Camping Kirchzarten

A big campsite in the Dreisam valley

Camping Kirchzarten is on the edge of the village of Kirchzarten, about ten minutes from Freiburg on the B31, in the Dreisam valley, with the Schauinsland in the background. It is a family campsite, of the kind that has been in the area for decades: it has been a member of the Baden-Württemberg campsite association since it was founded, in 1968, and advertises itself as five-star. It has 500 pitches, about 365 of them for tourists, and also hires out wooden igloos, caravans, mobile homes, apartments and rooms.

It is open 365 days a year, which is rare in the Black Forest, and in winter it is a practical base for snow: the nearest cross-country track is 15 minutes away by car and the nearest ski lift 7, according to the campsite.

The pitches and services

All the pitches have a 16 A socket; 48 comfort ones add water and drainage. They come in five sizes, from up to 70 m² to over 131 m², spread around the site, some under large trees and others in the sun, many with a view towards the Oberried valley and the Schauinsland. In low season they cost from €26 a night for the small one to €35 for the large one, with two people, one car, showers and hot water included; electricity and the tourist tax are extra. Booking on its website has no fee; by other routes they charge €10.

There are three toilet blocks with 42 hot showers, accessible bathrooms, a family bathroom and 12 private bathrooms for hire, kitchens and a laundry with washing machines and dryers, a motorhome emptying point, a playground and a dog shower with hot water. From mid-May to mid-September the municipal swimming pool next door is free for campers. The Herr Fröhlich restaurant is open every evening from 16:00 to 23:00. There is no wifi, and they say so quite clearly.

Without a car

It is one of the few places to stay in this guide where the car is unnecessary. Kirchzarten station, on the Höllental line, is a 10 or 15 minute walk away, and the price includes the KONUS card, with free bus and train across the Black Forest: Freiburg, Hinterzarten and Titisee are on the same railway line, and you go up to the Feldberg by bus from Titisee or Feldberg-Bärental.