The Dolomites are just a small fragment of the Alps that comprise the northern parts of Italy. Due to their pale color, they are nicknamed “the Pale Mountains”. This mountainous region of Italy is best known for its craggy mountains and mountain pastures that hide many lovely hiking trails. It is an amazing playground for outdoor lovers, and that’s why camping in the Dolomites is a must.
In the following sections, we will go through the basics of camping laws in the Dolomites, what gear to bring, when you should visit, and what campsites are the best. Let’s begin!
Best Time For Camping In The Dolomites
The Dolomites surprisingly have a relatively temperate climate, considering it’s a mountain region. Still, it has cooler temperatures than the rest of Italy.
The best time for camping in the Dolomites is from May to September. During this period, the weather is relatively stable, and there is no snowfall altogether. There can occasionally be some rainfall, so be mindful of that.
One thing you’ll have to bear with is the many crowds that come during August. Regardless of that, you can still find a few spots in the official campsites or find a wild camping spot.
If you want to avoid the crowds and avoid the now, September is a nice month to visit. One bonus point also goes for the golden trees that showcase the amazing nature of the Dolomites.
Avoid camping in the Dolomites during late autumn, winter, and early spring. The temperatures are much lower, and the overall conditions are harsh when coupled with regular snowfall.
Best Camping Sites In The Dolomites
The Dolomites attract thousands of visitors each year due to their larger-than-life vistas and fantastic hiking and climbing routes. Thankfully, this region is filled with numerous well-equipped camping sites to serve as a starting point for your mountaineering adventure.
Here is a map of the best campsites in the Dolomites!
Let’s see what makes each of these campsites special, shall we?
1) Camping Al Plan
This camping site is located in a small village at the entrance of the breathtaking Fanes-Sennes-Braies Natural Park. It is a great jumping-off spot for one of the most beautiful natual parks in the Dolomites. There, you can explore mountain pastures and meadows overshadowed by the sharp Dolomite peaks. The high route no. 1 is a true feast for the eyes, and this campsite is pretty close to it!
Camping Al Plan is full of facilities, such as:
- Free WiFi
- Electricity, gas, water
- Modern bathroom
- Sauna
- Recreation room
- Restaurant and pizzeria
- Spots for camper vans
For pricing information, check out the Camping Al Plan price list.
2) Camping Catinaccio Rosengarten
If you manage to visit the Dolomites in winter or early spring, make sure to visit this campsite. It’s located in the heart of the Fassa Valley, near the popular ski site – Pozza di Fassa. Also, the valley is quite lovely to visit for hiking in summer.
Camping Catinaccio Rosengarten provides these facilities:
- Bar
- Communal spaces
- Bathrooms
- Wellness spa
- Free WiFi
- Electricity, gas, water
You can check the prices for this campsite over here.
3) Camping Seiser Alm
This camping site is located in South Tyrol, in the Fiè allo Sciliar municipality. Basically, it’s situated just at the foot of the breathtaking 2,563-meter Sciliar Massif known for its bizarre shape. Camping Seiser Alm is a great place to start your exploration of this area.
It includes the following facilities:
- Mini market
- Restaurant
- Swimming pool
- Bathroom
- Free WiFi
- Electricity, gas, water
For parcel pricing information, check out the price list.
4) Caravan Park Sexten
If you want to camp with the iconic Three Peaks of Lavaredo as a backdrop, the Caravan Park Sexten is the campsite to visit. It is located in South Tyrol near the Three Peaks Natural Park, where great hiking and mountaineering trails ensure breathtaking experiences.
This campsite provides the following facilities:
- Electricity, gas, water
- Free parking
- Swimming pool
- Bar
- Sauna
- Massage parlor
- Restaurant
- Free WiFi
- Sanitary areas
For pricing information, check out its price list.
5) Camping Antholz
This campsite is located near the Ries-Aurina Nature Park and the Anterselva Lake, very close to Austria. Around the Camping Antholz, you will find pristine nature that invites you to hike on its numerous trails.
This camping site includes the following facilities:
- Free WiFi
- Electricity, gas, water
- Mini market
- Restaurant
- Bar
- Sanitary areas
- Washing machines and a dryer
For parcel prices information, check out the price list.
Is Wild Camping In The Dolomites Legal?
Laws on wild camping in the Dolomites are regulated by Trentino Region Camping Laws, by which wild camping is essentially prohibited, with two exceptions to this rule:
- Your campsite is not placed for more than 24 hours (this applies to areas with no signs of wild camping prohibition).
- Camping in private property or the nearby area with the permission of the property owner.
Also, it is good to know that camping in Italy from the legal perspective corresponds to pitching a tent for more than 48 hours or during the day. This essentially means that you can wild camp from sunset to sunrise without any penalties as that isn’t formally camping.
Regarding the natural parks, you can wild camp over there, but not in the special protection areas. If you manage to get caught, the fine can be anywhere between €100 and €500. The odds of you getting caught increase as you get closer to areas with heavy tourist activity.
To decrease the odds of you getting caught, we have prepared some tips for you!
Tips & Gear For Wild Camping In The Dolomites
Pay attention to the tips we are going to share to keep the odds of you getting caught while wild camping at the minimum.
First of all, discreetly pitch your tent and stray off the main trails and settlements. You don’t want to disturb people on their hikes and much-unneeded attention.
Don’t leave any trace of your camp behind, take all the trash away, and be respectful to the glorious nature of the Dolomites. Also, make sure to not be on the path with native animals of the region.
Set up your campsite right before sunset to decrease the odds of you getting spotted. Also, don’t camp in one place for longer than two days. If camping on private property, try to find the owner and ask for permission to camp there.
Now, let’s talk about the essential gear for wild camping in the Dolomites!
The best tents for the Dolomites are lightweight tents with high water resistance. Rain showers and thunderstorms occasionally happen in this region, so it’s best to be prepared. You can also bring a waterproof tarp just in case you need more water resistance.
We have a list of the best tents for heavy rain for you on our site!
Get a quality thermal sleeping bag to keep you warm during the night. Also, don’t make campfires, use a portable cooker instead.
Also, as there can be vast stretches of no civilization in the Dolomites, it is important to bring an external phone charger to keep your phone battery charged if you need to use it urgently.
p.s. if you’re looking for alternative ways to charge your phone, we’ve shared awesome tips here.
Summing Up
Camping in the Dolomites will be an exhilarating experience for sure. Whether you want to climb its craggy peaks or explore the numerous hiking trails and alpine lakes, there is something for everybody in the Dolomites! If wild camping there, make use of common sense, and you should stay under the radar for sure!
In case you’re looking for more camping spots around the world, we’ve covered these so far:
