Best Camping Spots in the Lake District: Campsites & Rules

Looking for good camping spots in the Lake District? The best choice depends on whether you want a lakeshore pitch, a base for fellwalking, a family campsite near Keswick or a quieter valley with fewer facilities. This updated guide focuses on real, bookable campsites, with practical advice on seasonal opening, what to check before booking and the rules on wild camping.

Important: The right to roam does not give you the right to pitch a tent anywhere in the Lake District. Camping outside an authorised campsite requires the landowner’s permission. See the Lake District National Park Authority’s guidance.

Six good campsites in the Lake District

These locations were checked against the operators’ own websites in November 2026. Availability, permitted camping units, minimum stays, prices and seasonal opening can change, so use each operator’s booking system for your travel dates. Do not assume a particular pitch or activity is available simply because it appears in this guide.

1. Great Langdale Campsite — best for walking in Langdale

Where: Great Langdale, near Ambleside. The National Trust’s Great Langdale Campsite sits below the Langdale Pikes, making it a useful base for walks ranging from valley paths to demanding mountain routes. It offers tent pitches, campervan and motorhome facilities, and camping pods.

Best for: Walking-focused holidays and dramatic mountain scenery. The National Trust lists a 2026 season extending to 31 December, but bookable dates and restrictions must be checked individually. Check Great Langdale campsite details and book directly. For outings, browse our Lake District Routes & Trails.

2. Wasdale Campsite — best for Scafell Pike and Wastwater

Where: Wasdale Head, near Wastwater. This National Trust campsite has tent pitches, selected campervan and motorhome pitches, pods and tipis. It is a useful base for the Wasdale valley and serious fellwalking, but the surrounding roads are narrow and the site is not suitable for caravans.

Best for: Western fells, dark skies and remote mountain scenery. The operator lists seasonal arrangements including no arrivals on 24–26 December. Check current minimum stays and pitch restrictions before booking. Check Wasdale Campsite availability. If climbing England’s highest mountain, read our Scafell Pike walking route and our winter mountain-safety guide.

3. Low Wray Campsite — best for Windermere and families

Where: Low Wray on Windermere’s western shore. This National Trust campsite offers camping, campervan and motorhome pitches, pods and safari tents, with walks around Wray Castle and the western lakeshore.

Best for: Families, easy lakeside outings and exploring without driving every day. The operator lists a season from 13 February 2026 to 17 January 2027, with another season beginning in February 2027; individual booking dates can vary. Check Low Wray Campsite. For a nearby attraction see our Wray Castle visitor guide.

4. Eskdale Campsite — best for a quieter western valley

Where: Boot, Eskdale. National Trust’s Eskdale Campsite is near the Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, village pubs and walks through a striking western valley. Facilities include tent, campervan and motorhome pitches as well as pods and bell tents.

Best for: A quieter base with heritage attractions and valley walks. The National Trust lists the 2026 season from 13 February to 31 December; confirm bookable winter dates before travel. Campfires are not permitted at this site, although raised charcoal barbecues may be allowed subject to restrictions. View Eskdale Campsite and current site rules. Our Eskdale Mill guide has another local outing.

5. Castlerigg Hall Caravan, Camping & Glamping Park — best for Keswick

Where: Above Derwentwater, near Keswick. Castlerigg Hall offers a sheltered tent field, touring pitches, glamping accommodation and useful facilities including a campers’ kitchen. It is a good base for Keswick, Walla Crag and the north Lakes.

Seasonal notice (November 2026): The operator says the park has closed for the 2026 season and plans to reopen on 10 March 2027. Do not travel there expecting a camping pitch this winter. Check Castlerigg Hall’s official site and booking dates. Browse our walking routes for Keswick-area ideas.

6. Park Cliffe — best for tent camping near Bowness

Where: A few miles from Bowness-on-Windermere. Park Cliffe offers tent camping, touring accommodation and pods in a countryside setting with views across Windermere. Its Fellside and Ghyllside tent areas have different rules and availability.

Best for: Families and campers who want facilities within reach of Windermere. The operator’s 2026 camping information lists Fellside tent camping until 15 November and Ghyllside until the end of August; check the latest dates and campsite operation before booking. Read Park Cliffe’s official camping information.

Which Lake District camping area should you choose?

• For high-level walking: Great Langdale or Wasdale, if you have the skills and equipment for the routes you plan.
• For families and lakeside activities: Low Wray offers a practical base near Wray Castle and Windermere.
• For a quieter valley: Eskdale offers walks, village pubs and the nearby heritage railway.
• For Keswick and Derwentwater: Castlerigg Hall is a useful seasonal option when open.
• For Windermere facilities: Park Cliffe provides a range of camping and touring options.

Check what your booking includes: tent pitch versus campervan pitch, vehicle access, electric hook-up, toilet and shower provision, group restrictions, dog policies and minimum stays. A campsite accepting campervans does not necessarily allow caravans, and an advertised lakeside site does not guarantee a lakeside pitch.

Wild camping in the Lake District: permission and rules

Wild camping is not a general legal right in the Lake District. Access rights under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act do not include a blanket right to camp. You need permission from the landowner. The Lake District National Park Authority explains that discreet camping high on the fells is sometimes tolerated when strict responsible-camping guidance is followed, but tolerance is not permission and landowners may require campers to leave.

The Authority asks anyone considering discreet high-fell camping to remain above the highest fell wall, away from villages and lakeshores; use a very small group; stay for only one night; arrive late and leave early; take all litter away; and never light fires. Do not dig drainage channels or disturb vegetation and wildlife. Read the National Park’s complete 12-point guidance before planning a trip.

Do not treat Catbells, Buttermere, Ennerdale, Helvellyn or Scafell Pike as automatically permitted wild-camping locations. This guide deliberately does not supply unauthorised lakeshore or mountain pitching spots. If you want a wild-feeling experience without access uncertainty, choose a recognised campsite such as those above. See also our wild camping rules and planning guide and Leave No Trace advice.

Can you sleep in a campervan in a lay-by?

No right exists to use roadside verges or car parks as overnight campsites. The National Park Authority explicitly says camping in car parks and on roadside verges is not allowed, and overnight motorhome stays require an authorised site or landowner arrangement. Check the official campervan and parking guidance.

Are campfires and barbecues permitted?

Never light fires while wild camping. On an established campsite, follow that operator’s rules and any weather-related restrictions: some designated sites permit raised barbecues or controlled campfires, while others, including Eskdale Campsite, prohibit campfires. Do not assume that evidence of an old fire makes a new fire acceptable.

Best times to camp and what to expect

Spring

Fresh greenery and quieter trails can make spring rewarding, but nights remain cold and pitches may be wet. Check whether the campsite has reopened after winter, and bring reliable waterproof layers and a suitable sleeping system.

Summer

Long daylight hours make family trips easier, but the most popular campsites fill quickly. Book well ahead for school holidays and check your chosen site’s group and minimum-night restrictions.

Autumn

Autumn colours and quieter valleys can be wonderful. Expect shorter days, cold evenings and more variable ground conditions; check whether camping fields close before the wider touring park.

Winter

Only book sites that confirm winter availability. Freezing temperatures, high winds and flooded access can quickly change plans. Winter mountain conditions require specialist skills: our Scafell Pike winter-safety guide explains why a summer walk can become a mountaineering objective.

Review our travel and weather alerts and current Met Office forecasts before leaving.

Practical camping checklist

• Check the exact site, pitch type, directions and arrival time on your booking confirmation.
• Bring a weather-appropriate tent, sleeping mat, sleeping bag, waterproof clothing and dry spare layers.
• Take a headtorch and spare power; browse our camping lighting guide if replacing old kit.
• Use a suitable camping stove only where permitted and follow site rules; never use fuel-burning appliances inside tents because of fire and carbon-monoxide risks.
• Plan local walks using our Routes & Trails guides, taking account of daylight and conditions.
• Dispose of waste and wastewater correctly, keep dogs under control around livestock and never obstruct rural roads.

If you are travelling without a car, look at the Lake District public transport guide. A few sites can be reached with a combination of bus, boat and walking, but seasonal schedules vary.

Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to camp near Scafell Pike?

Wasdale Campsite is an established base in the Wasdale valley. Its proximity does not make a summit attempt safe in poor conditions; assess the forecast and your capabilities independently.

Can I pitch a tent anywhere beside a lake?

No. Lakeshore wild camping is not generally permitted and the National Park specifically asks campers to stay well away from lakeshores. Book an authorised campsite if you want to stay near the water.

Which sites offer camping near Windermere?

Low Wray on the western shore and Park Cliffe near Bowness are established choices, but pitches and opening dates vary.

Do Lake District campsites open all year?

Not all. Some sites have winter opening, others close seasonally, and individual tent fields may have shorter seasons than touring pitches. Always check dates directly with the operator.

Plan a comfortable and responsible Lake District camping trip

A properly booked campsite can give you mountain scenery, lakeside walks and a sense of escape without the uncertainty of unauthorised wild camping. Choose your area, match the pitch to your equipment, check the weather and campsite rules, and allow time to enjoy your surroundings. For more planning ideas, see our sustainable tourism guide and places to stay.