Camping Dwarsgracht (Kanodorp)

A small campsite in the peat-cutters' hamlet

The Dwarsgracht campsite is in the hamlet of the same name, about 3 km from the old centre of Giethoorn and inside the Weerribben-Wieden National Park. Dwarsgracht is a former peat-cutters' settlement with houses spread across little islands between canals, much quieter than the Dorpsgracht. The grounds cover about 32,000 m² with only 15 pitches, so there is space and silence. It is run by the same business as the Kanodorp, the base for hiring canoes, kayaks and SUP boards: you set out on the water from the campsite itself.

It is the option for sleeping in Giethoorn if you come with a tent, caravan or motorhome, or if you want a simple night by the water without paying for a hotel in the centre. It is also the logical base for the canoe route through De Wieden, which starts right here.

Pitches, tiny houses and cabins

A pitch for a tent, caravan or motorhome costs from €25 a night and includes a 6-amp electrical hook-up and showers and toilets for two people; each extra person pays €3.50. Some pitches have their own bathroom, at a price the website does not publish.

If you do not bring a tent, there are tiny houses from €49 a night. Each has two single beds, a bathroom, a small kitchen with fridge, microwave and coffee maker, a table with two chairs and outdoor furniture. You need to bring a sleeping bag or duvet and a pillow: there is no bed linen. There are also hikers' cabins (trekkershutten) and glamping pods for two, with a bed and small kitchen, designed for those arriving on foot, by bike or by canoe; the website does not publish their price. On multi-day canoe trips you can also sleep on a camping raft among the reeds.

There is wifi on the pitches, a fire area and indoor and outdoor games. The campsite is open from 1 April to 1 October, every day from 10:00 to 18:00.

Getting there and what is nearby

By car, from the A32 take the Havelte / Steenwijk exit, follow the signs for Giethoorn, and there the turning for Dwarsgracht; about 2 km on, turn right. The campsite is next to cycle node 52. Without a car, bus 70 drops you in Giethoorn and from there it is about 3 km along the cycle path; the campsite hires out bikes.

From the gate you can canoe to Giethoorn or to Belt-Schutsloot, or cycle the peatlands route to Jonen. For eating in the village, Smit and Grachthof have terraces over the canal.