Looking for Some Perfect Weekend Getaway Destinations Near Bangalore for Camping? 8 Best Camping Sites Near Bangalore Which Will Awaken the Adventure Junkie Hidden Inside You (2020)

Are you new to camping and have been thinking about doing it for a long time? There are a lot of benefits that you get from camping and it is time that you venture out sooner rather than later. Some of the major benefits that you will get from camping are:

The biggest benefit of going out camping in the wilderness is the complete freedom from all sorts of pollution. For those of you living in urban and suburban areas, the everyday commute to the office, market, etc. is full of heavily polluted air, excessive vehicular noise, grime, and dust. Camping allows you to breathe fresh air rich in oxygen, in a peaceful environment (with minimal noise) and no dust. This not only regulates your blood pressure, improves digestion and your immune system, but is also extremely beneficial for people prone to asthma and other breathing disorders.

Another major benefit of camping is a reprieve from stress related to work, liabilities, family responsibilities, etc. There are no deadlines to be met, no meetings to be attended, no screaming superiors and irritating colleagues and no to-do lists to be checked. This automatically brings down your stress levels considerably aided by the higher oxygen levels. You get time to relax, do things you want to do (for which you have not been able to find the time) and simply unplug yourself even if it is for a little while.

Camping is an excellent mechanism to reinforce your relationship with your family members and loved ones because it provides you with an opportunity to listen to them in an unhurried and undistracted manner and share your own experiences as well. This is a key ingredient in building strong relationships.

Corporates are also realizing the tremendous benefits of taking small groups out for camping to develop the team-building capabilities of individuals. Living outdoors allows professionals to socialise, participate in team activities, and develop skills that enable them to function better as a team.

Even though India is a tropical country with plenty of sunshine all year round, many Indians suffer from a vitamin-D deficiency. Vitamin-D is needed to effectively absorb calcium in our body. Our body produces vitamin-D but for that to happen it needs sunshine. We do not enjoy adequate sunshine because most of our daytime is confined to offices, public transport, and homes. While camping your skin gets a chance to absorb sunlight and the body can start the process of producing vitamin-D again. This is a much better and natural option than popping those vitamin-D pills to counter the deficiency.

Set up a barbecue grill on your next camping trip and you will discover that the food tastes more delicious when cooked outdoors. There is also the added advantage of consuming fresh food grown naturally in the remote location, with lesser chemicals and preservatives, than you get in the city. Living outdoors also means more physical activity which builds up a healthy appetite. If you like fishing, the fresh fish caught by you will taste like nothing you would have ever tasted before.

Camping is the time to be up, close and personal with nature. You can watch the beautiful sunrise and sunset, hear the birds chirp, feel the gentle breeze, take a dip in the lake or river, laze around on the lush green grass, go trekking and rock climbing (if you are the adventurous type) and gaze at the stars at night. Being close to nature helps to elevate your mood, de-stresses your body, work up a healthy appetite and get a good night’s sleep after a full day of outdoor activity. Being close to nature rejuvenates your mind, body and soul.

South India is blessed with everything that a traveller wishes to discover – resplendent natural landscapes, abundant and diverse flora and fauna, deep-rooted culture and traditions, rich and ancient history, delicious cuisine, shopping for fine silks and jewellery, and above all, the unsurpassed hospitality and warmth of the residents. If you want to truly enjoy, experience, and explore south India, Bangalore, the capital of the southern state of Karnataka, is your perfect launchpad.

Bangalore is well connected with all the major cities of India and serves as the ideal gateway to all the wonders of South India – from the coffee plantations in Coorg, the Nilgiris (Blue Mountains) in Ooty and Coonoor, sparkling beaches in Chennai, sprawling tea estates in Munnar, the grandeur of palaces and beautiful gardens in Mysore, the tiger reserve in Bandipur and so much more. Bangalore is also your best starting point for a camping trip because it offers numerous camping destinations and outdoor adventure options close, like no other city in India. All the camping destinations are well connected with Bangalore and provide great outdoor infrastructure to make your camping trip comfortable, memorable and exhilarating.

There are many camping destinations near Bangalore and choosing one of them can be a daunting task for you. To make your task simpler, BP Guide has curated a list of the top camping sites near Bangalore, which promise to give you an unbelievable camping experience.

If you are looking for a great camping site which is only a short trip away from Bangalore, then Nandi Hills situated only 60 km north of Bangalore will be the top option for you. Nandi Hills has emerged as a popular camping destination from Bangalore because of its proximity to the city. It is known for Tipu Sultan’s fortress (now in ruins) which used to serve as his summer retreat.

Nandi Hills is aptly suited for hiking, trekking, Paragliding, and you can also explore the area by cycling. Don’t forget to watch the breathtaking sunset from the top of the hill. Noteworthy places to visit during your trip include Bhoga Nandeeshwara Temple, Amrita Sarovar and the Yoga Nandeeshwara Temple. Another notable attraction is Tipu’s Drop, a high cliff face from where prisoners were thrown to their death during ancient times but is now a great vantage point to appreciate the beautiful landscape and natural beauty of the surrounding areas. If you are a wine buff, a wine tasting session in the Grover Zampa Vineyards situated at the foot of Nandi Hills is a not-to-be-missed experience.

Another popular overnight camping destination near Bangalore is Ramanagara. Situated about 50 km to the south-west of the city on the Bangalore-Mysore Highway, Ramanagara, with it is rugged rocky terrain is known as the birthplace of rock climbing in India. It is also famous as the shooting location of the iconic Bollywood movie “Sholay”. The granite boulders, rocks, and mountains in Ramanagara are a perfect setting for outdoor adventure activities like rock-climbing, rappelling, trekking, etc. The night trek in the hills of Ramanagara is a great opportunity to appreciate nature in all its magnificent beauty. Stargazing in the clear night sky and kayaking in the nearby lake are some of the other outdoor activity options which you can explore.

Located around 60 km south of Bangalore, near the Hosa Doddi Lake and Bananthimari forest is another popular weekend camping destination – Kanakapura. There are numerous campsites in Kanakapura offering diverse outdoor sports activities like trekking, kayaking, boating, coracle rides, zip-lining, nature walks, bonfires, rappelling, etc. Kanakapura is also a tourism hotspot and a delight for history lovers and wildlife enthusiasts. Notable places to visit on your next trip to Kanakpura are Bilikal Rangaswamy Betta, Chunchi Falls, Pyramid Valley, Sri Anjaneya Swamy Temple, etc. Kids would love to visit the Innovative Film City, a theme park spread over 58 acres and full of thrilling rides, shows, museums and fun activities.

Manchanabele is a tiny village 40 km south-west of Bangalore which has been made famous due to the Manchanabele dam constructed across the river Arkavathy. The crystal-clear water, lush green trees and numerous hills make it an ideal spot for overnight camping, outdoor adventure, and water sports. The campsites near the tranquil backwaters and the reservoir are an ideal setting to indulge in kayaking, canoeing, swimming, raft building, paintball shooting, obstacle river crossing, hiking, bird watching, etc. The beautiful natural scenery and abundance of outdoor activities make it a perfect location to relax and spend some quality time with your family and friends.

Savandurga is a monolithic (made of a single piece of rock) hill situated about 70 km west of Bangalore just off Magadi Road. It is the largest monolithic hill in Asia standing tall at a height of 4,022 ft above sea level. It comprises of two hills viz. Billigudda and Karigudda. Trekkers prefer the former due to its gentler slopes.

Savandurga is considered to be one of the foremost slab climbing destinations in the world. The view from the top of the hill is breath-taking with the meandering Arkavathy river flowing in the lush green valley far below towards the Manchanabele dam. Perennial lotus ponds are also visible from the hilltop. In addition to rock climbers, night trekkers, cave explorers and campers, Savandurga is also a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts. It is the home to the endangered yellow-throated bulbul, sloth bear and leopards. Savandurga has emerged as one of the top corporate team building destinations. Don’t forget to visit the Savandi Veerabhadreshwara Swamy and Narasimha Swamy temples on your next visit to Savandurga.

Bheemeshwari is a small town 100 km south-west of Bangalore in the Mandya district. It is situated on the banks of the river Cauvery and is surrounded by lush green forests. The scenic beauty and the rich flora and fauna of this place are remarkable. If you love fishing, then Bheemeshwari is the place to be. It is home to the Mahseer fish – one of the biggest and finest game fish in the world. Bheemeshwari is teeming with wildlife and elephants, leopards, jackals, wild boars, crocodiles, pelicans, and painted storks can be easily spotted here. You can indulge in jungle safaris, coracle rides, kayaking, trekking, bird watching, fishing, river rafting and elephant rides in the morning and relax with your family and friends around a campsite bonfire under a starlit sky in the night.

Coorg (or Kodagu), one of India’s top tourist destinations is situated 265 km west of Bangalore in the Western Ghats. Popularly called the “Scotland of India”, Coorg is the “Adventure Capital of Karnataka”. It is one of the top luxury camping destinations in the country. The most remarkable feature of Coorg is that as soon as you enter the district the fragrance of coffee beans (from the nearby coffee plantations) will scintillate your senses. Coorg is blessed with beautiful natural landscapes, coffee plantations, rivers, abundant wildlife, and no dearth of adventure tourism options. You can explore white water rafting, fishing, trekking, nature walks, jungle safaris, ATV biking, mountain biking, jeep trailing, etc. You should also make it a point to visit the Abbey Falls, Madikeri Fort, Tibetan Golden Temple and the Dubare Elephant Camp, in addition to taking a walk through a coffee plantation. For the spiritually inclined amongst you, a visit to Talacauvery – the source of the river Cauvery is a must.

Wayanad is an extremely popular tourist destination in northeast Kerala, about 280 km and a 6-hour drive from Bangalore. It is known for its scenic landscapes, sprawling tea plantations, beautiful camping sites, alluring waterfalls, and diverse wildlife. Wayanad is also home to the largest earthen dam in India and the 2nd largest in Asia. While in Wayanad you can trek to the top of Chembra Peak (height of 6,900 ft) for spectacular views of the surrounding areas, explore Edakkal Caves known for their prehistoric inscriptions, go bamboo rafting to Kuruvadweep down the Kabini river, visit the tea plantations and even take a farm tour to experience the rustic way of life. Visiting treehouses, exploring Wayanad on a cycle, boating on the Pookode Lake and a trip to the Tholpetty Wildlife Sanctuary will surely make your holiday in Wayanad memorable and a one-in-a-lifetime experience.