Camping De Watermolen
Netherlands
Camping De Watermolen is a spacious nature campsite in Opende, on the border of the Groningen and Friesland provinces, built around an on-site swimming and fishing lake with a sandy beach. Alongside camping pitches it offers a wide range of glamping and rental accommodation. 2026 is its final season for tourist camping; annual pitches and rental accommodations continue afterward.
About the camp
A green, spaciously laid-out nature campsite midway between Groningen and Friesland, centred on a swimming and fishing lake with a beach. Guests pitch on Comfort or Nature camping fields, or stay in accommodation spread across the grounds: Waterlodge and Waterlodge XL by the lake, a Safari tent, Safari Lodge Deluxe, Strohuisje, Waterlandvilla, Tiny Watercabin, and a simple Woodlodge/Trekkershut with an outdoor shower; a Watervilla is planned from summer 2026. On site there is swimming, volleyball, football, den-building in the woods, a restaurant, and pizza nights; the area is popular for cycling and walking, with day trips to Groningen, Leeuwarden and Dokkum. After 22 seasons, owners André and Ramona are ending tourist camping following 2026; annual pitches and rental accommodation remain.
- ANWB-recognised "charme camping"
- Directly on a swimming and fishing lake with a sandy beach
- On the Groningen-Friesland provincial border
- 2026 is the final season for tourist camping after 22 years; annual pitches and rentals continue
Things to do
- swimming and fishing in the on-site lake
- volleyball and beach games
- football pitch
- den-building in the woods
- on-site restaurant
- pizza nights
- campfire evenings with stargazing
- cycling and walking routes nearby
- canoeing and sailing nearby
- day trips to Groningen, Leeuwarden and Dokkum
Facilities the camp lists: swimming lake · fishing · restaurant · playground · bread service · campfire
Pitch types: comfort camping field · nature camping field
Rentals: Waterchalet · straw house · Waterlodge · Waterlodge XL · Safari Lodge Deluxe · Safari tent · Tiny Watercabin · Woodlodge / Trekkershut · Waterlandvilla · Watervilla (from summer 2026)
Suited for: families · nature lovers · rest-seekers
On the border of the Groningen and Friesland provinces in Opende, with cycling and walking routes from the gate and day trips to the city of Groningen and the Frisian towns of Leeuwarden and Dokkum.