Are you staying in Maharashtra, particularly Pune or Mumbai? If so, this post on Pawna Lake Camping will help you. Do not miss out on this opportunity when visiting Mumbai or Pune. Standing in the most attractive Sahyadri Ranges, this lake offers an ideal getaway both for adventure seekers and nature lovers.
Even if you are looking for an escape from the busy urban life, you can plan this camping trip. It is located near Lonavala and it is turning out to be a popular destination for locals among Mumbaikars and Punekars or Poonaites. It offers a perfect combination of peaceful retreat and natural beauty. In case you are on the lookout for a place that brings together the beauty of nature, relaxation and adventure, you can consider Pawna Lake Camping.
Pawna Lake Camping – An Introduction
Pawna Lake is an artificial reservoir located around 10 km from the popular Lonavala hill station in Maharashtra. During the construction of the Pawna Dam, the lake was formed. Now, it is popular among the people from nearby cities for the excellent camping opportunities. The reason is that the lake is surrounded by the serene waters of the reservoir, picturesque hills and lush green landscapes. These features make it an ideal place for hiking, kayaking, camping and other outdoor activities.
With the proximity of the Pawna Lake Camping site to Pune and Mumbai, it is easily accessible. Above all, you need not have to venture too far away from the city to get a tranquil experience. You can learn everything about this place from this post:
History of Pawna Lake
Pawna Lake is an attractive reservoir in Maharashtra. As mentioned earlier, it came into being during the construction of the Pawna Dam that happened in 1972. This dam takes care of the water needs for hydroelectric power generation and irrigation. The huge Wagheswar Temple is a highlight of the lake. The temple apart from being a religious spot adds to the attractiveness of the lake.
Over the years, Pawna Lake has turned out to be a hotspot for tourists looking to take part in outdoor activities. Now, it offers opportunities like camping, boating, fishing and bird watching. The lake showcases the ideal combination of the ingenuity of humans in dam construction and maintaining the natural splendour of nearby landscapes.
How to Reach?
The proximity of the Pawna Lake Camping site makes it a key attraction in Maharashtra. It means that it is accessible with ease as well for tourists. It is located around 20 km away from Lonavala Railway Station. The easiest mode of transportation from this railway station is to hire a jeep or cab to reach the lake. Here are the modes of transportation you can choose if you are travelling from Mumbai or Pune:
By Bus
You can find direct buses to Lonavala from Mumbai and Pune. Above all, both private and public transportation buses connect Mumbai and Lonavala and Pune and Lonavala. So, you can choose this mode.
If you are travelling from other cities, you can reach Mumbai by bus or any other convenient mode of transportation. From Mumbai, you can travel by bus to reach Lonavala. From Lonavala, you can hire a cab to reach the lake.
By Train
If you would like to travel by train, you can take trains from Mumbai or Pune. Pawna Lake can be accessed by reaching different railway stations located close to it. Here are some options:
- Kanhe Railway Station‘s distance from the lake is 21 km
- Lonavala Railway Station is located at a distance of 21.7 km
- Kamshet Railway Station is located around 17.2 km from the lake.
By Flight
If you are travelling by flight from other cities in India, you can reach Pune International Airport or Mumbai Airport. From these airports, you can hire a cab to reach the camping site. The distance from Pune airport is around 58.2 km, while the distance from Mumbai airport is around 113.8 km. So, you can understand that reaching Pune is the best option comparatively rather than reaching Mumbai from your hometown.
By Car
From Mumbai
If you are starting from Mumbai, the car trip will take around 3 hours by road to reach the Pawna Lake Camping site. The two possible routes to reach the lake from Mumbai include the Dudhiware Khind Route and the Kamshet Route.
The former route will take you to the lake site within a 108 km drive, while the latter will take around a 122 km drive. Yes, if you wish to reach quickly, the former is the best choice. Nevertheless, when you take the Dudhiware Khind Route, you should be highly cautious as the roads near Ambegoan village will have tricky turns and twists.
When you choose the other route, you will pass through many checkpoints before reaching the lake site. Prominent places you will cross on this route include Dudhiware Khind, Bhagarwadi and Lonavala.
From Pune
If you are driving from Pune, you can take one of the following three routes:
- Through the Solapur – Mumbai Highway, the distance is around 55 km.
- Through Solapur – Mumbai Highway and NH48 roads, the distance will be around 62.6 km
- Via NH 753F route, the distance will be around 52.4 km.
Key Attractions & Things to Do
When talking about Pawna Lake Camping, you will naturally understand that it is a lake with a camping facility. However, camping alone is not the key attraction and thing to do at this lake site. Yes, it offers different activities to make your trip to this place memorable.
Camping
The highlight of Pawna Lake is the camping opportunity it offers. You can camp by the shores of the lake. You can find many campsites near the lake that offer barbecue dinners, bonfires and comfortable tents. By staying here, you can experience the natural beauty of the area completely.
Kayaking
Kayaking is one of the best activities in Pawna Lake. When you camp by the lake, you can rent a kayak and paddle on the calm waters of the lake. It will be a different experience to paddle in a lake surrounded by forest and hills. You will feel immersed in nature’s lap.
Hiking and Trekking
Many trekking and hiking trails exist near Pawna Lake. For instance, you can trek to nearby forts like Tikona and Lohagad forts. You can get panoramic views of the nearby areas. Hiking and trekking opportunities here are excellent activities to explore the natural beauty of the region.
If you love trekking, do check out my post on Sinhagad Fort: Unveiling the Legacy of Maharashtra’s Majestic ‘Lion’s Fort’.
Sunset Views
Pawna Lake is popular for its spectacular sunsets. You can watch the sun settling down behind the Sahyadri Hills. During the sunset, you will also get to see the lake get attractive with the rays of the sun. Do not forget to grab your camera to capture this beautiful happening.
Star gazing is yet another activity you can do when camping near Pawna Lake.
Best Time & Season to Visit
The cooler months between October and March are the best to visit Pawna Lake. The reason is that the climate will be pleasant during this season. The temperature during this season will be between 15 and 30 degrees Celsius. With this temperature, you can engage in outdoor activities for longer without getting tired. Also, this season is ideal for camping as well.
Duration To See
A typical visit to the lake to camp generally lasts between one and two days. This is sufficient to enjoy the scenic beauty of the lake. You can engage in trekking, and kayaking and spend time around the bonfire at night. In case, you wish to explore nearby areas like Karla Caves, Lohagad Fort and Lonavala, you will not two or three days more.
Best Restaurants & Cafes Around
Most organizers of Pawna Lake Camping provide food to guests. However, if you wish to explore outside food, here are some restaurants and cafes near Pawna Lake:
- Hotel Jai Malahar
- Holiday Garden Dhaba
- Aaryan Restaurant
- Hotel SP Khanawal
- The Oven
- Pawna Lake View Restaurant
Entry Fee & Ticket Prices
There is no fee to pay if you visit Pawna Lake. However, if you are up to Pawna Lake Camping, the camping site organizers charge a fee for the experience they provide to guests. The fee typically includes trekking, bonfires, kayaking, meals and tent accommodation charges. The charges vary from one campsite to another. However, you can expect to pay between ₹1000 and ₹2500 per night stay for a standard camping experience.
FAQ
1. How Should I Book Pawna Lake Camping?
You can search for the keyword “Pawna Lake Camping” in your search engine. You will find different camp organizers. You can choose one of them and fix your dates by booking your stay online.
2. What Are the Essentials I Should Carry to the Campsite?
You can carry mosquito repellent, personal medicines, a torch, an extra pair of clothing, comfortable footwear for adventure activities, and extra blankets if you are visiting during the winter season. Also, if you are visiting during the monsoon, do not forget to carry an umbrella or raincoat. You can hardly find ATMs around the campsite, so it is better to carry cash.
3. How Far is the Local Market from the Pawna Lake Site?
For the local market, you will have to travel around 5 km from the lake site.
Checkout my other blog posts on Maharashtra and Pune:
Top 10 Things to Do in Pune During Your Visit to the Beautiful City
Top 10 Cafés in Khandala to Explore During Your Trip
All You Need To Know About Malshej Ghat for your next trip
Top 100 Maharashtra Tourist Places To Keep On Your Bucket List
