| Campsite in Friesland, Gaasterland
Real camping with tent, caravan or camper
Campsite in Friesland
Real camping with tent, caravan or camper
Closer to Nature
For those of you having a camper, a caravan or a tent, De Waps offers large places with lots of intimacy and privacy. We keep your wishes in mind: a spot in the sun or in the shade, close to the playground or close to the forest.
At De Waps, we always succeed in finding the right spot for you
De Waps is also famous for its experience in authentic camping, which means that we don’t organise bingo evenings, there won’t be mobile homes that influence the atmosphere, neither will you find towers of beer crates. It is not by accident that De Waps has been awarded the label ‘charming campsite’ designated by the ANWB.
For those of you having a tent, we offer a number of special places. These are places on top of little hills which are typical for the region of Friesland, called ‘terpen’ in Dutch. From a terp, you have a magnificent view on the fields of the Fonteinwei.
Rustic environment
Close to nature
Campsite de Waps is located in a rural area on the edge of the Fontein forest. You can spot squirrels, woodpeckers and occasionally even an owl. If you get up early, you can frequently spot deer crossing the fields alongside the camping.
A bit further ahead, you will find the hills that are incorporated in the sloping landscape, in between forests, acres and meadows. You’ll spot numerous birds on the horizon, while the sun changes into a metallic pink in the reflection of the Ijssel Lake.
Next to the camping you find the forest pond in the ‘back garden’ of the Waps and after a 5 minute walk, you arrive at the dragonfly reserve De Wyldemerk. In this freely accessible nature reserve owned by Staatsbosbeheer you’ll find a hidden treasure of flora and fauna.
Other than dragonflies and damselflies, there are also goats and cows and rare plats and flowers to be found in the Wyldemerk. A visit not to be missed!
Experience and discover
At and around Campsite de Waps, children can discover and experience loads of new things. The youngest children can take a walk on the Kabouterpad (the Gnome’s Path) with a real gnome’s hat, or they can look for owl’s pellets near the lake.
Download Animation program 2023 (2 MB)
In the area within cycling distance are the sandy beaches of the IJsselmeer for which young and old can experience and play.
Every day during high season, the Waps’ animation team are ready to play fun games with your children.
In the morning or in the early evening your children are welcome to play dodgeball, play hide and seek, build huts, do a treasure hunt or be creative. If the weather’s bad, we’ll move inside to the lounge next to the reception.
Cycling
After an overnight stay at Camping de Waps, near the lovely Oudemirdum, you get on your bike. Straight through the Fonteinbos you first cycle to the Wyldemerk. Long ago, an annual fair was held here, hence the name.
Sand extraction has created a large puddle, which is connected to De Luts (part of the Eleven Cities Route.) Shallow swallows nest in the sand embankment and part of the is classified as a Dragonfly Reserve. Along the dike of the IJsselmeer you cycle to the cozy Oudemirdum where you definitely have to get off. You will pass the Fontein, a church from 1790.
Cycling route map Gaasterland: Cliffs, Forests & Beaches
Cycling route map Gaasterland Gaasterland Campsite De Waps Oudemirdum Friesland
Hiking
Walking through the rolling landscape of Gaasterland
The walk begins gently, along the sheltered edges of Camping de Waps. Morning dew still clings to the grass, and the silence is broken only by birdsong. As you step onto the path, the landscape slowly unfolds. At first, you are surrounded by trees and soft shade, but the terrain soon opens up to reveal the vast fields of the Gaasterland Golf Club. The greens stretch out in clean, geometric lines that contrast beautifully with the organic flow of the surrounding nature.
Gradually, the path leads you further from the inhabited world. Forest trails alternate with sweeping views. Sand and gravel give way to grass and earth. You hear the rustling of leaves, the gentle lapping of water as you pass a small canal, and now and then the distant lowing of a cow. The route winds southwards, toward the charming village of Nijemirdum, where old trees arch stately over the paths.
As you pass the village, you once again enter the Gaasterland forest. Here, you can almost smell the history in the damp earth, surrounded by tall oaks, beeches, and pines. At times, it feels as though you are completely alone in the woods—one moment in an open clearing, the next in the comforting enclosure of a green tunnel.
Following winding roads and still lakes, the walk carries you further. You pass ancient lanes, the occasional weathered bench, a wooden footbridge, or a field filled with fluttering butterflies. And just when you think the route has reached its peak of peace and beauty, you’re surprised again—by a hidden glimpse through the trees, a quiet pond, or a small herd of deer in the distance.
The circle slowly closes as you reenter the wooded area and finally arrive back at your starting point. The sun is now higher in the sky, the campsite stirs with soft sounds of fellow travelers, and your feet feel the miles—along with the satisfaction. A walk through Gaasterland is more than just a hike; it is an encounter with a unique corner of Friesland: rolling, green, and surprisingly quiet.
Klik hier voor een impressie van de camping: