Best Places for Camping near Mumbai

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Mumbai, one of the busiest cities in India and the financial capital of the country, is always bustling with energy. After a long haul of working days, people crave for some relaxation and solitude. And indeed there are plenty of options to do that. Among all the options, if you have a craving for a mini adventure and spend your time amid starry nights, then best is to go for camping near Mumbai.

The interesting part is you have a good list of options for camping near Mumbai. The facilities are excellent, there are proper guides for support, and there are many packages to select and avail.

In this article, we will discuss about the spots for camping near Mumbai. You can select any of them based on your preferences and budget and enjoy a vacation to be remembered for long.

1. Karnala Camping Site

Karnala is a beautiful camping site amid nature’s beauty and grandeur of history. You will love to hear the chirping of birds around due to its vicinity near a bird sanctuary. It is a delightful experience watching the local and migratory birds of various species perched on trees, flying all around and soothing ears with their melodious voice. The greenery around is awesome, a treat for the eyes, offering a complete relaxation from the hustle and bustle of city life. If you are seeking for some adventure, then you can trek up to the Karnala fort and relish the history. There is a waterfall as well nearby where you can walk down and enchant yourself with the pleasant breeze.

1. Tariff: Approximately INR 2000 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 1 hour

ALSO SEE-Top 10 Best Walking Tours in India

2. Vasind Camping Site

Vasind is another fabulous spot for camping near Mumbai, almost 60 kms away from the city. The site is perfect to set up a camp amid the greenery of the hills. There is a river Bhatsa, which flows past the hills, a fabulous experience for the campers. You can go for kayaking on the river, to satisfy your adventurous desire. Next you can go for trekking across the mountain trails and explore some of the historic monuments and buildings. Or else you can opt for jeep safaris as well. For a leisure and relaxing day, you can visit the nearby village and mingle with the locals there. At night try for a barbecue and then if you love stargazing you will be marvelled by the starry skies above.

1. Tariff: Approximately INR 5000 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 2.15 hours

3. Matheran Camping Site

Situated at an altitude of 2600 feet above sea level, Matheran is one of the most popular sites for camping near Mumbai. Away from the crowded city life, the place is tranquil, offering you an opportunity to be transported into a celestial bliss. The air is fresh and soothing, perfect for camping and strolling around. You can walk across the mountain trails and soothe your eyes with the panoramic views of the mountains. There are about 36 viewpoints which you can explore and be mesmerized with the enchanting beauty of the place. The trek is moderate and you can camp and walk around.

1. Tariff: Approximately INR 4000 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 2.10 hours

4. Gorakhgad Camping Site

Gorakhgad is essentially a hill fort, twining with the Machindragad fort. It is an excellent camping site, especially if you are a history buff. You can find plenty of caves near the base of the peak, and you can check some of them out for an adventurous trip. At the peak, there is a temple of Lord Shiva, and at the citadel, there is a statue of Nandi. It is a perfect trekking site, starting from the temple in the village of Dehari and almost 15 to 20 mins walk to reach the base of the fort. To reach up to the peak of the fort, you need to ascend few steps.

1. Tariff: Approximately INR 1500 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 2 hours 40 minutes

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5. Kolad Camping Site

Kolad is one of the most adventurous sites for camping near Mumbai. The reason being there are plenty of options for rafting, kayaking, and rappelling. It is a small village in the Raigad district, with the backdrop of the Western Ghats amplifying its eccentric beauty. The flora at the place is enchanting with cascading waterfalls, lush greenery, scenic landscape, and blooming meadows. The water sports are mostly organized at River Kundalika which flows past the camping site. You can check out some of the dams, forts, and waterfalls nearby to cheer up your tour. Some more options are available for the sports lovers like parasailing and paragliding.

1. Tariff: Approximately varies between INR 1400 to INR 2500 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package, depending on non-AC and AC tents
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 3 hours

6. Rajmachi Camping Site

Rajmachi is another site for camping near Mumbai, famous for the historical fortress. Interestingly, the fortress has two peaks, which are again two forts, Shrivardhan and Manaranhan. Both of these forts are located on the hills of the popular tourist spots Khandana and Lonavala. The site is essentially a village surrounded by the majestic Western Ghats. The place is very popular among adventure lovers since there are multiple trekking opportunities. If you love to experience a full trek, then the base camp is the Kondhane caves, a 3 to 4 hour long climb. But if you want a moderate trek, then drive till you reach the Udhewadi village, and then it will take hardly 20 to 30 minutes to walk and reach the peak of the fort.

1. Tariff: Approximately INR 1500 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 2 hours 20 minutes

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7. Shirota Lakeside Camping Site

For nature admirers, Shirota Lakeside camping site is a delight to be in. Nature’s beauty is at is peak and coupled with a serene environment. If you want to be in solitude during camping, then the place is a perfect choice for you. In the evenings, you can opt for a barbecue near the camp site, while relaxing with food and drinks and gazing at the stars above. There is a lake nearby where you can go for kayaking. Besides you can catch fish at the lake. Plenty of birds reside near the lake, watch them and be pleased with their chirping sounds and splashing of their wings on the lake waters.

1. Tariff: Approximately varies between INR 1000 to INR 8000 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 1 hour 30 minutes

8. Panchgani Camping Site

Panchgani is a spectacular hill station in Maharashtra. It is situated near Mahabaleshwar and is said to be a perfect camping site for a weekend. So, if you are looking for a site for camping near Mumbai, do check out this place. While being at the camps, you can view the sunrise and sunset and be mesmerized by the scenic beauty of the place. Situated at an altitude of about 1334 meters above the ground level, Panchgani is surrounded by the majestic Western Ghats. The hills in the backdrop paint a picture-perfect setting, a treat to the eyes. Furthermore, the green plains create a magical view. You can pick up some strawberries from the valleys, Panchgani being famous for hosting the strawberry gardens. It’s better to visit during February and March. Do not forget to check out Parsi point, Kate point and Sydney point.

1. Tariff: Approximately varies between INR 4000 to INR 5000 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 5 hours

9. Bhandardara Camping Site

Nestled in the Western Ghats, Bhandardara is a beautiful hill station and a good camping site near Mumbai. The place is graced by gushing waterfalls, lush greenery, green plains and the mountains. It is situated at a distance of about 180 km from Mumbai and is perfect for a drive in a car. The roads are good, promising a memorable journey. At the camping site, you will love to be in the vicinity of nature. Away from the humdrums of Mumbai city, you will love to camp at the place and soak in the mystic beauty of the landscape. You can roam around the nearby Ratanwade village and mingle with the locals. Walk towards the Arthur lake for a stroll in the evenings and be enchanted by the soothing atmosphere. Trek up the Mount Kasubai for an adventurous venture.

1. Tariff: Approximately varies between INR 1000 to INR 2500 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 4 hours

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10. Malshej Ghat Camping Site

Malshej Ghat is another camping site and a quaint hill station. Perched amid the Western Ghat ranges, the place is ideal for camping in between the scintillating beauty of nature. Lakes, waterfalls, plains, valleys, and mountains adorn the hill station. Be a nature lover, or a hiker, or a trekker, Malshej Ghat is a place for all. Camping at this location is heavenly. You can find several fellow campers at this location, majorly from Mumbai. If you happen to be in between the months of June and September, then you will enjoy the company ofthe pink flamingoes. They migrate at this time of the year. Besides, there are some forts from history like the Harishchandragad Fort, also prominent as a trekking destination, There are old historic temples from the 16th century at this place. You will love the architectural beauty of this temples. Do not miss to visit the Ajoba hill fort and Pimpalgaon dam, a must see attraction at this place. There are few Buddhist caves nearby, which you can walk down from the camping site. If you love bird watching, then ensure to carry your camera as you can observe many bird species lke the Alpine Swift, Quail, Pink Flamingo, Purple Moorhen, and the Whistling Thrush.

1. Tariff: Approximately varies between INR 1300 to INR 2000 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 4 hours

11. Tikona Fort Camping Site

Tikona Fort is another fabulous site for camping near Mumbai. It is known for a trekking spot, visited majorly by  the adventure freaks. The name derived from its shape being triangular and situated at a height of about 3500 feet from ground level. The fort is spread across a huge area and camping at the site will inculcate a feeling of the yesteryears. There are large doorways, high fortifications, water tanks and gates inside the fort. You will love to trek towards the fort and enjoy the structures built inside it. The trek starts from the village of Tikona Peth and ends at the fort where you camp for the overnight stay. You can watch the magnificent landscape from the top. There are several temples and caves on the route where you can hop inside and check out. Chapat Murti Hanuman temple is famous of them, where the sculpture of Hanuman is carved in rock killing a demon, The caves had served as shelter for the soldiers in the past. You must also visit the Pawna Dam, the Trambakeshwara temple, and the some of the other forts nearby namely Tung, Lohagad and Visapur.

1. Tariff: Approximately INR 2700 per adult for a 2-day 1-night package
2. Traveling distance from Mumbai by car: 2 hours 30 mins

Hope you have not gained a fair idea of the prominent sites for camping near Mumbai. So if you are a resident of Mumbai or traveling to Mumbai for work or leisure, you can check out any of these sites from the list. You can spend a weekend camping at these locations or even spend a vacation. The unique part of all the camping sites is there vicinity with nature and the solitude experience felt, a refresher from the daily busy life of professional and personal lives. All in all, a captivating experience to feel at the sites. Do avail the opportunity and grab the momentum.