Best Spots for Camping in Lebanon: 8 Campsites to Book
Cedar forests, sea cliffs and pine woods, all within a couple of hours of Beirut. Here is where to pitch a tent in Lebanon this season.
- Region
- Across Lebanon
Lebanon is small, but within two hours of Beirut you can pitch a tent under cedars, on a cliff above the sea, or in a pine forest where the only noise at night is the wind. Camping here usually means organized campsites rather than wild camping: you get a safe pitch, bathrooms, a fire pit and often a kitchen serving breakfast, which suits families and first timers.
The season runs from late spring to mid autumn. Mountain sites sit between roughly 900 and 1,800 metres, so nights can be cold even in July, while coastal camps stay warm and humid. Below are campsites that were taking guests in the 2025 season, spread across the Chouf, Keserwan, Jbeil, Metn and the north.
How we chose
We kept the picks from the original list that are still operating and replaced the ones we could not confirm with campsites covered by recent Lebanese travel media, mainly L’Orient Today’s 2025 camping roundup and Lebanon Traveler’s campsite directory. We looked for a mix of settings (cedar forest, sea, pine woods), facilities that make a first night easier, and something worth doing nearby. We have not stayed at each one, so call or message before you drive up, especially outside July and August.
1. Cedars Ground Campsite (Ain Zhalta, Chouf)
Set between Bmohray and Ain Zhalta, this camp sits a short drive from the Ain Zhalta and Bmohray cedar forest, one of the three cedar stands of the Shouf Biosphere Reserve. It is known for stargazing nights with telescopes set up on site, and it has proper bathrooms and showers, which matters more than people think after a day on the trails.
Spend the morning walking among the cedars, then drive down to the river near Baakline for a cool afternoon. Tip: the reserve trails are best done early, before the midday light gets harsh. Read our Barouk cedars guide for the routes nearby.
2. Chahtoul Camping (Chahtoul, Keserwan)
Chahtoul, above Jounieh in the Keserwan hills, is one of the easiest mountain camps to reach from Beirut. The site runs simple daytime games for kids (frisbee, badminton, a toy corner) and adds rock climbing and zip lining on weekends. Breakfast and firewood are included with entry, so you can arrive light.
There are hiking paths around the village if you want to stretch your legs. Tip: weekends fill up with groups and families, so pick a weekday if you are after quiet.
3. The Cliff Camp (Yahchouch, near Jabal Moussa)
Perched above the Nahr Ibrahim valley near Yahchouch, The Cliff Camp offers three ways to sleep: private cabins, regular tents, and tents with their own small pool. There is a bar, a basic menu and campfires at night, so it feels more like a mountain lodge than a bare campsite.
The location is the real draw. You are close to the Jabal Moussa Biosphere Reserve, a UNESCO reserve with marked trails and old Roman stairs, and a trail of about 40 minutes leads down to the Nahr Ibrahim river. Tip: hike the reserve in the morning and keep the river walk for the afternoon heat.
4. Camping Les Colombes (Amchit, Jbeil)
This long running seaside camp sits on a cliff in Amchit, just north of Byblos, with a sea view pool and a rocky beach a few minutes’ walk away. It works for every level of comfort: shared facilities if you bring a tent, or private rooms with air conditioning if someone in the group refuses to sleep on the ground.
Snorkelling and fishing off the rocks are the main activities, and old Byblos is a short drive for dinner. Tip: wear water shoes, since the shore is rock rather than sand. Pair it with our Byblos day trip.
5. Old McDonald Farm (Ehmej, Jbeil)
Ehmej, high in the Jbeil mountains, was on the original list for its cliffs and forest, and it still delivers. Old McDonald Farm is a basic, quiet campsite with group rates, and a short walk takes you to a trail that climbs to the cedar conservation area above the village.
This is the pick for people who want silence and a cold night under a clear sky. Tip: bring a warm layer and a headlamp, since facilities are simple and the village goes dark early.
6. Pack and Go (Ehden, Zgharta)
Not a tent site but close enough: Pack and Go rents retro camper vans for two, each with a gas kitchen, a private bathroom and shower, and a bonfire kit. The vans are parked about two minutes from Horsh Ehden Nature Reserve, home to cedars, Cilician fir and the rare Lebanese wild apple.
Ehden itself has a lively summer square with long established restaurants for a proper Zgharta lunch of kibbeh. Tip: Ehden sits around 1,500 metres, so pack for real cold at night, even in August. Our Ehden nature trails guide covers the reserve walks.
7. Swings Camp (Zaaroun, Metn)
If your campers are under twelve, start here. Swings Camp in Zaaroun is a pine shaded site built around children, with archery, laser tag, bungee trampolines and pedal karts. Tents sleep four or six, and simple food is available on site.
It is close enough to Beirut for a first night away without a long drive. Tip: bring your own snacks and a cooler, since the menu is basic.
8. Koura Camping (Koura, North Lebanon)
Koura is olive country, and this camp leans into privacy: four separate units, each with its own pool, barbecue, kitchen, toilet and fire pit, set against the mountains. A hiking trail leads down to a river.
It suits a family or a group of friends who want the whole space to themselves. Tip: book a weekday for lower rates, and buy local olive oil and olives in the Koura villages on the way home.
Tips
- Book ahead. Most Lebanese campsites take reservations through Instagram or WhatsApp, and summer weekends sell out.
- Pack for two climates: sun protection for the day and a fleece for mountain nights, which can drop below 10°C (50°F).
- Only light fires in the pits provided. Forest fires are a serious risk in Lebanon from July to October.
- Take your rubbish back with you, especially near reserves.
- Prefer a guided trip? Groups such as Dale Corazon and Footprints Nature Club run organized camping weekends with transport.
- Wild camping on public land is not well regulated. Ask the municipality or the landowner first, and never camp inside a reserve without permission.
