de Scherpenhof

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Experience Recreatiepark de Scherpenhof: a holiday full of water, games and relaxation

Discover the versatility of Recreatiepark de Scherpenhof, located between Deventer, Apeldoorn, and Zutphen. Start the day with crispy fresh bread rolls from the campsite shop and enjoy dinner in the restaurant or a quick bite at the snack bar in the evening. Take a dip in the heated indoor pool, cool off in the large outdoor pool, or relax by the recreation lake with sandy beach. For sporty moments, play a game of tennis, football or table tennis, while the recreation team provides a variety of activities. This park combines relaxation and fun for everyone who loves water, games, and convenience, all in a beautiful setting.

  • Two swimming pools
  • Restaurant
  • For the whole family
  • Recreation lake with sunbathing area and beach
  • Bowling alley
  • Tennis court
  • Animation (only during high season)
  • Bicycle rental
  • Marina with jetty
  • Game hall
  • Snack bar
  • Indoor and outdoor toddler pool

Facilities and activities at de Scherpenhof

(Sports) activities

  • Bowling alley
  • Bicycle rental
  • Ping pong table
  • Tennis court

Activities in the area

  • Cycling
  • Museums (<10 KM / 6.2 MILES)
  • Picturesque villages
  • Walking
  • Zoo (<10 KM / 6.2 MILES)
  • National park (<30 KM / 12.4 MILES)

Kids and teenagers

  • Entertainment
  • Kids club
  • Playground (both)

Location

  • By the water

Park facilities

  • Reception
  • Supermarket

Spoken language

  • Dutch

Swimming pool

  • Indoor pool
  • Outdoor pool
  • Paddling pool
  • Near a lake

Food & Beverage

  • Bar
  • Snack bar
  • Restaurant

Holiday park

  • Vodatent
de Scherpenhof

Surroundings

Cows resting on green grass with colorful houses and trees in the background at a glamping holiday park.
Historic church with twin towers and a fountain in front, photographed near Lathum, Gelderland, Netherlands.
Purple Heath - Vodatent - Camping de Kuilen - Someren - North Brabant - Netherlands

Visit the Apenheul

Step into a world full of swinging monkeys and remarkable encounters at the Apenheul. In this green animal park, you walk among free-roaming monkeys that curiously hop past you. Children will be amazed when a squirrel monkey walks right by them, while larger species like gorillas and orangutans can be admired up close. The Apenheul is not only educational, but also a place full of fun thanks to interactive play areas and adventurous routes. Discover how monkeys live, play, and communicate, and enjoy a day filled with nature and experiences. With its playful character and surprising encounters, the Apenheul is an unforgettable outing for families seeking adventure and a touch of jungle feeling in the Netherlands.

Scenic view of a Dutch riverside town with a prominent church tower and colorful historic houses in Holland.
Night view of an illuminated historic building and square with trees adorned with festive lights at a holiday park.

A Day Out in Arnhem

Discover the vibrant city of Arnhem, where culture, nature, and conviviality come together. Visit the Open Air Museum and take a journey through Dutch history with historical buildings and traditional crafts. For animal lovers, Burgers’ Zoo is highly recommended, with impressive themed areas such as the Bush and the Ocean. Arnhem is also known for its green character: Sonsbeek Park is perfect for a picnic or a walk along waterfalls and ponds. Shopping enthusiasts can indulge themselves in the city center, where boutiques and cozy terraces invite you for a relaxing day. Thanks to the mix of adventure, relaxation, and experiences, Arnhem is a versatile destination that has something special to offer for young and old alike.


Walking and cycling in the Hoge Veluwe National Park

Experience the peace and space of Hoge Veluwe National Park, one of the most beautiful nature reserves in the Netherlands. Cycle across vast heathlands, sand drifts, and forests with the free white bicycles that are available throughout the park. Spot red deer, wild boar, or foxes during a quiet walk and be surprised by the rich flora and fauna. In addition to natural beauty, the park also offers culture: the Kröller-Müller Museum presents an impressive art collection, including works by Van Gogh. For families, there are natural play areas and adventurous routes that make exploring extra fun. Whether you come for relaxation, activity, or inspiration, the Hoge Veluwe offers a unique experience right in the heart of nature.

Discover Deventer

Lose yourself in the charm of Deventer, one of the oldest cities in the Netherlands. Stroll through the historic city center with its narrow streets, monumental buildings, and unique boutiques. Enjoy a drink on one of the lively terraces at the Brink, the bustling square of the city. Visit the famous Lebuïnus Church or discover history at Museum De Waag. For families, the city beach along the IJssel is a wonderful place to relax with views of the water. Deventer is also known for its vibrant events, such as the Dickens Festival and Deventer on Stilts. With a mix of culture, atmosphere, and hospitality, this Hanseatic city is the perfect destination for a day full of experiences and surprises.

Practical information

ground plan

de Scherpenhof scored with a 4.5

61 reviews

  • 6
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  • 10
  • 10
  • 28

Summary created out of 61 reviews

The park has a beautiful location on the IJssel river with spacious camping pitches, especially on the fishing island. Guests appreciate the location, the children's animation programme, and the friendly bar with bowling facilities. However, the park suffers from serious maintenance issues: the sanitary facilities are outdated and often unhygienic, the swimming pool is cold and dirty, and neglected maintenance is visible everywhere. The access roads are full of bumps and potholes, there is noise disturbance until late at night, and many facilities such as the restaurant are closed or dilapidated.

  • 07 Aug 2026

    We stayed at the Scherpenhof for four days with two tents. The staff was friendly, and dogs are generally welcome—which was a plus for us since we have Lou.

    Unfortunately, the campground still fell well short of our expectations. On the website, everything looks much more modern and well-maintained than it actually is. Many areas, such as the restrooms, shops, and play areas, are visibly showing their age, and some are even broken. In addition, we had practically no Wi-Fi reception at our campsite.

    The restrooms are outdated: showers require coins, are limited to five minutes, and don’t allow you to adjust the temperature. It was also quite a long walk from our campsite (116) to get there.

    The swimming lake didn’t impress us either. The entry point is very muddy, only somewhat suitable for swimming, and people are fishing in the same body of water at the same time. As for fishing itself, the large piles of rocks along the shore make many spots even more difficult to access.

    Although dogs are allowed, there’s hardly any decent access to the water for them. They’re not allowed in the swimming lake, and the remaining areas along the shore are barely accessible due to the piles of rocks.

    Overall, the site seemed older and more neglected than we expected. For families with children planning a short stay and wanting to take advantage of the diverse recreational offerings, the campground is certainly a good choice. However, given our expectations for a relaxing fishing and camping vacation, we wouldn’t book it again.

    this is a translation, click here for the original

    Wir waren für vier Tage mit zwei Zelten auf dem Scherpenhof. Das Personal war freundlich und Hunde sind grundsätzlich willkommen – das war für uns mit Lou ein Pluspunkt.

    Leider hat der Campingplatz unsere Erwartungen trotzdem deutlich verfehlt. Auf der Website wirkt alles wesentlich moderner und gepflegter, als es tatsächlich ist. Viele Bereiche, wie die Sanitäranlagen, Geschäfte und Spielbereiche, sind sichtbar in die Jahre gekommen, teilweise sogar defekt. Zudem hatten wir auf unserem Stellplatz praktisch keinen WLAN-Empfang.

    Die Sanitäranlagen sind veraltet: Duschen nur mit Münze, fünf Minuten Duschzeit und keine Möglichkeit, die Temperatur einzustellen. Von unserem Stellplatz (116) war der Weg dorthin außerdem recht weit.

    Auch der Badesee hat uns nicht überzeugt. Der Einstieg ist sehr matschig, zum Schwimmen nur bedingt geeignet und im selben Gewässer wird gleichzeitig geangelt. Zum Angeln selbst erschweren die großen Steinpackungen am Ufer viele Stellen zusätzlich.

    Obwohl Hunde erlaubt sind, gibt es kaum einen vernünftigen Wasserzugang für sie. In den Badesee dürfen sie nicht und die übrigen Uferbereiche sind durch die Steinpackungen kaum erreichbar.

    Insgesamt wirkte der Platz auf uns älter und ungepflegter als erwartet. Für Familien mit Kindern, die einen kurzen Aufenthalt planen und das vielfältige Freizeitangebot nutzen möchten, ist der Campingplatz bestimmt eine gute Wahl. Für unseren Anspruch an einen entspannten Angel- und Campingurlaub würden wir ihn allerdings nicht noch einmal buchen.

    Review from Google
  • 06 Aug 2026

    What a dump of a campground. Not at all recommended for children aged 10 and older.
    Worst “recreational” campground I’ve ever been to. The buildings are dirty, the restrooms are filthy. Half of the few arcade machines they have don’t work. The only redeeming feature was the view of the IJssel—other than that, DO NOT GO THERE!

    this is a translation, click here for the original

    Wat een krot van een camping. Met kinderen vanaf 10 jaar totaal niet aan te raden.
    Slechste "recreatie" camping waar ik ooit ben geweest. Docuhe gebouwen vies wc vies. De paar game toestellen die ze hebben de helft doet het niet. Engste plus punt was het uitzicht over de ijsell verder NIET HEEN GAAN!

    Review from Google
  • 28 Jun 2026

    Booked a 6-person bungalow. Kitchen supplies were poor—no knives, no coffee spoons, just 5 spoons and 5 forks.
    Bathroom light broken, toilet seat loose, poorly cleaned; dirty dishes in the dishwasher and the toilet trash can not emptied.
    Very dirty mattress pad on one of the beds.
    Ant infestation.

    And the front desk can only be reached in emergencies.

    We strongly advise against staying here!

    this is a translation, click here for the original

    6 Persoos bungalow geboekt. Keukeninventaris slecht, geen messen, geen koffielepels 5 lepels en 5 vorken.
    Badkamer licht kapot, wc bril los, slecht schoongemaakt; vuile vaat in vaatwasser en wc prullenbak niet geleegd.
    Hele vieze molton op 1 van de bedden.
    Mierenplaag.

    En receptie alleen te bereiken voor noodgevallen.

    Wij raden dit zwaar af!

    Review from Google
  • 25 Aug 2025

    Our little adventure trip to Camping de Scherpenhof. Parked in P1 on arrival. Unfortunately, due to the space problem, a U-turn was necessary to get back to the entrance. Driving skills of the trailer driver required. The campsite facilities are old and unkempt. The infrastructure is almost non-existent. The sanitary facilities are unfortunately just as old and unkempt as the rest of the campsite. The pool was not maintained and unusable. There was also no one using it. We will not be back. Even if the pitch on the Ijsel was at least scenically beautiful.

    this is a translation, click here for the original

    Unsere kleine Erlebnisreise zum Campingplatz de Scherpenhof. Bei der Ankunft auf P1 geparkt. Dort leider aber aufgrund des Platzproblem denn ein U-Turn notwendig um wieder Richtung Einfahrt zu kommen. Fahrkünste des Gespannfahrers vorausgesetzt. Die Einrichtungen des Campingplatz sind alt und ungepflegt. Die Infrastruktur so gut wie nicht gegeben. Die sanitären Anlagen sind leider genauso alt und ungepflegt wie der Rest des Platzes. Der Pool war nicht gepflegt und unbrauchbar. Es war auch niemand, der es genutzt hat. Wir werden nicht wiederkommen. Auch wenn der Stellplatz an der Ijsel zumindest Landschaftlich schön war.

    Review from Google
  • 14 Aug 2025

    Never experienced such a terrible campsite before. So bad that we decided not to pitch our tent here and to leave. The pictures lead you to believe that you will find a beautiful campsite with nice (it literally says "spacious sites") pitches. The images from the site absolutely do not match reality. It is a heavily dilapidated park, nothing is well maintained. To get to the reception you first have to pass through a waft of smoke from staff puffing right outside the door. Then you end up in a camping field where you are placed hut to hut. You literally stand against the caravan or tent of the neighbors. The park mainly attracts people who play folk music all day, race around on electric scooters or fatbikes, drink beer and roast meat on the bbq. Not my idea of a relaxing vacation. The moment my partner went to complain to the reception desk, there were 2 other families standing there who were so shocked that they did not want to camp here and wanted to leave. The receptionist would discuss whether a refund could be given. Coincidentally, we got an ice cream and sat on the "terrace" (a few tables and chairs in an alley where you sit facing a wall, so don't imagine anything cozy). Behind the wall the consultation took place and we could hear the owner/manager saying that it was nonsensical that we complained and wanted money back. Then we should have just come beforehand. In other words, I admit that the picture with the website is not correct, but people should just come and see in advance to find that out. Despite not getting a refund (not even a portion) we turned right around.

    this is a translation, click here for the original

    Nog niet eerder zo’n verschrikkelijke camping meegemaakt. Dusdanig slecht dat we besloten hebben onze tent hier niet neer te zetten en weer te vertrekken. De foto’s laten je geloven dat je op een prachtige camping terecht komt met mooie (er staat letterlijk ‘ruime plekken’) kampeerplekken. De beelden van de site komen absoluut niet overeen met de werkelijkheid. Het is een zwaar vervallen park, niets is goed onderhouden. Om bij de receptie binnen te komen moet je eerst door een walm van rook van personeel dat pal voor de deur staat te paffen. Vervolgens kom je op een kampeerveld terecht waar je hutje mutje op elkaar wordt geplaatst. Je staat letterlijk tegen de caravan of tent van de buren aan. Het park trekt met name mensen aan die de hele dag volksmuziek draaien, op elektrische steps of fatbikes rondracen, bier drinken en vlees braden op de bbq. Niet mijn idee van een relaxte vakantie. Op het moment dat mijn partner zijn beklag ging doen bij de receptie, stonden er nog 2 andere gezinnen die dusdanig geschokt waren dat zij hier niet wilde kamperen en wilde vertrekken. De receptioniste zou overleggen of er geld terug gegeven kon worden. Toevallig haalde wij even een ijsje en zaten wij op het ‘terras’ (een paar tafels en stoelen in een steegje waar je tegen een muur aan zit te kijken, dus stel je er vooral niks gezelligs bij voor). Achter de muur vond het overleg plaats en konden wij de eigenaar/manager horen zeggen dat het onzinnig is dat wij ons beklag deden en geld terug wilden. Dan hadden we maar vooraf moeten komen kijken. Met andere woorden: ik geef toe dat het beeld met de website niet klopt, maar mensen moeten maar vooraf komen kijken om dat te constateren. Ondanks dat we geen geld terug (ook niet een deel) hebben gekregen hebben we rechtsomkeert gemaakt.

    Review from Google
  • 13 Aug 2025

    Currently present on the fish island. After reading all the horror reviews, we have come to the conclusion that it is not very bad here. The fish island is easily accessible by car. Small bit over bumpy dirt road. Then over the grass field. Nice view over the ijssel. We also came here for fishing which in itself is a drama in terms of stones. Your whole fishing gear gets stuck behind the stones in the water if you don't reel in fast enough (carp fishing). You regularly see fishermen stuck and cutting lines.... In terms of sanitary facilities, it is quite a long walk. Sanitary facilities are cleaned daily, but in my opinion are in need of replacement. Daily entertainment for kids; like crafts, game activities, disco for the little ones. 1 outdoor and 1 indoor pool. And a sandy beach. What dominates are the regular guests / annual pitches. Do get your groceries outside the park, because there is really nothing to get here except some sausages and soup packets. Less than 1 km away there is a supermarket where you can get everything. It is not a campsite we will go to again but overall it is all fine.

    this is a translation, click here for the original

    Op dit moment aanwezig op het viseiland. Na alle horror recensies te hebben gelezen, zijn wij tot de conclusie gekomen dat het hier niet heel erg is. Het viseiland is goed te bereiken met de auto. Klein stukje over hobbelend onverharde weg. Daarna over het grasveld. Mooi uitzicht over de ijssel. We kwamen hier ook voor het vissen wat op zich een drama is qua stenen. Je hele visgerei blijft achter de stenen in het water hangen als je niet snel genoeg binnenhaalt (karper vissen). Je ziet geregeld vissers vastzitten en lijntjes doorknippen... Qua sanitair is het wel vrij ver lopen. Sanitair wordt dagelijks schoongemaakt, maar is naar mijn mening wel toe aan vervanging. Dagelijks animatie voor kids; zoals knutselen, spel activiteiten, disco voor de kleintjes. 1 buiten bad en 1 binnenbad. En nog een zandstrand. Wat wel overheerst zijn de vaste gasten / jaarplaatsen. Haal wel je boodschappen buiten het park, want hier is eigenlijk niets te halen op wat knakworsten en pakjes soep na. Op nog geen 1 km is er een supermarkt waar je alles kan halen. Het is geen camping waar we nog een keer naar toe gaan maar over het algemeen is het allemaal prima.

    Review from Google
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Frequently asked questions about de Scherpenhof

  1. What are the check-in and check-out times for de Scherpenhof?
    The check-in at de Scherpenhof starts at 15:00. The checkout should be done before 10:00.
  2. Is de Scherpenhof open all year round?
    No, de Scherpenhof is open from 1 April until 30 September.
  3. Is there a restaurant at de Scherpenhof?
    Yes there's a restaurant at de Scherpenhof. Besides that the park offers a bar and a snack bar.
  4. Is there a swimming pool at de Scherpenhof?
    At the park you will find an indoor pool, an outdoor pool, a paddling pool and a near a lake.
  5. Is there a camping store at de Scherpenhof?
    Yes, at de Scherpenhof you'll find a supermarket.
  6. Is there an entertainment team at de Scherpenhof?
    Yes there's entertainment at de Scherpenhof.
  7. Is there a bike rental facility at de Scherpenhof?
    Yes, at de Scherpenhof you'll find a bicycle rental.

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