Camping Around the Alps

chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

What's the prevalence of camp sites like in alpine regions? Planning on just finding them as I go - likely to be problems (July)? Plenty about?
Tried Alan Rogers guide, but not much in it - any other sources I could look at/recommended?

Ta.

garth · World Chat Champion Joined: 15 Dec 2004 Karma :

There are loads, you won't have a problem.

Even if busy, there's normally always room for a bike.

Look for "camping municipal"

doggone · World Chat Champion Joined: 20 May 2004 Karma :

You should be OK especially with a bike and tent, which will fit in where a caravan wouldn't.
August does get really busy - even more so than here.

Almost every village has at least one site, they can be tucked away but are quite well signed.
If it's getting late ask some local scooter boys, they will love leading you to a hard to find site.
Camping is a universally understood word!

G · The Voice of Reason Joined: 02 Feb 2002 Karma :

July should be fine.

I wanted to use a campsite as needed to do some work to the bike.
Turned up a bit late at night... it was closed.... for the next 5 months or so!
Wild camped, but the cows were irksome - specifically their bells.

chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

Thanks folks Thumbs Up

motobiker · Nitrous Nuisance Joined: 12 Dec 2008 Karma :

If you have a sat nav that can accept POI's then you can download an (almost) complete list of campsites for europe (31,000 of them)

then you'll always know exactly where the nearest campsite is - they will be listed by distance from wherever you happen to be. the major plus of this is the lack of hassle - no more looking for signs or having to ask the locals and more importantly (for me anyway) I can ride further and arrive later - for instance if Im travelling in the Alps and want to get to a certain region without the need to rush because of the worry of finding a campsite when I arrive. Also.. if you arrive at a campsite and it doesn't suit you - for whatever reason, you'll be able to pass it by and head for the next one - no fuss. It makes for very relaxed touring. If theres any reason for getting a sat nav - this is it.

https://www.archiescampings.eu/eng1/
____________________
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Sooner or later opinions fade and the name on the tank matters not. I think that happens somewhere between 3rd and 4th gear. Enjoy the ride... everything else takes care of itself.

chickenstrip · Super Spammer Joined: 06 Dec 2013 Karma :

FrankGill · Renault 5 Driver Joined: 18 Jul 2011 Karma :

Robster · World Chat Champion Joined: 16 Dec 2013 Karma :

As other people said, there's an abundance in France and especially around the Alps, can't speak for Austria/Switz/Italy but imagine its the same. Best ones I stayed at were either side of the Col De La Bonette - St Etienne de Tinee was a gorgeous site, with artificial lake for swimming, and cost a tenner for three of us in two cars! and Jausiers at the other end was a nice little site in a sleepy village.

Be aware most campsites close around 7-8pm, might have gates/bar across the entrance, saying that, the one at Jausiers you could turn up anytime and pay the next day but that was a bit of an exception.

TL;DR Pick where you wanna go and make sure they're open, plan accordingly so you can get there on time

The Alps are feckin brilliant, my favourite place in the world