Edersee Dam
Waldeck, Germany
A large reservoir in the hills of northern Hesse, with a curved dam wall you can walk along and boat trips across the water. Water levels drop in late summer, so go in spring or early summer for the fullest lake.
The Eder Dam near Waldeck in northern Hesse was built between 1908 and 1914 and is used for power generation and for regulating water levels on the Weser for shipping. The reservoir holds 199.3 million cubic metres, making it the third-largest in Germany. The villages of Asel, Berich and Bringhausen were flooded during construction.
On 17 May 1943 Lancaster bombers of the RAF's No. 617 Squadron attacked the dam with bouncing bombs and breached it, leaving a gap about 70 m wide and 22 m deep; the dam was repaired during the war. At low water levels, for example in dry summers, remains of the submerged villages become visible. If you want to see the lake as full as possible, spring or early summer is the better choice. Allow half a day for the dam and viewpoints.
- Nearest town
- Waldeck, Germany
- Category
- Nature & parks
- GPS
- 51.1869, 9.0600
Hours, fees and access change. Confirm with the operator or park before you go.
Good to know
Best time to go
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. Cold, short days in December–February. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)
Getting there
- Germany: No motorway tolls for cars. No general motorway speed limit (130 km/h advised) and no tolls for cars.
Sources
Nearby
Campsites nearby
- Wohnmobilstellplatz HobbywieseMotorhome stopover12 km from Edersee Dam · 17 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Camping- & Ferienpark TeichmannCampsite12 km from Edersee DamTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposal
- Wohnmobilhafen KorbachMotorhome stopover17 km from Edersee Dam · 18 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Waldcamping Bad ZwestenCampsite18 km from Edersee DamTentsCaravansElectricityDrinking waterToiletsWaste disposal
- Reisemobilhafen TwisteseeMotorhome stopover22 km from Edersee Dam · 100 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterShowersToiletsWaste disposalDogs allowedWi-Fi
- Stellplatz EderberglandhalleMotorhome stopover23 km from Edersee Dam · 4 pitchesMotorhomesElectricityDrinking waterWaste disposalWi-FiFree
All campsites in Germany · Campsite data: © OpenStreetMap contributors, ODbL 1.0 · Updated October 3, 2026
FAQs
Where is Edersee Dam?
Edersee Dam is in Waldeck, Germany, at GPS 51.1869, 9.0600. It is about 30 km from Heringhausen.
Can you camp near Edersee Dam?
Yes. The nearest campsite listed in OpenStreetMap is Wohnmobilstellplatz Hemfurth / Edersee, about 2 km away; within 25 km there are 50 campsites and motorhome stopovers.
What is there to see near Edersee Dam?
Places worth a stop nearby: Bergpark Wilhelmshöhe (28 km), Externsteine (76 km), Hermannsdenkmal (82 km) and Wartburg Castle (90 km).
When is the best time to visit Edersee Dam?
The most pleasant months are usually May–September. Still fine, with some compromises, in October. (Estimate from long-term temperature averages, terrain and pass seasons)