9 Best Places for Wild Camping in the UK: By Region

You want a quiet, legal spot to pitch for the night—somewhere with a view, water nearby, and no hassle—yet the UK’s rules can feel like a maze. Scotland welcomes responsible wild camping (with a few local byelaws), while most of England and Wales require permission, aside from Dartmoor’s mapped backpacking zones. Add seasonal permits, fragile habitats, and access quirks, and it’s hard to know where you can go, how to get there, and how to keep your footprint light.

This guide cuts through the guesswork. By region, we highlight nine of the UK’s best areas for wild camping, pairing inspiring locations with practical detail: who each region suits, classic spots to aim for, the simplest access and mapping pointers, the current rules and permits you must follow, and safety and Leave No Trace tips that protect the places we love. Whether it’s your first overnighter or your fiftieth, you’ll find clear, responsible guidance to plan with confidence. First up: Scotland’s high, wide country—The Cairngorms and sublime Glen Feshie.

1. The Cairngorms and Glen Feshie (Scottish Highlands)

Big skies, ancient pinewoods, broad moorland and remote lochs make the Cairngorms one of the best places for wild camping in the UK. Thanks to Scotland’s access rights, responsible wild camping on unenclosed land is welcomed here, and the west-side Glen Feshie is a standout for beautiful, sheltered pitches beside the river with easy-going tracks and a classic bothy waypoint.

Best for

• Riverside tranquility: Gentle pitches along the River Feshie with water close by.
• Open moor adventure: Wide, high-country camps when the forecast is settled.
• Bothy-adjacent options: Use Ruigh Aiteachain (the Feshie bothy) as a safe target or fallback.

Classic wild camp spots

• Glen Feshie river benches: Flat, discreet pockets among Caledonian pines near the glen track.
• Lochside shelves across the park: Quiet corners beside smaller lochs for sunrise reflections.
• Moorland edges: Higher, more exposed pitches with big views—only in good conditions.

How to get there and maps

• Follow the Glen Feshie track: A well-used estate track leads up the west of the Cairngorms, with Ruigh Aiteachain clearly marked on standard topo maps.
• Plan with detailed mapping: Use reliable 1:25k/1:50k topo maps to identify water, contour shelter and escape lines; expect intermittent signal.

Rules and permits

• No permits needed here: Wild camping on unenclosed land is allowed in the Cairngorms when you act responsibly under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
• Be considerate: Keep well away from buildings and roads, and shift on if asked by land managers.

Safety and Leave No Trace tips

• Weather and water: Cairngorm weather turns fast; rivers can rise quickly—site well above the waterline.
• Protect fragile habitats: Avoid fire in woodland, use stoves, and never scar peat or pine roots.
• Pack it all out: Leave no trace—disperse your pitch, remove all litter and restore the spot before you go.

2. Loch Lomond and the Trossachs permit zones (Central Scotland)

With 22 lochs, 21 peaks over 3,000 feet, and trailheads around 45 minutes from Glasgow, this is one of the best places for wild camping in the UK if you want big scenery without a mega-approach. Do note the park’s Camping Management Byelaws: some of the most popular shores are regulated by a low-cost permit system, while the majority of the park still welcomes responsible wild camping under Scotland’s access rights.

Best for

• Easy-access adventures: Quick escapes from the Central Belt with lochside sunsets and mountain sunrises.
• Mixed itineraries: Combine a night by the water with a high camp on nearby ridges.
• Busy-season backups: Clear rules and designated permits help you plan around pressure points.

Classic wild camp spots

• Quiet lochside nooks (outside permit zones): Small, discreet bays away from roads and car parks.
• High bealachs and broad ridges: Settle in above the glens for calm dawn ascents and big views.
• Woodland edges: Lightly sheltered pitches well back from paths and the waterline.

How to get there and maps

• Straightforward access from Glasgow/Stirling corridors: Car parks and well-marked paths ring the main lochs.
• Plan with detailed maps: Use 1:25k/1:50k topo mapping to check water sources, terrain, and Camping Management Zones; reception can be patchy.

Rules and permits

• Permit zones apply on popular shores: Camping here requires a paid permit (around £3) at designated locations; you risk a fine if you camp where you’re not meant to.
• Most of the park remains open: The byelaws cover roughly 4% of the park—elsewhere, follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code: small tents, short stays, and keep well away from buildings, roads, and lochside facilities.

Safety and Leave No Trace tips

• Mind wind and water: Lochs funnel gusts and water levels can shift—avoid narrow beaches and pitch above the high-water mark.
• Crowded hotspots: Arrive late, leave early, and keep groups tiny to stay low-profile.
• No scorch marks: Use a stove, never disposable BBQs; overused shorelines scar easily.
• Zero trace ethic: Pack out all litter, manage toilet needs well away from water, and restore your pitch before you go.

3. Galloway Forest Park and Loch Enoch (Dumfries and Galloway)

South-west Scotland’s Galloway Hills are rugged, quiet and surprisingly wild, making this area one of the best places for wild camping in the UK if you’re craving real solitude without heading to the far north. Loch Enoch is a favourite for experienced hikers—remote and beautiful after an epic approach—and nearby The Merrick, at 843 m, is South Scotland’s highest summit with room for a calm weather camp.

Best for

• True remoteness: Long, committing approaches with very low footfall.
• Granite hill country: Rolling tops and loch-dotted basins for memorable sunsets.
• Quiet alternatives to the Lakes: A wilder feel with fewer people.

Classic wild camp spots

• Loch Enoch shorelines: Remote pitches with striking views after a big hike in.
• The Merrick area: Fairly flat summit and neighbouring tops for calm, settled nights.
• Discreet hill hollows: Small, sheltered pockets well away from tracks and forestry edges.

How to get there and maps

• Plan for long approaches: Expect a mix of forest tracks and rough hill paths; build in turnaround times.
• Use detailed topo mapping: 1:25k or 1:50k maps help you pick water, contour shelter and escape lines; phone signal is patchy.

Rules and permits

• No permit required: Responsible wild camping on unenclosed land is allowed under Scotland’s Outdoor Access Code.
• Be considerate: Small groups, short stays, and keep well away from buildings, tracks and roadheads.

Safety and Leave No Trace tips

• Weather and footing: Conditions change fast; bogs and peat hags make travel slow—carry spare layers and navigation backups.
• Water awareness: Loch levels and outflows can rise; pitch well above the waterline.
• Low-impact camps: Stove only, no fire scars; pack out all waste and restore your pitch before you go.

4. Lake District high fells (Cumbria, England)

Think craggy skylines, mirror-flat tarns and long ridges that glow at first light. The Lake District high fells are one of the best places for wild camping in the UK when you want mountain ambience without multi-day approaches. While wild camping in England normally needs landowner permission, the national park tolerates discreet, responsible high-fell camps; keep low profile, above the highest fell wall, and away from buildings and roads. Lakeside and valley-floor spots are for organised sites.

Best for

• High-level sunrises: Quiet pitches near tarns and bealachs for early summit starts.
• Classic overnighters: Linking ridges and passes into simple 1–2 night loops.
• Step-up trips: Well-trodden paths make this one of the easier English areas to try a first high camp.

Classic wild camp spots

• Grisedale Tarn shelves: Flat spots with water and big-seat views between Helvellyn and Fairfield.
• Haystacks area: Discreet pitches on the ridge and nearby tarns for sweeping Ennerdale/Buttermere vistas.
• Quiet high bealachs: Small, wind-savvy hollows above the highest fell wall, well off paths.

How to get there and maps

• Grisedale Tarn approaches: Popular routes from Glenridding make access straightforward.
• Haystacks approaches: Start from Buttermere or Seathwaite for varied ridge options.
• Carry detailed topo: Use 1:25k/1:50k mapping to plan water, shelter and escape lines; phone signal can be patchy.

Rules and permits

• Tolerated, not a right: In England you need landowner permission; here, discreet high-fell camping is generally tolerated.
• Follow park guidance: Camp above the highest fell wall, in small numbers, for one night, well away from buildings and roads.
• Be prepared to move on: A landowner or ranger may ask you to relocate; always leave no trace.

Safety and Leave No Trace tips

• Weather turns fast: Expect strong winds and sudden clag; avoid exposed crests in wild forecasts.
• Water and wind: Pitch above tarn high-water marks and out of wind funnels; anchor securely.
• Stove only: No ground fires or BBQs; peat and popular spots scar easily.
• Low profile: Arrive late, leave early, keep groups tiny, and restore vegetation/rocks before you go.
• Pack it all out: Including food scraps and hygiene waste; keep well away from watercourses.

5. Dartmoor backpack camping zones (Devon, England)

Heather moor, granite tors and eerie stone circles—Dartmoor feels wild, yet it’s one of the few places in England where backpack camping is specifically allowed in mapped zones. If you’re looking for legal, simple options in the south-west, Dartmoor remains one of the best places for wild camping in the UK—provided you stick to the park’s backpack-camping map and code.

Best for

A quick, legal overnighter amid classic moorland scenery, with simple navigation and big skies.

• Legal backpack camping: Clearly mapped zones where small tents are allowed.
• Granite tors and moor vibes: Characterful camps with shelter behind boulders and outcrops.
• Short, flexible routes: Easy 1–2 night loops with plenty of watercourses to draw from.

Classic wild camp spots

Aim for discreet, durable pitches within the mapped areas; the moor is fragile and exposed.

• Leeward sides of tors: Tuck in behind granite for wind shelter and sunrise views.
• Gentle moorland shelves: Firm, grassy benches away from paths and wet ground.
• Statts Ho area (East Dartmoor): A flat-topped tor with options to drop for shelter in rough weather.

How to get there and maps

Approaches are straightforward from the main moorland access points and rights of way.

• Use the park’s camping map: Check the interactive backpack-camping zones before you go.
• Carry detailed topo: 1:25k/1:50k mapping helps you locate water, avoid bogs and plan escape lines.
• Check range notices: Large areas are military training ranges—verify access dates and flags.

Rules and permits

Backpack camping is a privilege here—keep it light, legal and low-profile.

• Where you can camp: Only within the designated backpack camping zones shown on the park map.
• How to camp: Small, lightweight tents, arrive late/leave early, 1–2 nights max, on foot only.
• Where you cannot: No camping near roads, in enclosed fields, by buildings or on scheduled monuments.
• Outside zones: You’ll need the landowner’s permission elsewhere in England.

Safety and Leave No Trace tips

Dartmoor is open and can be harsh—treat forecasts and footing with respect.

• Weather and ground: Expect strong winds and boggy sections; site above waterlogged ground.
• Ranges and rivers: Obey firing range closures; pitch well above stream and mires.
• Stove not fire: No ground fires or BBQs—peat and heather scar easily.
• Zero trace: Pack out everything, scatter your footprint, and leave the moor looking untouched.

6. The Cheviots and Northumberland border ridge (NE England/Scottish Borders)

Rolling, wind-combed hills and big, empty horizons make the Cheviots feel far wilder than their height suggests. Straddling the England–Scotland line, the border ridge is quiet, committing and perfect if you want one of the best places for wild camping in the UK without crowds—just remember the rules differ either side of the fence.

Best for

Quiet, long ridge days with discreet, high camps and simple navigation along a national trail.

• Border-ridge solitude: Broad, grassy tops with huge skies.
• Pennine Way overnighters: Use the trail as a reliable spine.
• Legal simplicity (north side): Scotland welcomes responsible wild camping.

Classic wild camp spots

Keep pitches small and tucked away from the path and fence lines.

• Dod Hill (Scottish side): Near a Pennine Way mountain refuge hut; discreet, wind-aware options.
• Border-ridge hollows: Sheltered nooks along the trail between rounded tops.
• Lochy basins and spurs: Small, firm shelves above wet ground for sunrise views.

How to get there and maps

The Pennine Way tracks the border ridge, offering clear lines and escape options.

• Follow the trail: Use waymarks to gain height then step off to discreet pitches.
• Carry 1:25k/1:50k mapping: Pick water, contour shelter and safe exits.
• Expect patchy signal: Download maps; pack a compass and spare power.

Rules and permits

Two legal systems meet here—plan accordingly.

• Scottish side: Responsible wild camping on unenclosed land is allowed under the Outdoor Access Code.
• English side: Wild camping needs landowner permission; if unsure, stay north of the line or seek consent. Keep groups tiny and stays to one night.

Safety and Leave No Trace tips

This is exposed, often boggy ground—choose sites and forecasts carefully.

• Wind and wet: Avoid summits in strong winds; pitch on firm, elevated turf away from bogs.
• Water: Sources are sparse on the ridge—fill up low and treat.
• Stove only: No fires or BBQs; peat and turf scar easily.
• Zero trace: Pack everything out, manage toilet needs far from water, and restore the pitch before you go.

7. Eryri (Snowdonia) high cwms and ridgelines (North Wales)

Knife-edged arêtes, dark corrie lakes and big, glaciated bowls make Eryri feel alpine on a compact scale. If you crave steep drama and dawn-from-the-ridge moments, this is one of the best places for wild camping in the UK for sheer atmosphere. Do remember: in Wales, wild camping requires the landowner’s permission. If you can’t secure it, use organised sites; stay discreet and be ready to move on if approached.

Best for

• Ridge-and-cwm drama: Lofty pitches with sunrise access to classic scrambly skylines.
• Short, punchy overnighters: Big views for small walk-ins when time is tight.
• Shoulder-season stars: Clear, cool nights and quieter paths outside peak holidays.

Classic wild camp spots

• High cwms beneath major ridgelines: Small, durable shelves well back from the water’s edge and away from paths.
• Bealachs linking long ridges: Wind-savvy hollows that give early access to neighbouring tops.
• Upland tarn perches: Firm, grassy benches far above valley roads for calm-weather overnights.

How to get there and maps

• Use established mountain paths: Well-used ascent lines lead into most high cwms and passes; expect steep, rocky ground.
• Plan with detailed topo: Carry 1:25k/1:50k mapping, identify water, contour shelter and escape routes; phone signal is often patchy.
• Timing matters: Start late to avoid crowds and give yourself margin for cautious route-finding in clag.

Rules and permits

• Permission required: In Wales, wild camping needs the landowner’s consent; without it, choose official campsites or bothies where available.
• If permitted: Keep groups tiny, stay one night only, above enclosed land and well away from buildings, roads and popular shorelines.
• Be prepared to move: Rangers or landowners may ask you to relocate—comply politely and leave no trace.

Safety and Leave No Trace tips

• Weather and exposure: Ridges amplify wind; avoid crests in poor forecasts and anchor securely on firm ground.
• Steep, rocky terrain: Night nav is serious—carry spare layers, headtorch and a backup compass.
• Stove-only ethic: No ground fires or BBQs; fragile upland turf and peat scar easily.
• Zero trace: Camp late/leave early, manage toilet needs well away from water and paths, pack out all litter and restore the pitch.

8. Bannau Brycheiniog (Brecon Beacons) and Black Mountain (South Wales)

Sweeping escarpments, hidden cwms and star-soaked skies make Bannau Brycheiniog one of the best places for wild camping in the UK—especially the quieter Black Mountain in the west. It’s also an International Dark Sky Reserve, so night skies can be superb. Remember: in Wales you need the landowner’s permission. Helpfully, park Visitor Centres keep a list of farmers and landowners who’ll often host wild campers if you ask.

Best for

• Dark-sky overnights: Superb stargazing far from urban glow.
• Quiet moorland camps: Black Mountain’s ridges and cwms are calmer than the Pen y Fan honeypots.
• Short-but-wild escapes: Steep approaches, big payoffs, and easy access from South Wales/Bristol.

Classic wild camp spots

• Moel Feity, Black Mountain: Open, rolling ground with sheltered options nearby (quieter than the central Beacons).
• Fan Fach area (with permission): Striking corrie-lake setting—pitch well back from water and paths.
• High escarpment hollows: Discreet, wind-aware benches along the Black Mountain edge—avoid exposed crests in poor forecasts.

How to get there and maps

• Use main car parks and rights of way: Well-signed paths reach the western escarpments and cwms.
• Carry 1:25k/1:50k mapping: Identify water, contour shelter and safe descents; phone signal is patchy.
• Stop at a Visitor Centre: Ask for the “wild camping” contact list to arrange permission in advance.

Rules and permits

• Permission required: In Wales, wild camping needs the landowner’s consent—secure it before you go.
• Be discreet: Small tents, one night only, arrive late/leave early, well away from buildings, roads and popular shorelines.
• Be ready to move on: If a ranger or landowner asks, comply politely.

Safety and Leave No Trace tips

• Escarpment exposure: Rims like Fan Hir catch wind—seek leeward shelves and anchor well.
• Bog and water: Moorland can be saturated—pitch on firm turf, well above waterlines.
• Stove-only: No ground fires or BBQs; upland turf scars easily.
• Zero trace: Pack everything out, manage toilet needs far from water, and restore your pitch before you go.

9. Mourne Mountains (County Down, Northern Ireland)

Compact and dramatic, the Mournes pack proper mountain atmosphere into short, satisfying approaches—ideal when you want a big camp feel without a long expedition. For all their accessibility, treat them seriously: it’s exposed up high, water can be scarce on ridges, and in Northern Ireland wild camping requires the landowner’s permission.

Best for

• Big views, short walk-ins: Airy ridges and bowls with fast access.
• Overnighters with structure: Clear paths make planning straightforward in good weather.
• Shoulder-season stars: Crisp nights and quieter trails outside holidays.

Classic wild camp spots

• High bealachs and cols: Tuck into leeward hollows, out of wind funnels.
• Upland bowls/cwms: Small, durable shelves well back from any water and paths.
• Rounded knolls near long ridges: Firm turf with early access to sunrise summits.

How to get there and maps

• Use established paths: Well-trodden routes lead quickly to ridges and passes.
• Carry detailed topo: 1:25k/1:50k mapping to plot water, contour shelter and safe descents; download maps as signal can be patchy.
• Plan water carefully: Fill up lower down and treat—sources are limited on the high ground.

Rules and permits

• Permission required: In Northern Ireland you need the landowner’s consent to wild camp.
• If you can’t secure it: Use managed campsites; be discreet, arrive late/leave early, one night only, well away from buildings and roads.
• Be ready to move on: Comply politely if asked by a ranger or landowner.

Safety and Leave No Trace tips

• Wind and weather: Ridges amplify gusts—avoid crests in poor forecasts and anchor securely.
• Night navigation: Steep, rocky ground demands a headtorch, spare layers and a compass backup.
• Stove only: No ground fires or BBQs; upland turf scars easily.
• Zero trace: Pitch small, manage toilet needs far from water, pack everything out and restore the spot before you go.

Before you go

Wild camping rewards the careful planner: know the local rules, keep your footprint tiny, and make conservative decisions when weather rolls in. Choose durable pitches, carry everything out, and treat water and wildlife with respect. Share the joy—just not the exact spot—so the quiet stays quiet for the next camper.

• Check access: Scotland (responsible access), Loch Lomond permit zones, Dartmoor’s mapped areas, permission elsewhere in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
• Pack for safety: Map, compass, headtorch, spare power, warm layers, robust pegs/guylines, water treatment.
• Camp lightly: Small tent, arrive late/leave early, stove not fire, at least 70 m from water, be ready to move if asked.
• Leave no trace: Restore your pitch, pack out all waste, keep groups tiny.

Need dependable, lightweight kit before your next overnighter? Explore essentials at take a hike uk and head out prepared.