There are several pole camping sites in the Hoge Kempen National Park. The concept is simple, the equipment basic. Within a radius of 10 meters around this pole you may pitch your tent. There are both free and paid pole camping sites.
What is Pole Camping?
Pole camping? Yes, indeed camping not on, but around a pole in nature. A campsite where you are allowed to spend the night in or on the edge of a nature reserve. Pole camping is the only way of ‘wild camping’ that is legal in Belgium. The rules are written on the pole: within 10m of the pole, no open fires, no digging, no rubbish and keep dogs on a leash. And as always with wild camping: leave no trace - leave no traces of your stay!
There are currently 3 places in the Hoge Kempen National Park where you can camp:
- Pole camping in Terhills - paying
- Pole camping in Thorpark - free but reservation required
- Pole camping in Duinengordel - free, without reservation
Pole Camping Terhills
The pole camping site in Terhills is located near the National Park Visitor Center in a forrest, on grass and plant covered ground. This is a paid pole camping site. You pay €15 per person here for a 1-night stay. Your online reservation gives access to the sanitary building with toilet, shower and drinkable water located next to the Visitor Center 50 meters from this pole camping area. Picnic tables and a shelter are available at the National Park Visitor Center.
Staying overnight is allowed here if:
- you have reserved and paid online for each person staying here overnight. If not, you risk a fine of €50 per person.
- The total capacity is not exceeded: maximum 10 people.
- Your tent is within the defined area around the pole.
- you pitch your tent here only between 5 pm and 9.30 am.
- You must not light fires, dig ditches or play amplified music.
- You must leave the pitch tidy. Sort your trash and dispose of it in the trash cans outside at the Visitor Center.
Pole camping Thorpark
The National Park Trail passes nearby, as do several hiking, cycling (junction #508 and #512) and mountain biking routes.
Staying overnight is allowed here if:
- you have booked online for each person
- the total capacity is not exceeded: maximum 10 people and 3 tents per night
- your tent is only within the defined area or max. 10m from the pole
- you only stay between 18h and 10h in the morning
- you must not dig ditches or play music
- you only light fires in the basket (if it is open)
- you must leave the pole campsite tidy
- you come on foot or by bike.
Pole camping Duinengordel
Pole camping sites Itter and Solt are located in the north of the Hoge Kempen National Park, in the eastern part of Duinengordel. Pole camping here is free of charge. Reservation is not possible. You can spend the night on a wooden platform or in the grass. There are poles for a hammock or tarp, a picnic table, a bench and a composting toilet. There is also a hand pump with non-potable groundwater at both sites (so you have to boil this water first).
The various hiking, biking (junction #36 and #570), equestrian (junction #42), and mountain biking routes are nearby or pass by the 2 sites. The Great Route paths 561 Kempen-Maaspad passes by pole camping site Solt.
Overnight stays are allowed here if:
- the total capacity is not exceeded: maximum 10 people and 3 tents per night.
- your tent is inside the area around the pole.
- you must not light fires, dig ditches or play amplified music.
- you must leave the pole site tidy.
- preferably on foot or by bike.
Location pole camping Terhills
Location pole camping Thorpark
Location pole camping Duinengordel (2x)
