Six Recommended Campsites Across Israel

The coronavirus has impacted our lives in many ways, one of them being the number of us on vacation, which sometimes makes it harder to find a spacious, uncrowded place at a reasonable price. . So it’s no surprise that demand for outdoor camping vacations has skyrocketed this year.

There is something about the simplicity of camping, the connection with nature, at a price that is worth every agora (compared to the high cost of hotels) that fascinates many families. Camping can satisfy everyone, opening up the most beautiful places in the country. Look into your children’s eyes and see their excitement as the tent is taken out of the backpack and spread out on the ground; in a matter of minutes, a sheet of fabric becomes a wonderful magical house for children.

So where to place your tent? Here is a collection of options.

1. Sleep with the flowing water from Hasbani

North of the Hula Valley is the Maayan Holiday Village, right next to the HaGoshrim Kayaks. The unique location of the village makes it an excellent starting point for hikes, attractions and national parks.

The holiday village has undergone extensive renovations and now includes a variety of accommodation options in separate complexes: a camping complex, a guesthouse complex and a glamping complex.

The well-maintained campsite complex provides pleasant and secure overnight camping on the lawns of the park. You can pitch tents next to the scattered plane trees and very close to the cove, and hear the streaming water from the Hasbani. For the comfort of those who spend time at the campsite, a new and spacious locker area has been set up. In addition, food trucks will be placed at the entrance to the resort village, offering a variety of meals.

The park also has spacious toilets and showers with hot water, a self-service kitchenette with electrical outlets, a counter and refrigerators for rent.

Location: Maayan Holiday Village – Kibbutz Maayan Baruch

Price: 90 NIS per person over two years old, upon entry; 72 NIS if booked in advance

2. In the wild with A / C

Across from the Gilad Mountains is the Ganey Hugga Water Park. In the park, there are the “Hugga” springs (where water flows between three lakes), barbecue areas on shaded grassy areas and zip lines leading directly to the swimming pool and water games.

The park contains improved and secure overnight camping on the lawns of the park. For the pampered, there is a service for setting up tents, rental of mattresses, chairs, spacious toilets, refrigerators and hot showers.

At the edge of the illuminated lakes in the evening, activities await the whole family: fishing park, entertainment for children, sunset walks around the park with explanations, play areas …

Also note that the park contains 14 air-conditioned tents (yurts) which include a refrigerator and mattresses: three large yurt tents, 52 meters in length, that can accommodate up to 20 people, and 11 smaller yurt tents that can accommodate up to six. people. The park also offers a pre-organized breakfast service.

Hours: The park is open every day from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.

Entrance fee for one day: 44 NIS for children from three years old

Campsite price: 88 NIS per person, per night

Those wishing to upgrade to the air-conditioned family yurt – which can accommodate up to six people – can add NIS 470 per night.

3. You may regret along the way

At the foot of Mount Tabor, in Moshav Shadmot Dvora, there is a new unique holiday resort – “Khan Derech Haetz”. It was established next to the “Derech Haetz” adventure park, thus creating a holiday complex, which includes a variety of accommodation options next to a tourist attraction. Accommodation options include: backpacker rooms, a group room, air-conditioned tent, and space for personal camping – so even if you’ve planned a tent but regretted it along the way because it does too hot for you – maybe take a guest room or apartment instead.

The resort is well-equipped and organized, offering guests: sufficient lighting, clean barbecue facilities, a section for lighting bonfires, toilets and showers. In total, it offers vacations to suit all budgets, with accommodation based on sleeping.

Location: Khan Derech Haetz – Moshav Shadmot Dvora

Price: Personal camping tent – 60 NIS per person; tent built by Derech Haetz with mattress (without sheets) 75 NIS per person; air-conditioned tent with mattress (without sheets) 90 NIS per person

Group guest room – up to 14 people and minimum eight people, equipped with bunk beds with linens, shower and attached bathrooms – 110 NIS per person

Hiker’s rooms – for five people, with en-suite bathroom and shower, towels, linens and fully equipped kitchenette for the entire floor – NIS 165 per person

Guest apartments – for 10 people, built with three bedrooms and a living room, includes an en-suite shower and bathroom and a fully equipped kitchen – 165 NIS per person

4. Group party

Near Kibbutz Gadot, at the foot of the Jordan, a new campsite was opened several months ago: the Jordan River Khan. It is suitable for families, friends and parties and includes two complexes. One for 20 people and a smaller one for 10 people.

Here, there is no need to carry tents and mattresses; only food, drinks and bedding should be brought. The tents will be waiting for you with shaded areas, seating, barbecue facilities, manicured lawns, 24 hour security, bright nighttime lighting, clean toilets and showers, refrigerators and electrical outlets.

Within walking distance there is the Iskandar Kosher Restaurant and plenty of attractions – kayaks, ziplines down to the water, a ninja complex, and plenty of other activities for the whole family.

Price: At the resort for 20 people – 160 NIS per person, 75 NIS per person for each additional night

At the resort for 10 people – 75 NIS per night

Reservations: Haim Mesika, 050-221-9752

5. Lie down with the Romans

In Mamshit National Park, you can walk around the remains of a real Nabataean city, from Roman times. Although the area is small, you can discover an abundance of historical treasures: from magnificent houses and well-preserved streets to an impressive tower and old stables.

Mamshit parking lot includes full lighting, showers and toilets with disabled access, water fountains, pavilions, benches and tables, campfire sites (including wood), kitchen which includes counters, refrigerators, gas stoves, charging stations for cellphones, represents the collection of coals and the lighting of barbecues and more. There is also a visitor service center. You can stay in several types of accommodation: in a tent that you bring home or rent in the complex (including mattresses), a large tent with mattresses for several families and tukuls (huts) that can accommodate up to eight people with mattresses, and upgraded tukuls which also include a refrigerator and sitting area. In addition, there are rooms for rent designed for up to five people, with each room with beds, mattresses, shower, toilet, fridge, kettle, microwave and air conditioner.

Price: Personal tent for one adult – 55 NIS. Personal tent for one child – 40 NIS. Family camping tent for one adult or camping tent (including mattress) – 80 NIS. Child family camping tent (including mattress) or camping tent – 65 NIS

Reservations: Reservations for sleeping can be made on the Israel Parks and Nature Authority website.

Mamshit National Park (AVI BAHARI)

6. Wake up to a breathtaking sunrise

The Masada site is familiar to almost all Israeli citizens. It is considered one of the most important, beautiful and special historical sites in Israel, which tells the story of the Jewish people and their war for their land. Masada was one of the last strongholds of the Jewish freedom fighters in their struggle against the Roman army some 2,000 years ago. The mountain is considered a symbol of the end of the kingdom of Judah and its destruction at the end of the Second Temple period. Another unique attraction are the remains of the magnificent palaces from the time of King Herod. These pair well with the silent testimonies of the days of the Roman siege and the bitter end of the highlanders.

In the Masada West parking lot you can enjoy full lighting, hot showers, a kitchen with counters, refrigerators, gas stoves, drinking fountains, electrical outlets, benches and Permanent and portable picnic tables, points for charging cell phones, corners for campfires and grill light stations. There is also a visitor service center. You can choose from several types of accommodation: in a tent that you bring home or rented on site (mattress included), or a large tent with mattresses for several families. In addition, there are rooms for rent designed for up to five people, with each room with beds, mattresses, shower, toilet, fridge, kettle, microwave and air conditioner.

Price: Personal tent for one adult – 55 NIS. Personal tent for one child – 40 NIS. Family camping tent for one adult (including mattress) – 80 NIS. Family camping tent for children (including mattress) – 65 NIS

Reservations: Reservations for sleeping can be made on the Israel Parks and Nature Authority website.