Camping on the Rhine: Route from Lake Constance via Rüdesheim, Xanten & NRW – Holiday tips

Camping on the Rhine – Are you still looking for a natural destination for your camping vacation?
Then you have numerous wonderful options right on the Rhine!
This is a 1,320 km long river in Europe, 865 km of which are in Germany.
It flows through fascinating landscapes and charming towns, so there is something to see and discover at every turn.
So it’s not surprising that so many people are drawn to the Rhine for a vacation.
Ideally, you should grab your rooftop tent so that you can discover as many of the picturesque regions as possible, from Lake Constance in southern Germany to Rüdesheim, the border with the Netherlands or the mouth of the North Sea.
Alone or with the whole family – here you can find out everything about popular stops on a road trip, things to do and excursion destinations on the Rhine.

Camping trip along the Rhine: stops & things to do

A camping vacation on the Rhine promises a real adventure.
Not only picturesque landscapes await you in the many different places directly on the water, but also natural highlights worth seeing, such as medieval castles, vineyards and much more.
The Rhine is one of the busiest waterways in the world and is divided into the High Rhine, Upper Rhine, Middle Rhine and Lower Rhine in Germany.
In each section, you can look forward to various different sights and exciting outdoor activities.

The division of the Rhine

That’s why you should ideally plan a vacation with a roof tent or tent trailer, as you can explore several of the beautiful regions and places along the Rhine and always have your sleeping place right on the roof of your car.
Here you can find out everything you need to know about a complete camping trip, for example from Lake Constance to the Dutch border or to the North Sea.
The Rhine in Germany can be divided into the following areas:

  • Hochrhein: From Lake Constance to Basel
  • Upper Rhine: From Basel to Rüdesheim
  • Middle Rhine: From Bingen to Bonn
  • Lower Rhine: From Bonn to the Dutch border

From Lake Constance to the North Sea – The location of the Rhine as a map: Here is some general information about the Rhine before we start with our recommendations and vacation tips!

Situation in Germany and general information

With a total length of 1,320 kilometers, the Rhine is one of the longest rivers in Europe and flows through several countries.
In addition to Germany, these include Switzerland, Liechtenstein, Austria, France and the Netherlands.
The source of the Rhine is in the Swiss Alps, a river in the canton of Graubünden.
Together with a small stream, Lake Toma forms the source of the Vorderrhein.
Together with the Hinterrhein, which has its source near the Rheinwaldhorn, both streams lead to the Alpine Rhine.
The latter then flows into Lake Constance and from there onwards across Europe.
Information about the Rhine:

  • Total length of 1,320 kilometers
  • One of the longest rivers in Europe
  • Flows through Germany, Switzerland, Lichtenstein, Austria, France and the Netherlands

Would you like to find out more?
Then take another look at everything in detail here:

Journey through the Rhine Valley!
First impressions of the surroundings

Would you like to find out exactly what the Rhine is, where it flows and what beautiful things there are to discover around it?
Then take a look at the following video for exciting impressions of the picturesque Rhine: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hdQLqhlS1wE&pp=ygUScmhlaW4gZHJvaG5lIGxhZ2Ug Now let’s move on to our recommended stops along the Rhine, exciting excursion destinations and things to do:

Route, cities and excursion destinations on the Rhine

What can you do on the Rhine?
Lots of things!
Because the river, which is over 1,000 kilometers long, is brimming with scenic highlights.
Whether it’s hiking in the most natural corners of Germany, boat trips on the Middle Rhine or exploring the rocks, mountains and towns around it – there’s definitely no shortage of things to do here.
The Rhine runs from the south of Germany north along Freiburg, Heidelberg and Mainz, via Koblenz, Bonn and finally through Cologne, Düsseldorf and Duisburg.
Ideally, you should decide in advance on a route and specific stops where you would like to spend the night.
You should generally not miss out on the following activities on your trip:

  • Sightseeing in charming towns such as Lörrach, Xanten, Rüdesheim and Braubach
  • Hiking and walking in idyllic nature
  • Cycling directly along the river
  • Boat trip on the Rhine
  • Explore the numerous castles and palaces

There is plenty to see and explore along the Rhine, making a camping vacation here ideal for the whole family! Here are the four areas into which the Rhine can be divided, along with recommended activities and camping stops:

Hochrhein: From Lake Constance to Basel

Hochrhein – The Hochrhein is the area of the Rhine between Lake Constance and Basel.
This section virtually forms the border between Germany and Switzerland.
The best thing to do here is to find a nice campsite for a few days and plan exciting activities in the nearby countryside.
For example, discover the larger cities such as Lörrach, Basel and Zurich and plan an exciting day trip full of sightseeing and strolling through the charming old towns.
Some museums, but also picturesque landscapes, are just waiting to be explored.
This is what awaits you on the High Rhine:

  • Area between Lake Constance and Basel
  • Border between Germany and Switzerland
  • Charming cities such as Lörrach, Basel and Zurich
  • Historical sights, such as museums and castles
  • Quaint old towns for strolling and shopping
  • Scenic highlights for walks
  • Action, adventure and relaxation on Lake Constance

Here on the map – from Lake Constance to Basel: My tip for your vacation on the High Rhine:

Swimming, water sports or cycling on Lake Constance

A recommended stop for camping on the High Rhine: Lake Constance!
How about a bike tour around Lake Constance? Hiking in the mountains?
Enjoying the sun on the beach?
Or action-packed activities in the water, such as windsurfing or sailing?
You can enjoy all of this at the multifaceted Lake Constance and switch off from the stresses of everyday life.
With numerous sights, you are guaranteed a vacation for the whole family.
Relaxing vacations for the grown-ups and fun adventures for the little ones – with a mixture of relaxing nature vacations, cultural city trips and exciting activities, everyone gets their money’s worth in the most beautiful corners of Lake Constance.
Read more here:

You can not only swim at the huge Lake Constance, but also go sailing and explore the idyllic natural surroundings on a hike! White boats sail on the blue waters of the lake and the mountains can be seen in the background.

Upper Rhine: From Basel via the Black Forest to Rüdesheim

Upper Rhine – The section of the Rhine that runs between Basel and Rüdesheim is known as the Upper Rhine.
This region is perfect for enjoying a relaxing vacation full of idyllic nature.
It tends to have warmer temperatures and plenty of sunshine by German standards, which makes your vacation all the more relaxing.
Nature lovers will definitely get their money’s worth here.
Take long walks along the water or hire a bike and cycle a good distance.
Recreation and relaxation are particularly important here!
This is what awaits you on the Upper Rhine:

  • Area between Basel and Rüdesheim
  • Relaxed vacation in idyllic nature
  • Warm temperatures and sunshine
  • Natural routes for walking or cycling
  • Recreation and activities in the Black Forest

Here on the map – from Basel to Rüdesheim: My tip for a stop on the Upper Rhine:

Wellness, hiking & canoeing in the Black Forest

If you want to spend a few days in the Upper Rhine region, the Black Forest is definitely a suitable destination!
Dense forests, picturesque landscapes and historic architecture await you.
A vacation here guarantees relaxation, hiking opportunities and numerous wellness offers, but also cultural input and exciting sights.
An eventful vacation for nature lovers, culture enthusiasts and adventurers is definitely pre-programmed here.
Find out more about exciting activities for the whole family here:

Forests, extraordinary nature and idyllic tranquillity!
Take a look here to see what awaits you in the Black Forest: https://youtu.be/5mZ-RACQ2jE

Middle Rhine: From Bingen via Koblenz to Bonn

Middle Rhine – The Middle Rhine region encompasses the section between a small estuary near Bingen and an estuary near Bonn.
The area is characterized by romantic and beautiful landscapes.
Numerous historic castles, palaces and fortresses can also be found here.
Some charming little towns also invite you to linger.
What you definitely shouldn’t miss out on, however, is a boat trip on the Rhine.
Cruise along the Rhine in a relaxed atmosphere and enjoy the unique cultural landscapes and natural highlights.
Of course, you will also pass legendary rocks and impressive castles.
An absolute highlight, especially for children!
This is what awaits you on the Middle Rhine:

  • Area between Bingen and Bonn
  • Romantic, beautiful landscapes
  • Historic castles, palaces, fortresses
  • Charming cities to linger in
  • Cruise along culture and nature
  • Cable car ride with panoramic views in Koblenz

Here on the map – from Bingen to Bonn: My tip for a stop on the Middle Rhine:

Explore the most beautiful places in the quaint city of Koblenz

Koblenz is a small, rather quaint town, but it has a lot to offer.
And it’s not just picturesque squares and beautiful churches.
That’s why you shouldn’t miss out on a stop here on your trip along the Rhine.
An old fortress from the 11th century offers a spectacular view of the entire city and the Upper Middle Rhine Valley, making it one of the top things to do in Koblenz.
You can reach this second largest fortress in Europe by cable car over the Rhine.
Find out more about recommended activities and sights here:

Be sure to plan a trip to Koblenz to take a closer look at this beautiful, charming city!

Lower Rhine: From Bonn to the Dutch border

Lower Rhine – The Lower Rhine region is located entirely in North Rhine-Westphalia and comprises the section of river between Bonn and the border with the Netherlands.
There is a lot to discover and do in this region, especially outdoors.
For example, the largest network of cycling and hiking trails in Europe is located here, so that active vacationers will get their money’s worth.
On over 2,000 km of natural routes, you can enjoy the views of heathland, forests, fields and lakes.
This is what awaits you on the Lower Rhine:

  • Area between Bonn and the Dutch border
  • Numerous activities in the open air
  • Largest cycling and hiking trail network in Europe
  • Heathlands, forests, fields and lakes
  • Cities worth seeing for exploring
  • Open-air museum in Xanten

Here on the map – From Bonn to the Dutch border:

Cities worth seeing on the Lower Rhine: Düsseldorf, Cologne & Co.

The Lower Rhine region is of course also home to some larger cities that are definitely worth a visit during your camping vacation.
First and foremost Düsseldorf and Cologne.
If you are planning a complete road trip along the Rhine, you can choose a campsite in a rural location near each of the major cities and drive into the city early in the morning to see some of the sights, stroll through the city or take a relaxed stroll along the banks of the Rhine.
If you want to go on a city tour, Oberhausen, Krefeld or Duisburg are also very good options.
The archaeological open-air museum in Xanten is also a popular excursion destination for the whole family.
Each of the cities in NRW is definitely worth a visit and full of highlights worth seeing around the idyllic Rhine.
A few days camping here promises the perfect mix of nature vacation and city trip.
Read more interesting facts about a camping vacation in NRW here.
The following popular cities are located directly on the Lower Rhine:

  • Duisburg
  • Düsseldorf
  • Emmerich on the Rhine
  • Kalkar
  • Kempen
  • Kevelaer
  • Cologne
  • Krefeld
  • Moers
  • Rees
  • Rheinberg
  • Voerde
  • Xanten

Grab a delicious coffee and stroll along the Rhine promenade in Düsseldorf, for example! You should decide to go camping so that you can not only explore one place on the Rhine, but also visit several of the beautiful and recommendable regions and at the same time enjoy the closeness to nature until the evening hours.

Camping: close to nature, spontaneous & flexible by car

When camping with your own car and roof tent, you can decide freely and spontaneously every day how you want to spend your day and where you want to go next.
During the day, you can drive to our recommended stops and unfold your roof tent at the campsite in the evening with just one hand movement, giving you an enormous sleeping and living area.
This means you can enjoy your entire camping trip to the full without any worries.
Read more about the benefits, costs and different models here: Rooftop tent for your car. Advantages of camping:

  • You can take a complete road trip along the Rhine
  • Several of the popular regions can be explored
  • Idyllic atmosphere into the evening hours
  • Complete closeness to nature and a sense of freedom
  • Flexible daily organization and travel planning
  • Affordable vacation compared to a hotel or vacation apartment
  • Comfortable sleeping space in the roof tent
  • Family and dog friendly

Camping is an unforgettable adventure for the whole family – including children and dogs! What should I pack for my camping vacation on the Rhine?

Camping packing list: Tips for a longer nature vacation

Nowadays, most people no longer go camping with just the bare essentials.
Instead, it can be a little more luxurious.
Instead of a 2-person tent, it is more comfortable to travel in a comfortable roof tent and important outdoor equipment such as chairs, table and loungers are also a must on the campsite.
Is tidiness the be-all and end-all for you?
There is also a practical solution for this when camping!
Here’s a checklist to help you take all the essentials with you on your camping vacation and make the most of your time.
These top 5 things should definitely be on your packing list:

Which campsites are recommended on the Rhine?

Recommendations: Beautiful campsites directly on the Rhine

If you have decided not to sleep in a hotel or vacation apartment, but instead to set off with your car and a rooftop tent, an adventure awaits you that you won’t soon forget.
However, as wild camping is generally prohibited in Germany, you should look for campsites or legal pitches near your route along the Rhine where you want to spend the night in advance.
Here are some inexpensive, popular campsites located directly on the Rhine:

Camping Im Grütt

4.3 stars / 235 Google reviews

  • Address: Grüttweg 8, 79539 Lörrach
  • Phone: 07621 82588

Kehl campsite

4.4 stars / 918 Google reviews

  • Address: Rheindammstraße 1, 77694 Kehl
  • Phone: 07851 2603

Campingplatz am Rhein GmbH

4.6 stars / 952 Google reviews

  • Address: Kastanienallee 4, 65385 Rüdesheim am Rhein
  • Phone: 06722 2528

Green Camping on the Rhine

4.4 stars / 415 Google reviews

  • Address: Am Campingplatz 1, 56338 Braubach
  • Phone: 0171 8399809

Camping site Golden Mile

4.2 stars / 799 Google reviews

  • Address: Simrockweg 9 – 13, 53424 Remagen
  • Phone: 02642 22222

Which time of year is best for a vacation on the Rhine?

Temperatures in Rüdesheim am Rhein

Weather – The best time to visit Rüdesheim am Rhein is between June and September.
At this time, you can expect mild, pleasant temperatures and little rainfall.
This makes it ideal for walks, bike tours and exploring nature.
The highest average temperature is 24 degrees in July and the lowest is 3 degrees in January.
A winter vacation on the Rhine is also recommended.
In the low season, there are definitely fewer people at the popular sights, so the spots are less crowded.
What’s more, you can look forward to beautiful landscapes with a wintry flair when camping in winter and go skiing or snowboarding in the mountains, for example.

  • Highest average temperature: 24 degrees in July
  • Lowest temperature: 3 degrees in January
  • Best time to visit: Between June and September
  • Winter camping is also becoming increasingly popular

Weather today / in three days

Here you can already find a weather forecast for today and the coming days in Rüdesheim:

FAQ: Everything about the Rhine

The Rhine is huge and therefore brings with it just as many questions.
Where does the Rhine even begin and where does it end?
Is the Rhine the longest river in Germany and which rivers flow into the Rhine?
Finally, a few questions that often arise in connection with the Rhine are answered here.

Where does the Rhine begin and where does it end?

The Rhine rises as the Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein in the Swiss Alps.
Both sources join together to form the Alpine Rhine.
From there, it flows through the Rhine Valley, Austria and flows into Lake Constance.
From there it runs through Germany, the Netherlands and finally flows into the North Sea.

What is the course of the Rhine?

The Vorderrhein and Hinterrhein join in Reichenau in the Swiss canton to form the Alpenrhein, which flows into Lake Constance after Rheineck and leaves it again in Constance.
From Constance, it flows to Schaffhausen and further west as the High Rhine to Basel.
From Basel, it heads north to Mainz, then west to Rüdesheim.
From here, the Rhine breaks through the Rhenish Slate Mountains in a north-westerly direction and flows on to Bonn, up to where the area is known as the Middle Rhine.
From Bonn onwards, the Rhine is known as the Lower Rhine and finally flows into the North Sea.

Is the Rhine the longest river in Germany?

With a total length of 865 kilometers, the Rhine is the longest river in Germany.

Where does the Rhine flow into the sea?

The Rhine flows into the Haringvliet, via the Nieuwe Waterweg and through the IJsselmeer into the North Sea.

Reading tip!
Camping vacation in Germany

If you haven’t completely planned and decided on your itinerary yet, you can read another article for vacation inspiration here.
Germany definitely has many different places to offer that are perfect for a vacation with picturesque nature, fun activities and recommended campsites.
Escape the monotony of stressful everyday life and enjoy freedom – whether in the great outdoors, in the largest cities or on the most beautiful dream beaches.
There is all this and much more to discover in Germany’s diverse regions.
Read more about a vacation in Germany here:

Scroll to Top
Offroad
Raised and extra stable for road and off-road… What do you do if you are traveling in regions with poor roads or drive an off-road vehicle or SUV whose dome height does not fit conventional trailers? The solution: the off-road tent trailer from CAMPWERK – specially developed for extreme conditions. This unique model impresses with a raised and particularly robust AL-KO chassis that can withstand even the most demanding off-road routes. The entire body is made of lightweight but sturdy aluminum, reinforced with durable stainless steel components. So you are perfectly equipped for any terrain.
Black / Silver
Available now: The CAMPWERK Offroader in the exclusive Black/Silver Edition CAMPWERK is expanding its range and now also offers the popular off-road tent trailer in the coveted Black/Silver Edition. The high-quality aluminium body is completely anodized in matt black, while the mudguards are powder-coated in elegant “Gun Silver Metal”. An absolute eye-catcher on any road and in any terrain!
The off-road trailer from CAMPWERK impresses with its lightweight construction: Thanks to the aluminum body, the base only weighs around 300 kg when empty. With a permissible total weight of 1.5 tons, it offers an impressive payload capacity of up to 1.2 tons – ideal for small excursions, transport and even larger expeditions.

Visually, the trailer blends in perfectly with the appearance of an off-road vehicle or SUV with its coarse-tread MT tires and robust, full-length aluminium mudguards. The mudguards are also designed in such a way that they are ideal for the safe transportation of petrol and water canisters or gas bottles.

To ensure flexibility, the off-roader’s tyres can be individually adapted to the towing vehicle on request, so that only one set of spare wheels is required. The standard ball head coupling can also be optionally replaced with a DIN or NATO eye.
T-drawbar or V-fork ?
Thousands of trailer drivers know the problem of tight spaces only too well: if you drive into a narrow lane and have to turn, it is important to back your car as far as possible against the trailer in order to get around the bend without any problems. With a T-drawbar, you can utilize the maximum steering angle. This is precisely why we at CAMPWERK rely on this tried-and-tested technology – for optimum flexibility and maneuverability, no matter how tight things get.
T-drawbar
V-fork
T-drawbar
V-fork
Chassis
Aluminum body
Wheels
Terrain values
Equipped for every situation thanks to the versatile accessories...

Raised dropside

20L canister

Towbar adapter for bike carrier with coupling connection

2-4 bike racks

Anti-drag clutch

Onroad

The perfect solution for your camping adventure:
Road trailer with tent
Imagine a first-class equipped road trailer that is ideal for camping trips in Germany and the surrounding countries.
This trailer comes with a sturdy holding device for a matching tent that can be set up in no time at all.
The result is your mobile home – ready for unforgettable tours!

Your decisive advantage: you are ideally equipped for your vacation in a particularly cost-effective way. And when you’re not on the road, you can use the trailer as a conventional utility trailer. We offer you the road trailer in two versions, depending on your needs: An unbraked version with a permissible total weight of 750 kg and the braked version recommended by us with a permissible total weight of 1,300 kg.
10-year guarantee
Our trailer base was not created in the laboratory – it was made for the real world. The robust construction is optimized for tough conditions. Oversized axles and virtually indestructible aluminum frames ensure exceptional durability. We are the only supplier in Germany to give you a 10-year guarantee on this unique quality!
T-drawbar or V-fork ?
Thousands of trailer drivers know the problem of tight spaces only too well: if you drive into a narrow lane and have to turn, it is important to back your car as far as possible against the trailer in order to get around the bend without any problems. With a T-drawbar, you can utilize the maximum steering angle. This is precisely why we at CAMPWERK rely on this tried-and-tested technology – for optimum flexibility and maneuverability, no matter how tight things get.
T-drawbar
V-fork
T-drawbar
V-fork
Chassis
Aluminum structure
Equipped for every situation thanks to the versatile accessories...

Raised dropside

20L canister

Towbar adapter for bike carrier with coupling connection

2-4 bike racks

Anti-drag clutch

Material and processing.
The tent fabric of our trailer tents is made from a high-quality, 450 g blended fabric, also known as canvas. This unique combination of cotton and polyester combines the advantages of a natural fiber with those of a modern high-tech material. The result is a robust, breathable fabric that impresses with its pleasant feel and high dimensional stability.

The tent fabric, which is also used by the military, is impregnated and particularly tear-resistant thanks to the ripstop process. In this special weaving technique, thicker threads are woven into the fabric at intervals of around 10-15 millimetres, giving the fabric its characteristic tiled structure and exceptional tear resistance. It goes without saying that our fabrics are opaque and therefore offer optimum protection and privacy.
The basis of our trailer tents is a robust stainless steel frame with a thickness of 3×3 cm. A 1.8 cm thick, water-resistant wooden floor panel is securely fastened to this sturdy frame with stainless steel screws. The frame of the trailer tents is also made of galvanized steel tubing and special stainless steel components that ensure maximum stability. The modern surface finish not only offers a high level of corrosion protection, but also gives the material a pleasant feel and ensures a durable, weatherproof construction.
We rely exclusively on yarn from the German market leader Amann. Thanks to the combination of a cotton core and a high-tenacity polyester core, this yarn is characterized by a particularly high tensile strength and excellent water resistance.

On contact with water, the cotton coating swells and closes the seam holes created during sewing. For additional protection, all seams in the roof area are fitted with a transparent sealing strip to ensure maximum waterproofness.
Less is sometimes more.
We are often asked: What about the water column? For tent fabrics, the impermeability of the fabric is specified in the form of the water column. For cotton tents, this value is usually around 300 to 400 mm. However, our tent fabric offers an exceptionally high water column for cotton fabric of around 750 mm. This means that theoretically more than 75 cm of water can stand on the material before the first drops penetrate.

A major advantage of cotton as a natural raw material is its ability to swell when it gets damp, which provides additional waterproofing. In contrast, synthetic fabrics, which cannot swell, must have a much higher water column (between 3,000 and 10,000 mm, depending on the material) in order to achieve comparable waterproofness.
Good night.
The comfort sleep set consists of a high-quality visco foam mattress that adapts perfectly to the individual body shape, ensuring a restful night’s sleep. The set is complemented by the innovative Froli bed spring system, which guarantees an exceptional sleeping experience. Perfect sleeping comfort in a well thought-out overall package.
Premium mattress.
An excellent mattress is the basis for healthy and restful sleep. Just as every person is unique, their mattress should also be individually tailored to them.
Our premium mattress adapts perfectly to the contours of the body and promotes orthopaedically correct positioning of the spine. Thanks to targeted pressure relief, back muscles and intervertebral discs can relax optimally. The innovative construction and high-quality materials create an ideal sleeping environment.
There are no compromises at CAMPWERK: We rely on flexible visco foam with memory function. The unique combination of supportive foam core and relieving visco foam topper ensures maximum sleeping comfort.
Suspension.
Good ventilation is crucial for your well-being and sleep hygiene. To ensure maximum sleeping comfort, we combine our mattress with an innovative Froli slat base. The flexible spring elements form a comfortable slat base with individually adjustable firmness zones. This combination ensures orthopaedically correct positioning of the body and provides targeted, pressure-relieving support. This effectively prevents tension and one-sided strain. The open, air-permeable cells also enable optimum ventilation and create a healthy sleeping environment.
Are you allergic or do you have special health requirements? No problem! We cooperate with a renowned German mattress manufacturer to offer customized solutions. Simply contact us and together we will find the ideal mattress for your needs.