Camping in National Parks UK: What You Need to Know
May, 4 2025
If you picture pitching your tent anywhere you want in a UK national park and having a campfire under the stars, hold up: the UK doesn’t have the same open-camping laws as places like Scotland or Scandinavia. In England and Wales, wild camping—meaning camping outside of organized sites—is mostly off-limits without landowner permission. The rules are strict, and park rangers do check. Wander off the main path with your tent in the wrong spot and you could get asked to move on, or worse, slapped with a fine. The only real exception is Dartmoor, where some wild camping is allowed, but even that’s had its legal battles.
If you just want a hassle-free night out in nature, your best bet is to use one of the many official campsites inside or near national parks. These offer safe, legal, and usually pretty scenic places to stay. Don’t want to deal with the risk? Book a pitch. If you’re set on wild camping, you’ll need to put in the effort: ask for landowner permission before you go, camp late and leave early, and never, ever disturb livestock or leave trash. Anybody can stay somewhere beautiful, but only good campers keep it that way for the next person.
- Can You Wild Camp in UK National Parks?
- Staying at Official Campsites
- How Permissions Work and Who to Ask
- Top Tips for Responsible Camping
- Best Alternatives for Adventurous Campers
Can You Wild Camp in UK National Parks?
Lots of people think wild camping is allowed everywhere in UK National Parks. The truth is, you can’t just set up your tent wherever you like—not in England or Wales. That’s because most land in these parks is privately owned, and laws around camping are pretty strict. Wild camping is generally considered trespassing unless you have the landowner’s OK. National park rules don’t override that. If you get caught, you’ll likely be asked to pack up and leave, and rangers do check popular spots, especially during summer weekends.
There’s one famous exception: parts of Dartmoor National Park in Devon. Dartmoor is the only place in England where wild camping is (sometimes) permitted without direct landowner permission, but even here, the rules have tightened after a legal dispute in 2023. Now, campers have to stick to designated areas, and there’s a map online showing where you’re allowed. If you’re not on the approved bits, you could face the same trouble as anywhere else.
Scotland is a different story. Thanks to the Land Reform Act 2003, you can wild camp almost anywhere, as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code and stay away from busy roads, houses, and farmland. But that doesn’t cover the rest of the UK, so don’t just assume it’s fine everywhere.
Here’s a quick rundown of the wild camping rules by country in the UK:
| Country | Wild Camping Legal? | Special Notes |
|---|---|---|
| England | No (except parts of Dartmoor) | Owner permission required |
| Wales | No | Owner permission required |
| Scotland | Yes | Follow Outdoor Access Code |
| N. Ireland | No | Owner permission required |
If you’re set on camping in National Parks UK and want the real wild experience, you need to:
- Contact landowners and get written permission before camping
- Check National Park authority websites for any specific spots or rules
- Never camp close to homes, roads, or working farmland
- Stick to low-impact camping: leave no trace, take all your rubbish out, keep noise down, and don’t light open fires
The bottom line? Don’t wing it—plan ahead, ask first, and respect the rules. That way, you get a good night’s sleep and keep National Parks open for future campers.
Staying at Official Campsites
If you want to camp in a UK National Park without any stress, it’s almost always easier to stick with a legit, official campsite. Every National Park in England and Wales has proper campsites—some are simple fields with toilets, some have full-on glamping pods and showers. These spots are designed to blend right into the landscape and won’t get you in trouble with park rangers. Booking in advance is usually smart, especially in school holidays or over big weekends.
Some well-known campsites UK examples in popular parks include:
- Baysbrown Farm in the Lake District (proper views and walking access).
- Shell Island in Snowdonia—you can bring your car right next to your tent, and it’s family friendly.
- Great Langdale Campsite (National Trust) also in the Lake District—hiker hub central with solid facilities.
Most official campsites have:
- Flush toilets and hot showers.
- Designated pitches, sometimes with electric hook-ups.
- Easy access to walking or cycling trails.
- Rules about noise, fires, and check-in/check-out times.
- Dog-friendly options (check campsite website first).
Prices are usually reasonable, especially if you split costs. For a tent pitch, expect £7 to £15 per adult per night for a basic site, but fancier places or peak weeks can go up to £30. Check the rules on campfires and BBQs—not every site allows them, especially in dry or windy conditions.
Here’s a quick look at facilities found in top campsite spots:
| Campsite | Park | Showers | Shop | Pets Allowed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Great Langdale | Lake District | Yes | No | Yes |
| Shell Island | Snowdonia | Yes | Yes | Yes |
| Tom’s Field | Dorset | Yes | No | Yes |
Advantages? Official campsites keep you well within the law. No sneaky midnight pack-ups if a ranger spots you, your toilets will be better than crouching in brambles, and you usually get handy bonuses like charging points or even a shop selling ice creams and gas. If you’re not sure where to book, many park websites have campsite listings and maps to make planning simple.
How Permissions Work and Who to Ask
This is the part where most people trip up. You can’t just pop a tent anywhere you fancy in a National Park and hope nobody minds. In England and Wales, almost all the land in National Parks is privately owned or leased, even if it doesn’t look like someone’s back garden. That means wild camping without permission breaks the law. The rangers, gamekeepers, and even local farmers take this seriously, especially in busy parks like the Lake District or Snowdonia.
If you want to try wild camping legally, you need to get a thumbs-up from whoever owns the patch of land you have your eye on. Sounds simple, but sometimes tracking them down is trickier than you’d think. Farms and estates can cover thousands of acres. Some National Parks, like the Yorkshire Dales or Peak District, have big estates or common land; individual farmers or trusts may own these, so it helps to ask around in nearby villages or look up land registry info.
- Start by checking the National Park’s website. Sometimes they list contact info for large landowners or offer up maps showing areas where permission is easier to get.
- If you’re eyeing a specific spot, look for signs with the landowner’s contact details. If not, local pubs, shops, or park visitor centers are often goldmines for local knowledge. Don’t be shy—explain what you’re doing and when you want to camp.
- In Dartmoor, until 2023 wild camping was mostly fine on some commons, but after landowners challenged this, you now need to check fresh maps and in some places get express consent. Always check the Dartmoor National Park website for the latest update.
When you do ask, be clear about:
- How many people are with you
- How many nights you’ll stay
- Where you plan to camp
- If you’ll light a stove or campfire (spolier: most will say no to fires, period)
When it comes to official campsites in National Parks, no special permission is needed—just book in advance, show up, and stick to their rules.
| National Park | Wild Camping Rules | Contact Source |
|---|---|---|
| Lake District | Permission required, rangers check often | Local farmers, Park Authority |
| Snowdonia | No wild camping without consent | Farmers, land agents |
| Dartmoor | Some zones allow, check fresh maps | Dartmoor National Park website |
| Peak District | Mostly private land, permission essential | Estate offices, local pubs |
Last tip: don’t just think about rules—respect goes a long way. If you get a yes, leave no trace. If you get a no, move on without a fuss.
Top Tips for Responsible Camping
Staying in National Parks is awesome, but don’t be that person who ruins it for everyone. Here’s how to avoid dirty looks from rangers and make sure these places are great for the next group of campers.
- Stay on official campsites UK when you can. You'll have toilets, waste bins, and a safe place to sleep. Official sites inside or near national parks are made for camping, so you won’t annoy anyone or break any rules.
- Ask permission if you’re wild camping. In England and Wales, don’t just turn up with your tent. Find out who owns the land first and get a clear yes before you pitch your tent.
- Leave no trace. This means pack out all your litter—even the tiny bits like bottle caps and fruit peels. Bins aren’t always around, so bring a couple of bags to take your waste home.
- No campfires. Fires are almost always banned unless you’re at a spot with a built-in fire pit. Even disposable barbecues are a big no: one stray spark can devastate acres of natural habitat. Stick to a camping stove if you want a hot drink.
- Keep it small and quiet. Big groups and loud music tick off other campers and wildlife. National parks are for peace and wildlife spotting, not parties.
- Camp late, leave early. Especially if you’re trying your luck with wild camping, don’t hang around all day. Pitch up at dusk and move on soon after sunrise.
- Respect wildlife and livestock. Don’t feed animals, don’t chase them, and close gates behind you. Take a photo, not a souvenir.
- Toilets aren’t always around. If you’re in the wild, dig a small hole (at least 15cm deep, 50m from water) and cover it after. Don’t leave used toilet paper blowing in the wind—pack it out in a bag.
Here’s a quick look at just how much littering is a problem in popular spots in the Lake District last year:
| Location | Sacks of litter collected (2024) |
|---|---|
| Lake District | 9500 |
| Peak District | 4800 |
| Snowdonia | 3200 |
Bottom line: Respect the rules and everyone wins. Get the best out of your camping adventure without leaving problems behind for locals, rangers, or the wildlife.
Best Alternatives for Adventurous Campers
Not being able to set up anywhere you want doesn’t mean adventure’s dead in National Parks across the UK. There are smart, legal ways to keep your camping thrills alive, even if “wild” doesn’t mean what it used to. Let’s get straight into your best options.
- Tent-Friendly Campsites: Loads of official campsites sit right on the edge of the action—often within easy reach of the trails and off-grid spots you really want to visit. Many run basic “wild-style” pitches with just water and toilets, so you feel remote but stay legal.
- Campsite Hikes: National Parks UK have “backpacker-friendly” campsites that let you head out for a proper hike while keeping your gear safe at base. Some even store your heavy stuff while you wild-roam for the day. Want to minimize the fuss and maximize your miles? This is your pick.
- Pods, Bothies & Bunkhouses: If weather’s going to be nasty or you want to travel light, look for camping pods, bothies (eco-friendly open shelters), or simple bunkhouses. In places like the Lake District, Snowdonia, and Yorkshire Dales, you’ll find spots only a short walk from legendary views.
- Wild Camping by Arrangement: Certain landowners and organizers do let you wild camp legally if you ask—and some parks run “experience” nights for groups or events. For example, parts of Dartmoor still allow wild camping within marked areas, but always check the newest rules online.
- Camping Barns: In the Peak District and North York Moors, you can hire out super basic barns. It’s a roof over your head, but no fancy extras (sometimes not even electricity). For some, that’s part of the fun.
Just a heads-up: more than 80% of camping complaints in national parks are about people leaving rubbish or setting damaging fires. If you want these alternatives to stick around, treat each place better than your own yard. Always pack it out, avoid single-use barbecue trays, and keep noise down at night.
If you want a quick comparison of what you can expect, here’s a simple breakdown:
| Option | Facilities | Booking Needed? | Wild Feel |
|---|---|---|---|
| Wild camping by arrangement | None/basic | Yes, always | High |
| Remote campsite | Toilets, water | Usually | Medium |
| Camping barn/bothy | Roof, sometimes bunks | Yes | Low-Medium |
| Pods or bunkhouse | Roof, heat, bunks | Yes | Low |
For serious adventurous camping with none of the hassle, plan ahead and always know the local rules. You’ll find the challenge (and the reward) is still right there waiting for you.