Growing Up Among the Larches: Welcoming Fifth-Generation Moos to Het Lorkenbos

Choosing a holiday spot is about more than a bed for the night—it’s about trust, continuity, and a feeling of coming home. At Het Lorkenbos, that feeling is rooted in family. This small-scale holiday park in Otterlo has been family-run since 1954, and today it celebrates a new chapter: welcoming baby Moos, the fifth generation connected to Het Lorkenbos. In this post, discover how multi-generation stewardship shapes your stay—through calm, nature-first values, personal attention, and thoughtful facilities—on the Veluwe, less than three kilometres from the entrance to National Park De Hoge Veluwe.

A family story, 1954 to today

Het Lorkenbos began in 1954 with Opa and Oma Lenderink, who built a peaceful place at the edge of heath and forest where guests could truly unwind. Decades later, the park is still a family business, now led by the fourth generation, and it remains one of those special, tucked-away places on the Veluwe where life slows down and nature leads the way.

The arrival of baby Moos marks a joyful milestone: the fifth generation within reach. As shared in a recent interview, growing up at Het Lorkenbos means learning to value nature, to care for the environment, and to take real satisfaction in seeing guests enjoy time with their loved ones. That guest-first perspective—quietly observing families create memories and making sure they have the space and calm to do so—continues to guide decisions at the park.

What multi‑generation stewardship means for your stay

Family continuity shapes everyday choices at Het Lorkenbos. Here’s how you experience it as a guest:

• Peace, space, and small-scale charm: The park prioritizes tranquillity over spectacle. You’ll find calm surroundings, direct contact with the team, and services that enhance—not overwhelm—the natural setting.
• Personal attention: With a long-standing commitment to hospitality, the team offers tips for local walks and cycling, keeps facilities approachable for families, and runs a low-threshold children’s recreation program at selected times of the year.
• Nature-first decisions: To help protect nearby nature areas (including spots like De Zanding), Het Lorkenbos works with IVN and the municipality to guide visitor flows. Practical measures include relocating the popular Otterlose Big Five wood sculptures to the adjacent Roekelse Bos and encouraging guests to stay on marked paths, keep dogs leashed, and follow local rules to minimise disturbance.
• Careful, thoughtful growth: Ongoing renewal is balanced with landscape values. Current plans include replacing four Korhoen houses and a “Nieuwbouw project – 2e huis aan de heide,” adding a second family house overlooking the heath.

Stay your way: bungalows and family houses

Whether you’re a couple seeking a tiny house by the heath or a multi-generational group, Het Lorkenbos offers a clear, capacity-based range of bungalows and family houses. Highlights below feature exact capacities and distinctive features.

For 2 guests

• Type Berken (2 p) — A cosy tiny house right on the edge of the heath field, perfect for romantic, nature-rich stays. Explore Type Berken
• Type Veluwe (2/4 p) — Flexible for two or four guests.

For 4 guests

• Type Veluwe (2/4 p) — Ideal for a couple or a small family.
• Type Korhoen 4 p (new) — A new, dedicated four-person Korhoen option. See Korhoen 4 p

For 6 guests

• De Beuk (6 p)
• Korhoen 6 p
• Flexible houses that can be reserved for six: Schuilevink (6/8 p) and Beekje (6/8 p)

For 8 guests

• De Fin (8 p) — A family bungalow.
• Schuilevink (6/8 p) and Beekje (6/8 p) — Flexible sleeping space for eight.

For 12 guests

• De Erica (12 p)
• De Lariks (12 p)

For 16 guests

• De Eekhoorn (16 p)
• De Spar (16 p) — Wheelchair-friendly and designed for togetherness, with one high‑low bed, floor heating, three kitchens, and a beautiful heath view. Discover De Spar

Tip: Want to be the first to book a new Korhoen house? Join the park’s “Wachtlijst nieuwe type Korhoen” to be notified when bookings open.

Camping close to the heath

If you prefer canvas or your own camper, Het Lorkenbos offers a range of camping choices:

• Grass pitches on the R‑veld
• Dedicated camper places
• Westveldje small spots — Especially suitable for lightweight tents (hikers and cyclists)
• Winter camping — Experience the Veluwe in the hush of winter
• Seasonal pitches (Seizoensplaatsen) and year-round pitches (Jaarplaatsen)
• Last-minute camping — Book last-minute pitches whenever there’s remaining capacity

For a visual feel, explore the park’s photo galleries, including the general “Sfeerimpressie Lorkenbos” and the “Sfeerimpressie jaarplaatsenterrein” for long-stay areas.

Facilities that keep it simple—and special

• Two heated outdoor swimming pools — Typically opened June through August (weather-dependent)
• Three playgrounds — With slides, sandpits, climbing frames, roundabouts, seesaw animals, balance beams, and at Het Lorkenbos Midden: a volleyball net, a pool, and a zipline-style cableway. Free-to-borrow skelters add to the fun.
• Children’s recreation — A low-threshold program for younger kids at selected moments in the year
• Digital scavenger hunts — App-based adventures within the park
• EV charging — Two E‑flux charging poles at the main reception (Mosselsepad 64) and two additional charging points in lane D/E near Brasserie Roekel (on-site dining)
• Open all year — Enjoy the Veluwe in every season
• Online portal — Manage bookings and payments via mijn.lorkenbos.nl

On the doorstep of De Hoge Veluwe

Het Lorkenbos sits less than three kilometres from the entrance to National Park De Hoge Veluwe, home to the world‑famous Kröller‑Müller Museum. Beyond nature watching and art, the wider area offers plenty of activity: walking and cycling routes, climbing in a forest adventure park, swimming, horseback riding, and more. For curated ideas, check the website’s page “Leuke dingen doen rondom Otterlo – tips.”

Wild encounters are part of the magic here: guests often have a good chance of seeing red deer, foxes, and wild boar in and around the park. Please do your part by staying on marked paths and keeping dogs leashed.

History enthusiasts can plan a visit during the park’s annual Airborne month, with activities tied to the region’s World War II story. It’s a meaningful way to add context-rich moments to your nature getaway.

Practical takeaways for planning your visit

• Book the right fit: From tiny house Type Berken to wheelchair-friendly De Spar, choose by capacity and needs.
• Stay flexible: Check the website’s “Lastminutes” for late-availability bungalow deals.
• Camp your way: R‑veld grass pitches, camper places, Westveldje small spots, winter camping, and seasonal or year pitches are all options.
• Protect nature: Follow marked paths and leash dogs—small steps that make a big difference.
• Charge up: Use on-site EV charging at reception and in lane D/E near Brasserie Roekel.
• Join a waitlist: Sign up for the new Korhoen bungalows to hear when they’re bookable.
• Explore with kids: Try the digital scavenger hunts and watch for the children’s recreation program dates.
• Browse before you book: View the park’s photo impressions, including the year‑pitch terrain.
• Think ahead: Keep an eye on the “Nieuwbouw project – 2e huis aan de heide” updates.
• Manage easily: Use mijn.lorkenbos.nl to review and adjust your reservation.

FAQ: Quick answers

• Is Het Lorkenbos still family-run? Yes. Founded in 1954 by Opa and Oma Lenderink, the park is still a family business, now led by the fourth generation—and proudly welcoming fifth‑generation Moos.
• Where is Het Lorkenbos located? Mosselsepad 64, 6731 SM Otterlo, in the Veluwe region—less than three kilometres from the entrance of National Park De Hoge Veluwe.
• Is Het Lorkenbos open all year? Yes. The park welcomes guests in every season.
• Are dogs allowed? Yes. Dogs are welcome; please keep them leashed in and around sensitive nature areas.
• Does the park have a swimming pool? Yes. There are two heated outdoor pools, typically opened from June through August depending on the weather.
• Which house is wheelchair-friendly? Family house De Spar (16 p) is wheelchair-friendly, with a high‑low bed and floor heating.
• Do you offer EV charging? Yes. Two E‑flux chargers at the main reception and two more in lane D/E near Brasserie Roekel.
• Are there last‑minute offers? Yes. See the website’s Lastminutes section for current deals.
• Can I manage my booking online? Yes. Use mijn.lorkenbos.nl to view details, make payments, and adjust reservations.
• Do you have small pitches for hikers/cyclists? Yes. The Westveldje features compact spots ideal for lightweight tents.
• Are there digital scavenger hunts? Yes. Ask at reception or see the news post on digital scavenger hunts.
• How can guests help protect nature? Stay on marked paths, keep dogs leashed, and follow local guidance to minimise disturbance.

Conclusion: A new chapter, the same warm welcome

Het Lorkenbos has been a place to slow down and reconnect with nature since 1954. Welcoming fifth‑generation Moos honors that legacy—and renews the promise of calm, care, and personal attention for the years ahead. Whether you’re planning a couple’s escape, a multi‑family reunion, or a camping break near the heath, you’ll find a thoughtful, nature-first experience waiting.

Ready to plan your stay at Het Lorkenbos?

• Browse bungalows: Type Berken (2 p) | Korhoen 4 p (new) | De Spar (16 p)
• Check camping options and the Camping “Tarieven” page on the website
• See current Lastminutes and join the Korhoen waitlist
• Manage your reservation at mijn.lorkenbos.nl

Come enjoy the larches, the heath, and the quiet rhythm of the Veluwe—at Het Lorkenbos, where family roots and guest memories grow side by side.