Night camping in Rishikesh means checking in to a forest or riverside camp in the evening, sitting around a bonfire, eating a hot dinner under the stars and waking up to birdsong in the hills. A one-night forest camp with meals starts from about ₹1,550 per person, and most camps are 15–25 km from Rishikesh town, away from the noise and lights.
We run our own forest camp at Goolar, 21 km north of Rishikesh, so this guide is written from the campsite, not from a desk. It explains exactly what happens during a camp night, what camping in Rishikesh costs, the difference between forest tents and cottages, which facilities to expect, the camping rules, and what to pack.
What Is Night Camping in Rishikesh?
Night camping is an overnight stay in a tent or cottage at a campsite outside Rishikesh town. Unlike a hotel, the experience is outdoors: you spend the evening around a bonfire with music, eat together at a buffet, sleep in a tent in the forest or hills, and spend the morning walking to a waterfall or a nearby village before checking out.
Most visitors come for one night, often combined with Ganga rafting the next day. Others stay two nights to slow down properly. Either way, you swap city noise for crickets, stars and fresh mountain air.
What Happens at Night: A Camp Timeline
Here is how a typical night at our forest camp at Goolar goes:
| Time | What happens |
|---|---|
| 5:00 PM | Check in, get your tent, and settle in. Evening tea and snacks. |
| 5:30 – 7:00 PM | Outdoor games: volleyball, cricket and badminton, or a quiet walk around the forest valley |
| 7:30 PM onwards | Bonfire with soft music. The best time for stories and stargazing. |
| 8:30 – 9:30 PM | Dinner buffet, with veg and non-veg options |
| Until 10:00 PM | Music around the camp; after 10 PM the camp goes quiet |
| Night | Sleep in your tent with the sound of the forest |
| Morning | Tea, breakfast, then a short trek to the hidden waterfall or a village walk |
| 11:00 AM | Check out, or carry on to rafting |
Camp tip: arrive before sunset. The drive on Pawki Devi Road is easier in daylight, and you get to see the valley before dark.
Types of Night Camps in Rishikesh
| Camp type | What it’s like | Best for |
|---|---|---|
| Forest camp (Goolar, Pawki Devi Road) | 25 Alpine deluxe tents in a forest valley below Thaat village, 21 km from Rishikesh. Quiet, cool and close to nature. | Friends, couples, groups, nature lovers |
| Cottages near Shivpuri | Solid rooms with a camp atmosphere, near the main rafting area | Families and anyone who prefers walls on cold nights |
| Deluxe AC cottages near Shivpuri | More comfort, air-conditioned rooms | Families and couples wanting extra comfort |
| Wondrous Camp (Kathya Badal, near Shivpuri) | About 16 km from Rishikesh with forest and mountain views | A scenic stay close to the rafting points |
Compare camp types in more detail in our Rishikesh camping guide, or see campsite areas by distance in camping near Rishikesh.
Night Camping Price in Rishikesh
| Package | Price per person |
|---|---|
| 1 night forest camp (triple sharing) | ₹1,550 |
| 1 night forest camp (double sharing) | ₹1,800 |
| 1 night, 2 days camp with activities | ₹2,000 |
| Forest camp, 1 night 2 days | ₹2,500 |
| Cottage near Shivpuri | ₹2,000 |
| Deluxe AC cottage | ₹2,500 |
| 2 nights, 3 days camping | ₹3,500 |
| Rafting + camping (9 / 16 / 26 / 35 km) | ₹2,150 / ₹2,550 / ₹3,550 / ₹4,550 |
Included in the 1-night forest camp: tent stay, evening snacks, dinner (veg and non-veg buffet), breakfast, morning and evening tea, bonfire with soft music, outdoor games and the walk to the waterfall.
Not included: transport to the camp (we can arrange it for ₹1,500 one way), drinks and personal expenses. A 30% advance confirms your booking, and groups get discounts.
Prefer a longer stay? Look at our 2 nights 3 days camping package, or add the river with a rafting and camping package.
Facilities: What to Expect at Camp
We would rather you know exactly what to expect than be surprised, so here are the honest details for our forest camp:
- Tents: Alpine deluxe tents in a forest valley.
- Washrooms: clean shared washrooms (not attached to the tents).
- Charging: charging points with power backup.
- Mobile network: patchy for Jio and Airtel; plan for a bit of digital detox.
- Music: soft music and DJ until 10 PM, then quiet hours.
- Pets: allowed.
- Drinks: guests may bring their own alcohol; please drink responsibly and not before rafting.
Rules: Is Night Camping in Rishikesh Legal and Safe?
Yes, night camping is legal at approved campsites. In 2017 the National Green Tribunal (NGT) allowed camping at 25 approved sites on the Rishikesh–Kaudiyala stretch, with no camps within 100 metres of the river. The old camps on the Shivpuri river beaches were removed by 2022, so today’s camps are set back in the forest and hills rather than on the sand.
What this means for you:
- Be careful with anyone offering a tent “on the beach” by the river; that is not allowed.
- Choose an operator with a fixed campsite, a staffed kitchen and a clear address.
- Do not go into the river at night. The Ganga is cold and fast even when it looks calm.
- Follow the camp’s quiet hours after 10 PM and keep the forest clean.
Camps close every monsoon, usually from July to mid-September, and reopen with the rafting season. If you are rafting too, read is river rafting in Rishikesh safe for age limits and safety rules.
Things to Do at Night and in the Morning
- Bonfire and stargazing: on clear nights away from town lights, the sky is full of stars.
- Outdoor games: volleyball, cricket and badminton before dinner.
- Hidden waterfall trail: a short morning walk from the camp.
- Village walk: visit Thaat and Valyakhaan villages above the camp.
- Rafting the next day: add a Ganga rafting trip on your way back.
- Sunrise hike: combine with a sunrise trip to Kunjapuri temple on another day.
Want more activities in one package? Our 1 night 2 days camp with activities is built for that.
Best Time for Night Camping in Rishikesh
| Months | Night camping conditions |
|---|---|
| October – November | The best: dry, clear skies, pleasant days and cool nights. See rafting and camping in November. |
| December – February | Cold nights (single digits at the forest camp), perfect bonfire weather. See camping in December. |
| March – April | Warm days and mild nights; good for groups and families |
| May – June | Hot days; nights are comfortable at the forest camp |
| July – mid-September | Camps closed for the monsoon |
What to Pack for Night Camping
- Warm layers: a fleece or sweater, plus a jacket from November to February
- Comfortable shoes for the waterfall walk
- A torch or headlamp
- Power bank (network is patchy)
- Personal toiletries and any medicines
- Insect repellent in the warmer months
- A government photo ID for every guest
- Quick-dry clothes and strapped sandals if you are rafting
Who Night Camping Suits
- Couples: a quiet forest night with a bonfire; ask for double sharing.
- Friends: games, music until 10 PM and rafting the next day.
- Families: cottages near Shivpuri are comfortable on cool nights.
- College and corporate groups: group discounts, team games and a bonfire evening.
From Our Camp Team
Our camp team at Goolar welcomes guests every weekend of the season. The things they say most often:
- “Look up after dinner.” On a clear night, the stars over the valley surprise almost everyone who lives in a city.
- “Bring one more layer than you think.” The forest gets cold after midnight, especially from November.
- “Do the waterfall walk.” It is short, and the morning light in the valley is the best part of the stay.
Why Trust This Guide
This guide is written by Bheem Singh Chauhan, founder of White World Expeditions, with our camp staff at Goolar. We own and run the camp we describe, so the timings, facilities and prices come from our own operations. White World Expeditions is a government-registered adventure company in Tapovan, Rishikesh, rated 4.9★ from 919+ Google reviews.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the price of night camping in Rishikesh?
Night camping in Rishikesh starts at about ₹1,550 per person (triple sharing) or ₹1,800 (double sharing) for one night at our forest camp, including dinner, breakfast, snacks, tea and a bonfire. Cottages start at ₹2,000 and rafting + camping packages at ₹2,150.
What happens during night camping in Rishikesh?
You check in around 5 PM, have tea and snacks, play outdoor games, sit around a bonfire with soft music, have a buffet dinner and sleep in a tent. In the morning there is breakfast and a short walk to a waterfall before check-out at 11 AM.
Is night camping in Rishikesh safe?
Yes, at an approved campsite with staff on site. Choose an operator with a fixed camp and a clear address, stay away from the river at night, and follow the camp's quiet hours.
Is camping allowed near the Ganga in Rishikesh?
Camping is allowed only at approved sites. Under the 2017 NGT order, camps must be at least 100 metres from the river, and the old beach camps at Shivpuri were removed by 2022.
What are the check-in and check-out times?
At our forest camp at Goolar, check-in is at 5:00 PM and check-out is at 11:00 AM.
Are washrooms attached to the tents?
No. Our forest camp has clean shared washrooms near the tents. If you want an attached bathroom, choose a cottage near Shivpuri.
Is there mobile network at the camp?
Network for Jio and Airtel is patchy at the forest camp. There are charging points with power backup, so bring a power bank and enjoy a bit of digital detox.
Can we bring alcohol and pets to the camp?
Yes, guests may bring their own alcohol and pets are allowed. Please drink responsibly, respect the 10 PM quiet hours and do not drink before rafting.
Is transport to the camp included?
No. Transport to the camp and back is not included. We can arrange a vehicle for ₹1,500 one way, or you can drive yourself to Pawki Devi Road.
Which is the best time for night camping in Rishikesh?
October to March is best, with dry weather, clear skies and cool nights for the bonfire. Camps are closed during the monsoon, usually from July to mid-September.
Can we do rafting and night camping together?
Yes. Rafting + camping packages start at ₹2,150 per person for the 9 km stretch with one night at camp, and go up to ₹4,550 for the 35 km stretch.
What should I pack for night camping?
Pack warm layers, comfortable shoes, a torch, a power bank, toiletries, any medicines and a photo ID. Add quick-dry clothes and strapped sandals if you are rafting.
Book Your Night Camping in Rishikesh
Forest tents from ₹1,550 per person with dinner, breakfast and a bonfire, or rafting + camping from ₹2,150. Weekends fill fast, so send us your date and group size.