Camping Spots Near Islamabad: Lakes, Forests and Hills Within Reach
Pakistan Locals Team
26 August 2026 · 3 min read
At a glance
- Location
- Islamabad
- Region
- Islamabad Capital Territory
- Best time
- April to October for the hills and forests; Khanpur is best in the warm months for the water
Here is the good news for anyone in the twin cities: you do not have to drive fourteen hours north to camp under a clear sky. Within an hour or two of Islamabad you can pitch a tent by a turquoise lake, on a Margalla ridge, or in a cool pine forest. Here are the best camping spots near Islamabad and Rawalpindi, and how to do each one properly.
Khanpur Dam: the easy lakeside night
About 50 km and an hour north, Khanpur Dam is the most popular camp near the capital, and for good reason. The deep blue lake is ringed by low hills, and organised camps on the shore (Mabali Resort is the best known) set up tents, bonfires and barbecues so you can arrive with nothing and still have a good night. By day there is jet skiing, kayaking, boating and cliff diving, so it doubles as an adventure spot. Best in the warm months when you actually want to be on the water. Ideal for first-timers and families.
The Margalla Hills: camping on the city's doorstep
The Margalla Hills National Park rises straight off the edge of Islamabad, and there are camping spots along the higher trails. Camp up near Tilla Charouni, the highest point at around 1,600 m, and you can see Rawal Dam, the Faisal Mosque and even Khanpur Dam from one ridge. This is a proper little hike-in camp rather than a drive-up site, so go with someone who knows the trail, carry your water, and remember it is a protected national park: take every scrap of rubbish home.
Simly Dam: a gentle night by the water
About 30 km east of the twin cities, Simly Dam is a calm reservoir with grassy banks, good for an easy family camp, a lakeside picnic or a slow boat ride. It is lower-key than Khanpur, with fewer facilities, so bring your own gear and food, but it is close, quiet and pretty.
The Galiyat pine forests: cool-air camping
For real forest camping, drive 2 to 2.5 hours into the Galiyat, the belt of hill stations that includes Nathia Gali, Dunga Gali and Ayubia. The pine forests here are ten degrees cooler than the plains, the famous Ayubia pipeline track gives you an easy day walk between camps, and several hosted sites provide tents and meals. This is the pick for a summer escape when Islamabad is baking. Best April to October, and pack for genuinely cold nights.
Practical notes
- Season. The hills and forests are best April to October. Khanpur is a warm-weather trip for the water. Winter camping is possible but cold, and the Galiyat can get snow.
- Pack for the cold. Even in summer the hills drop sharply at night, so bring a warm sleeping bag and a layer.
- Hosted or your own. If it is your first time, book a hosted camp at Khanpur or in the Galiyat that provides tents, food and a bonfire. Confident campers can bring their own kit.
- Leave no trace. Carry out all rubbish, keep fires to established spots, and stay away from water sources with soap. The Margallas especially are a protected park.
Quick answers
Closest camping to Islamabad? Khanpur Dam (about an hour) and the Margalla Hills, right on the city's edge.
Best for families? A hosted camp at Khanpur Dam or in the Galiyat, with tents and meals provided.
Coolest in summer? The Galiyat pine forests around Nathia Gali and Ayubia.
When to go? April to October for the hills and forests; warm months for Khanpur's water.
Written and fact-checked by the Pakistan Locals editorial team. Last updated August 2026. Access, facilities and prices change with the season, so confirm locally and camp responsibly.
Sources and further reading
Want it sorted for you? Browse camping trips on Pakistan Locals, or plan on the map. Only have a day? See our one-day trips from Islamabad. For more, read our camping in Murree and the Galiyat guide. Run a campsite near the capital? List it free.
Questions people ask
Where can you camp near Islamabad?+
The closest spots are Khanpur Dam (about an hour) for lakeside camping, the Margalla Hills for ridge camping, Simly Dam for a gentle lakeside night, and the Galiyat pine forests around Nathia Gali and Ayubia, about 2 to 2.5 hours out.
Can you camp in the Margalla Hills?+
Yes. There are camping spots along the higher trails, including near Tilla Charouni at about 1,600 m, but the Margallas are a national park, so camp responsibly, carry out all your rubbish and check current access.
Is camping near Islamabad safe for families?+
Yes, at the established and hosted sites. Khanpur Dam and the Galiyat resorts run family-friendly camps with tents, meals and bonfires provided, which is the easiest way to start.
What should I pack?+
A warm sleeping bag and a light layer even in summer, since the hills get cold at night, plus water, a torch, insect repellent, and everything you need to carry your waste back out.
Pakistan Locals Team
The Pakistan Locals editorial team writes practical, on-the-ground travel guides to Pakistan, researched and fact-checked in consultation with our network of local hosts and guides.