Cycling UK Forum

Can anyone tell me about the "natuurkampeerterreinen". the "natural" campsites in the Netherlands. Should I join the organisation before going or can I just turn up at one of these campsites and camp for the night without joiniing or join at the campsite?

Same question for the "kamperenbijdeboer" campsites.

Thanks,

I can answer your question for one 'Natuurkamp' near Lierop (this one: natuurkampeersite.nl‎), which I stayed at last week. We arrived quite late in the day, there was no-one around so we set up and asked some people in a caravan if we had to do anything in particular (all the instructions were in Dutch). They said no, and that the campsite person would be along later.

It turned out that we didn't need the card when the very pleasant campsite supervisor came to take our money.

There was just a sign saying that certain pitches had been pre-booked so we had to avoid them, but it was very quiet. And there were of course very clean facilities, with toilet paper, soap, free showers, etc! Insect repellent was very useful though...

Have used the Natuurkampeerterrein sites and guide for the last three out of four years. We have always pre ordered the book before we left, but I am sure you can turn up at any of the sites and join if you want.
When it came to payment for the book we simply sent a 20 euro note back with the receipt, never had any problems.
If there is one problem with the sites, in some areas they can be a bit sparse, other than that we have never had a bad stay. The sites in the national forests, or Staatsbosbeheer sites are our favourites.
This year we are going to give the Vekabo, or small farm camping, sites a try.
Enjoy your time in NL, we love it there.

Last year I just turned up and paid membership at the first Natuurkampeerterrainen site I stayed at. I liked it so much I didn't bother with any other types of site, found enough Natuurkampeerterrainen ones!