Camping Near Mumbai – A Weekend at Pawna Lake

Pawna Lake has become one of the most loved weekend getaways from Mumbai, and for good reason:

• Easy drive – about 2.5–3 hours via the Mumbai–Pune Expressway.
• Real nature – a calm lake ringed by the Sahyadri hills and forts.
• Clear night skies – far less light pollution than the city.
• All-inclusive packages – stay, dinner, breakfast and bonfire from ₹999 per person.

Unlike many getaways that need two or three days, Pawna works as a true one-night trip: you leave on Saturday morning, spend the evening around a bonfire by the water, and are back home on Sunday with time to rest before Monday. It is the perfect reset after a busy week. Learn more on our Pawna Lake camping page.

By car

Take the Mumbai–Pune Expressway and exit at Lonavala. From Lonavala, Pawna Lake is about 20–25 km. Total distance is roughly 110–120 km and takes about 2.5–3 hours, depending on traffic leaving the city.

By train

Take a train from Mumbai to Lonavala. From Lonavala station, hire a cab or auto to your campsite. Kamshet is another nearby station.

Tips for the drive

• Leave early on Saturday to avoid expressway traffic.
• The last stretch is a village road – drive slowly after dark.
• Transport is not included in camping packages.

Saturday

• 8–9 AM – Leave Mumbai and take the Expressway.
• Late morning – Breakfast stop, then an optional visit to Karla caves or Ekvira temple near Lonavala.
• 2 PM – Check in at your Pawna campsite.
• Afternoon – Relax by the lake or go kayaking at camps that offer it.
• Evening – Snacks and tea at sunset, then bonfire, music, BBQ and dinner. On Saturdays some camps host a guitar show.

Sunday

• Sunrise – Misty lake views and breakfast.
• 11 AM – Check out.
• Afternoon – Stop at Tiger Point in Lonavala or trek Lohagad fort before heading home.

• Classic Camp Tent – ₹999 per adult, includes tent stay, dinner, snacks, tea/coffee, breakfast, bonfire, outdoor activities and parking. Great for friends.
• Triangle Nest – ₹1,499 per adult, couple-friendly A-frame tent with breakfast, snacks, bonfire, music and live BBQ.
• Dome House – ₹1,999 per adult, lakeside dome cottage.
• Diamond House – ₹2,999 per person (minimum 2 guests), AC cottage with dinner, breakfast, BBQ, bonfire and music.

Travelling as a large family or group? Consider a private villa – see Pawna Lake villas.

• Comfortable clothes and a warm layer for the night
• Torch or phone power bank
• Sunscreen, cap and sunglasses
• Personal toiletries and medicines
• Rain jacket in the monsoon (June–September)
• A reusable water bottle

Please do not carry hookah – it is strictly prohibited at all camps.

Pawna Lake is a year-round weekend option from Mumbai, but each season changes the experience.

October to February

The most popular time to go. Days are pleasant, nights are cool and the sky is usually clear enough for proper stargazing – something that is almost impossible in the city. Weekends fill up quickly, so book a week or two ahead.

June to September

The monsoon is when the drive itself becomes part of the trip. The ghats along the Expressway are full of waterfalls and low clouds, and Pawna's hills turn bright green. Some activities, such as boating, may be limited, and the roads can be slow in heavy rain. A cottage is more comfortable than a tent in this season – see Pawna Lake cottages and our monsoon camping guide.

March to May

Afternoons are hot, but evenings by the lake are breezy and the nights are clear. Arrive close to check-in, stay in the shade during the day and enjoy the lake once the sun goes down. The Diamond House AC cottage is a good pick in this season.

Long weekends and holidays

Long weekends are the busiest time of all, with heavy traffic out of Mumbai. Leave early in the morning, book your stay in advance, and consider a weekday trip if you can take a day off – it is quieter and some listings are priced lower than on Friday and Saturday nights.

For a detailed month-by-month view, read best time to visit Pawna Lake.

Got a long weekend? Combine camping with sightseeing around Lonavala: Lohagad and Visapur forts, Bhaje and Karla caves, Pawna dam, Tung and Tikona forts, and Wet n Joy water park for families. See our Lonavala camping guide and things to do near Pawna Lake.

Compare all campsites, select your date, and pay a 35% advance or the full amount online. You can also Book on WhatsApp and pay by UPI QR. Your confirmation email arrives once payment is verified.

You can cancel until 12 noon the day before your booking date; same-day cancellation is not allowed. Check the Pawna camping price guide for weekend rates.