There are plenty of places in Bali where you can put up a tent. There are considerably fewer where you actually want to spend the night.
For us, a good campsite is about the setting. Give us a great view, some peace and enough space to make ourselves comfortable, and we’re interested.
That’s one of the reasons we like travelling with a TygerRider. You can explore during the day, find somewhere worth staying and, instead of driving back to a hotel, simply stop and make camp.
Here are four places we’d happily do exactly that. It does not mean there are the only ones, far from it!
Cok Camp, Bedugul
Bedugul feels like another Bali. It’s cooler, greener and surrounded by mountains and Lake Beratan, making it a welcome change from the heat of the coast.
Cok Camp is a proper camping ground rather than just a patch of grass with a few tents. There are toilets with hot water, electricity, a stage and sound system, and facilities for campers bringing their own equipment. Tents, mattresses, blankets, firewood and portable stoves are also available.
The setting is the real attraction. The cooler air makes sitting outside in the evening genuinely enjoyable, and visitors regularly mention the peaceful atmosphere and mountain surroundings.
It is not wild camping, which makes it a good option if you want the outdoor experience without having to completely fend for yourself. Just remember that Bedugul gets a lot of rain, so come prepared.
Where is it? There!
We like it for: cool mountain air, Lake Beratan and an easy introduction to camping in Bali.
Hutan Pinus Glagalinggah, Kintamani
Pine forests aren’t exactly the first thing that comes to mind when you think of Bali, which is precisely why we like Glagalinggah.
Located in the Kintamani highlands at around 1,200 metres above sea level, the forest covers a large area of pine trees and stays noticeably cooler than the coast. Early mornings can bring mist between the trees, which is probably the best time to be there.
There is a camping area, walking paths, a coffee stall, an outdoor amphitheatre and a suspension bridge, so you can explore without turning the trip into a serious expedition.
Visitors consistently praise the quiet atmosphere, clean surroundings and cool weather, with the forest currently receiving very strong ratings online.
It feels different from the Bali most people come to see, and sometimes that’s exactly what we’re looking for.
Where is it? There!
We like it for: pine trees, mountain air, misty mornings and getting away from the heat.
Savana Tianyar, Karangasem
Savana Tianyar is a different proposition altogether. There is no reception desk, no row of numbered camping pitches and no resort pretending to be wilderness.
It’s a huge open landscape on the northeastern side of Mount Agung, with grassland, volcanic rocks and lontar palms stretching towards the mountain.
In the dry season, the grass turns golden. After the rains, the whole landscape becomes green again. Sunrise and sunset can be spectacular, particularly when Mount Agung is sitting clearly on the horizon.
This isn’t really a formal campsite, and that’s important to understand. The land is used by local communities, farmers and livestock, so visitors need to be respectful about where they park and set up. There are very few facilities, which means you need to arrive prepared.
Reviews tend to reflect both sides of the experience: people love the enormous views and peaceful atmosphere, while some mention the lack of facilities and changing conditions around the area.
For us, that’s part of the appeal. It’s raw, open and not overly managed.
Where is it? There!
We like it for: big skies, horses, Mount Agung, solitude and a proper night outdoors.
Bukit Asah, Karangasem
Then there is Bukit Asah, where the main attraction is difficult to miss: the ocean.
Perched above the coast near Bugbug, the campsite has sweeping sea views, with Lombok and Mount Rinjani sometimes visible in the distance. Virgin Beach is also nearby, making it easy to combine a camping trip with a day at the beach
Compared with Savana Tianyar, Bukit Asah has plenty of facilities, including toilets, showers, electricity, Wi-Fi, firewood and a warung. There are also camping options for people without their own equipment.
But let’s be honest. You’re not coming here for the Wi-Fi. You’re coming for the view.
Visitors regularly praise the scenery, sunrise and peaceful setting. The one thing to keep in mind is that weekends can be lively, with some reviews mentioning music and karaoke late into the evening. If you prefer a quieter night, we’d choose a weekday.
Set up in the afternoon, head down to Virgin Beach, come back for sunset and then settle into the rooftop tent. In the morning, open it up and you’ve got the ocean in front of you.
Not a bad place for coffee.
Where is it? There!
We like it for: ocean views, sunrise, beach access and a little more comfort.
So, which one?
If you want cool mountain air, try Cok Camp.
For pine forest and mist, head to Glagalinggah.
For open landscapes and Mount Agung, Savana Tianyar is hard to beat.
And for ocean views, it’s Bukit Asah.
That’s the thing we like about travelling with a TygerRider. You don’t have to decide exactly what kind of trip you’re having before you leave. You can head towards the mountains, the coast or somewhere in between, and when you find a place worth staying, you already have your bed with you.
One thing worth saying
We’re not affiliated with any of these campsites, and none of them paid us to include them. We simply like these places and think they’re worth knowing about. And if you’re managing a camp and feel upset you’re not in the list, chill, we’ll make of them!
Facilities, prices and access can change, so check locally before heading out.
And, as always, leave the place as you found it.
Sorry, that was more than one thing actually.