Rishikesh is India’s most popular place for a night under canvas: Ganga beaches, sal forests, Garhwal villages and Himalayan foothills, all within an hour of town. But camping in Rishikesh can mean anything from a tent on a riverside beach to an AC cottage with a pool. We have run our own forest campsite here for years, so this guide explains the different kinds of camps, where they are, what the rules say, and what a night at camp is really like, so you can pick the right one before you book.
Every camp in Rishikesh is built around the same evening: tents, a bonfire, a buffet dinner and a quiet night outside the city. What changes is the setting and how much comfort you get. These are the five kinds you’ll see when you compare camps in Rishikesh.
Swiss tents or dome tents on approved sites near the Ganga, mostly around Shivpuri, Marine Drive and Kaudiyala. Some have a sandy beach for volleyball and river views; all must stay 100 m+ back from the water.
Best for: rafters, friend groups, a classic “Ganga camp” photo.
Tents in a side valley among sal and mixed forest, often a short walk from the road. Expect birdsong, a stream or waterfall trek, darker skies and fewer neighbours. Our forest camp at Goolar is this type.
Best for: quiet nights, nature lovers, stargazing, birding.
Camps on terraces above the river near Garhwali villages, with mountain views and village walks. Roads are narrower and nights are cooler than by the river.
Best for: slow weekends, culture, sunrise views.
Rooms, cottages or glamping domes with proper beds, often attached bathrooms, AC options and sometimes a swimming pool, such as our deluxe AC stay at Wondrous Camp near Shivpuri.
Best for: families with young kids, couples, first-timers who want comfort.
Any of the above, packaged with a morning of Ganga rafting (9–35 km). You stay one night and raft on day 1 or day 2, with transfers to the rafting start point arranged.
Best for: first-time rafters, college and office groups, weekend trips from Delhi.
Swiss tents are large, framed canvas tents with beds. Alpine deluxe tents (what we use at Goolar) are sturdy, weather-proof tents with mattresses and bedding. Dome tents are smaller, budget, floor-level tents.
Tip: ask for a photo of the inside of your tent before you pay.
Where your camp is matters more than its name. Shivpuri is the busy camping hub, forest valleys are the quiet option, and Kaudiyala is the remote, upstream choice. Here is how they compare.
| Area | Distance from Rishikesh | Setting & vibe | Getting there | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shivpuri | About 16 km (30–40 min) | Busy camping and rafting hub on the Badrinath road; many camps, cafés and adventure sports | Easy by car or taxi; most camps near the road | Rafting groups, first-timers, short trips |
| Forest valleys (e.g. Goolar, Pawki Devi Road) | About 21 km | Quiet forest valley below Thaat village; waterfall trail, birdlife, dark skies | Road, then a 15-minute (700 m) walk to camp | Nature lovers, couples, families with older kids |
| Kathya Badal (near Shivpuri) | About 16 km | Village setting with forest and mountain views; deluxe stays and a pool at Wondrous Camp | By road with parking at camp | Families, couples wanting comfort |
| Marine Drive | About 26 km | Wide river valley, calmer than Shivpuri; start of the 26 km rafting stretch | By road, 45–60 min | Families, groups combining camp and longer rafting |
| Kaudiyala | About 35–40 km | Remote upstream stretch, fewer camps, start of the 35 km rafting run | By road, 1–1.5 hrs on the Badrinath highway | Experienced rafters, longer stays |
Yes, but only at approved sites. In March 2017 the National Green Tribunal (NGT) lifted its conditional ban on camping along the Ganga between Rishikesh and Kaudiyala, but allowed it only at 25 identified sites set back more than 100 metres from the river. Eight of the 33 sites surveyed were too close to the water and were ruled out. The case was brought over waste, plastic and glass bottles on the riverbanks.
What this means for you:
Rules and enforcement change. If you are booking a riverside camp anywhere, check its registration and ask what happens to your booking if the district administration closes beach camps for weather or high water.
This is the real 1 night / 2 day plan at our forest camp at Goolar. Most organised camps follow a similar rhythm.
Most complaints about camping in Rishikesh come from expectations, not the camp. Ask these questions before you pay; a good operator answers them in one message.
Prices depend on the type of camp, the season and whether meals, transport or rafting are included. As a rule of thumb for 2026-27, per person per night:
| Camp type | Typical price per person | What’s usually included |
|---|---|---|
| Budget tents / dome tents | ₹1,200 – ₹1,600 | Dinner, breakfast, bonfire |
| Forest camp (Alpine or Swiss tents) | ₹1,550 – ₹2,500 | Snacks, dinner, breakfast, bonfire, a trek; lunch on 1N/2D stays |
| Deluxe and AC stays / cottages | ₹2,000 – ₹3,000 | 3 meals, bonfire, sometimes a pool and transport |
| Glamping domes and luxury camps | ₹4,000 – ₹8,000+ | Attached bathrooms, premium meals, decor |
| Rafting + camping combo | ₹2,150 – ₹4,550 | 1 night with meals plus 9–35 km of rafting |
Our own stays start at ₹1,550 per person for the 1-night forest camp (triple sharing). For every package, date and inclusion, see our Rishikesh camping packages and prices.
Hidden costs to ask about: transport to the camp (we charge ₹1,500 one way from Rishikesh when it isn’t included), extra meals, an extra bed, and weekend or long-weekend surcharges.
The most popular way to camp in Rishikesh is to pair it with a morning on the Ganga. You stay one night and raft either on arrival day or the next morning, depending on the batch timings.
Compare all of them on our rafting and camping in Rishikesh page, and check whether rafting is open today before you travel.
| Months | Weather at camp | Good for |
|---|---|---|
| Late Sep – Nov | Post-monsoon green, clear skies, pleasant days and cool nights | Rafting + camping, photography, first-timers |
| Dec – Feb | Sunny days around 18–22°C; nights can drop to about 5°C | Bonfire nights, Christmas and New Year groups |
| Mar – Apr | Warm, green and comfortable; flowering forests | Families, school groups, birding |
| May – Jun | Hot days, cooler in forest valleys; biggest rafting rapids | Summer-holiday groups, adventure seekers |
| Jul – mid Sep | Monsoon rain, high river, landslide risk | Not recommended: most camps and all rafting closed |
For river conditions month by month, see our best time for rafting in Rishikesh guide.
Pick a camp with car access and simple walks. At our forest camp the minimum age is 10; at Wondrous Camp it is 6. Children under 6 sharing a parent’s bed stay free and 6–12-year-olds pay 50%. Rafting is for ages 14 and above.
Ask for a double-sharing tent, a camp with quiet hours, and a weekday stay if you can; weekends are when big groups arrive.
Camps can host 50–60 people for a night and up to 30 on rafting combos. We offer group and corporate discounts, and run a school adventure trip with rafting, caving and rock climbing.
Book a triple-sharing tent or join a group date. Camps are staffed through the night, and the bonfire is the easiest place in Rishikesh to meet other travellers.
Many camps don’t allow pets, so always ask. Pets are welcome at our camps; tell us when you book.
See our full packing checklist.
Tell us your dates, group size and whether you want rafting, and we’ll suggest the right camp.
See Camping PackagesAsk on WhatsApp
📞 +91-9411527295 (Mr. Bheem) | +91-9711088020 (Mr. Deepak) | Office +91-9411397294
Rishikesh has five main types of camps: riverside (beach) camps on approved sites near the Ganga, forest or jungle camps in side valleys, village and hill camps above the river, cottage and glamping stays with rooms and pools, and rafting + camping combo camps. Most are on the Rishikesh–Kaudiyala stretch of the Badrinath and Neelkanth roads, 15 to 40 km from town.
Choose Shivpuri if you want to be close to the rafting start point, cafés and adventure sports, and don’t mind other camps nearby. Choose a forest camp if you want quiet nights, a bonfire under clear skies, a waterfall trek and fewer people. Forest camps are usually a short walk from the road and have fewer luxuries, while Shivpuri stays are easier to reach by car.
Only at approved sites. Under a National Green Tribunal order of March 2017, camping on the Rishikesh–Kaudiyala stretch is allowed only at 25 identified sites set back more than 100 metres from the river. Unauthorised beach camps have been removed in later crackdowns, so ask any riverside camp to confirm it is an approved, registered site before you book.
Most camps are 15 to 40 km from Rishikesh. Shivpuri camps are about 16 km away (30–40 minutes by road), forest camps such as Goolar on Pawki Devi Road are about 21 km away, Marine Drive is about 26 km, and Kaudiyala camps are 35–40 km upstream on the Badrinath road.
It depends on the camp. Luxury Swiss tents, cottages and glamping stays usually have attached bathrooms, while budget and forest camps usually have clean shared washroom blocks. At our Goolar forest camp the washrooms are shared, not attached to the tents. Always ask before you book if an attached bathroom matters to you.
Most camps have electricity for lights and charging points, often with power backup, but signal varies. In the forest and river valleys Jio and Airtel usually work only in patches, and WiFi is rare. Download maps, tickets and music before you leave Rishikesh.
Generally no. Rafting in Rishikesh is closed from July to mid-September, and most riverside camps close or run with restrictions because of rising water, landslides and heavy rain. Our camps are fully closed from July to mid-September and reopen with the new season in late September.
Yes. Organised camps in Rishikesh provide the tent, bedding, meals, bonfire and a camp manager, so you don’t need any camping experience or gear. Solo travellers can book triple-sharing tents or join group departures, and first-timers usually enjoy a 1 night / 2 day stay with a short trek and the bonfire evening.
From December to February, days are sunny and around 18–22°C, but nights at the camps can drop to about 5°C, and forest valleys feel colder than town. Camps provide blankets or quilts and a bonfire, but bring a warm jacket, cap, gloves and thermal layers.
Most camps check in from 12 noon to 2 PM and check out by 10–11 AM the next day. At White World Expeditions, check-in is from 12 noon (5 PM for the 1-night forest camp stay) and check-out is by 11 AM, so plan rafting on the morning of day 2 or before you arrive.
One night is enough for a bonfire evening and a short trek, and it fits a weekend trip from Delhi. Two nights let you add rafting, a village walk and a slower morning without rushing back. Groups combining camping with rafting, a trek to Kunjapuri or Neelkanth, and adventure sports usually prefer 2 nights / 3 days.
Yes. Camp-only stays include meals, the bonfire and camp activities such as volleyball, nature walks and a waterfall trek. Rafting is an optional add-on, which you can book with the stay as a combo or separately for any morning of your trip.
Camp details, timings, prices and policies come from our own campsites and were confirmed by our operations team in October 2026. The beach-camping rules are based on the National Green Tribunal order reported by Down To Earth. Market price ranges are based on 2026 camp listings across Rishikesh. We review this guide before every season; last reviewed 2 October 2026.
Forest camps, riverside stays and rafting combos from ₹1,550 per person, open from late September to June.