For the seventh consecutive year, Camping.bg, in partnership with Bgtourism.bg, is organizing a competition for student projects to design a campsite in Bulgaria. The initiative, run in collaboration with the University of Forestry, allows property owners and tenants to propose real sites that could be developed into campsites or glamping areas.
The competition begins with the selection of a site. Properties considered must be located within a regulated zone or in a process of changing purpose, measure between 10 and 30 decares, and consist of flat terrain without existing large-scale structures. Interested parties are invited to submit proposals by February 11, 2026.
Submissions should include a sketch of the property showing its identifier, current photos of the site and surrounding area, and optional geodetic survey data in .dwg format.
Additionally, clients may provide specific requirements for the project, such as the distribution of caravan and tent sites, types of vegetation, or inclusion of amenities such as pools, sports courts, playgrounds, or restaurants.
Selected sites will be assigned to teams of landscape architecture students from the University of Forestry. Students are tasked with developing designs that consider future trends in camping and outdoor recreation, including questions such as what campsites may look like in 20 to 30 years and how people will experience nature.
Completed projects will be pre-selected by university instructors and presented publicly on the portal camping.bg, where camping enthusiasts and industry professionals can view, comment, and provide feedback.
Projects receiving the highest evaluations will be recognized with certificates from Camping.bg and the University of Forestry, according to Bgtourism.bg.
Previous winners include the 2025 glamping project with campsite “The Seven Beeches,” the 2024 campsite “Color Maze,” the 2023 campsite “Dushantsi,” the 2022 campsite “Volnost,” and the 2021 thermal campsite “Ovoschnik.”
For business owners and developers in the outdoor hospitality industry, the competition provides insight into emerging trends in campsite design and the potential for innovative property development. It also offers a view of how academic projects can inform practical decisions in glamping and private campground planning.
Proposals for the 2026 competition should be sent to info@camping.bg by February 11, 2026.