Best Places to Camp - RJ

Best Places to Camp in Rio de Janeiro

What are the best places to camp?

These are parks and forests, villages and small towns between 100km and just over 300km away. These places offer visitors unique experiences, whether on the coast or in the mountains.

Here we have chosen 8 places for you to camp in Rio de Janeiro, not so popular, and "some" very little known.

And for lovers of wild camping, there are always good vibes.

Praia do Sono (Sleepy Beach)

The suggestive name alludes to peace and tranquility.

Surrounded by mountains of virgin forest, the sun takes a long time to appear in the morning and sets early in the afternoon, providing many hours of sleep.

However, to reach this little paradise, some effort is required: a trail of about an hour's walk.

Praia do Sono is a jewel nestled in the Atlantic Forest. Located within the Cairuçu Environmental Protection Area, about 25km from Paraty.

Extremely rustic, there is no commerce or regular tourist infrastructure.

Only native residents, the caiçaras, offer food and their backyards for setting up tents.

There's more to enjoy than just the sea.

In the middle of the beach, there's a trail leading to natural freshwater pools formed by a stream, where there's also a waterfall.

At the corner of the beach, an extremely difficult trail leads to two other beaches, Antigos and Artiguinhos. These are completely wild.

Trindade

Located in the same region as Praia do Sono, also in the Cairuçu APA, the village of Trindade is the solution for people who need a minimum of the infrastructure that a small town offers for camping in Rio de Janeiro, such as those camping with children.

Trindade is a district of Paraty, located 30km from the center, with easy access, including by public transport.

Trindade, like many other settlements of native residents in the south of the state, has gone through and still goes through numerous disputes.

These are conflicts against large companies over land ownership and real estate speculation aimed at luxury developments.

But the residents remain united in defense of the Caiçara culture and the preservation of nature.

The village offers several beach options: Brava, do Meio, dos Ranchos, among others. The Cachadaço Natural Pool is a must-visit diving spot for beginners.

A good place to chat with locals and pitch your tent.

For those who like waterfalls, the offer is also varied.

And there is also the famous "swallowing stone"! It is a "hole" between the rocks through which the watercourse passes, where the adventurer dives to emerge on the other side.

★★ Ilha Grande

For many decades, this paradise remained untouched. Until, in the 1990s, after the decommissioning and implosion of the infamous Ilha Grande Prison, its various trails and beaches were explored.

The gateway to Ilha Grande is Vila do Abraão.

There you will find the main docking pier for the ferries that cross from the cities of Mangaratiba and Angra dos Reis, as well as the various boats that serve tourism. Most of the island's campsites can be found in Abraão.

As well as basic commercial and infrastructure services. It is also possible to find campsites on the beaches of Palmas, Parnaioca and Aventureiro.

Important information: in order to preserve the environment, camping outside of properly licensed campsites is prohibited.

For those who are willing, the greatest feat of adventurers is to circumnavigate the island via its various trails. This activity takes at least a week of intense hiking.

In this case, in smaller villages and towns, it's possible to camp in residents' backyards without any problem.

Maromba

Going up the mountain range, still in the south of the state, the village of Maromba, together with its "sister" village Maringá, forms a microregion full of Atlantic Forest in the Itatiaia National Park.

The two villages are crossed by the Maromba River, which divides the states of Rio de Janeiro and Minas Gerais and three cities: Itatiaia and Resende on the Rio de Janeiro side, and Bocaina de Minas on the Minas Gerais side.

While Maringá has a more sophisticated tourist infrastructure, with shops, restaurants and inns, Maromba is more rustic and is where most of the camping spots in the region are located.

The waterfalls are the main attraction of Maromba and the most famous of them, the Escorrega waterfall, is a must-see. At night, in the village square, there are bars, forró and reggae music, handicrafts, and road trippers to chat with.

Lumiar

Lumiar is a district of the city of Nova Friburgo. It is famous for its lingerie manufacturing, located just over 150km from Rio.

It has a more urban aspect, with small-town commerce and services, and can be considered the center of a region that also includes the villages of São Pedro da Serra and Boa Esperança.

Access is easy via paved road and public transport.

The main attractions are the Indiana Jones and São José waterfalls and the pools: Feio, Verde, and Toca da Onça. Going down the Serra-Mar road, you reach the Meeting of the Rivers, a spot for rafting.

At night, the busiest bars are those in São Pedro, 6km up the road.

A good option for camping is Seu Artur's campsite, practically wild.

He is a local resident who opens the doors of his backyard to travelers and is always willing to chat.

He is also a unique figure, with a long beard and white hair that hasn't been cut for many years, almost touching the ground.

Sana

Legend has it that, back in the 1970s, when hippies discovered the place, Raul Seixas was inspired by the name Sana to name his "Sociedade Alternativa Nova Aeon (S.A.N.A.)."

Another version says exactly the opposite: that the village was named by Raulzito himself, who supposedly created the alternative society there.

The fact is that the occupation of the region dates back to the 19th century, when it was colonized by Swiss people, and the name Sana is considered a corruption of Sarine, the name of the river that runs through the city of Fribourg, Switzerland.

Sana is an environmental protection area and, therefore, there are certain rules for visiting its numerous waterfalls and camping is only allowed in legalized campsites, but this also breaks the rule; in some more remote places you can pitch a tent.

There are plenty of options, both near the main square and on more distant streets and roads.

With guidance With a guide, it's possible to visit the Peito do Pombo peak, the main tourist attraction in the region.

Sana's culture also stands out.

In the town square, on weekends, there's an art and craft fair showcasing the best of local production. And in the music scene, one of the most cult-followed "roots" bands comes from there: Raiz do Sana.

Aldeia Velha

Also known as Quartéis, this small village is located at the foot of the Serra do Mar mountain range, surrounded by cattle ranches and environmental preservation areas of the Atlantic Forest, being considered the main territory for the protection of the endangered golden lion tamarins.

It has a very rudimentary infrastructure, with a single street with small shops.

But precisely because of this rusticity, the village is sought after by lovers of wild camping.

In the surrounding area, it's possible to swim in the river; 4km from the center is the waterfall of... Andorinhas, quite popular for rappelling and frequented by the brave who love to jump from the rocks into its pool.

The same road that leads to the waterfall is very popular with trekkers (three-hour hike to the top of the mountain), motocross and jeep drivers. Going up it, it is possible to reach Toca da Onça and Encontro dos Rios, in the Lumiar region.

Saquarema

Of all these, Saquarema is by far the largest and most famous city.Explored in the 1970s, the city is world-renowned for the quality of its waves, making it a paradise for surfers.

However, despite being a relatively busy city, it still retains its small-town charm, being frequented by all kinds of people.

The surfing peak is Itaúna beach, where international-level competitions occasionally take place. Even on days with low tide, it's worth staying there until sunset after setting up camp, as there are no campsites in this region.

At night, the town's church, perched on a rock by the sea, is completely illuminated, becoming a true postcard-worthy sight.

Note: The Camping Selvagem blog is not responsible for changes made by establishments (infrastructure, itinerary, etc.) after the publication of this post.

This article is also available in Portuguese: Melhores lugares camping - RJ