Why Dehradun is India's Best Camping City
No Indian city sits in a better position for camping than Dehradun. The Doon valley is flanked by the Shivalik range on one side and the Mussoorie ridge on the other. Rishikesh — India's adventure sports capital — is 45 minutes away. Haridwar, Rajaji National Park, Corbett, Kedarnath, Badrinath, the Char Dham, the Garhwal Himalayan treks — all within reach. Dehradun is less a city than a launchpad.
Here are eight verified camping options across different terrain types, distances and budgets.
1. Rishikesh River Camps, Tehri Garhwal — ~45km from Dehradun
India's white water rafting capital and the most established camping corridor in the country. The Ganga between Shivpuri and Rishikesh runs through a forested gorge with 16 rapids. Beach camps on the river bank, yoga retreats, bungee jumping, cliff jumping and zip lining are all available. The infrastructure is excellent and the setting is genuinely beautiful. Best September to June; avoid monsoon.
Best for: River camping, white water rafting, beginners, groups
Price: ₹800–₹4,000 per person per night
Getting there: Via Rishikesh on NH58. ~1 hour from Dehradun.
2. Chopta & Tungnath, Rudraprayag — ~200km from Dehradun
The finest meadow camping in Uttarakhand. Chopta at 2680m is the base for the Tungnath temple trek (India's highest Shiva temple at 3680m) and the Chandrashila summit (4130m) for 360° Himalayan views. The rhododendron forests turn crimson in April. Significantly less crowded than Kedarnath despite being just as spectacular. Best April to June and September to November.
Best for: Himalayan meadow camping, temple trek, rhododendron season
Price: ₹800–₹3,000 per person per night
Getting there: Via Rudraprayag on NH58. ~5 hours from Dehradun.
3. Mussoorie & Landour Ridge, Dehradun — ~35km from Dehradun
The Queen of Hills and the closest proper hill camping to Dehradun. The George Everest estate, the Camel's Back road, Lal Tibba viewpoint and the forested ridge walks above Landour make Mussoorie more than just a hill station. Forest camping on the Mussoorie ridge gives access to panoramic Himalayan views on clear days. Best March to June and September to November.
Best for: Closest hill camping, colonial heritage, families
Price: ₹1,000–₹4,000 per person per night
Getting there: Via NH707A. ~1 hour from Dehradun.
4. Chakrata & Tons River Valley, Dehradun district — ~90km from Dehradun
A cantonment hill town at 2118m in the Jaunsar-Bawar region — one of Uttarakhand's most culturally distinct areas with its own Mahabharat traditions. The Tiger Falls (312ft, one of India's highest), the Tons river and the Kanasar deodar forest make Chakrata exceptional. Very few tourists — it maintains a genuine hill town character. Best April to June and September to November.
Best for: Solitude, deodar forests, cultural distinctiveness
Price: ₹600–₹2,000 per person per night
Getting there: Via Vikasnagar on NH707. ~3 hours from Dehradun.
5. Har Ki Dun Valley, Uttarkashi — ~190km from Dehradun
A hanging valley at 3566m in the Govind Wildlife Sanctuary, shaped like a cradle by surrounding peaks. The Swargarohini massif towers above the valley — in Hindu mythology, the Pandavas ascended to heaven from here. Camping in Har Ki Dun is among Uttarakhand's most beautiful and relatively accessible high-altitude experiences. Best May to June and September to October.
Best for: High-altitude valley camping, Garhwali villages, mythology
Price: ₹800–₹2,500 per person per night
Getting there: Via Purola to Sankri (~200km), then trek 22km to Har Ki Dun.
6. Rajaji National Park, Haridwar — ~55km from Dehradun
A tiger reserve in the Shivalik foothills adjacent to Dehradun. Rajaji has elephants, tigers, leopards, king cobra and over 400 bird species in a mix of sal forest and grassland. The Ganga and Song rivers run through the park. Much less visited than Corbett despite being closer to Delhi and Dehradun. Best November to June.
Best for: Closest wildlife to Dehradun, elephants, birding
Price: ₹1,000–₹4,000 per person per night
Getting there: Via Haridwar on NH58. ~1.5 hours from Dehradun.
7. Dhanaulti & Surkanda Devi, Tehri — ~60km from Dehradun
A quiet ridge at 2286m above Mussoorie with dense deodar and rhododendron forest. Far less visited than Mussoorie but just as beautiful. The Surkanda Devi temple trek (2756m) gives panoramic views of the Garhwal Himalaya. Eco Huts run by GMVN offer forest camping at Dhanaulti. Best April to June and September to November; spectacular in winter snow.
Best for: Quiet forest camping, snow in winter, temple trek
Price: ₹800–₹2,500 per person per night
Getting there: Via Mussoorie on NH707A. ~2 hours from Dehradun.
8. Auli Ski Resort & Gurso Bugyal, Chamoli — ~280km from Dehradun
India's premier ski destination in winter becomes one of Uttarakhand's finest meadow camping spots in summer. Auli at 2519m has unobstructed views of Nanda Devi, Trishul and Mana Peak. The gondola (one of Asia's longest) and the Gurso Bugyal meadow above make this accessible high-altitude camping at its best. Best April to June for meadows; January to March for skiing.
Best for: High-altitude camping, Nanda Devi views, skiing in winter
Price: ₹1,200–₹5,000 per person per night
Getting there: Via Joshimath on NH58. ~8 hours from Dehradun.
Planning Your Trip
Dehradun is a year-round camping base. Rishikesh is best September to June. Chopta and Har Ki Dun are May to November. Rajaji is open November to June. Auli is best either April to June (meadows) or January to March (skiing). The Dehradun–Rishikesh–Chopta–Auli circuit is one of Uttarakhand's classic camping road trips — allow 5 to 7 days to do it justice.