For those thinking about camping at Lake Garda today, the image of tent tarps and camp stoves is long outdated. The network Lago di Garda Camping with its 20 facilities around Italy's largest lake has developed in recent years into a reference point for a vacation that brings together nature, comfort, and responsible travel. Whether the goal is combining the outdoors with design-forward accommodations or finding a fully accessible stay, the lake offers options that go well beyond the classic idea of a camping holiday.
Glamping: Where Camping Meets Comfort
The term glamping represents the fusion of glamour and camping and describes boutique tents, design-oriented mobile homes, and spacious pitches with premium service. At Lake Garda , each property interprets the concept in its own way. At the Weekend Glamping Resort in San Felice del Benaco, glamping tents are spread across two levels with a panoramic terrace and lake views. Owner Luc Van De Loo is considered one of the originators of the term, having coined it several years ago.
Further examples include Riva Blu Camping in Padenghe sul Garda, with tents nestled among ancient olive trees overlooking the lake; Camping Park delle Rose in Lazise, featuring the "Olivi" and "Cocò Sweet" models; Camping Fossalta, also in Lazise; and the Villenpark Sanghen in Manerba del Garda, with views of the Rocca di Manerba. Europa Silvella Camping Village in San Felice del Benaco offers air-conditioned tents, with some newer models even featuring a private hot tub.
Sustainability as a Living Commitment
Those who vacation in nature carry a responsibility toward it. All 20 properties in the network have taken meaningful steps toward eco-friendly operations in recent years: solar installations, water-saving technologies, electric vehicles, bicycle and e-bike rentals, and consistent waste sorting are standard at many locations. Cork is used as an insulating material, keeping interiors pleasantly cool even during the hottest summer days. Several properties hold environmental certifications such as Garda Green, GSTC , or ISO 14001.
A sustainable vacation at Lake Garda also means traveling slowly and exploring the region on foot or by bike. The lake is situated in one of northern Italy's regions with the densest cycling route networks, making it appealing for extended stays as well. Those looking for route inspiration will find ideas in the article on the most beautiful cycling experiences at Lake Garda in 2026 that pair naturally with a stay at one of the campgrounds.
Ecolodges, Green Energy, and Filtered Water
One property goes particularly far in this direction: Fornella Camping & Wellness Family Resort in San Felice del Benaco. With fully energy-self-sufficient ecolodges powered by solar panels and the pilot project "Fornella one Earth 2030", it has won the ADAC Sustainability Award. Guests can take part in guided tours where the property's sustainability features are explained in detail. La Rocca Camping Village in Bardolino is also part of the Garda Green network and applies sustainable solutions throughout its daily operations.
Another notable example is Camping Bergamini in Peschiera del Garda, which has been run by the Beltrami-Gregori family since 1954, now in its third generation. In addition to using TÜV-certified green electricity, photovoltaic systems and a micro combined heat and power unit generate around 50 percent of the property's own electricity, while solar thermal technology covers approximately half of the hot water demand. According to the property, 329,000 kilograms of CO₂ equivalents have been saved since 2020, and around 70 percent of waste was recycled in 2025. The property has held GSTC certification since 2023 and has additionally been certified to ISO 14001 and ISO 9001 since 2026.
Accessible Vacations for Everyone
For some properties at Lake Garda, sustainability also means social responsibility. Since 2024, Camping Bergamini has been collaborating with the Village for All network to develop a fully accessible hospitality model. Measures already in place include accessible accommodations with hot tubs and hoists, an inclusive playground, induction loop systems for guests with hearing impairments, menus in Braille, and round tables that make lip-reading easier. The offering is rounded out by gluten-free menus, an accessible reception and restroom facilities, and inclusive signage with QR codes.
San Francesco Camping Village in Desenzano del Garda and Fornella Camping & Wellness Family Resort in San Felice del Benaco are also part of the Village for All network. The guiding principle is straightforward: an accessible getaway means being free to choose without having to explain oneself. In practice, this means guests with varying needs can enjoy the same offerings as everyone else, without special arrangements defining their stay.
How a Promotional Association Became a Network
The network Lago di Garda Camping launched in 2011 as a simple promotional association of campsite operators who wanted to market Lake Garda together. From that idea, an integrated system of marketing, services, training, purchasing, and local partnerships developed step by step. President Giovanni Bernini emphasizes that the initiative arose almost spontaneously from a shared desire for greater visibility. Coordinator Elena Oppizzi sums up today's guiding principle in two words: "Stronger together."
The network now encompasses, according to its own figures, more than 29,500 beds and generates over 2.5 million overnight stays per season. Since 2018, when the first campsite from the Province of Brescia joined, the cooperative system has grown continuously and today covers both shores of Lake Garda. What began as a marketing idea has become a model of cooperation that strengthens the competitiveness of the entire region and raises the profile of camping as a distinct vacation option on the lake.
