The 10 best wild camping spots in Réunion by van

At 1,800 metres above sea level, the Plaine des Tamarins is one of the island's most celebrated camping spots. From the car park on the Maïdo road, the view over the Mafate cirque at sunrise is an unforgettable spectacle that very few hotel guests ever get to experience.

Nights here are cool (8–12°C), the highland tamarin forest creates a uniquely atmospheric setting, and the darkness is total — perfect for stargazing. Bring a warm blanket.

The Pas de Bellecombe car park is the starting point for hikes to Piton de la Fournaise. Sleeping here in your van lets you set off at dawn, before the day-tripper crowds arrive. On clear nights, you'll watch the stars fade over the caldera.

If the volcano is erupting, some evenings the horizon glows red — a rare and unforgettable spectacle from the roof of your van.

The village of Bourg-Murat, at 1,500m, is an ideal base for exploring the highlands. Car parks and green spaces around the village offer a peaceful overnight stop for your van.

In the morning, you'll be 15 minutes from the volcano and a short walk from the best Creole bakeries in the highlands for a breakfast of fresh-baked bread.

Grande Anse is one of the finest black sand beaches in Réunion, deep in the Wild South. Far from the tourist zones, it offers a raw, unspoilt setting. Waking up facing the Indian Ocean, with nothing but the sound of breaking waves, is one of the trip's most powerful memories.

Picnic tables and basic facilities are available in the park. Entry to the site is free.

In the highlands above Saint-Leu, forest roads lead to little-frequented viewpoints overlooking the west coast. The altitude (600–900m) ensures a comfortable temperature at night — not too hot, not too cold. The sunrise over the ocean is spectacular.

The Maïdo car park (2,200m) is accessible by van and offers an exceptional bird's-eye view over the Mafate cirque. Sleeping here before sunrise rewards you with one of the most breathtaking spectacles on the island.

Note: nights at Maïdo are very cold (3–7°C). Make sure your van is well insulated and that you have adequate warm bedding.

The wilder, less-visited east coast offers camping spots between waterfalls and tropical forests. The areas around Saint-Benoît and Sainte-Rose are particularly beautiful, with roads winding through sugarcane fields and wooded cliffs.

In the Salazie cirque, certain trailhead car parks allow overnight stays with views over the waterfalls and cliffs. The humidity is high, but the atmosphere is magical — mist, birdsong, the cool of the altitude.

A few basic rules for a peaceful overnight stay: arrive before sunset to choose your spot, always leave the place cleaner than you found it, and keep noise down after 10pm.

Keep valuables out of sight inside the van and lock up. Réunion is a safe island, but caution is always sensible in isolated spots.

Overnight van parking is tolerated in ONF (national forestry) car parks and at rest areas. Camping on Réunion's beaches is prohibited by municipal by-law. Stick to designated car parks.