AT A GLANCE
Why go?
The Nachtallmendsee is a tranquil natural swimming lake on the southern edge of Kenzingen, roughly thirty kilometres north of Freiburg in Baden's Upper Rhine Plain. Roughly 300 by 250 metres, the lake is ringed by mature shade trees and generous grass meadows, with a small gravel beach for water access. Its remarkably clear water makes it a favourite among local anglers and divers, while bathers enjoy a peaceful, uncommercialised alternative to a crowded lido.↗↗↗
Admission is free, the site is accessible around the clock, and the lake is one of fourteen EU-designated bathing waters in the Emmendingen district whose quality is monitored throughout the summer season. Grilling is permitted, making it a natural pick for a warm-weather picnic outing.↗↗↗
What Makes It Special
The Nachtallmendsee occupies a curious status: it is leased by the Kenzingen fishing club, and bathers are officially "tolerated" visitors rather than paying guests. In practice this means no ticket booths, no lifeguard schedules, and no kiosk — just open water, wide lawns, and the hum of cicadas under the trees. The arrangement gives the lake a laid-back, local feel that many purpose-built outdoor pools in the region lack.
