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The Best Time for Camping in the Vienna Woods: When Children and Dogs Get the Most Out of It

The best time for camping in the Vienna Woods: why the question is about more than the weather

Meadow, forest, a few sheep next door. The stream murmurs quietly at the edge of the pitches, and Vienna is 30 kilometres away, far enough that nobody thinks about appointments any more. Whoever arrives here usually asks the same question: when is the best time for this?

Our answer is different from what you might expect. The best time for camping in the Vienna Woods depends less on the thermometer than on who is sitting in the car with you. A family with two school age children, grandparents with pre school grandchildren and a couple with a dog need three completely different months. And none of those months is automatically “July”.

One example: in spring the sheep in the neighbouring meadow are out with their lambs. For children that is the best week of the year, while by August the lambs are long grown. Dog owners, on the other hand, face the midday heat on the trails in high summer, whereas September is ideal for long walks with a four legged companion. Grandparents with grandchildren value the weeks when the site is not full and an afternoon without a schedule works.

The framework for 2026 is set:

Season: 30 March to 30 September 2026. Six months in which the landscape, the pace and the atmosphere change noticeably.
Around 50 pitches for guests, generously sized at about 90 to over 100 m² each. Electricity, drinking water and waste water disposal are available at every pitch. Why this pitch size matters more to us than any star rating we have written up separately.
Location: a quiet side valley in Kaumberg, in the southern Vienna Woods, on the bank of a mountain stream. Meadows, mixed woodland and wooded hills all around.

What shapes the site is not an entertainment programme. It is a working sheep farm whose farmstead first appears in the house chronicle in 1380 and has been in family ownership for around 200 years. Add to that around 120 old fruit varieties on the grounds, the EU Ecolabel as the EU’s highest environmental award and a sanitary building that ADAC rated five stars. Old trees, no pool complex. That is a deliberate decision.

In the following sections we therefore go through the season month by month instead of just saying “summer”. What is happening on the meadow in April, why June works differently for cyclists than August, and when a dog has its most relaxed days here. After that you will know which month is the best time for camping in the Vienna Woods for you.

Spring on the site: April and May, when the lambs are here

The season starts at the end of March, and the weeks that follow are, in my view, the most underrated of the whole year. The site is not yet full. There is space between the pitches, and with around 90 to over 100 m² per pitch that means you hear the stream in the evening, not the neighbours. If you arrive with a dog, you notice the difference immediately. Less lead slalom, more meadow.

For children, though, the argument is a different one. The campsite belongs to a working sheep farm, and in spring the ewes and their young are in the meadows right next to the pitches. Not a petting zoo with opening hours, but everyday life on a farm that, according to the house chronicle, has existed since 1380. Then there are the walks across the grounds: Leopold Grandl tends around 120 old fruit varieties here, about 70 of which he grafted and planted himself. When they blossom in spring, no entertainment programme is needed. Ask him, he is happy to tell you which tree is which variety. If you are coming with small children: the best time for camping in the Vienna Woods is right here, in April and May.

Now the other side, because it is part of the planning. The site lies in a side valley on the bank of a mountain stream. That is pleasant during the day and cool at night. In April single digit night temperatures are normal, and there are rainy days too. If you are sleeping in a tent, take that seriously.

Warm sleeping bags rather than the summer version, plus sleeping mats with a decent rating
A second jacket per person, because the first one is guaranteed to get wet
Wellies for the children, as the meadow is soft in spring
Something for rainy days: cards, books, the inn on site

A practical note on the budget: electricity is charged by meter reading, EUR 0.50 per kW. In spring almost everyone heats, and a heater in a caravan runs all night. That is not a hidden cost, but it is simply not included in the overnight price. Water, sewer, tourist tax and waste fee are included.

For hiking, the shoulder season is better than high summer anyway. The classic is the Araburg castle ruin at 800 metres, the highest castle ruin in Lower Austria. From the centre of Kaumberg you follow the green markings across meadows and through mixed woodland, around 1.5 hours on foot. With children, allow plenty of time for the way back; with a dog the route is no problem. With 52 km of marked hiking trails around Kaumberg you will also find shorter loops for half a morning. We have put together an overview in Campsite with hiking trails in the Vienna Woods.

Camping with a dog in the Vienna Woods: May, June and September beat high summer

First, to settle the question: dogs are welcome with us. No extra rules, no discussion at reception, none of the looks dog owners know from some sites. More on what you should know when coming with a four legged friend is in Discover a dog friendly campground in the Wienerwald.

The more interesting question is timing. In our view, high summer is the weakest part of the season for dogs. Not because of the site, but because of the heat. The car heats up on the journey, so does the meadow in the afternoon, and a caravan in July turns into an oven by three o’clock. Your dog cannot tell you that, it just pants and lies down under the table.

That is why our tip is May, June and September. That is the best time for camping in the Vienna Woods with a dog, and by a clear margin. The nights are cool enough for everyone to sleep. The mornings can be used for hiking without paws suffering on hot ground. And in September the site is considerably quieter, which matters above all for nervous dogs. What that quiet feels like we describe in the article Quiet retreat: camping in the Vienna Woods near Vienna.

Speaking of distance: our pitches are around 90 to over 100 m², the site is long, with trees and hedges in between. No neighbour barbecuing two metres from your porch. For dogs that react to strangers, that is exactly the difference between constant stress and breathing out.

What is possible around the site:

52 km of marked hiking trails around Kaumberg, much of it through mixed woodland and therefore in the shade
The mountain stream right at the site, good for short walks in the morning and evening
The Araburg castle ruin at 800 metres, about 1.5 hours on foot from the centre of Kaumberg, manageable for fit dogs in cool weather

We have two requests. First: our sheep graze in the neighbouring meadows. Please keep dogs on the lead there, it spares everyone trouble. Second: the Vienna Woods to the north of us are a biosphere reserve and a Natura 2000 area. Protected here are calcareous dry grassland and beech forests, along with species such as the marsh fritillary butterfly and the lesser mouse eared bat. Staying on the paths is entirely enough, nobody asks for more.

Practical for you: the inn is on site, so with a dog you do not have to get into the car first for a hot meal. The sanitary facilities date from 2005, are modern and were rated five stars by ADAC. Wifi is free with 1 GB fair use, in case you want to check the forecast before a hike.

July and August with children: school holidays without entertainment

For families with school children, the holiday calendar decides the best time for camping in the Vienna Woods, not the weather. We have no programme booklet for that. No mini disco, no activity leader with a microphone calling everyone to crafts at ten. What there is: a meadow, mixed woodland all around, a mountain stream at the edge of the grounds and sheep grazing in the farm’s pastures. That sounds like little. For children in the holiday weeks it is surprisingly much.

What actually happens here when you just let children be: in the morning they stand at the fence watching the sheep until they can tell each one apart. They hide among the hedges and the old fruit trees, of which around 120 old varieties grow on the grounds. They build something at the stream that is gone again by evening. And anyone who wants to help on the farm just asks. It can often be arranged, but it is by agreement, not a fixed programme item.

For the long summer days when more should happen:

The White Zoo and camel theatre in Kernhof: white tigers, snow leopards, camels, albino kangaroos. Please check opening times and show dates beforehand at weisserzoo.at.
The Triesting and Gölsen valley cycle route: 62 kilometres from Hirtenberg to St. Pölten, along the riverbanks and through small villages. You do not have to ride all of it, one stage is plenty.
The Schneeberg (2,076 m) with its historic rack railway and the Rax (2,007 m) with its cable car. Both are days children talk about for a long time afterwards.
The Araburg castle ruin: the highest castle ruin in Lower Austria, around 1.5 hours on foot from the centre of Kaumberg.

Vienna as a day trip is 30 to 35 kilometres away. Bus line 169 runs from the stops near Kaumberg straight to Matzleinsdorfer Platz, a journey of around 55 minutes. But there are only two to three departures a day, so be sure to check the return trip beforehand. Current times are on vor.at or in ÖBB Scotty. How to combine city and forest in one stay is shown in our article Camping Vienna Woods: Your Base for Vienna Trips and Hiking Adventures.

What a holiday week costs: caravan or motorhome with two people EUR 33.00 per night, tent with two people EUR 28.00, a child aged 5 to 13 EUR 6.00 per day. Tourist tax, waste fee and VAT are already included, and electricity is charged by meter reading at EUR 0.50 per kW. Payment is in cash.

One note that really matters: July and August are the most sought after weeks of the season, and we have around 50 pitches. If you want to come with children in summer, write early to reservierung@camping-noe.at. And check your spam folder too if the confirmation does not show up.

September and planning: grandparents, grandchildren and the quietest month of the season

If I had to name a single month as the best time for camping in the Vienna Woods, it would be September. The days are mild enough for long walks, the nights cool enough for sleeping. Fruit hangs on the trees in the meadows, with around 120 old varieties growing here, about 70 of them grafted and planted by hand. And the site is empty enough that you hear the sheep rather than the neighbours. The season ends on 30 September. What lies before that is its quietest part.

For grandparents with grandchildren this suits better than any peak season week. The paths are short, the site is mostly level, and you do not have to climb any hills to get from the caravan to the shower. The sanitary building is accessible for people with disabilities and was rated five stars by ADAC. If cooking becomes too much, there is an inn on site with home cooking from its own kitchen. It is best to ask shortly beforehand whether it is open.

Children need no entertainment in September. They need sheep next door, a meadow, a stream and someone who has time. There is plenty of exactly that here.

Autumn is also pilgrimage season. The site lies directly on the Via Sacra, Austria’s oldest pilgrim route to Mariazell. If you only want to walk one stage, you can leave your car here by arrangement. And if you would rather collect culture than kilometres, there is plenty within reach:

Heiligenkreuz Abbey and the pilgrimage church of Klein-Mariazell
Baden with its theatre and casino
Gumpoldskirchen and the wine taverns of the thermal region
The Araburg castle ruin at 800 metres, around 1.5 hours on foot from Kaumberg

Please check opening times and admission prices directly with the respective venues, as they like to change in autumn.

The practical side:

Reservations are possible all year round by email to reservierung@camping-noe.at. If there is no confirmation after a few days, it is worth checking your spam folder.
By phone you can reach Leopold Grandl on +43 676 4741966. He answers the technical questions himself too.
Payment is in cash. There is no card payment, so bring cash with you.
Getting here: Höfnergraben 2, 2572 Kaumberg. Enter it into your satnav, and the rest is signposted. If this is your first trip with a camper, our vanlife tips for beginners in Austria cover the essentials in advance.

September makes little noise. It simply does its job: warm middays, clear evenings, a site where three generations come to rest side by side. Pack light, leave a lot behind.

Frequently asked questions

When is the best time for camping in the Vienna Woods with children?

We are open from 30 March to 30 September 2026, and for families May to early July and September are the most pleasant. In spring the old fruit trees on the farm are in blossom, the lambs are small and the meadows are not yet dried out by the summer heat. In September the site gets quieter, the nights are cool and the days are often clear for a long time. The weeks in July and August are warmer and busier, but that is when the long evenings outside can be enjoyed most.

What is the best time for camping in the Vienna Woods for dog owners?

Spring and early autumn, because temperatures in the mixed woodland stay pleasant and your dog can come along even at midday. The hiking trails around Kaumberg, 52 kilometres of them marked, are largely in the shade. Dogs are welcome with us, and the pitches are 90 to over 100 square metres, so there is enough distance from your neighbour. In high summer, you should schedule longer walks for the early morning hours.

Is the low season at the campsite in the Vienna Woods worth it?

Yes, especially if you are looking for quiet. For many regulars it is even the best time for camping in the Vienna Woods. Late March to May and September bring fewer guests and more free choice of pitch. The price list also includes reduced rates from 26 euro; which rate applies to your dates is best clarified in advance. The sanitary building, electricity, water and wifi are equally available throughout the season. The current price list is on our price list page.

What is the weather like in the Vienna Woods during the camping season?

The side valley in Kaumberg lies higher than Vienna, so the nights here are noticeably cooler even in summer. Expect single digit night temperatures in spring and autumn and pack warm sleeping bags. Summer thunderstorms pass through the Vienna Woods quickly and are usually over soon. A rainy day is easily filled with a trip to Vienna or to the White Zoo in Kernhof.

When is there the most for children to experience?

From spring to early summer, when the sheep of the neighbouring farm are in the meadows and the lambs are out. The climb to the Araburg castle ruin at 800 metres, around 1.5 hours from the centre of Kaumberg, is easier on children’s legs in cooler temperatures. In late summer and September the roughly 120 old fruit varieties on the grounds ripen, which is a topic of its own for children. There is no entertainment programme, but there is meadow, forest and stream right in front of the pitch.

When should I book for the high season?

As early as possible, because we have around 50 pitches and the weeks in July and August are usually the first to go. We accept reservation enquiries all year round by email to reservierung@camping-noe.at. If no confirmation arrives promptly, please check your spam folder too. Leopold Grandl answers questions about the site on +43 676 4741966, and payment on site is cash only.