Many people make a weekend getaway in order to get away from the stressful environment of İstanbul. Some prefer to stay at hotels near İstanbul while some go camping in the heart of the nature for such getaways. This is how many people get away from environmental pollution and noise, unwind and gain new perspectives. Being able to stay away from the quagmire of modern life even for a short while brings along many positive feelings. Keep reading if you are also looking for camping spots in and around İstanbul.
Ballıkaya Natural Park – Kocaeli
Located in Kocaeli, Ballıkaya Nature Park is close to İstanbul. The park is only an hour away from the city. You can camp at this natural site area in all seasons throughout the year. The separated camping spaces and picnic areas come as an advantage to campers. Picnic areas are located at the entrance of the park while you need to go further into the park for camping. It is of course possible to camp at the picnic area as well.
Uçmakdere – Tekirdağ
Located in Şarköy district of Tekirdağ, Uçmakdere is an amazing spot for those who want to camp at heights, in the greens. A friendly village, a few houses, a monumental tree and a spectacular view characterize the spot that is known for its tasty grapes. There are several suitable spaces for camping along the road.
İğneada Floodplain – Kırklareli
This is just the right spot for you if you are looking for a combination of sea, river and forest! Located in Demirköy district of Kırklareli, this place has a coast on Black Sea. You do not need to pay any fees to stay there. It takes three hours to get there from İstanbul. The area is blessed with lush vegetation and clean water resources.
Coal Harbor – Gelibolu
Located at Saroz in Gelibolu, the Coal Harbor has a magnificent sea. That’s why it is a frequent destination for divers as well as the campers. Situated right across the Despot Harbor, Coal Harbor can be slightly crowded in summers. Therefore, the best months for visiting the area are April - May and September - October.
Acarlar Floodplain – Sakarya
Located in the Karasu district of Sakarya, the Acarlar Floodplain is one the favorite spots of weekend campers. As the second largest floodplain of the world, the place covers a wide area. There are no entry fees, and you can camp anywhere you like. This spot is cut out for those who want to camp right in the heart of nature since buildings are not permitted in the area.
Yenice Forests – Karabük
If you want to go a little more further and experience different aspects of nature, you should consider camping in the Yenice Forests located in Yenice district of Karabük. Adorned with naturel beauties such as waterfalls, the area is located on a vast land. There are 5 camping areas, 7 cycle paths and 15 walking tracks in the forest. It takes about four and a half hours to get there from İstanbul.
Pürenli Upland – Düzce
The Pürenli Upland is located at a height of 1400 meters in the Gölyaka district of Düzce. Therefore, there is a climbing distance of 1400 meters after you arrive at Gölyaka. You can also see amazing landscapes such as the Güzeldere Waterfall and Eftenli Lake on this green plane. You can feel the nature deep inside you since no buildings are permitted in the area. The fact that the area is rarely visited has led to insufficient arrangement of signboards and directions. Therefore, it is useful to determine your route before hitting the road. It is possible to get there in three hours from İstanbul.
Sülüklü Lake – Bolu
Located near Bolu, Sülüklü Lake is an area where the night temperature is very low even during summer. It is also possible to come across wild animals such as grizzly bear since the nature is protected so well in the area. That’s why it is very important for the campers to act responsibly and protect the area. There is no charge for camping in the area since there are no facilities. Before going to the lake, it is quite vital to inform the employees in the district of Mudurnu about the number of people that will stay as well as the location and duration of camping. It takes 3 hours to get there.
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