NL
Farm campsites, micro-campsites and wellness campsites are a growing trend for travellers who consciously choose peace and quiet, authenticity and a direct connection with nature. These small-scale forms of camping offer a welcome alternative to traditional busy campsites and combine simplicity with a focused experience. Whether you want to introduce the children to farm life or you long for relaxation with a sauna and hot tub, these campsites offer exactly what many travellers are missing. Looking for lots of privacy? Then a micro-campsite is an excellent option. Discover which option best suits your travel party and preparation.
What makes a farm campsite different from camping on a large site
On a farm campsite you camp directly on a working farmyard or adjacent land. The site often has no more than a handful of pitches for tents, motorhomes or caravans. The farmer shares personal stories about their animals, crops and daily life on the farm. This direct connection with rural life is the main difference from traditional campsites.
The facilities are deliberately kept simple: sanitary blocks, spacious pitches with views over meadows and basic necessities without entertainment programmes. Camping on a farm takes you back to the essence of your holiday, with maximum peace and space to enjoy the surroundings. You can find these campsites through specialist networks with thousands of small-scale locations spread throughout the Netherlands.
More and more farm campsites offer luxury variants, also called glamping. Safari tents with private bathrooms, lodges, tiny houses or pitches with hot tubs provide extra comfort. This combination of authentic outdoor living and modern facilities mainly attracts couples and families who are looking for the charm of the countryside without sacrificing convenience.
‘ Many farms offer direct experiences that children cannot get anywhere else. ’
Are farm campsites suitable for families with young children
Farm campsites are ideal for families with young children. Children learn through play about animals and harvesting crops. This happens during a guided tour of the farm. The small scale ensures a safe environment where children can play freely without constant traffic or crowds of other campers.
Many farms offer direct experiences that children cannot get anywhere else. Think of feeding rabbits, collecting eggs or helping with small jobs. For parents this means a holiday where children are busy all day and go to bed contented, while they themselves enjoy the peace and space.
Do bear in mind that farm campsites do not have organised activities or playgrounds like large campsites. So take your own toys or entertainment options with you. Think, for example, of moments when the children are not active around the farm. Most farm campsites are open from April to October, depending on the season and the work on the farm.
How micro-campsites guarantee lots of privacy (few other guests) and simplicity
A micro-campsite has a maximum of ten camping pitches, often located on private land such as a back field, orchard or forest edge. This limited capacity guarantees maximum privacy. It feels like wild camping with the owner’s permission. You have direct contact with the hosts and often feel as if you have found your own little spot in nature.
Finding a micro-campsite requires more preparation than booking a regular campsite. Not all micro-campsites are labelled as campsites; platforms also show camping pitches in private gardens, on farms or in other unexpected locations. This diversity makes every micro-campsite unique and full of surprises.
The main features of micro-campsites:
- A maximum of ten camping pitches for optimum peace and quiet
- Basic facilities without luxury extras
- Direct contact with owners or hosts
- Close to nature
- Secluded location
- Ideal for adventurers looking for a personal experience
Book in good time, because with so few pitches, micro-campsites fill up quickly. They are ideal if you consciously opt for simplicity and really want to slow down during your holiday. You can find micro-campsites in the Netherlands and just across the border, often in areas you would not otherwise discover so easily.
Which micro-campsites offer a unique camping experience
The unique experience of micro-campsites lies in the location and the story behind it. Some micro-campsites are in orchards where you can pick fruit during your stay, others are on the edge of a forest with walking routes starting right from your tent. Each site has its own character and is often run by owners who share their passion for nature and hospitality.
You will find micro-campsites in surprising places: in the gardens of country houses, on former arable land transformed into camping meadows, or even at small hobby businesses (for example an alpaca or wine farm). This diversity makes the search for the perfect micro-campsite part of your holiday preparations.
The following criteria help when selecting a micro-campsite:
- Check the location and surroundings for walking and cycling opportunities
- Read reviews from previous campers about the atmosphere and facilities
- Check whether the micro-campsite is suitable for your camping type (tent, motorhome, caravan)
- Ask about opening times and any restrictions
- Find out whether the location is suitable for families or is more adults-only
How campsites with wellness add relaxation to your camping holiday
Campsites with wellness combine camping with luxurious relaxation facilities such as hot tubs, saunas, steam baths and massages. These campsites often consciously focus on small scale or an adults-only policy to guarantee maximum tranquillity. You enjoy nature with the extra comfort of wellness facilities that you can use straight after a day of walking or cycling.
The facilities vary per campsite. Some wellness campsites have a shared sauna and hot tub. Other, more luxurious variants offer private hot tubs at your accommodation. You will also find campsites with swimming pools, wellness rooms and even professional massages by appointment. These additions turn your camping holiday into a complete relaxation experience.
Wellness campsites are suitable for different target groups:
- Adults-only campsites: Sauna, hot tub and private accommodation for couples and solo travellers
- Family campsites with wellness: Pool, wellness room and play facilities for children
- Natural settings: Hot tubs near special animals such as alpacas, outdoor kitchens and wooded surroundings
Preferably book wellness sessions or private use of facilities in advance, especially in high season. Some campsites offer special packages that combine walks, cycle tours and wellness treatments into a restorative weekend or longer holiday.
Who looks for wellness and meditation campsites
Wellness and meditation campsites attract travellers who consciously choose peace, recovery and mental relaxation. Couples without children form the largest group of visitors, as well as solo travellers looking for a digital detox or wanting to work on personal development. Families who want to combine tranquillity with quality family time are also increasingly opting for this type of campsite.
Meditation campsites add an extra dimension to wellness campsites. Locations such as Zen Ranch in Drenthe offer not only wellness facilities but also guided meditation, mindfulness sessions and retreats. These campsites focus on people who are actively seeking mental calm and want to learn techniques to reduce stress.
The target group consists of:
- People recovering from busy work periods or burnout complaints
- Travellers interested in yoga, mindfulness or meditation
- Couples who want to relax together without distractions
- Solo travellers looking for introspection and personal growth
The range of these campsites is growing rapidly. You will mainly find them in nature-rich areas such as Drenthe, Overijssel and Zeeland. The combination of nature, small scale and focused wellness activities forms a perfect basis for people who want more than just a holiday.
Practical tips for planning your small-scale camping holiday
Start your planning by deciding what kind of experience you are looking for. Do you want to experience authentic farm life or relaxation at a wellness campsite? Are you looking for lots of privacy at a micro-campsite? This choice determines where you will search and what you need to arrange before you leave.
Check the campsite’s opening season. Most farm and micro-campsites are open from April to October, depending on the weather and the work. Wellness campsites often have a longer season or are even open all year round, especially those with rental accommodation and winter facilities such as saunas.
Book well in advance, especially for micro-campsites and popular wellness campsites. With limited pitches these campsites fill up quickly, particularly during school holidays and summer months. For farm campsites, booking early gives you more choice in location and type of accommodation.
Prepare yourself for simplicity at farm and micro-campsites. These campsites offer basic facilities without shops or restaurants on site. Take enough groceries with you and check in advance where the nearest facilities are. For wellness campsites it is best to book wellness sessions, massages and private use of facilities in advance for the best availability.
Small-scale campsites are a perfect match for sustainable and local travel. Support the owners by buying local products, minimising waste and treating nature and animals with respect. These conscious choices not only make your holiday more peaceful, but also more valuable for the region you are visiting.
‘ On the Traveler Tips website you will find extensive information about campsites by province, tips for choosing the right camping gear and routes you can combine with your camping holiday. ’
Discover more camping options for your ideal holiday
Farm campsites, micro-campsites and wellness campsites are only part of the small-scale camping options in the Netherlands and beyond. On the Traveler Tips website you will find extensive information about campsites by province, tips for choosing the right camping equipment and routes you can combine with your camping holiday. Discover more about nature holidays, sustainable travel and smart preparation for your next trip.
Frequently asked questions
You can count on basic to well-maintained sanitary facilities (showers, toilets) and often a washing-up area, sometimes supplemented with private bathrooms or a hot tub/sauna at wellness or glamping sites. Power points are usually available at the camping pitches or central areas so you can use your devices and, if applicable, your motorhome or caravan in comfort. Wifi is often limited to central zones or the yard, which deliberately supports digital calm, but still provides basic connectivity for route planning and bookings. Unique communal spaces such as farmyards, outdoor kitchens, orchards or wellness rooms create social meeting places and make your trip ‘smarter’ because you can exchange local tips, products and experiences directly with hosts and other travellers.
The campsite distinguishes itself through a small-scale, tranquil atmosphere with a strong focus on nature and space, often without a busy entertainment programme. Through local activities such as guided tours of the farm, getting to know rural life and the use of regional produce, a personal and authentic experience is created. Wellness facilities such as saunas, hot tubs or massages are used to support relaxation and recovery rather than mass entertainment. This fits well with a conscious travel experience in which peace, sustainability, connection with the surroundings and attention to yourself are central.
The exact location differs per campsite; therefore always consult the address and directions on the website or booking page of the specific farm campsite, micro-campsite or wellness campsite. In general these campsites are easy to reach by car and parking on site is common; by train you usually travel to the nearest regional station and continue by bus or bicycle. Many of these small-scale campsites are located on or near cycle junctions and rural cycle routes, which makes them very accessible by bike. They are often close to nature reserves or walking networks, offering direct access to walking routes and places of interest.
Many small-scale campsites focus on sustainability by selling locally produced farm products, working on a small scale and in a nature-friendly way, and limiting waste and energy consumption. As a traveller, you can contribute by buying local (farm) products, using water and electricity sparingly, and separating and minimising your waste. Consciously choose a quiet, small-scale campsite instead of mass tourism and, where possible, get around by bike or on foot. On site, ask about guided tours or volunteer activities to support the farmer or owner directly and to learn more about their sustainable approach.
The price options differ per type of campsite: simple farm campsites and micro-campsites are usually the cheapest, with basic facilities such as sanitary blocks and a spacious pitch included. Luxury or glamping options (safari tents, lodges, tiny houses) and wellness campsites are more expensive, but offer extras such as a private bathroom, hot tub, sauna or massages. For each option, check carefully which facilities and services are included (electricity, use of wellness, cleaning, bed linen) and what costs extra. Then decide which facilities you are actually going to use so you do not pay for luxury you do not need.
