Camping close to home: the Dutch staycation trend
Camping close to home means deliberately picking a campsite in your own country or just across the border, often less than an hour's drive away. It is popular because it is cheaper, involves less travel stress and fits neatly into short, flexible trips. According to the ANWB Vakantiemonitor, around 37 percent of Dutch holidaymakers are staying in the Netherlands this summer, and many choose camping specifically for the lower cost and the peace and quiet.
A campsite twenty minutes down the road, yet the holiday feeling kicks in the moment you drive through the gate. More and more Dutch travellers are deliberately choosing to camp close to home. Here is why the trend is growing and how to make a short trip feel like a real break.
The trend: nearby is winning
Holidays in your own country are firmly on the rise. According to the ANWB Vakantiemonitor (a survey of over 2,000 Dutch adults in May 2025), around 37 percent of holidaymakers are staying in the Netherlands this summer, making it the top destination ahead of Germany and France. At the same time, holidays are spreading across the year: where most people used to leave in July and August, many now opt for shorter trips outside the peak.
Camping fits this shift perfectly. Booking platforms and industry bodies reported record numbers for 2025, with strong growth in camping in the Netherlands and Belgium and especially outside high season. In the Brabant region you can see it up close: families returning for years to the same nearby campsite, and couples deliberately choosing a small mini-campsite just around the corner (source: Omroep Brabant).
Why people choose nearby
The reasons are very relatable. Money plays a big part: the ANWB found that roughly one third of campers consciously choose camping to save on accommodation, without giving up the experience. Ease of travel weighs heavily too. No long drive with kids in the back, no traffic jams heading south and no airport stress: you are on your pitch within an hour.
Peace and nature matter as well. Busy hotspots are losing their appeal, while quieter spots close to home are gaining. The weather also plays a role: nearly half of Dutch travellers factor heat, wildfires and extreme weather in the south into their plans. A campsite in your own country then feels like a safe, relaxed choice. As one couple from Schaijk put it in Omroep Brabant, they would rather have a quiet spot nearby than fuss and frills, and do not need a swimming pool or entertainment to enjoy themselves.
The benefits at a glance
Camping close to home is above all flexible. You can book last minute, grab a long weekend or slip away for a few midweek nights when the weather is good. Children and pets come along easily, and if something comes up at home (a birthday, a job) you are back in no time. Several short trips a year become realistic instead of one big holiday.
It is also kinder to your wallet and the climate. Fewer kilometres mean lower travel costs and less emissions. And you get to know your own surroundings better: cycling through the backcountry, a village nearby you had never visited, a nature reserve half an hour away. A holiday does not have to be far away to feel like a real holiday.
The trade-offs and things to watch
Staying close has a downside too. Because you are on familiar ground, the 'I'm basically at home' feeling is more likely: you cycle past the supermarket you always use, or you are tempted to pick up work or chores in between. Truly switching off takes a few conscious choices.
Popularity is another pitfall: sought-after campsites nearby fill up fast during the summer holidays, especially the smaller mini-campsites with only a handful of pitches. If you want to stay flexible, book early or deliberately pick the quieter periods. And remember that 'nearby' does not automatically mean 'cheap': a luxury site with every amenity around the corner can still carry a hefty price tag.
How to make it feel like a real holiday
The secret is a clean break from home. Choose a campsite just far enough that your surroundings feel new, even if it is only a twenty-minute drive. Genuinely leave work and chores behind, and promise yourself you will not 'pop home' for small things. A different atmosphere often begins right at the gate.
Fill your days with things you do not do at home: cycling routes through the countryside, a day trip to a nearby nature reserve or town, camping without a rigid schedule. Choose deliberately based on what suits you, whether that is a quiet mini-campsite or a family site with a pool and playground. On ovisola.com you can find campsites close to home on the map and filter by type and amenities, so you quickly land on a spot that matches your ideal short break.
Frequently asked questions
What exactly does 'camping close to home' mean?+
It means deliberately choosing a campsite in your own country or just across the border, often less than an hour's drive away. You get the camping atmosphere and holiday feeling without a long journey. It suits short, flexible trips and last-minute weekends away.
Why are more Dutch people choosing to camp nearby?+
Mainly because of cost, ease of travel and peace and quiet. According to the ANWB Vakantiemonitor, around one third of campers deliberately choose camping to save money, and about 37 percent of holidaymakers are staying in the Netherlands this summer. Traffic jams, crowded hotspots and worries about heat in the south also play a part.
Is camping close to home really cheaper than travelling far?+
Usually yes, because you spend less on travel and avoid a flight or long drive. The ANWB reports that cost-consciousness is a key reason people choose camping. Keep in mind, though, that a luxury campsite with lots of amenities can be pricey even nearby, so compare in advance.
When is the best time to book a campsite nearby?+
Popular campsites nearby fill up quickly during the summer holidays, especially smaller mini-campsites. If you want to be sure of a pitch, book early. If you are flexible, go outside the peak: camping outside high season is growing strongly and is often quieter and better value.
How can a short trip close to home still feel like a real holiday?+
Pick a campsite just far enough that your surroundings feel new, deliberately leave work and chores behind, and do not 'pop home' for small things. Fill your days with things you do not do at home, such as cycling routes, a nature reserve or a nearby town. The atmosphere often begins the moment you drive onto the site.
Sources
- Deze Brabanders kamperen dicht bij huis: 'Onze ideale vakantie', Omroep Brabant
- ANWB Vakantiemonitor: kampeervakantie past perfect bij trends zomer 2025, Campingtrend.nl / ANWB Vakantiemonitor
- ANWB: minder Nederlanders op zomervakantie en dichtbij huis wint terrein, Pretwerk
