Camping and hiking in the woods with family or friends is something that most of us look forward to every year. All we need is a weekend to escape to nature, waterfalls, hills, and mountains for an exciting and thrilling getaway. Let’s face it, who wouldn’t want that? Especially during the monsoon season—June to August is an excellent time to be outside in Mumbai due to the weather and showers. There are numerous such campgrounds in Mumbai that vacationers can visit without burning a hole in their finances.
All you need is a weekend and a travel companion (or go solo) with whom you can rest and recuperate amidst dense vegetation, fascinating cascades, and stunning cloud-laden hilltops—basically, places that will bring you closer to nature.
1. Karnala – Big Red Tent
Panvel station is around 15 kilometres from Karnala. The Big Red Tent (BRT) campground is located in Kalhe village, Karnala, about a half-hour drive from Panvel station. Kalhe village has an unspoilt calm and a rustic beauty about it. In the Monsoons, the roads leading to the campsite offer spectacular vistas of valleys, lush foliage, and cloud-covered peaks. The rain adds to the beauty of this drive.
The Big Red Tent at Karnala campground is spread across acres of land, and the beauty of the location is that it is flanked by palm trees, giving it a Goa-like atmosphere. The lawns are well-kept, and there is even a private waterfall. The tents are covered and shaded, so even if it’s pouring outside, you won’t be wet. Every tent features a beautiful wooden seating arrangement that is both robust and old. I was completely enamoured with the location. A place to unwind, read a book, and sip a cup of tea. Every tent also contains a hammock where you may unwind in peace and quiet.
2. Pawna Lake
The Pawna Lake is an excellent place to camp, with a number of campgrounds nearby. This lake-side camping is definitely worth it because of the scenic location, which is truly a sight to behold, and the view of Pawna Lake. Because of the calm and tranquilly this place provided, I enjoyed camping here with my companions. The campsite was once again on the shore of a lake, which was relaxing and soothing. The water is clean, and our campsite had steps leading into the lake, and believe me when I say that we had our legs dipped in the water most of the day and didn’t want to leave.
Pawna Lake and the intoxicatingly lovely vista of the hills were undoubtedly the highlight of our camp stay. The magnificent and delicate sound of birds chirping in an otherwise completely silent location was rather tempting in the mornings.
Camping and trekking are a dream come true for any nature lover, and Maharashtra has been gifted with unrivalled locations thanks to the famous Sahyadri hills and waterfalls. Such pristine and unexplored landscapes undoubtedly enhance our overall experience and make our journey even more memorable and magical. The peace, calm, and seclusion that such camping experiences provide to the camper are rewarding and satisfying, and should be done at least once in a while.
3. Kolad – ZBAC Adventure
Mumbai is four hours away from Kolad. The ZBAC Kolad campground is around 50 kilometres from the Imagica theme park. The camp-best site’s feature is its lakefront location, which provides a beautiful view of the sunset. I came here in October for a beer brewing and lakeside camping trip, and it was a lot of fun. It was a relaxing, drinking, dancing, and adventure-filled gathering that included a variety of water activities.
Overall, camping forces you to step outside of your comfort zone and brings you closer to the outdoors and outdoor activities that we often overlook in our daily life. ZBAC organises a number of exciting camps in Kolad that one should consider attending. I had a fantastic experience.
4. Kundalika Rafting Camp
The Kundalika rafting camp is widely regarded as one of Maharashtra’s greatest. One of the best sites to tent and stargaze near Mumbai is just a few hours’ drive from Mumbai. It is a popular destination for thrill seekers and campers. With trees and vegetation on all sides, the setting is stunning. Not to mention the fact that you can listen to the Kundalika river flow in the background while stargazing with a grill and a bonfire. For those who want to get away from the chaos of city life, the experience is surely soul-stirring. Camping and stargazing near Mumbai would be fantastic.
5. Vasind Riverside Camping
This serene refuge for a superb camping experience is nestled close to the city. The riverside camping excursion near Vasind is one of Mumbai’s most popular camping spots. You can take one of the jeeps to the Bhatsai riverbank from Vasind Railway Station. It’s best to arrive by 4 p.m. so you can enjoy the sunset and even put up your tents. For an evening along the riverside in Vasind, gather several tents and build a bonfire. The atmosphere is incredibly soothing and restful to the senses. As you spend your time at the camping site in Mumbai, you can crank up the volume on your phone and listen to music, maybe even dance a little.
6. Panchgani Camping
Panchgani is a lovely area to come for camping near Mumbai because it is surrounded by five hills. The charming village nestled in the Sahyadri hills is ideal for a relaxing camping trip. You can either bring your tents or rent a tent for stargazing at the summit. In Panchgani, many trips for stargazing and bonfires are available. In Panchgani, the check-in time for stargazing and camping begins at midnight. Carry your sweaters because the hill station gets very cold. It’s one of the most popular camping spots around Mumbai, and you’ll have a great time there.