Camping in Dartmoor National Park
These rugged southern moorlands are home to castle ruins, glassy lakes, and wild ponies.
96% (972 reviews)
- Dartmoor National Park
96% (972 reviews)
Popular camping styles for Dartmoor National Park
Dog-friendly getaways
Under £50
12 top campsites in Dartmoor National Park
100%
(65)
Meldon Lake and Woods Wild Camping
5 units · Motorhomes, Tents8 acres · Okehampton, Devon, South West England
Seriously simple but beautiful wild camping beside a lake on Dartmoor
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£20
/ night
85%
(10)
The Enchanted Wilderness
5 units · Tents22 acres · Yelverton, England
Simple riverside camping pitches in the Tamar Valley on the edge of Dartmoor
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£28
/ night
93%
(204)
Sweet Hill Farm
10 units · Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Dorset, South West England
Simple, almost-wild, seaside camping on the Isle of Portland
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£12
/ night
99%
(70)
Bush Farm Campsite
50 units · Motorhomes, Tents200 acres · Saltash, England
As close to wild camping as you can get on a rewilded 200-acre farm in Cornwall
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£12
/ night
Booked 4 times
South Devon Camping
58 units · Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Thurlestone, England
If you are happy walking, there is so much to do in the area, you need not get back in your car again for the duration of your stay !
The campsite at Lower Terawhiti Farm may be laid back and simple but it has everything you need to have a fabulous affordable holiday here in the South Hams.
Pitches are large and spacious at 10m x 10m, and the rest of the field is there for children to run free, roam and cycle to their heart's content.
There is no electric hook up on site but we do offer hot water, fridges, freezers, USB charging and you can have barbeques. How better to spend the evening than round a fire pit ! Hire one from us or bring your own.
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£25
/ night
100%
(1)
Camp Bedrock
1 unit · Motorhome, Tent4 acres · Plymouth, England
Camp Bedrock is just outside Cremyll on the Rame Peninsula, with the entrance to the 865-acre Mount Edgcumbe House and Country Park five minutes’ walk away along the coast path.
This is a pretty waterside woodland spot on the banks of the Tamar river (and at the start/finish point of the Tamar Way), and you can also follow the coast path down to lovely seaside spots like the twin villages of Kingsand and Cawsand – or all the way along to the sandy beach and surf school at Whitsand Bay. As the location faces west you’ll often be treated to a colourful sunset as the backdrop to your evening barbecue or campfire too.
So that’s countryside, river and coast sorted – anything else? Well, yes actually – the city of Plymouth is just across the river, and easily accessed via the foot ferry a few minutes’ walk away. That means you can be at the restaurants of Royal William Yard in about 20 minutes, or exploring the city centre’s attractions (like the Barbican, the Mayflower Steps and National Marine Aquarium) in about 45 minutes.
Closer to base, there’s also a lovely waterside pub about five minutes’ walk away, and plenty of facilities within the country park (including some nice cafés as well as activities like alpaca walks and disc golf).
On site, it’s a dog- and family-friendly setup where you can pick your own pitch. As a pop-up wild camping location there are no frills, but you will have access to compost toilets.
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£12
/ night
97%
(118)
Cornish Tipi Holidays & Camping
127 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents20 acres · Cornwall, South West England
Wake up to the sound of birdsong, go swimming before breakfast in the clear water of a secluded lake. Cook your bacon and eggs over an open fire while you plan your day, or just laze it away in the peace and quiet of your own personal tipi. You can always go fishing tomorrow, and walk along the cliffs the day after that…
The site is a unique woodland valley folded around a clear, spring-fed lake created from the old Tregildrans Quarry. Our tipis and tent pitches are dotted about this secret 20 acres full of ferns, bluebells, oak and meadowsweet.
Left in peace for many years there's been no modern chemicals or poisons on the land, meaning we've got bluebells, dormice, Red Admirals and shy woodland Jays for you to spot.
It’s a place set apart from the rush and clutter of the modern holiday experience, with an atmosphere that makes you forget the world outside, and just lounge, ramble, or potter about in a boat.
We're committed to giving you a genuinely individual service from first contact to your time staying with us.
We established CTH in 1996. This was the first and we believe still is the best tipi holiday site in the UK. We know our area inside out and can always help with local knowledge or contacts if you need them.
We want to offer our guests a sustainable holiday. A return to real camping means the lowest possible impact on the land and environment - our tipi poles don’t even break the surface of the earth. Your footprint while here could only be bettered by a survival expert. You don't have to fly! a major bonus, and we source all our wood, fish and canvas locally and work with local people wherever possible.
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£25
/ night
97%
(31)
Hennock Hideaways
32 units · Motorhomes, Tents5 acres · Devon, South West England
A camping and glamping site with views across the Teign Valley on the edge of Dartmoor
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£10
/ night
99%
(49)
Pittaford Farm
8 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents3 acres · Kingsbridge, England
A campfire-friendly site in South Devon, with a beach, a nature reserve and a pub all less than 45 minutes' walk away
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£26
/ night
97%
(169)
South Dean Camping
70 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Barnstaple, Devon, South West England
Clifftop camping with epic sea views, right next to Exmoor National Park.
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£35
/ night
90%
(62)
Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm
50 units · Glamping, Motorhomes, Tents1 acre · Bude, Cornwall, South West England
Glamping near Bude, with eye-catching eco-pods, a staggering treehouse for couples and traditional tent camping
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£26
/ night
Booked 10 times
Tregella Place Camping
40 units · Motorhomes, Tents12 acres · Padstow, England
Tregella Place Camping offers a peaceful retreat in the quiet Cornish countryside. With lovely farmland views, this rural park provides a satisfying stay while still being close to necessary amenities. You can easily pick up fresh eggs from a nearby chicken farm, and a supermarket and a pub serving food are just a short drive away.
Food enthusiasts will appreciate the gastronomic hotspot of Padstow, which is only a 10-minute drive from the park and offers a variety of highly rated restaurants, coffee shops, and bars, including those helmed by chef Rick Stein. If you enjoy walking, you can take a scenic route through the cornfields to reach Padstow. On-site, you'll find a bar housed in a converted bus, serving Cornish beers and ciders, as well as live music on weekends. During high summer, there is a pop-up street kitchen and a communal picnic area for family dining. The facilities at Tregella Place Camping are, including a shower block with family-size showers, changing areas, electric points for charging devices, hairdryers, and a washing-up area. The park also offers direct access to the South West Coast Path and is located near the Camel Trail cycle path for those who enjoy cycling adventures.
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£20
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Star Hosts in Dartmoor National Park
Available this weekend
Camping in Dartmoor National Park guide
Overview
With windswept tors, river gorges, and vast open moorlands blazing with purple heather—Dartmoor’s wild landscapes were made for exploring. Miles of hiking, biking, climbing, and horseback riding trails lead to hilltop lookouts, crumbling ruins, and hidden waterfalls. Look out for herds of native Dartmoor ponies grazing the moors, enjoy fishing or kayaking along the lakes, or join in the local tradition of letterboxing to search Dartmoor for hidden treasures. For a change of pace, hop aboard for a ride on the South Devon steam railway or stop by one of the park’s villages for a traditional Devonshire cream tea. Camping is the natural way to holiday in this Devonshire landscape, and we’ve been up in the high moorland and down in river valleys to find the best places to stay. In Devon and Dartmoor, campsites vary with the landscape, from woodland sites to places with riverside pitches. Campsites tend to be around the edges of the national park, as the great swathes of land within its boundaries have little by way of infrastructure or population. This is especially true in the north of Dartmoor, one of only a few areas where wild camping is allowed. Hideaway Camping on the northern borders of Dartmoor is just one spot with camping to suit all tastes—check into a caravan, shepherd’s hut, or igloo, or pitch your tent under the trees.
Dartmoor National Park Wildlife
Dartmoor wildlife is truly special—the most obvious are the free-roaming Dartmoor ponies. They’ve lived here since prehistoric times as such a symbol of the park that they are featured on the park logo. The way they graze out on the moor helps create special habitats for other plants, insects, birds, and animals too. During a Dartmoor camping holiday, you can look out for all sorts of fascinating wildlife from moorland birds to otters and (who would have guessed it) the world’s largest slug—the ash black, which can grow to up to 20 centimetres.
Top towns and villages in Dartmoor
Much of Dartmoor is sparsely populated, but area market towns and villages offer historic sites, shops, and amenities worth the trip.
- Around the park’s fringes are lots of places to visit too, from Plymouth on Devon’s south coast to the easy-going and historic market town of Totnes.
- Within the park itself, places that act as magnets for visitors are Postbridge, with its medieval stone bridge and national park visitor centre; Princetown, from where you can enjoy walks and cycle rides on a disused railway line; and Okehampton, with its access to the park’s highest tors.
- Widecombe-in-the-Moor features tea rooms that are just right for a Devonshire cream tea (cream on top of jam, obviously).
- On the park’s western edge in the Tamar Valley is Tavistock, the birthplace of Sir Francis Drake. Part of the Cornwall and West Devon Mining Landscape has been recognised as a World Heritage Site by UNESCO.
Top things to do in Dartmoor
There’s lots to do when you’re camping in Dartmoor.
- For more advice, head to the national park visitor centres at Haytor, Princetown, and Postbridge. If you’re looking for walks, you won’t be disappointed with the hour-long routes from each of the centres.
- Very similar to geocaching but with roots in the 19th century, the Dartmoor pastime of letterboxing challenges adventurers to get out on the moor and find a “letterbox” where you can stamp a book to say you’ve visited.
- Although cyclists won’t be able to wheel through Dartmoor’s open-access land, it shouldn’t restrict their fun. There are plenty of quiet lanes and more than 200 miles of bridleways and byways that also make horse riding a fantastic way to get around.
- Dartmoor’s granite tors make it an attractive destination for climbing and bouldering—Haytor Fur Tor, Bonehill Rocks, and Dewstone are some highlights.
- The rivers Dart, Teign, and Taw all rise in Dartmoor, meaning that there are plenty of opportunities for water lovers, from kayaking and canoeing to wild swimming and fishing.
- It’s almost impossible to tire of exploring Dartmoor’s natural highlights but if you manage it, look to some of the manmade features in the national park. The National Trust offers Castle Drongo and Buckland Abbey in addition to some of the most beautiful natural highlights of the park, including the Lydford Gorge with its 30-metre waterfalls.
- Families and wildlife lovers will be thrilled to see free-roaming Dartmoor ponies, and there’s more horsey fun at the Miniature Pony Centre. For exotic animals, head to Dartmoor Zoo.
- There’s more family fun just outside the southern edge of Dartmoor on the South Devon Railway, which has vintage trains running from Buckfastleigh to Totnes.
- It’s a drive of about half an hour to reach the south coast beaches of Torbay.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Popular Dartmoor National Park holiday parks and caravan sites can book up quickly, especially in July and August, and during school holidays. Early bookings (at least three months in advance) are recommended for visits during these times.
- Check access to campsites if you’re travelling with a caravan or large motorhome—Dartmoor lanes are sometimes narrow and tricky to navigate.
- Be sure to check seasonal opening and closing dates, which vary by campsite. Many campsites open from March or April through September or October, while others stay open year-round.
When to go
Summer is the high season in Dartmoor National Park, when crowds peak in July and August. Arrive early at popular attractions to avoid queues, and book activities in advance to avoid disappointment. Outdoor activities are possible year-round, but pack for all seasons—rain, fog, and high winds are common in the moorlands, and the weather can turn quickly, even in summer.
Know before you go
- Dartmoor National Park is one of the few places in the UK where wild camping is permitted for tents only. Tents must be pitched away from roads and attractions, and large group camping is not allowed.
- Dartmoor National Park is in Devon along the M5 motorway. It’s about a 30-minute drive or train ride from Exeter or Plymouth.
- Several car parks dot the park, many of which are pay-and-display. The Haytor Hoppa hop-on, hop-off bus also operates around eastern Dartmoor from May through September.
- Many small towns and villages can be found throughout the park, so you’re never far from a shop, pub, or information point. The main Dartmoor visitor centres are in Princetown, Haytor, and Postbridge.
- Dartmoor has many wheelchair-accessible trails and attractions.
- Dartmoor has free-roaming ponies, sheep, and cattle, which have the right of way on moorland roads. A strict speed limit of 40 mph applies throughout. It is a fineable offence to feed any animals in the park, and visitors are advised to keep a distance for their own safety—these are feral animals that may kick or bite.
Popular Dartmoor National Park holidays
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