7 Days Camping in the Plitvice Lakes, Croatia
This trip is for hikers and nature lovers who want dramatic limestone scenery without flying far. Plitvice Lakes National Park has 16 interconnected lakes with thundering cascades, wooden boardwalks through beech forests, and excellent campsites just outside the park gates.
What to expect
- Walk the Upper Lakes loop on boardwalks above turquoise pools and waterfalls
- Camp at Korana Camping, steps from the park entrance with hot showers
- Hike to Sastavci waterfall where the Plitvica River plunges 78 metres
- Paddle a kayak on Kozjak Lake surrounded by cave walls and forest
- Explore nearby Rastoke village with its mill wheels and riverside trails
Day by day
Set up at Korana Camping, 2 km south of the park entrance.
Walk the Upper Lakes boardwalk trail, starting at Entrance 1; 2 hours of easy flat walking between Prošćansko and Sastavci lakes.
Cook at the campsite and watch sunset light catch the limestone cliffs.
Hike to Sastavci waterfall from Entrance 2; dramatic 78 m drop, best in morning light.
Return via the beech forest loop on the western bank; moderate 3-hour walk.
Visit Rastoke village across the park border for dinner and mill-wheel views.
Drive to Entrance 2 and hike down to the Lower Lakes, 320 metres of elevation drop through old-growth forest.
Board the park's electric boat for a 1-hour cruise on Novakovića Brod Lake; spectacular cliff and waterfall views.
Return to camp and rest; stock supplies at nearby Korenica town.
Rent a kayak at Korana Camping and paddle Kozjak Lake, enclosed by 200 m limestone walls; 1.5 hours.
Hike to Matica waterfall via the quieter southern trailhead; less crowded than Sastavci.
Grill fresh trout at the campsite fire pit.
Take a longer circuit from Entrance 2 via Turni waterfalls; 4-5 hours of moderate hiking.
Stop at Plitvice village to visit the small ethnographic museum and have lunch.
Relax at camp with a book and watch roe deer at the meadow edge at dusk.
Sleep in and cycle to nearby Plitvačko Jezero for swimming if weather permits.
Explore Rastoke's mill wheels, waterfalls and riverside walks; hire a local guide if interested.
Enjoy fresh local cheese and wine at a village guesthouse.
One last walk on the Upper Lakes boardwalk to catch morning mist.
Pack up camp and drive onward (Zadar coast 2.5 hours, Zagreb 2 hours).
Depart or continue to next destination.
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