Steinhuder Meer Camping – You don’t have to go too far to spend a vacation by the water.
The Steinhuder Meer is a popular destination for many tourists and impresses with a mixture of beach vacation and scenic highlights.
Of course, the best way to explore the area is by camping with a roof tent or tent trailer, as you are not tied to just one location, but have the flexibility to visit several of the beautiful places on the Steinhuder Meer.
Find out here what you need to know about a vacation here, what sights await you and why camping here is an absolutely unforgettable experience.
Camping Ratgeber:
Carefree & close to nature: camping right on the beach
At Steinhuder Meer, you can enjoy a carefree time relaxing by the water, swimming, fishing, pedal boating and cycling.
There are also a number of highlights worth seeing that you shouldn’t miss out on during a visit here.
So there’s something for everyone on a vacation here – including children and dogs!
The best way to enjoy your time camping is with a roof tent.
You can organize your day however you like and in the evening you have an enormously large and particularly comfortable sleeping area for up to 5 people at your disposal.
This means you can enjoy your nature vacation well into the night and really switch off and relax.
Before we get to our vacation tips, here is everything you need to know about the Steinhuder Meer:
Map: Arrival and location
The Steinhuder Meer has a total area of 29.1 km² and is located in Lower Saxony in the Hanover region.
It is considered the largest lake in northwest Germany and is therefore a popular destination, especially for a short vacation or weekend trip.
The lake is 2.9 meters deep at its deepest point and is therefore ideal for swimming for young and old.
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Route: Arrival by car or train
By car, for example, it only takes around 3 hours 15 minutes from Düsseldorf to Steinhuder Meer, which means you’ll be here faster than at the Baltic Sea or North Sea.
By train, you will definitely reach your destination in less than 4 hours.
The nearest train stations are Wunstorf, Poggenhagen and Neustadt am Rübenberge.
However, the Steinhuder Meer can also be easily reached by bus on the Greater Hanover public transport network.
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The vacation region from above: Impressions for your vacation
In the following video, you can get an overview of the Steinhuder Meer and the surrounding region.
This will get you in the mood for your own vacation and give you inspiration for things to do.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=e2BkpHUagls Now let’s move on to our tips for your vacation:
Highlights: Nature park & family-friendly attractions
The most popular activities at Steinhuder Meer are swimming in the lake, sunbathing on the beach and cycling in the surrounding region.
For the latter, there are picturesque circular routes on which you can cycle around the lake and encounter numerous scenic highlights at the same time.
But apart from that, the Steinhuder Meer also has plenty of exciting sights to offer.
Both nature lovers and those interested in culture will get their money’s worth here.
My top 2 tips:
Steinhuder Meer Nature Park: swimming, walking & hiking
The nature park is an absolute must-see during a vacation here.
It is around 420 km² in size, 18% of which is under nature conservation and around 53% under landscape protection.
The highlights of the park include the huge expanse of water, which is ideal for swimming and fishing, as well as the meadows on the western shore and the dead moor in the east.
In the nature park, you can relax and enjoy your day and explore the diversity of nature on one of the many hiking or cycling trails.
The nature park house, directly on the north bank of the park, is also worth a visit.
Here you will find exciting insights into the flora and fauna of the park as well as an exhibition about the moors and general information worth knowing for visitors.
Information about the nature park:
- Area of 420 km²
- 18 % under nature conservation and approx. 53 % under landscape protection
- Highlights: Water area, sea quarry meadows and dead moor
- Numerous hiking and cycling trails
- Nature park house with interesting information
You can find the park on the map here:
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Cycle tour around Lake Steinhude: circular route
Another thing that should definitely be on your to-do list is a bike tour around Lake Steinhude.
Not only can you enjoy the beautiful views and get some exercise, but you can also see mighty mountains, lookout towers, a dune and moors on a day trip around the Steinhuder Meer.
Watch an exciting video about the beautiful landscapes and a possible bike tour here: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZkXeYunJEJA There is a lot to experience and discover at Lake Steinhude, especially for families with children:
Vacation with children: Fishing, pedal boat & attractions
The Steinhuder Meer is a paradise for families with children.
It’s worth coming here just for an eventful day by the water.
You can swim and sunbathe here as well as go fishing or pedal boating.
But there are also other exciting and family-friendly attractions and sights to be found here.
For example, the Sea Tree Adventure Park or the Dinopark are an absolute highlight for children.
The insect museum and butterfly farm are also popular with many families.
Highlights for families with children:
- Swimming in the lake
- Fishing
- Pedal boat ride
- SeaTree – Adventure Park Steinhuder Meer
- Insect museum and butterfly farm
- Dinopark
How and where should I stay on my vacation?
Camping: Nature & freedom in Mardorf, Steinhude & Co.
As a vacation at Steinhuder Meer is characterized by nature, water as far as the eye can see and pure relaxation, it is particularly worth camping here to make the most of your time.
With a rooftop tent, you can experience the feeling of freedom well into the evening and end the day with a campfire under the open sky in front of your tent.
You can decide spontaneously which campsite you want to stay at and where you want to go next.
Camping is therefore highly recommended
Your roof tent can be folded up in just a few minutes and with just one hand movement.
It then offers you an amazingly large and comfortable area for sleeping and living.
Depending on how many people you are traveling with, you will be spoilt for choice between a roof tent for 2 people and a roof tent for 4 people.
You can also configure your desired model according to your wishes and ideas.
Find out more about different roof tent models, roof load, prices and benefits here: Rooftop tent for the car.
Camping with a roof tent guarantees you these advantages:
- Pure nature and freedom into the evening hours
- Campfire and starry sky with your loved ones
- Flexible travel arrangements with optional stops
- Sleeping area can be unfolded at any time
- Quick assembly in a few simple steps
- Various models in different sizes
- Cheaper than a hotel or vacation apartment
- Family and dog friendly
In the evening at sunset on the beach – you can really switch off here and even your dog has all the freedom it needs! 
Packing list for camping: checklist, tips & suggestions
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:
- Camping furniture
- Awning or awning
- Camping kitchen including gas stove
- Durable food and cool box
- Mosquito spray and mosquito net
- …
- You can find all the gadgets in the packing list here!
Are you a camping beginner? Read all about the basics of packing lists, routes, costs, tips etc. here: Camping beginners.
Recommendations: Campsite, pitch & cabin
If you are traveling with a roof tent or tent trailer, you always have your sleeping place with you, but you should still look for a campsite or legal pitch where you can spend the night.
Because wild camping is generally prohibited in Germany!
However, the numerous campsites around the Steinhuder Meer are all very close to nature, which is why wild camping is not necessary.
At the same time, they are also super central, so you can start planning your day straight away in the morning.
I have summarized some popular, central and inexpensive campsites for you here:
Camping site Mardorf
3.3 stars / 652 Google reviews
- Address: Uferweg 68, 31535 Neustadt am Rübenberge
- Opening hours: 09:00 – 18:00
- Phone: 05036 529
Niemeyer campsite
4.1 stars / 339 Google reviews
- Address: Pferdeweg 15, 31535 Neustadt am Rübenberge
- Opening hours: 8:00 – 20:00
- Phone: 05036 530
North shore camping
4.1 stars / 510 Google reviews
- Address: Pferdeweg 5, 31535 Neustadt am Rübenberge
- Phone: 05036 2361
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: Cycling, walking & sightseeing
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 Steinhuder Meer is very natural, but also boasts some charming sights.
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 at Lake Steinhude and provide adventure, fun and excitement:
- Swimming in the lake
- Sunbathing on the beach
- Use water sports facilities (e.g. pedal boating)
- Fishing
- Ride a bike
- Riding
- Walking or hiking
- Wellness offers
- Sightseeing
- Shopping
What time of year is best for a vacation at Steinhuder Meer?
Weather: temperatures and trend
The highest average temperature at Steinhuder Meer is 24 degrees in July, while the lowest average temperature in January is 3 degrees.
To enjoy a relaxing vacation by the water, full of relaxation and sun, you should choose the summer months between June and August.
This is considered the best time to visit, as it’s the perfect time for swimming, possibly pedal boating, walking, cycling and exploring the area.
- Highest average temperature: 24 degrees
- Lowest average temperature: 3 degrees
- Best time to visit: Between June and August
Weather today / in three days
Here you can already find a weather forecast for today and the coming days:
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FAQ: Questions and answers
Which towns are on Lake Steinhude?
How long does it take to walk around Lake Steinhude and how big is Lake Steinhude?
Here you will find some questions that often come up in connection with the Steinhuder Meer and the corresponding answers.
How long does it take to walk around the Steinhuder Meer?
There is a picturesque circular route that leads once around the Steinhuder Meer.
This tour is around 32 kilometers long and offers a wonderful panorama of nature, moorland, mountains and viewpoints.
Which towns are on the Steinhuder Meer?
The small village of Hagenburg is located directly on the southern shore of the Steinhuder Meer.
The towns of Steinhude, Mardorf, Großenheidorn and Winzlar are also close to the shore.
Larger towns in the immediate vicinity are Hanover, Stadthagen and Rehburg-Loccum.
How long does it take to cycle around the Steinhuder Meer?
The popular circular route can be cycled in both directions.
It is 32 kilometers long.
Depending on how fit you are, the circular route will be either long or short.
You can plan on an average of around 10 km per hour and therefore need around 3 hours to complete the entire circular route.
However, it always depends on the person, which bike you are riding, whether you have children with you, how many breaks you take and so on.
Where to the Steinhuder Meer?
The Steinhuder Meer can be reached by car, train or bus.
How big is the Steinhudermeer?
The Steinhuder Meer covers a total area of 29.12 km².
Reading tips: Vacation regions on the water
If you’re still undecided about where exactly to go on your vacation, there are other beautiful regions right by the water that are perfect for a camping vacation in addition to the Steinhuder Meer.
So read more articles here as a vacation alternative!
Camping Mecklenburg Lake District
Mecklenburg Lake District – Idyllic nature, pure relaxation and exciting sights are also guaranteed on a vacation in the Mecklenburg Lake District.
With a roof tent or tent trailer, you are super flexible in your travel arrangements and can drive to several of the picturesque places and lakes in the entire region.
Whether alone, as a couple or with the family – read all about the popular highlights that you should definitely check out on a vacation to the Mecklenburg Lake District as well as tips and recommendations for camping:
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 explore the exciting sights and activities nearby or go on a hike in the idyllic natural surroundings.
Afterwards, unique home cooking from the best fisherman’s hut in Germany awaits you.
On the road in a roof tent, tent trailer or converted van, with your family or partner – read all about your first camping trip to Lake Hopfensee here:
Camping at the Eibsee
Eibsee – relaxation and adventure also await you at one of the most beautiful lakes in the Bavarian Alps: the Eibsee!
It boasts turquoise-blue water with a Caribbean flair, idyllic nature, a fascinating mountain world and charming campsites.
Whether in summer or winter – the multi-faceted vacation region guarantees amazing landscapes and numerous leisure activities at any time of year.
Find out more about a vacation at Lake Eibsee here:
Camping in Lower Saxony
Lower Saxony – blooming heath landscapes, sunny beaches and fresh sea air on a cycle tour along the coast, what more could you want?
You’ll find all this and much more in Lower Saxony.
Be it the Alfsee for water sports, Bensersiel for relaxation, Cuxhaven for a beach vacation, hiking in the Harz Mountains, cycling tours in the Lüneburg Heath, island vacations on Norderney or fishing on the Steinhuder Meer.
You can find the best tips for the most beautiful places in the German federal state here:
