brombach here:
What awaits you at Brombachsee:
- Large and small Brombachsee with crystal-clear water
- 9 km² area
- Numerous bays for swimming and relaxing
- Picturesque and idyllic landscapes
- Sporting leisure activities
- Activities on and around the lake
- Family-friendly attractions
How to get to Lake Brombach: you’ll be there in just 20 minutes! A vacation at the Altmühlsee is particularly suitable for families with children:
Activities for families with children
The region around Lake Altmühlsee is an ideal destination for families with children due to its picturesque landscapes alone.
Not only can they swim and play in the water here, but they can also discover and experience a lot on child-friendly hiking routes, go cycling or let off steam on the lovingly designed adventure playgrounds.
My top tips for things to do with children:
Collecting fossils in the Altmühltal Nature Park
The Altmühltal Nature Park offers an astonishing variety of plants and animals.
You can take a relaxed stroll here, discover the scenic highlights and enjoy the day with your loved ones.
A very special highlight for children here is collecting fossils.
There are several collection points and quarries where you have the opportunity to knock exciting fossils out of the rocks.
All utensils, such as hammers and chisels, are available on request directly on site.
Ancient insects, sea snails, fish and even pterosaurs can be discovered here.
You can even take the fossils you find home with you at the end of the day.
What an unforgettable experience for your vacation!
The highlights of the nature park:
- Fossils can be beaten out of earthenware
- Ancient insects, sea snails, fish and pterosaurs
- Fossils found may be taken home with you
- An absolute highlight, especially for children
- Scenic highlights and amazing biodiversity
- Idyllic paths for a walk
Watch the following video for first impressions of this unforgettable adventure: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VQcn_4Y1D7w
Adventure playgrounds: Fun for the little ones & relaxation for parents
On a vacation at Lake Altmühlsee, you will come across huge adventure playgrounds time and again.
These are equipped with slides, seesaws and much more, so that children can spend a few hours here and play together with other children.
When the weather is good, a day at the playground is just the thing for your children.
While they let off steam, parents can sit back and relax with a coffee, watch the little ones play or read an exciting book.
3 recommended playgrounds for children:
- Knight’s playground Wolframs-Eschenbach
- Merkendorf adventure playground
- The “JOLA” play oasis
Here is a direct route if you want to try out all three playgrounds: To make the most of your time at the Altmühlsee, you should definitely go camping!
Camping vacation right by the lake: nature and freedom
On a camping vacation at Lake Altmühlsee, you are completely flexible when it comes to your itinerary and daily planning.
You can enjoy the closeness to nature and the feeling of complete freedom well into the evening hours and completely switch off from the stresses of everyday life.
A roof tent serves as your own small mobile home and can ideally be mounted on any car – from Audi to VW.
On the road, the tent is barely noticeable on the roof of your car, but once unfolded it offers you an amazingly large and above all comfortable area for sleeping and other uses.
Read more about the different models, prices, roof load and other advantages here: Roof tent for the car. The advantages of camping with a roof tent:
- You are more flexible than in a hotel or vacation apartment
- Roof tent is always ready on your own car
- Can be mounted on any trolley
- Hardly noticeable during the journey
- Offers a large and comfortable living area when unfolded
- Can be set up in just a few minutes
- Various models in different sizes
- Cost-effective vacation option
- A closeness to nature and freedom into the evening hours
Are you a camping beginner? Read all about the basics of packing lists, routes, costs, tips etc. here: Camping beginners.
Accommodation: Campsite recommendations + prices
As wild camping is generally prohibited in Germany, you should look for one or more campsites for your overnight stay.
However, these are all very close to nature and in quiet locations, which is why wild camping is not necessary.
You can enjoy privacy with your loved ones in idyllic natural surroundings, but are still centrally located enough to be able to start planning your day in the morning without a long journey.
I have summarized some recommended campsites here:
Herzog campsite
4.4 stars / 1,036 Google reviews
- Address: Seestraße 12, 91710 Gunzenhausen
- Phone: 09831 9033
Prices (per day):
- Adults: 6,50,- Euro
- Children (3-14 years): 4,50,- Euro
- Tent with car: 8,50,- Euro
Take a look at a photo of the Herzog campsite here and get your own first impressions for your vacation: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Mm5CZytqETI
Camping site “Zum Fischer-Michl
4.4 stars / 475 Google reviews
- Address: Wald-Seezentrum 4, 91710 Gunzenhausen
- Opening hours: 8:00 to 18:00
- Phone: 09831 2784
Hotel & Camping Reich am Schnackensee
4.5 stars / 75 Google reviews
- Address: Schnackenmühle 2, 91710 Gunzenhausen
- Phone: 09831 5169985
Evaluation: Experience – What is important?
When choosing a campsite, you should definitely pay attention to a few important criteria in order to enjoy your time here as much as possible.
For example, a central location with enough privacy and a certain level of cleanliness of the site and sanitary facilities are important exclusion criteria that you should consider when making your choice so that you still feel comfortable and at home during your vacation.
I have listed a few factors for you here that you should keep in mind when looking for the right pitch:
- Rest
- Catering
- Friendliness
- Price-performance ratio
- General cleanliness
- Sanitary facilities
- Sanitary cleanliness
- Condition of the rental accommodation / plots
- Infrastructure
- Leisure time
- Location
Activities: canoeing, fishing and boat trips
On a camping vacation, you are always surrounded by nature and usually have direct access to popular leisure activities and attractions.
The region around the Altmühlsee is very natural and offers you a number of sights in the immediate vicinity.
At the same time, you can also expect fun and games as well as exciting activities for the whole family.
Here I have picked out some interesting activities that await you on a camping vacation at Lake Altmühlsee and provide adventure, fun and excitement:
- Swimming in crystal-clear water
- Sunbathe and relax on the beach
- Boat trip on the lake
- Fishing
- Canoeing / Kayaking
- Windsurfing
- Cycling on idyllic routes
- Walking or hiking
- Eating out in a nice restaurant
- Sightseeing
- Going to the playground with children
- Excursion to Lake Brombach
Enjoy your time on the natural beach directly on the Altmühlsee! 
What time of year is best for a vacation at Lake Altmühlsee?
Weather: Temperatures & Trend
A vacation at Lake Altmühlsee is particularly recommended when the temperatures are warm in the summer months.
The region offers a temperate climate and evenly distributed rainfall all year round.
The warmest months are July and August with a highest average temperature of 23 degrees, while average low temperatures of 3 degrees can be expected in January.
- Warmest months: July and August
- Highest average temperature: 23 degrees
- Average lowest temperature: 3 degrees in January
Weather today / in three days
Here you can already find a weather forecast for today and the coming days:
FAQ: Questions about the Altmühlsee
What can you do at the Altmühlsee?
Can you swim in the Altmühlsee?
And how long does it actually take to walk around the Altmühlsee?
Here are some of the questions that often arise in connection with the Altmühlsee.
How long does it take to walk around the Altmühlsee?
There is a circular trail that leads once around the Altmühlsee.
The trail is 14 kilometers long in total and takes around 3.5 hours to walk, depending on your stamina.
What can you do at the Altmühlsee?
Lake Altmühlsee is particularly popular for swimming and relaxing on the beach.
But a boat trip or water sports are also popular.
Apart from that, you can go on a bike tour and explore the area or tackle some of the activities.
Can you swim in the Altmühlsee?
The Altmühlsee offers several bathing opportunities with beach sections and water sports facilities.
In addition to swimming and bathing, you can also go surfing, sailing or canoeing, for example.
In which city is the Altmühlsee located?
The Altmühlsee is located southwest of Nuremberg in the district of Weißenburg-Gunzenhausen in Bavaria’s Middle Franconia and is part of the Franconian lake district.
How many kilometers is the Altmühlsee?
The Altmühlsee is 4 kilometers long.
Reading tips: Camping vacation in Bavaria by the lake
If you haven’t completely decided where to go on your camping vacation, you can find more articles for vacation inspiration here.
Camping in Bavaria
Bavaria – Southern Germany is one of the most popular vacation destinations for German holidaymakers.
Germany’s largest federal state in terms of area is Bavaria.
In addition to beautiful landscapes, fantastic views and the typical Bavarian charm, the state offers many interesting cities, such as Munich and Nuremberg, as well as a large number of lakes, such as the Altmühlsee, Lake Constance and the Hopfensee.
Here you can relax, hike and enjoy nature to the full. Find out more here:
Camping at Hopfensee
Hopfensee – A vacation at Hopfensee promises a real adventure, because on a trip to the beautiful lake you can not only swim, but also go on a hike in the idyllic natural surroundings or discover the wonderful sights in the area.
And there are plenty of them in the immediate vicinity.
You can reach Füssen in 10 minutes by car and Lake Forggensee in 15 minutes.
You can also enjoy unique home cooking from the best fisherman’s hut in Germany, kitesurfing in the wind and picturesque waterfalls.
Read our tips for your first camping trip to Hopfensee here:
Camping on Lake Constance
Lake Constance – The beautiful Lake Constance, which lies between Germany, Austria and Switzerland, is also a super popular travel destination in Bavaria.
From idyllic nature, crystal-clear water and exciting leisure activities, the region around the charming lake offers everything your heart desires.
Here you can find our tips on the most beautiful regions, popular sights and exciting activities:
