Can you camp or bivouac at Ballon d'Alsace?

Prohibited. In the Ballons Comtois Reserve, camping in a tent, vehicle or any other shelter is not allowed without the prefect's authorisation. Bivouacking of any kind is prohibited except at the Grande Goutte shelter or in places authorised by the prefect (art. 24).

Can you skin up the slopes at Ballon d'Alsace?

With conditions. In the reserve, from 15 December to 14 July, any sporting activity or organised excursion outside the marked itineraries authorised by the prefect is prohibited (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking). From 15 July to 14 December, walking is permitted freely (art. 20).

Can you bring a dog to Ballon d'Alsace?

Prohibited. Dogs may not enter the Ballons Comtois Reserve, even on a leash. The only exceptions are police, rescue and herding dogs, and hunting dogs during the season and in hunting areas (art. 21).

Can you light a fire or barbecue at Ballon d'Alsace?

Prohibited. In the reserve, damaging the natural environment with fire is prohibited. Fires may only be lit in the areas reserved for that purpose next to the shelters (art. 13).

Rules for visiting Ballon d'Alsace

What is allowed and what is not at the resort and around it: camping, motorhomes, ski touring, dogs, drones and fires. Each rule links to the official source it comes from.

The resort lies within Ballons Comtois National Nature Reserve (decree no. 2002-962), with plots in Lepuix and Saint-Maurice-sur-Moselle, around the Ballon d'Alsace, so its public-use rules also apply. Source: ballonsdesvosges-reservesnaturelles.fr

⛺ Camping and bivouac

ProhibitedIn the Ballons Comtois Reserve, camping in a tent, vehicle or any other shelter is not allowed without the prefect's authorisation. Bivouacking of any kind is prohibited except at the Grande Goutte shelter or in places authorised by the prefect (art. 24).Source: grand-est.developpement-durable.gouv.fr

🎿 Ski touring and snowshoes on the slopes

With conditionsIn the reserve, from 15 December to 14 July, any sporting activity or organised excursion outside the marked itineraries authorised by the prefect is prohibited (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking). From 15 July to 14 December, walking is permitted freely (art. 20).Source: grand-est.developpement-durable.gouv.fr

🐕 Dogs

ProhibitedDogs may not enter the Ballons Comtois Reserve, even on a leash. The only exceptions are police, rescue and herding dogs, and hunting dogs during the season and in hunting areas (art. 21).Source: ballonsdesvosges-reservesnaturelles.fr

🔥 Fires and barbecues

ProhibitedIn the reserve, damaging the natural environment with fire is prohibited. Fires may only be lit in the areas reserved for that purpose next to the shelters (art. 13).Source: grand-est.developpement-durable.gouv.fr

📋 Other rules

With conditionsGathering in the reserve: picking or removing wild plants and flowers is prohibited. Bilberries and mushrooms for family consumption are permitted from 15 July to 14 December, up to a maximum of 2 kg per person per day (art. 7).Source: grand-est.developpement-durable.gouv.fr
ProhibitedIn the reserve, motor vehicles may not travel outside public roads open to traffic. Exceptions are vehicles used for management, agricultural or forestry purposes, public service, grooming of cross-country trails, rescue, and those authorised by the prefect (art. 23).Source: grand-est.developpement-durable.gouv.fr

Frequently asked questions

Can you camp or bivouac at Ballon d'Alsace?: Prohibited. In the Ballons Comtois Reserve, camping in a tent, vehicle or any other shelter is not allowed without the prefect's authorisation. Bivouacking of any kind is prohibited except at the Grande Goutte shelter or in places authorised by the prefect (art. 24).
Can you skin up the slopes at Ballon d'Alsace?: With conditions. In the reserve, from 15 December to 14 July, any sporting activity or organised excursion outside the marked itineraries authorised by the prefect is prohibited (cross-country skiing, snowshoeing, hiking). From 15 July to 14 December, walking is permitted freely (art. 20).
Can you bring a dog to Ballon d'Alsace?: Prohibited. Dogs may not enter the Ballons Comtois Reserve, even on a leash. The only exceptions are police, rescue and herding dogs, and hunting dogs during the season and in hunting areas (art. 21).
Can you light a fire or barbecue at Ballon d'Alsace?: Prohibited. In the reserve, damaging the natural environment with fire is prohibited. Fires may only be lit in the areas reserved for that purpose next to the shelters (art. 13).

Before you go

Rules collected on 12 October 2026 and reviewed every month. Rules change and may have exceptions: if in doubt, follow the protected area, the local council or the resort. Translated from Spanish; some sources may be in another language.