PiNCAMP, the campsite portal of ADAC, analysed around 500,000 online reviews from camping guests across Europe. Using an AI-supported analysis, it identified about 12,500 statements that explicitly refer to camping with a dog and produced a ranking of the 25 most dog-friendly campsites in Germany.
The top three
- Campingplatz Erlensee (Bavaria): a natural setting and time by the water, with dogs allowed to swim in the lake.
- Naturpark-Camping Prinzenholz (Schleswig-Holstein): its own dog beach on the Kellersee, walking routes from the site, a dog shower and drinking bowls, and treats on arrival.
- Camping Harfenmühle (Rhineland-Palatinate): a quiet location, hiking trails, friendly staff and no fireworks on New Year's Eve.
Lower Saxony has the most sites in the top 25 with six, followed by Schleswig-Holstein with five and Mecklenburg-Vorpommern with four. That puts 15 of the 25 sites in these three federal states. Bavaria has three sites in the ranking: besides the winner, they are KNAUS Campingpark Viechtach in the Regen district in 16th place and Via Claudia Camping in the Allgäu in 22nd place. Across Europe, around seven out of ten dog-related guest reviews are positive, but opinions differ on bathing spots and special dog facilities. ADAC Südbayern advises owners to prepare well: bring documents, medication, enough food and water, follow the campsite rules, give the dog a fixed place to rest and protect it from heat and direct sun.