Camping the Swinnenbos, where there is plenty to do and peace and nature is central
Would you also like to wake up on Sunday morning with the chirping of birds and the smell of fresh bread? This is possible at camping Het Swinnenbos, where peace and nature are central! At the campsite there is plenty to do. There are sports fields, table tennis and for children there is an indoor playground, a petting zoo, entertainment and a playground with trampoline. The campsite is located in a green oasis that is ideal for cyclists and hikers. Come and enjoy yourself!
- Indoor and outdoor playground
- Family campsite
- Peace and quiet and nature
- Canteen
- Petanque fields
- Petting zoo
- Entertainment
- Sandwich service
- Camping store
- Barbecue hire
- Electric bike charging station
- Table tennis
Facilities and activities at Camping het Swinnenbos
(Sports) activities
- Petanque court
- Sports field
- Ping pong table
Activities in the area
- Cycling
- Golf course (<10 KM / 6.2 MILES)
- Museums (<10 KM / 6.2 MILES)
- Mountain biking
- Nature park (<5 KM / 3.1 MILES)
- Picturesque villages
- Fishing
- Walking
- Zoo (<20 KM / 9.3 MILES)
Kids and teenagers
- Entertainment
- Children's farm
- Playground (both)
Location
- Near a forest
Park facilities
- Reception
- Charging point for electric bicycle
- WiFi in public area (free)
- Shop
- Free parking nearby or at the park
Spoken language
- Dutch
Food & Beverage
- Bakery
- Bar
- Snack bar
Holiday park
- Vodatent
Photo's and video's of Camping het Swinnenbos
Surroundings
Venture into nature
Glamping the Swinnenbos is located in a wooded, and beautiful natural environment. Near the campsite there are several hiking and biking trails. For example, 3 kilometers from the campsite you have nature reserve De Halve Maan, with beautiful forests and heathlands. Nature reserve Webbekoms Broek, 5 kilometers from the campsite, offers beautiful walking and cycling routes through marshes and ponds. Provinciedomein Halve Maan, 4 kilometers away, is large park and several hiking trails.
Day trip to Diest
Diest is a historic city about 5 km from the campground. The city has a rich history and a charming medieval center with beautiful architecture. There is still the Beguinage from the 17th century and the Sint-Sulpitius Church which, at 62 meters, is not to be missed. Today it is a lively city with a bustling center full of stores, cafes and restaurants.
Mountain biking
Are you looking for an active way to explore the area? There are many mountain bike routes in the surrounding area. One popular route is the "Mountain Bike Route Diest". This route is about 38 km long and starts at the Citadel of Diest, about 5 km from the campsite. The route goes through the wooded area and has some technical sections and challenging climbs. You can also shorten the route to 23 km. Another possibility is the "Mountain Bike Route Scherpenheuvel-Zichem." This route is about 38 km long and starts in Zichem, about 10 km from the campsite. Besides some technical sections and challenging climbs, it also offers beautiful views over the countryside of Flemish Brabant.
Leuven
Half an hour from the campsite you will find the city of Leuven. This beautiful city is best known as a student town, with one of the oldest and most prestigious universities in Europe, the Katholieke Universiteit Leuven. But the city has even more to offer. There is the Old Market, the bustling heart of the city that is often considered one of the most beautiful squares in Europe. Or St. Peter's Church which dates back to the 15th century, and has an impressive tower 93 meters high. The Great Beguinage is one of the best-preserved beguinages in Europe and is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Of course, you will also find a vibrant nightlife and culture scene in Leuven.
Practical information
- Check-in: 15:00, check-out: -10:00
- Opened from 1 April until 29 October
- wiFi in public area (free)
- Free parking nearby or at the park
- Booking conditions
- Cancellation conditions
Camping het Swinnenbos scored with a 8.8
199 reviews
- 118
- 52
- 20
- 4
- 5
Summary created out of 199 reviews
Het Swinnenbos is a peaceful, small-scale campsite set in a wooded environment where guests particularly appreciate the warm welcome and friendliness of the staff. The sanitary facilities are praised for their cleanliness and upkeep, though many campers find the coin-operated showers (50 cents for 2 minutes) too short and pricey. The campsite is ideally located for cycling and hiking through beautiful natural areas, and the cosy canteen ('t Cantinneke) with affordable food and drinks adds to the warm, family-friendly atmosphere. Guests highlight the spacious pitches, often under shady trees and around a charming pond, making it a perfect base for those seeking tranquillity and nature.
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04 Sep 2026
We were warmly welcomed and, overall, had a pleasant experience at this campground. Beautiful location, good facilities, and nothing else to complain about.
Unfortunately, our peaceful weekend came to a very unpleasant end. When we went to sort our trash and the campsites were empty, we drove up to the trash containers. We didn’t know this … wasn’t allowed and, of course, did so without any ill intent.
However, an employee made it clear to us—shouting and in a very angry tone—that this was “obviously” not allowed. This was despite the fact that it wasn’t clearly indicated anywhere where we were supposed to park or how we were supposed to reach the trash containers. A calm explanation would have sufficed.
We were extremely shocked by this reaction and, as a result, left with a very negative impression. At that moment, we felt anything but welcome. It’s a real shame, because despite our otherwise positive experience, this has made us—as frequent campers—reluctant to return.this is a translation, click here for the original
We werden goed ontvangen en hadden over het algemeen een fijne ervaring op deze camping. Mooie locatie, goede voorzieningen en verder niets op aan te merken.
Helaas werd ons rustige weekend op een erg onaangename manier afgesloten. Toen we ons afval gingen sorteren en de staanplaatsen leeg waren, reden we tot aan de containers. We wisten niet dat dit niet de bedoeling was en deden dit uiteraard zonder enige slechte intentie.
Een medewerker maakte ons echter al roepend en op een erg boze toon duidelijk dat dit “uiteraard” niet mocht. Dit terwijl voor ons helemaal niet duidelijk aangegeven stond waar we dan wel moesten parkeren of hoe we de afvalcontainers moesten bereiken. Een rustige uitleg had volstaan.
We zijn enorm geschrokken van deze reactie en zijn daardoor met een heel negatief gevoel vertrokken. We voelden ons op dat moment allesbehalve welkom. Erg jammer, want ondanks onze verder goede ervaring zorgt dit ervoor dat we als frequente kampeerders liever niet meer terugkomen. -
02 Sep 2026
A very pleasant campground in a beautiful area. Spacious sites and very clean restrooms. There’s a nice little terrace where you can have a drink and a bite to eat (with plenty of options for vegetarians).
this is a translation, click here for the original
Heel aangename camping in een zeer mooie streek. Ruime plaatsen en zeer proper sanitair. Leuk terrasje erbij om iets te drinken en een hapje te eten (ruime keuze voor vegetariërs)
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29 Aug 2026
A quiet and recreational campground
this is a translation, click here for the original
Rustige en recreatieve camping
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28 Aug 2026
I’ve been camping for over 30 years, and this is one of the few campgrounds I’d love to visit again. It’s just the right size for flexibility. The reservation system works well. We wanted a slightly larger site because we had two large tents, so everything was handled perfectly. A modest but very nice canteen for a simple meal. The restrooms were … generally well-maintained. The only thing missing was a compost bin for organic waste. We did go from one party to the next, but these were all handled in a reasonable manner.
this is a translation, click here for the original
Ik kampeer al meer dan 30 jaar en dit is een van de weinige campings waar ik graag nog eens terug kom. Grote precies goed voor flexibiliteit. Een goed werkend reserveringssysteem. Wij wilde een iets grotere plek ivm 2 grote tenten dus was allemaal keurig voor elkaar. Bescheiden maar zeer fijne kantine voor een simpele maaltijd. Sanitair was doorgaans goed bijgehouden. Miste alleen de gft bak voor het afval. Wij vielen wel van het ene in het andere feestje maar dit was ook op redelijke wijze uitgevoerd.
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19 Aug 2026
A very quiet campground, lots of older people, and many permanent sites. The restrooms are fine. The little canteen serves old-fashioned, hearty food. There isn't much to do in the immediate area.
this is a translation, click here for the original
Zeer rustige camping, veel oude mensen, veel vaste plekken. Sanitair prima. Kantineke biedt ouderwetse oude prak. Weinig leuks te doen in directe omgeving
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14 Aug 2026
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Frequently asked questions about Camping het Swinnenbos
Is camping Het Swinnenbos popular with families?
Glamping with indoor and outdoor playgrounds is widely booked by families.
Does camping Het Swinnenbos have a swimming pool?
No, there is no swimming pool at the campground.
What activities are available at The Swinnenbos campsite?
There is a sports field, table tennis and various activities for adults. There is also plenty for children to do at Camping het Swinnenbos. The campsite has an indoor playground, a petting zoo, entertainment and a playground with trampoline.
How far is camping The Swinnenbos from the city center?
The city center of Diest is about 6 kilometers west of Camping Het Swinnenbos.
How far is the nearest supermarket?
The nearest supermarket can be found a 10-minute drive from the campground.
What kind of activities are there to do in the surroundings of campsite The Swinnenbos?
There are two nature reserves nearby: the Hageland and the Merode area. There are also several cycling routes in the area. Or go mountain biking through the beautiful forests of Belgium if you're looking for more action. Prefer to go into town? The great cities of Cologne, Maastricht, Leuven and Brussels are also nearby. There is also plenty to do in the village of Diest.
What glamping types can be booked at Het Swinnenbos campsite?
You can book the safari tent for 6 people at the glamping in Molenstede (Diest).
What costs are included and what additional costs (if any) can I expect?
Fees included Administration and cleaning fees. Mandatory additional costs, payable locally:
- Surcharge (€3,- p.p.p.n.)
- Deposit payable on arrival at the latest € 50,- Optional additional costs, to be paid on-site:
- Bed linen €8,- p.p.
- Pet €5,- p.n.
- Child kit (crib and high chair) €2,- p.n.
- Extra tent €5,-
What are the check-in and check-out times for Camping het Swinnenbos?
The check-in at Camping het Swinnenbos starts at 15:00. The checkout should be done before 10:00.Is Camping het Swinnenbos open all year round?
No, Camping het Swinnenbos is open from 1 April until 29 October.Is there a restaurant at Camping het Swinnenbos?
No there are no restaurants at Camping het Swinnenbos. The park does however offer a bar and a snack barIs there a camping store at Camping het Swinnenbos?
Yes, at Camping het Swinnenbos you'll find a shop and a bakery.Is there an entertainment team at Camping het Swinnenbos?
Yes there's entertainment at Camping het Swinnenbos.
