Camping by the water in Vulcania

Everything about the campsites by the water in Vulcania

Vulcania is in Saint-Ours-les-Roches, about twenty minutes west of Clermont-Ferrand, in the middle of the Chaîne des Puys in Auvergne. The park takes a day to visit, two to see everything: planetarium, the Namazu roller coaster, the Dragon Ride 2 dynamic cinema and exhibitions on eruptions. It is open from late March to early November, every day from April to the end of August. For a camping holiday, the real question is therefore location: at the foot of the park to get there early, by a lake to swim at the end of the day, or near Clermont-Ferrand to combine Vulcania, the Puy de Dôme and the city.

At the foot of the volcanoes: a quarter of an hour from the park

The best choice if Vulcania is the purpose of the trip. In Saint-Ours, Camping Bel Air is a few minutes from the park gates, at 800 metres, facing the Puy de Dôme. Its heated indoor pool helps on grey days, which are frequent at altitude, and Lac d’Anschald, with its sandy beach, is five minutes away; the 2026 season is over and it reopens in April 2027. A little further south, in Saint-Bonnet-près-Orcival, La Haute Sioule has welcomed campers since 1976 on 3 hectares, with 77 pitches, chalets and gypsy caravans, from April to 1 November: one of the few addresses in the area open during the autumn half-term, when Vulcania is still open.

By the lakes: Vulcania in the morning, a swim in the afternoon

In summer, the volcanic lakes make all the difference. In Aydat, half an hour from the park, the Camping du Lac d’Aydat, a three-star site of 10 hectares, stretches along the lake with direct access to the water and a supervised beach 800 metres away; a kids’ club and entertainment in July and August, a pizzeria and a heated pool complete the offer, and pets are welcome for a fee. 3 km from the lake, Les Volcans, a smaller site with 59 pitches, rents domes, pods and lodges, some of the area’s unusual accommodation. To the north-west, in the Combrailles, the Fades-Besserve lake is wilder: the Camping de la Plage de Confolant sits at its leisure base, and La Bouesse welcomes motorhomes 1 km from the Chazotte beach, about twenty minutes from Vulcania.

Near Clermont-Ferrand: Vulcania, the Puy de Dôme and the city

In Royat, 4 km from Clermont-Ferrand and 8 km from the Puy de Dôme, Huttopia Royat is a four-star site of 7 hectares and 169 pitches, with a heated pool, tents and wooden chalets, open from 2 April to 1 November. It lets you combine Vulcania, the rack railway up the Puy de Dôme and an evening in the city. To the north, in Châtel-Guyon, 25 km from the park, Le Ranch des Volcans appeals to families with its slides, including the Spacebowl, and its two pools. For naturists, La Serre de Portelas, in Saint-Saturnin, is an association-run naturist campsite with a heated pool.

Planning a Vulcania camping holiday

How many nights? Allow three nights for Vulcania, the Puy de Dôme and a lake, a week to add the Lemptégy volcano, Orcival and the Sancy. When to go? May, June and September combine a quieter park and open campsites; in April and October check the dates, as many campsites are not yet or no longer open. With children, choose a campsite with a heated or indoor pool: at 800 metres, lake water stays cool outside July and August; see also our campsites for family holidays. Tickets: Vulcania sells dated tickets online and a two-day ticket; book them with your campsite in summer. For more ideas, see all our campsites in the Puy-de-Dôme.