The best camping near Rishikesh starts about 15 km upstream, where the town ends and the Ganga valley opens up along the Badrinath highway. There are no tent camps inside Rishikesh itself, so “near Rishikesh” really means one of a dozen areas between 12 km and a few hours away: riverside camps at Shivpuri and Kaudiyala, forest camps in side valleys like Goolar, and hill camps at Kunjapuri, Kanatal and Chopta. We run our own camps at Goolar and Shivpuri, so this guide maps every area by distance, drive time, price and the kind of traveller it suits. If you already know you want a package, start with our best camping in Rishikesh options.
Distances below are by road from Ram Jhula / Tapovan, the area most visitors start from. Drive times assume normal traffic; on long weekends add 30–60 minutes on the Badrinath highway (NH-7).
| Area | Distance | Drive time | Camp style | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Neelkanth road (Mohan Chatti, Phool Chatti) | 12–20 km | 30–45 min | Jungle and riverside tents | Bungee jumpers, short stays |
| Brahmpuri | 9–10 km | 25 min | A few small riverside camps | Gentle 9 km rafting starts |
| Shivpuri | ≈16 km | 30–40 min | Swiss tents, cottages, glamping | First-timers, families, rafting combos |
| Goolar / Pawki Devi Road | ≈21 km | 45 min | Forest-valley Alpine tents | Quiet nights, groups, pets |
| Marine Drive, Atali, Ghattu Ghat | 26–28 km | 50–60 min | Riverside and hillside camps | River views, 26 km rafting |
| Byasi | ≈32 km | 1 hr | Riverside camps, resorts | Longer river stays |
| Kaudiyala | 38–40 km | 1 hr 15 min | Wild riverside camps | 35 km rafting, remote feel |
| Kunjapuri / Narendra Nagar | ≈25 km | 1 hr | Hill and village camps | Sunrise views, cooler nights |
| Rajaji fringe (Chilla side) | ≈20 km | 40 min | Resorts and jungle lodges (no camping inside the park) | Wildlife safari add-on |
| Devprayag | ≈73 km | 2–2.5 hr | Riverside camps near the confluence | Road-trippers heading to Badrinath |
| Kanatal / Dhanaulti | 80–95 km | 2.5–3 hr | Pine-forest hill camps | Cool weather, winter snow |
| Chopta | ≈185 km | 6–7 hr | Basic alpine tents, homestays | Tungnath–Chandrashila trekkers |
Guide’s tip: if you have only one night, stay within 40 km. Anything beyond Devprayag needs at least two nights, or you spend more time in the car than at camp.
Most searches for camping in Rishikesh near the river or near the Ganga lead to the 40 km stretch between Shivpuri and Kaudiyala. One thing to know first: since a 2017 National Green Tribunal order, camps on this stretch are allowed only at approved sites set back more than 100 metres from the water, and the old tents right on the white sand beaches were removed. So today’s “riverside” camps sit on terraces above the Ganga, with a short walk down to the beach. Our Shivpuri vs forest camps guide explains the rules in detail.
Camping in Rishikesh Shivpuri is the most popular choice because it sits at the start of the 16 km rafting run and has the most camps, cafés and adventure sports nearby. Expect Swiss tents with attached bathrooms, cottages, buffet meals, a bonfire and music in the evening. It gets busy on weekends. Our own Wondrous Camp is in Kathya Badal village above Shivpuri, a calmer spot with forest and mountain views; see it under luxury camping in Rishikesh, or choose a cottage stay in Shivpuri if you prefer solid walls to canvas.
The road climbs above a wide bend of the Ganga here, so camps get big river views and more space between tents. It is the start of the 26 km rafting run, which includes Grade III+ rapids such as Golf Course and The Wall.
Fewer camps, longer beaches below, darker skies and the sound of the river at night. Kaudiyala is the start of the 35 km full-day rafting run. Mobile signal is weak and evenings are quiet, which is the whole point. The trade-off is a longer drive back to town for the Ganga Aarti or cafés.
Monsoon note: riverside camps and all Ganga rafting close from July to mid-September. Camps reopen with the rafting season, usually in the second half of September.
If you want silence, a proper bonfire and a sky full of stars, a forest camp in a side valley beats the main highway. These camps sit off the Neelkanth road and Pawki Devi Road, among sal and pine forest, with streams and small waterfalls nearby.
Our forest camp near Rishikesh is at Goolar, about 21 km from Rishikesh on Pawki Devi Road, below Thaat village. What you get there, honestly:
For simple tent camping in Rishikesh with dinner, breakfast and a bonfire, the 1-night forest stay starts at ₹1,550 per person (check-in from 5 PM). Groups who want a slower trip usually pick the 2 nights / 3 days camping package.
Hill camps trade the river for altitude: cooler nights, Himalayan views and clear sunrises. They work best from October to June; in December and January Kanatal and Dhanaulti can get snow.
| Hill area | Altitude | Distance from Rishikesh | Why go |
|---|---|---|---|
| Kunjapuri / Narendra Nagar | ≈1,676 m (temple) | ≈25 km | Sunrise over the Himalaya and Doon valley; easy from town |
| Kanatal | ≈2,590 m | ≈80 km via Chamba | Pine and deodar forest camps, Surkanda Devi trek |
| Dhanaulti | ≈2,286 m | ≈95 km | Eco parks, winter snow, close to Mussoorie |
| Chopta | ≈2,680 m | ≈185 km | Base for Tungnath and Chandrashila; meadows and snow peaks |
Kunjapuri is the one you can fit into a short trip: our Kunjapuri sunrise trek guide covers timings and the route. If you want more hill options around the Doon valley, see our list of treks near Dehradun.
Not in a tent. Many people search for camping in Rishikesh Tapovan, but Tapovan, Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula are built-up town areas full of hostels, cafés and ashrams, and camping on the ghats or beaches in town is not allowed. Pitching your own tent on the Ganga beaches is also not permitted under the NGT rules.
The good news: Tapovan is the easiest place to start from. Shivpuri is about 14 km and 30 minutes from Tapovan, and most camps, including ours, can arrange pick-up from Tapovan or Laxman Jhula. Many travellers stay one night in a Tapovan hostel for the Ganga Aarti and cafés, and one night at a camp.
Prices below are per person per night, on twin or triple sharing, with dinner, breakfast and usually evening snacks. They are typical ranges we see for the 2026-27 season; weekends and holidays sell out first.
| Camp type | Typical price | What’s usually included |
|---|---|---|
| Basic riverside or forest tent | ₹1,200–₹2,000 | Shared washrooms, meals, bonfire |
| Swiss tent with attached bathroom | ₹1,800–₹3,000 | Meals, bonfire, music, games |
| Cottage, AC tent or glamping | ₹3,000–₹8,000 | Attached bath, AC or heater, sometimes a pool |
| Rafting + camping combo | ₹2,150–₹4,550 | 1 night camp + 9 to 35 km rafting |
| Hill camps (Kanatal, Chopta) | ₹1,500–₹4,000 | Meals, bonfire; transport extra |
Our own prices for the 2026-27 season: 1-night forest tent stay from ₹1,550, Wondrous Camp from ₹2,500, a deluxe AC cottage from ₹2,500, and 2 nights / 3 days from ₹3,500. Booking needs a 30% advance.
We arrange pick-up and drop from Rishikesh, Haridwar and the airport at extra cost; ask when you book.
Pick a quiet valley or hill camp: Goolar forest, Kathya Badal above Shivpuri, or Kanatal for a cool-weather escape.
Best areas: Goolar, Kathya Badal, Kanatal
Stay close to town with attached bathrooms and easy roads. Shivpuri cottages work well; children 14+ can join short rafting stretches.
Best areas: Shivpuri, Brahmpuri
Look for big lawns, a DJ, volleyball and group discounts. Forest camps that you can book out entirely are ideal.
Best areas: Goolar, Marine Drive, Shivpuri
Camp where the river runs hardest and add 26 or 35 km rafting, bungee at Mohan Chatti, cliff jumping and kayaking.
Best areas: Marine Drive, Kaudiyala, Neelkanth road
Most groups end up booking rafting and camping in Rishikesh together, since the rafting start points are right next to the camps.
Planning your dates? Our best time for rafting guide shows water levels month by month, and we have a full guide to camping in Rishikesh in October, the first month of the new season.
Shivpuri, about 16 km from Rishikesh, is the best all-round choice because it has the most camps and sits at the start of the 16 km rafting run. For quiet nights choose a forest camp such as Goolar on Pawki Devi Road (about 21 km). For a wilder riverside feel go to Byasi or Kaudiyala (32–40 km), and for cooler hill camping go to Kunjapuri or Kanatal.
Most camps near Rishikesh are 12 to 40 km from town. Neelkanth road camps are 12–20 km away, Shivpuri about 16 km, Goolar about 21 km, Marine Drive 26–28 km, Byasi about 32 km and Kaudiyala 38–40 km. Hill camps are further: Kunjapuri about 25 km, Kanatal about 80 km and Chopta about 185 km.
Yes, but only at approved sites. A 2017 National Green Tribunal order allows camps on the Rishikesh–Kaudiyala stretch only at identified sites more than 100 metres from the river. Tents directly on the beaches were removed, so today’s riverside camps are on terraces above the Ganga with a short walk to the water.
No. Tapovan, Laxman Jhula and Ram Jhula are town areas with hostels, cafés and ashrams, and tent camping on the ghats or beaches is not allowed. The nearest camps are at Shivpuri, about 14 km and 30 minutes from Tapovan, and most camps offer pick-up from Tapovan.
Camping near Rishikesh costs about ₹1,200–₹3,000 per person per night with meals for tents, and ₹3,000–₹8,000 for cottages, AC tents and glamping. Rafting and camping combos cost about ₹2,150–₹4,550. At White World Expeditions, forest camping starts at ₹1,550 per person.
Yes, when you book an established, registered camp. Choose a camp with staff on site at night, lit paths, lockable tents or cottages and clear quiet hours. Families usually prefer Shivpuri for easy road access and attached bathrooms, while solo travellers can join group departures or book triple-sharing tents.
Not on the Ganga beaches or in town. Wild camping on the river stretch is not permitted under the NGT rules and forest department controls. If you want to use your own tent, ask a registered campsite or a trekking route operator whether they allow it on their land.
Couples usually prefer quieter spots away from the main highway: forest valleys like Goolar, village camps above Shivpuri such as Kathya Badal, or hill camps at Kanatal. Ask for a private tent or cottage, a bonfire and a camp that keeps quiet hours after 10 PM.
October to March and again April to June. October and November have clear skies and pleasant nights, December to February are cold but sunny, and March to June are warm with the best rafting water. Riverside camps and rafting close for the monsoon from July to mid-September.
Most camps have electricity for lights and charging, often with backup, but mobile signal varies. Shivpuri has fair coverage, while forest valleys, Byasi and Kaudiyala often get only patchy Jio and Airtel. Download maps and tickets before you leave Rishikesh.
Shivpuri is about 16 km from Rishikesh on the Badrinath highway (NH-7), a 30–40 minute drive. You can take a taxi, a shared jeep from Tapovan or Laxman Jhula, or a camp pick-up. Forest camps off the highway may need a short walk from the road.
Some camps allow pets. Our Goolar forest camp welcomes pets, as long as you keep them on a lead around other guests and tell us when you book. Many Shivpuri camps and cottages do not allow pets, so always confirm first.
Forest tents from ₹1,550, Shivpuri camps and cottages from ₹2,000, and rafting combos from ₹2,150 per person. Open late September to June.
White World Expeditions, 1st Floor, Badrinath Marg, Tapovan, Rishikesh. Drop in to plan your camp, or call +91-9411397294.