Camping in Germany has reached a new milestone, reflecting sustained growth and strong traveler interest. According to the latest data, nearly 44.7 million overnight stays were recorded on camping sites in 2025, marking the highest level ever observed. This represents a 4.2% increase compared to 2024 and a significant 24.9% rise compared to pre-pandemic levels in 2019.
The upward trend in camping has been consistent over the years, aside from the pandemic-affected period of 2020 and 2021. Over the past 20 years, overnight stays at camping sites have more than doubled, increasing by 105.5% from 21.7 million in 2005. In contrast, total overnight stays across all accommodation types grew by 44.6% during the same period, highlighting camping’s stronger expansion.
Camping now accounts for a notable share of tourism activity. In 2025, 9.0% of all 497.4 million overnight stays in Germany took place at camping sites. This is an increase from 8.6% in 2024 and remains above the pre-pandemic level of 7.2% in 2019.
The Schleswig-Holstein Baltic Sea region remained the most popular camping destination in 2025, recording 3.5 million overnight stays, predominantly from domestic visitors. The Black Forest followed with 2.6 million stays, ahead of the Lower Saxony North Sea coast, the Bavarian Allgäu, and the Bodensee-Oberschwaben region.
International visitors showed a clear preference for southwestern Germany. The Black Forest attracted the highest number of foreign camping guests, followed by Mosel-Saar, the Rhineland-Palatinate Eifel, Bodensee-Oberschwaben, and the Bavarian Allgäu.
Camping-intensive regions continue to stand out. The Franconian Lake District recorded the highest share, with 47.1% of all overnight stays occurring on camping sites. Other prominent regions include the Lusatian Lake District, Hegau on Lake Constance, Holstein Switzerland, and the Haßberge region.
At the same time, prices have increased notably. By 2025, motorhome pitches were 32.2% more expensive than in 2020, while standard camping fees rose by 28.7%. These increases exceeded the overall rise in accommodation prices, which climbed by 26.9%, as well as general consumer prices, which increased by 21.9%.
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