Top 10 Campsites in Austria
Austria's camping infrastructure is built for the Alps. The country's position at the heart of the European mountain belt means that most campsites are either positioned for mountain access or set beside the warm lakes of the Salzkammergut and Carinthia that make summer swimming camping viable. The Austrian national campsite networks — ÖAMTC and ACSI-listed sites — maintain consistently high facilities standards, and the combination of excellent cycling infrastructure and well-marked hiking trails makes Austria one of the most functional touring camping destinations in central Europe.
1. Camping Seehof, Zell am See, Salzburg
On the shore of the Zeller See, with direct lake access and a backdrop of the Hohe Tauern peaks. The site has electric pitches, sanitary block with private cabins, a restaurant, and boat hire. The Kitzsteinhorn glacier — skiable year-round — is 8 km away. One of the most consistently well-reviewed lakeside sites in the ACSI database for Austria.
2. Camping Arlberg, St Anton, Tyrol
In the Arlberg valley at 1,300 metres, this is the premier summer hiking campsite for the Arlberg region — better known for its winter ski infrastructure but holding excellent summer trail networks. Electric pitches, heated sanitary facilities for cold mornings, and a location that makes the Valluga and Verwall area day hikes easily accessible.
3. Camping Wolfgangsee, St Wolfgang, Upper Austria
On the Wolfgangsee in the Salzkammergut — the Austrian Lakes District that inspired Brahms and was a favourite retreat of the Habsburg court. The lake's unusually warm summer water temperatures and the surrounding mountain backdrop make this one of Austria's most scenic summer camping destinations. Boat excursions to St Wolfgang village and the famous Schafberg railway are within easy reach.
4. Camping Grubhof, Lofer, Salzburg
In the valley below the Loferer Steinberge mountains, this large private campsite is well-positioned for rafting on the Saalach river and hiking in the surrounding Berchtesgadener Alpen. Covered cooking facilities, a pool, and good motorhome facilities. One of the more complete facilities sites in the Salzburg province.
5. Natterer See, Natters, Tyrol
Five kilometres south of Innsbruck, with a private lake for swimming and excellent motorway access for touring the Inn Valley. The site is busy — Innsbruck's proximity means weekend demand is high — but the facilities are strong and the location for day trips into the Karwendel and Stubai ranges is hard to beat.
6. Camping Ötztal, Sautens, Tyrol
At the entrance to the Ötztal, one of Austria's longest and most dramatic side valleys, this site provides the base for hiking, cycling, and the long ascent to the Ötztaler Alpen high-altitude terrain where the Ötztal Glacier Road climbs to 2,830 metres. The valley's hot springs at Längenfeld are 30 km up the valley. Electric pitches, good sanitary block, river access.
7. Camping Murau, Styria
On the Mur river in the Styrian highlands, Camping Murau is a quieter alternative to the Tyrolean and Salzburg sites, suited to campers cycling the Murradweg — the 365 km cycling route along the Mur from its source to the Slovenian border. The site has basic facilities and a pleasant riverside setting.
8. Camping Wörthersee, Klagenfurt, Carinthia
On the Wörthersee — the warmest large lake in Austria and a summer resort destination for southern Austria and Slovenia. The site has direct lake access, electric pitches, and the full range of motorhome facilities. Klagenfurt's medieval centre is 5 km by cycle path.
9. Camping Stubaital, Schönberg, Tyrol
In the lower Stubaital above Innsbruck, this site is the base for the Stubai Glacier ski area in winter (some campers use it year-round) and for the Stubaier Höhenweg — a demanding high-altitude circuit — in summer. The valley is sheltered and sunnier than the Inn Valley floor.
10. Camping Dachstein-West, Russbach, Upper Austria
Beneath the Dachstein massif — one of Austria's most significant mountain limestone plateaus — this campsite provides access to the Dachstein cable car and the extensive Gosaukamm hiking terrain. The Dachstein ice caves, among Austria's most visited natural attractions, are accessible from the cable car station.
Practical notes for Austria camping
ACSI CampingCard covers many Austrian sites in shoulder season. Austrian campsites are generally open June through September; some operate year-round. Reservations are strongly recommended for July and August, particularly for lake sites in the Salzkammergut and Tyrol. Wild camping is not permitted in Austria.