Sülüklügöl, Bolu

Perks: Toilet facilities, dumpsters, registration office, firewood for sale

If you are looking to get deep into the woods, Sülüklügöl Campsite in Bolu province is just the place for you. After paying a modest entry fee, you can pitch your tent next to Leach Lake, as it translates in English, nestled between verdant, densely wooded hills.

The first sound you will probably notice is the symphony of frogs. I am not sure I have ever seen as many frogs in one place as I did at Sülüklügöl. The area is home to 406 different species of plants, 38 of which are endemic. There are a number of hiking trails you can take, both around the lake and back into the woods in the opposite direction. Make sure to bring bug spray because the mosquitos can be bothersome.

The weekend we spent at Sülüklügöl, it rained the whole time, even flooding our friends’ tent. Nevertheless, the drizzle only heightened the fresh, earthy scents and blanketed the lake in a mesmerizing layer of fog. Seeing some places on a rainy day may dampen your impression, but Sülüklügöl is not one of those places.