For some, it’s a way of life; for others, it’s their only chance for a summer getaway.

Camping has always attracted everyone from individual visitors to groups of friends and families.
 
However, the current situation at state forest campgrounds this year has sparked strong reactions, as it looks something like this: Closed gates, abandonment, and silence, due to renovation work.

The outcry has turned into an online petition, which managed to gather nearly 900 signatures in less than a week.

FOIBOS STAVROU—Petition Creator: “We all know
how much the cost of living has risen. So for people who may be facing financial difficulties—even if they’re simply nature lovers—not being able to go out and enjoy nature is a problem. From an environmental perspective, the fact that all camping sites in the Troodos Mountains are closed drastically increases the risk of wildfires and environmental pollution, because it indirectly encourages wild camping, which is illegal.”

Of the five campgrounds currently located on state-owned forest land, only one is operational. That one is at Stavros tis Psokas.

The renovation work that has kept the campground at Kampi tou Kalogirou closed for years may have been completed, but the timeline for its reopening remains uncertain, as the relevant operating regulations must first be approved.

GLAUKOS KYRIAKOU—Press Spokesperson for the Forestry Department: “We hope
that it will open very soon, perhaps in a few weeks, if not next week. These regulations define the rights and obligations of campers—which did not exist until now—so that the government can monitor both fire safety and hygiene issues.”

These regulations will also govern the other campgrounds managed by the Forestry Department, namely Stavros tis Psokas and Platania.

At Platania, the situation is more complex. The campground has been closed since November 2025, but renovation work has not yet begun, as the site remains in a state of disarray.

Despite repeated warnings from the authorities, many owners of mobile homes and other structures have not yet removed them. Some have been living here for decades, paying the relevant fee to the Forestry Department.

GLAUKOS KYRIAKOU—Forestry Department Press Spokesperson: “
“It will take us one and a half years to complete the projects, one by one.”

However, quite a few have begun to comply with the evacuation orders.

A veil of mystery also shrouds the campground in Troodos, which remains closed in the middle of summer due to safety concerns in common areas. According to reports, an update is expected next Monday from the Limassol District Administration regarding its reopening, with the local authorities aiming to keep the site open until late September or early October. 

As for Polis Chrysochous, the campground is expected to reopen by early 2028.

The need for a unified strategy and framework for the operation of campgrounds is coming to the forefront.

Currently, an international standard is being developed by the International Organization for Standardization, which is expected to be available by the end of the year. 

MICHALIS ZANTIS—Standardization Officer, Cyprus Organization for
Standardization“The provisions include requirements for the layout of the space, the location where the receptacle will be installed, internal pathways within the space, and fire safety issues. Owners can use it to improve their operations and conduct self-assessments. The competent authorities can use it as a tool for licensing and certification.”

According to the Department of Forests, studies are underway to increase the number of campgrounds on forest land. For its part, the Deputy Ministry of Tourism, which oversees three privately managed campgrounds, acknowledges that the high investment costs and the seasonal nature of the activity limit the prospects for creating new sites of this kind. 

See the report by Rafaella Stavrinou:

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