Rooftop tent wild camping – If you own a rooftop tent or a tent trailer or would like to buy a rooftop tent, you are in for an adventurous, flexible and relaxed vacation.
You can plan your own itinerary and take breaks whenever you want.
However, traditional campsites are often very crowded or even fully booked, especially during peak season.
Passionate campers are then quickly tempted to go wild camping with their roof tent.
However, this is easier said than done.
Find out all the rules about wild camping here.
Camping Ratgeber:
Nature vacation with roof tent
Even if you might think that you can simply pitch up somewhere with a roof tent and set up camp, this is unfortunately not the case.
In Germany, wild camping is generally prohibited.
This includes not only spending the night in a tent, but also in your own car.
So no matter how tempting it may be to stop in the middle of nature in a remote spot and spend the night there, in the worst case you could even be fined. 
Wild camping: what you need to bear in mind
Of course, there are also exceptions when it comes to wild camping.
For example, each federal state has its own nature conservation and forestry laws, which you should find out about in advance.
However, camping in nature reserves is always prohibited.
An exception to this rule are pitches on private land where the owners have given their consent.
However, finding such sites requires a lot of luck, research or connections.
Another solution is parking to “restore fitness to drive”.
In some cases, it is permitted to park at the side of the road for a few hours and sleep in the car.
However, if you prefer to play it safe, you should say goodbye to the idea of wild camping and opt for an alternative.
These are the general rules for wild camping in Germany:
- Wild camping is prohibited in nature reserves, national parks, reserves and landscape conservation areas
- Rules may vary within the federal states
- Camping on private land is permitted with the consent of the owner
- Restoration of roadworthiness is partially permitted at the roadside
- Sleeping in a bivouac tent is not considered camping and is often not prohibited
Alternative: Pitches, trekking sites & co.
Even if wild camping is difficult to implement, you can still avoid the overcrowded campsites and spend the night in places that are natural and quiet and come very close to the feeling of wild camping.
For example, there are pitches that are completely unspoilt and where you can camp legally.
The best thing to do before your trip is to find out about such sites and book a suitable pitch for you and your loved ones.
So-called trekking sites are also available from time to time on hiking trails, but you can usually only reach them on foot.
So if you are traveling with a roof tent, trekking pitches are a makeshift solution for strenuous day trips on foot, if at all.
If you would like to find out more about legal camping sites and other options for sleeping peacefully in nature, read more here:
