For families looking for the back to nature feeling while not missing out on the summertime water fun, why not consider pitching a tent on one of Switzerland’s many waterfront campgrounds. Often located on the shores of one of Switzerland 1500+ lakes or perhaps near the sound of a rushing river, these campgrounds are great for those looking for a laid back atmosphere with a tinge of luxury thanks to private swimming areas and iconic water views. To help you aid your research into family-friendly lakeside campgrounds in Switzerland, I have put together a list, some coming personally recommended, others on my own to-visit list.
But a word of warning: Thanks to often beautiful views and direct lake access, these are some of the most popular campgrounds in Switzerland. So book early and don’t expect to have the place to yourself in high season.
Your guide to Switzerland’s best waterfront Campgrounds for your summer travels.
1. Camping Unterägeri – On the Ägerisee, Canton Zug
Setting up camp at Camping Unterägeri
The intimate Camping Unterägeri, located just a 15-minute drive up from the city of Zug, boasts direct lake access and even has a small pebbled beach. This is a quieter campground, with only a small playground for the kids and no organised activities. Ideal for campers with their own supplies, you won’t find any rental accommodation on site. Don’t forget to pack your swimmers and stand up paddleboard, as well as your bikes, as the Ägeri lake is perfect for a family bike ride.
2. Camping Aaregg – On the Brienzersee, Canton Bern
View from one of Camping Aaregg’s waterfront Bungalows. Brienzersee, Switzerland.
You have to book early to get a spot at the ever-popular Camping Aaregg in Brienz during the summer holidays. There are cabins and pitches boasting water views, a grassed area with lake access, and even the restaurant looks over the uniquely blue coloured lake. Brienz is an excellent base for exploring the Bernese Alps including the nearby open-air museum Ballenberg and mountain villages of Lauterbrunnen and Grindelwald.
3. Camping La Nouvelle Plage – On Lac de Neuchâtel, Canton Fribourg
Enjoying Lake Neuchatel from Camping ground La Nouvella Plage
You will find the campground, La Nouvelle Plage directly on the lake of Neuchatel, in the town of Estavayer-le-Lac just under a 2-hour drive from Zurich. The campground boasts a lovely sandy beach with direct access into the lake including plenty of water sports on offer. Read the SFT review of Camping La Nouvelle Plage here.
4. Camping Yverdon Plage – On Lac de Neuchâtel, Canton Vaud
Lakeside camping in Yverdon-les-bains
Also on the lake of Neuchatel, at its southern tip is Camping Yverdon Plage. While not officially directly on the lake, the only thing between you and the water is a pathed footpath. If you have camping provisions, ask for a lakeside pitch when booking and get up for sunrise – it’s worth it. They also have safari tents for rent.
5. Camping Delta – On Lago Maggiore, Canton Ticino
Swimming in lake Lago Maggiore from Camping Delta
There are so many lakeside campgrounds along the Lago Maggiore (check tip 7 too) that I could dedicate an entire blog post to them. And to decide which one to stay it requires you to know what type of camper ar you. If you are looking for a no-nonsense campground, make sure you consider Camping Delta with its lakeside access and a small beach too. Plus you have the river Delta to bath in as well.
6. TCS Disentis
The TCS campground Disentis in the Swiss Alps is set along a small lake
While the TCS Disentis campground, located just a short drive up from Chur, isn’t directly on a large natural lake with sweeping views, the site does have a small body of water big enough for inflatable boats and a shallow stoned shore area to cool your feet. Bonus there is a riverbed close by too.
Camping lakeside in Unterägeri, Switzerland
7. Other Lakeside Campgrounds in Switzerland to consider
While we have yet to visit any of these campgrounds personally, they have either come personally recommended by other families or are on my own to-visit list. Fingers crossed we can cross off a couple of these over the next couple of months.
- TCS Sempachersee – Sempachersee, Canton Luzern
- Seefeld Park Sarnen – Sarnersee, Canton Obwalden
- TCS Camping Buochs – Vierwaldstättersee, Canton Nidwalden
- TCS Bönigen-Interlaken – Brinzersee, Canton Bern
- TCS Camping Solothurn – On the river Aare, Canton Solothurn
- Hotel Camping Sutz Bielersee, Canton Bern
- Camping Erlach – Bielersee, Canton Neuchatel
- TCS Flaach – On the Rhein River, Canton Zürich
- Camping Murg – Walensee, Canton Glarus
- Campofelice Camping Village – Lago Maggiore, Canton Ticino
- Camping Miralgo Tenero – Lago Maggiore, Canton Ticino
- TCS Lugano-Muzzano – Lago di Lugano, Canton Ticino
- TCS Sion – on a small lake with the River Rhone flowing nearby, Canton Wallis
