If you thought Bali was all luxurious villas and hostel digs, think again!
Camping in Bali is very much a thing. From tents on a hillside to some more lavish and luxe glamping options, you can have the kind of camping experience you prefer.
To give you a little bit of inspo, here are some of the best spots to camp in Bali. Among nature and in the lesser visited areas of Bali, you are ensured a memorable and fun time. Check them out!
Best Campsites in Bali
If you are looking for the rough and ready kind of camping in Bali, this is a selection of classic style campsites on the island where you can sleep on a tent and wake up in nature.
Buyan Lake
You’ll find Buyan Lake up towards the north of Bali, away from tourist crowds in the shadow of Mount Bratan.
There are a few different camping spots in the area – 1 on the lakeside and another among the trees of the forest.
Incredibly atmospheric and special, evenings camping at Buyan Lake include fire pits and all those classic camping activities.
You don’t need to worry about waking up hot and stuffy in the tent as the temperature is so much cooler around the lake. Make sure you get up early enough for those magical sunrise views over the lake – paradise views!
Located here.
Bukit Asah
Bukit Asah is located in the beautiful area of Karangasem, on a hilltop with perfect coastal views. You can poke your head out of your tent to cool ocean breezes and magical views!
It’s situated overlooking an unspoilt beach with a selection of tents and a few more glamping accommodations to choose from. During a stay at Bukit Asah you can bask in nature and wake up to outstanding views of the horizon.
There is easy access to the beach for surfing and sun soaking, and magical sunset views.
Starting from just IDR170,000 for a medium tent, it is an affordable campsite in Bali where you can make some happy memories with loved ones.
Tamblingan Lake
Tamblingan Lake is connected to the aforementioned Lake Buyan, and is home to a beautiful Balinese Hindu water temple.
The location at the foot of Mount Lesung is an unbelievable landscape for campers to immerse in nature and enjoy some really dramatic views!
Camping at Tamblingan Lake is a quiet spot for sleeping under the stars, right on the edge of the lake and backed by the forest. Don’t expect much in the way of facilities – this is more of a natural, back-to-basics camping experience, where you can enjoy the sounds and sights of this stunning location.
For as little as IDR 70,000 /2 persons a night, you can enjoy this magical campsite in Bali.
Balian Beach
Just to the west of Canggu, Balian Beach is a wide swathe of black sand and a top surf spot in Bali.
There is a dedicated campsite on the beach, where you can head with a camper or your own gear. The campsite is located on a quieter portion of the beach, close to a river and lots of greenery.
Balian Surf Camp has all the facilities you could need if you park nearby. There is a restaurant and toilet, as well as firewood and WiFi available. It is just IDR50,000 /night per camper van to park at the campsite.
Overlooking the beach, this is a beautiful place to stay if you are looking for a camping experience.
Gunung Payung Beach
Gunung Payung Beach is one of Uluwatu’s beautiful white sand beaches, and the Pantai Gunung Payung Cultural Park is a beautiful spot to spend a night camping. It might be hard to reach, but that’s what makes this particular camping in Bali experience well worth it.
Something of a hidden beach, the white sand stretch of shoreline is backed by rugged cliffs, feeling like an amphitheatre. It’s a relaxed spot where you can swim in crystal-clear waters, surf and just laze around in the tropical weather.
Pitch a tent, go for the VIP dome experience or bring along your camper, however you choose to camp at Gunung Payung Beach you’ll be in for an exciting adventure.
Bukit Cemara
Tucked away in the hills surrounding Yehkori village is a quiet Bali campsite with truly outstanding landscape views.
On the hilltop you can sleep in one of the rented tents with views of Mount Agung, rice paddies and the tropical forests down below.
This particular site is for the more adventurous campers, I’d say. Not only is it in a more rural location, there are a whole loads of outdoor activities you can join, from hiking waterfalls and cooking out in the open, to simply soaking up all the sounds of the forest.
Mount Batur
Camping on the slopes of one of Bali’s famous volcanoes is a bucket-list type experience.
Mount Batur travellers from far and wide to experience sunrise from its peak, but a stay on the summit will give you a front row view, along with super fun and cool time.
Just remember you don’t wanna pack too much as everything you need you’ll have to carry up to mountain.
Keramas Beach
Lastly we have Keramas Beach, which is another beachfront campsite in Bali where you can fall asleep to the sounds of waves crashing into the shore.
Set up on the lawn beside the sand, you can pitch a tent or pull up in your camper van for a night of camping in total island bliss.
Keen surfers will love having easy access to the best morning waves, while the sunset views from the beachside are also incredibly memorable.
Located here.
Outstanding Spots for Camping in Bali
From safari-style tents and luxurious domes, to bamboo cabins and cool bungalows, Bali’s camping scene has it all.
Whether you’re looking for somewhere super remote, or just a stone’s throw from civilisation, there is a little bit of everything.
For off-grid camping experiences, a jungle retreat sounds ideal!
With this experience you’ll get to stay among the lush surroundings of the Balinese jungle at 1,300 metres above sea level, all just a stone’s throw from waterfalls and traditional villages.
The campsite is fairly simple, with the wild nature taking centre stage. There’s a ton of activities like hiking, swimming, kayaking, and simply just watching the stars at night. Plus, you’ll get home cooked, local meals every meal time!
Book yourself in for a few nights at Tukadsari Camping to relax and unwind.
It is a family-run campsite in Kintamani, on a backdrop of mountains – namely, Bali’s famous peaks of Agung, Abang and Batur (as well as Lake Batur).
The campsite itself is far from roughing it. You’ll be sleeping on double beds inside peaceful, pre-erected tents with white fabrics and atmospheric lighting.
You can spend time losing yourself in the captivating mountain views and catching a stunning sunrise. Opt for an adventurous hike and make friends with like-minded travellers, Tukadsari Camping is a must try spot!
The adventure starts the moment you get collected from where you’re staying, as you begin the journey to lesser-trodden northern Bali.
Along the way you’ll pass by waterfalls and drive through remote villages, before arriving at the campsite itself.
Once you arrive, get ready for hiking through beautiful Balinese rainforest, discovering natural infinity pools and learning about the people who live close to nature in this part of the island.
The entire experience will be an eye-opening, transformative time that you won’t forget any time soon.
Tropical Glamping
The name says it all: this is glamping, tropical style.
Think a much more elevated level of camping where you spend the night in a gorgeously curated bungalow, complete with an Instagram-worthy hammock hanging over the inviting blue waters of the sea.
The Tropical Glamping experience can be found perched on a cliffside on the small island of Nusa Penida, just off the Balinese coast.
Everything has been well thought out, from the open air bathroom to the rustic yet stylish interiors. And even though it’s luxurious (relatively, for camping), you’ll still be staying close to nature, surrounded by lush tropical countryside and farms.
You don’t have to sleep in a tent to be camping in Bali.
Taman Asta Gangga is a collection of natural bamboo cabins that are a perfect shelter from the elements, in the midst of verdant Balinese countryside.
Set close to the Telaga Waja River, the views from the campsite are pretty epic, with lush, green farmland and mountains in the distance to feast your eyes on.
There are plenty of spots to snap pictures of yourself (and the sunrises), including a deck and swing seats. You’ll also find a cafe-restaurant that serves up a selection of tasty local dishes. Overall it’s an awesome place to hang out in the middle of nature!
Yurt living in a tropical island setting? Sounds like a total dream!
The yurts at Nusa Penida Yury are spacious with double beds, seating areas and TVs.
In the campsite there is a refreshing swimming pool, tropical gardens, and a great restaurants.
With tons of tours and excursions on offer, you’ll never get bored — it’s a great base for exploring the rest of Nusa Penida.
Make your stay in Bali particularly memorable by booking yourself a few nights at a luxurious glamping experience.
It may not be located in the middle of the jungle, or next to a waterfall, or on the side of a mountain, but the campsite is definitely a VIP sort of place.
The accommodation is in the form of large dome tents. The interior of each tent has been decked out super stylishly, with double beds, fully equipped bathrooms, and cool, contemporary furnishings.
The glamping site even comes with your very own private pool. What’s not to like?
Up for some luxury-level, safari-style camping in Bali? Well, here it is.
You can have the chance to stay in a super spacious, pre-erected safari tent, complete with a king size bed, swish furnishings and views out across the jungle valley from your very own deck.
The campsite has its own stylish cafe, where you can order food throughout the day or just sit and watch the nature with a coffee.
Elsewhere there’s a fire pit, picnic areas, and waterfalls within easy reach of the site. It’s pretty remote, but then again it’s also one of the most magical locations we’ve seen.
Located in Kintamani, this Balinese campsite is a great option for travellers who want to spend some time unwinding in nature and meeting some friendly fellow travellers.
The location of the campsite is up the side of a mountain, where the views are — as you’d expect — breathtaking.
Wake up to sunrises over the mountains, go hiking in the jungle, and spend evenings drinking arak and stargazing with your hosts and the other guests.
Facilities-wise, you can choose from a selection of different tents and huts, from safari-style tents and cabins to full-on tree camping.
For more stylish camping in Bali, you’ll want to check out Wanahita Camp.
Set in Gretek, on the north coast of Bali, you’ll be far away from the crowds of the more touristy towns in the south.
A stay not only means being free from over-busy streets, but also means whiling away the hours staring at incredible views of Mount Batur and patchwork farmland.
The tents are pretty cool and comfortable, with double beds, rugs and fans to keep off the heat. There’s even a small bar area and a fire pit for intimate evenings under the stars.
For those of you who want to make the epic trek up to Mount Batur for sunrise, set yourself up at camping experience. The campsite actually overlooks peaceful Lake Batur, and is known for its hiking excursions up to the mountain.
Stay the night in one of the comfortable tents, complete with glamping levels of design and home comforts, and then wake up to embark on the Batur trek before sunrise.
You can also head off on a Jeep tour, explore natural hot springs – basically, there’s a lot to do. And what’s more: the food is amazing!
Sang Giri Mountain Glamping
Sang Giri has nine tents in total, each of them equipped with en-suite bathrooms, comfortable beds and private decks with seating and tables.
It’s the perfect spot to chill out with rainforest views on the slopes of Mount Batukaru – the second-highest mountain in Bali.
As far as amenities go, there’s an on-site restaurant serving local and Western dishes (freshly made to order to avoid food waste). You’ll also find rice fields, hot springs and waterfalls, as well as a local village, just a few minutes drive from the property.
Final Thoughts
Camping in Bali is always going to be an experience that is equal parts incredibly close to nature and also undeniably stylish. That’s Bali for you: plenty of wild tracts of rainforest, volcanoes, lakes, waterfalls, hot springs and dramatic coastlines, but such as aesthetic culture of design and style at the same time. It’s a beautiful mix!
These camping options take you to relatively remote stretches of the Indonesian island. So it’s so long Seminyak, hello Gretek. Or perhaps you’d like to stay somewhere close to Mount Batur for the sunrise of a lifetime. Maybe Nusa Penida is where it’s at for you. Wherever you choose, you’re in for a memorable time.
Featured image: Glamping tent in Pelaga Eco Park
