Looking for somewhere to go camping in Israel? Israel has dozens of overnight campgrounds, from equipped campgrounds with hot showers and a field kitchen to open campsites with no facilities at all, just you, your tent and the stars.
We’ve gathered the most recommended campsites in Israel, by region, with what’s important to know about each one: what it has, whether you need to book ahead, and whether you can bring your dog. Three of them, Mamshit, Hukuk North andGoren Park, are the places we love going back to most.
Equipped Camping or a Free Campsite?
Before you choose a place, it’s worth understanding the difference between the two main types:
| Type | What it has | Booking ahead | Who it suits |
|---|---|---|---|
| Paid overnight campground of the Israel Nature and Parks Authority (INPA) | At most campgrounds: lighting, toilets, hot showers, and sometimes a field kitchen and fridges | Required, through the INPA booking system | Families with kids and anyone who wants comfort |
| Free campsite (INPA or KKL-JNF) | Often no toilets and no water, sometimes a water fountain and tables | Not needed at most campsites | Well-equipped campers looking for quiet |
| Official beach on the Sea of Galilee | Toilets, showers, shade, and sometimes a snack bar and equipment rental | Depends on the beach | Anyone who wants to sleep by the water |
Note: At the free INPA campsites you must not arrive after dark, and you take your rubbish away with you. At KKL-JNF campsites, large groups need to arrange their overnight stay in advance with the regional office, while individuals and families usually don’t.
Camping in the North and the Galilee
Goren Park, Western Galilee
One of the places we love most. Goren Park, run by KKL-JNF, is a natural oak forest of about 200 hectares (around 500 acres) on a cliff above Nahal Kziv. It has five overnight campsites (Alon, Ela, Klil HaHoresh, Ktalav and HaOren), each with a fixed fire pit and a water fountain. Entry is free, and overnight stays are for individuals and families only, not groups.
A short accessible path leads from the park to a viewpoint over Montfort Castle, and there’s also a scenic road and a way down to Nahal Kziv. Note: According to KKL-JNF, the toilet blocks in the park are currently closed and chemical toilets have been placed instead. It’s worth checking the latest situation on the KKL-JNF website before you set out.
Hurshat Tal Overnight Campground, Hula Valley
An equipped INPA campground with streams running through it. It has lighting, hot showers, accessible toilets, a field kitchen, fridges and charging points, and you can sleep in a tent, a bungalow or a caravan. Book in advance. Dogs are not allowed.
Achziv Overnight Campground, Western Galilee Coast
If you want to sleep by the sea in the north, Achziv has two campgrounds, north and south, with lighting, hot showers, toilets and shade canopies. The campground is also suitable for Sabbath observers. Dogs are not allowed.
Camping by the Sea of Galilee
Hukuk North Beach
Our favorite beach on the Sea of Galilee, and it’s especially suitable if you’re coming with a dog. Hukuk North It’s designated a “quiet beach”, which means no music, and fires and barbecues are also not allowed. There are lawns, shaded camping areas, toilets and showers (no hot water), phone charging points, a snack bar, and tent and mattress rental.
A tip for dog owners: According to the Kinneret Cities Association, dogs are allowed in the recreation area on a leash and under close supervision, but not in the official swimming area opposite the lifeguard station. Parking is paid, and entry on foot is free.
Want more options around the lake? We’ve also written about camping on the Sea of Galilee at Levanon Beach.
Camping in the Center and the Jerusalem Hills
The Youth Campsite in Ben Shemen Forest
In central Israel, KKL-JNF’s Ben Shemen Forest is one of the most convenient camping options close to the big cities. The campsite has tables, water taps and barbecue facilities. Individuals don’t need to book ahead. During school holidays the campsite is also used by youth movements, so it’s worth bearing that in mind. Note: The KKL-JNF website has posted notices about closed toilets and a fault with the water fountains, so it’s worth checking before you set out.
Camping in the Negev and the Desert
Mamshit Overnight Campground (the Nabataean Khan)
If there’s one place we’d send every family, it’s Mamshit. The campground is next to Route 25, about six kilometers east of Dimona, right by the ancient Nabataean city. It’s very well equipped: lighting, hot showers, toilets, a field kitchen with gas stoves and fridges, water fountains, charging points and fire corners. You can rent mattresses, and in winter there are also large heated tents.
Book in advance; check-in at the campground is from 15:00. Mamshit occasionally holds stargazing evenings. Dogs are not allowed, and the campground isn’t set up for Sabbath observers.
Be’erot Khan Overnight Campground, Ramon Crater
Spend the night in the heart of the Ramon Crater (Makhtesh Ramon), with hot showers, canopies, tables and fire corners. The campground also has a stargazing area with telescopes. Booking ahead is required.
Camping at the Dead Sea and in Eilat
Masada West Overnight Campground
The campground on the western side of Masada is an excellent base if you want to climb up for sunrise. Book in advance; it’s suitable for Sabbath observers, and in winter there’s an option for heated accommodation.
Nahal Shlomo Campsite, Eilat Mountains
A free INPA campsite in the Eilat Mountains Nature Reserve, with about 600 places to sleep. It has no facilities at all, so bring water and all your equipment. Dogs are allowed on a leash within the campsite, and music and generators are not allowed.
Tips for Camping with Kids
- Book early: On holidays and weekends the equipped campgrounds fill up fast.
- Check notices before you set out: Toilets, water fountains and sometimes an entire campground can be closed temporarily.
- Arrive before dark: It’s easier to pitch a tent in daylight, and at some campgrounds it’s required.
- Pack from a list: We’ve gathered everything you need in ourcamping gear checklist, and it’s also worth reading about the mistakes to avoid when camping.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do you need to book a place at an overnight campground in advance?
At the paid INPA overnight campgrounds, yes, and you can’t arrive without a booking. At most free campsites you can’t book, and you arrive before dark.
Where can you go camping with a dog?
Dogs are not allowed at the paid INPA campgrounds. At Hukuk North beach on the Sea of Galilee and at some free campsites, such as Nahal Shlomo, dogs are allowed on a leash within the campsite.
What’s the best-equipped camping for families?
The INPA overnight campgrounds, such as Mamshit and Hurshat Tal, are the most comfortable: hot showers, a field kitchen and fridges.
Can you light a campfire?
Only in places designated for it. In some places, such as Hukuk North, fire is completely forbidden.
Do you have a favorite campsite that isn’t listed here? Tell us in the comments.
