Camping In Yorkshire: Best Campsites, Things To Do, Wild Camping & More!

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Last updated on July 3, 2023 by Wandering our World

Idyllic landscapes, outstanding moorland, rich history and stunning historical architecture makes camping in Yorkshire a popular holiday choice. Situated in Northern England, Yorkshire is known as the largest county in the United Kingdom, spanning over 2.9 million acres. This historical county has so much to offer and is home to two National Parks – the Yorkshire Dales National Park and the North York Moors National Park. We have camping guides for both too!

Whether you are planning to hike, cycle, visit on a day-trip, or are just looking for an inexpensive way to see as much of the region as possible, camping in Yorkshire can be a cost effective and fun way to do that. It’s also a truly unique opportunity to lose yourself in the quiet scenery that makes this place so special.

There are several campsites in and around Yorkshire to choose from – we recommend some of our top picks in this article. We also look at wild camping in Yorkshire later in this article too.

So grab your tent and some hiking boots – let’s begin your Yorkshire camping adventure!

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/nortonrsx

Camping In Yorkshire

Famous for being home to some of the UK’s most stunning landscapes, Yorkshire is a walker’s paradise with diverse vistas, open panoramas and astounding views of the region’s peaks. A visit to the famous Yorkshire Dales is a must too.

There are some great campsites to choose from that are located close to some of the main walking, hiking and cycling routes in Yorkshire – we give some of our favourites below.

A good quality walking in Yorkshire book – like this one which has dozens of trails – can help you plan what area you may want to visit and walk in, and therefore what campsites may be of interest to you.

However if you’re looking for some great campsite recommendations, below we share some of our favorite campsites in Yorkshire, before then looking at wild camping in Yorkshire.

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/g-stockstudio

Camping In Yorkshire: Some Of The Best Campsites In Yorkshire

Knight Stainforth

Set in the Yorkshire Dales National Park, this lovely family-run campsite is perfectly situated for exploring the region. Which is why we rate it so highly.

The historic market town of Settle is just two miles away, whilst tourist attractions like the White Scar and Inglebourgh Show Caves, and Gordale Scar are also close by.

For walkers, The Three Peaks, Ingleton Waterfall Walk, and the Pennine Way are all accessible from this campsite.

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/welcomia

Crows Nest Caravan Park

Perfectly located on the stunning Yorkshire coast, Crows Nest Caravan Park is an award-winning site with lots of fun activities for everyone such as a heated indoor swimming pool, family bar and children’s play area.

The tranquil town of Filey is situated just two miles from the campsite and if you are looking for attractions, you can take the fabulous coastal walk to the exciting town of Scarborough which is only five miles away.

This site is ideally located close to two breathtaking seaside towns and is a great base for exploring the region.

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Apicha Thumvisead

Butt Farm Caravan and Campsite

Set on one hectare of grassland, far from being the “butt” of anyone’s jokes, this small campsite offers stunning views of the East Yorkshire countryside.

A footpath and cycleway network is located nearby the farm that takes you into the historic market town of Beverley which is only 2 miles away. We love this beautiful farm for its close proximity to the East Yorkshire coast, the Yorkshire Wolds, York and Hull.

This little gem has a Morrisons supermarket round the corner, and we recommend trying the fabulous restaurant, Estabulo Rodizio Bar & Grill.

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Alina Rosanova

Wood Nook Caravan Park and Campsite

Beautifully set in the heart of the Yorkshire Dales, this camping sweet spot offers a serene and picturesque nature getaway. Set on six acres of woodland, Wood Nook is well nestled on the slopes of Wharfedale.

You will be delighted by the amazing walks and opportunities for wildlife spotting that are nearby. There’s also two food spots close by that we love – Grassington House Restaurant and The Retreat Tearoom & Bistro. Both just over a mile away.

If you do stay here, you can enjoy exceptional starry dark skies accompanied with great local beer and cocktails thanks to the mobile coffee bar on site.

Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/Eshma

Wild Camping In Yorkshire

DISCLAIMER: Below we give general advice, but we always recommend staying in an official campsite. If you choose to go wild camping/dispersed camping, then make sure you do so with someone who already knows the area where you’re planning on camping for your own safety.

Like other areas of England, wild camping in the Yorkshire isn’t officially allowed, however people still do it. Although campers are allowed to pitch their tent if they have the permission of a landowner.

However as this area is a popular walking and hiking area, many outdoor enthusiasts often wild camp here. If you are planning to wild camp in the Yorkshire – and can’t be swayed to stay in a campsite instead – we’ve compiled the following guidelines to help keep you out of trouble and camp in a considerate manner:

  • You should camp in the same place for one night only, and pitch your tent discretely and in a remote place which will not be easily seen. Therefore don’t camp in or near settlements, someone’s farm or on cultivated land. If you think you’re on private land, always seek out the landowner and ask permission. They may request a small fee.
  • Campers should set up their tent at dusk, and take it down at dawn. A tent that is discreet, blends in with the landscape, and pitches quickly is best. Therefore a lightweight walking tent like this one would be a great investment for someone planning to wild camp in the Yorkshire.
  • If you are walking a main trail, make sure you choose to camp in a place that won’t be in any other hiker’s or walker’s way.
  • When wild camping in the Yorkshire you must never make a campfire. Instead of building campfires, you could use a storm cooker for cooking – but check local laws first. Then there is much less wildfire risk and you can cook knowing that the fire is contained. We believe the best ones on the market are Trangia storm cookers.Portable solar ovens, like this one by GoSun, are also a good fuel-less option.
  • Take any rubbish with you, and leave your camping spot exactly the way you found it.
Photo for illustrative purposes only: iStock.com/cookelma

Some Of The Best Places To Visit In Yorkshire

Yorkshire Dales National Park

This stunning National Park is one of the most renowned attractions in England and offers pristine and beautifully preserved nature. The outstanding green valleys, majestic castles, abbeys, gorgeous stone-built villages and moors are popular attractions. Some of the highlights of this area include Malham Cove, Bolton Priory, Aysgarth Falls, Ingleton Waterfalls Trail, and the Ingleborough hiking trail which has the most rewarding views.

iStock.com/audioundwerbung

Castle Howard

Famous for its vast 1000 acres of pristinely kept gardens and parkland estate, this picturesque castle boasts stunning lakes, fountains, lovely woodland, temples, and statues. Built in the 18th century, Castle Howard is regarded as one of Britain’s finest historic houses and is perfectly situated in the Howardian Hills; an Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Malham Cove

This picturesque limestone scar is an astounding sight, surrounded by stunning spots that help create one of the most famous walks in the Yorkshire Dales. This colossal curving amphitheatre shaped cliff formation of limestone has unforgettable views down the Dales towards Malham.

Some Of The Best Walks In Yorkshire

The Herriot Way

The 52-mile circular route is our favourite hike in the region because of the tranquility and picturesque backdrop. Herriot Way takes you on a memorable trip through Wensleydale and Swaledale.

We recommend undertaking this epic walk over four days, starting at Aysgarth and heading towards Hawes. You will have to tackle a challenging hike up the Great Shunner Fell, but the views and good food at Tan Hill Inn, the highest pub in England, are worth it!

iStock.com/leszekglasner

Cleveland Way

Known as one of the best hikes in Yorkshire, this 110 mile-long trail offers breathtaking views of the area’s rugged coastline and heather moors.

Starting from Helmsley, this hike goes through stunning spots like the North York Moors, Filey and Rye Valley. You will discover landmarks such as the White Horse of Kilburn, and also climb 1,489-feet to the summit of Round Hill – the perfect spot to discover ancient ruins and the Captain Cook Memorial.

Dales Way

This enjoyable 81 mile-long hiking trail takes you across captivating and tranquil surroundings as it goes through the Dales and into the pretty Lake District.

We love the 450-metre climb up Cam Fell on this walk because of the spectacular views of the Yorkshire Three Peaks. This serene walk also takes you along the River Lune, and all the way to Lake Windermere.

Camping In Yorkshire: The Weather & Best Months To Visit

With mild to warm temperatures, spring is the perfect time to visit Yorkshire as kids and families can make the most of a full day exploring the historic towns and national parks here. Temperatures range from 10°C to 17°C, and visitors can see flowers in full bloom and wildlife can be spotted during walks.

Summer is a great time to visit forests, as well as discover Yorkshire’s rich history. With daytime temperatures reaching between 18°C and 22°C, visitors can enjoy views of the ocean. Summer is also a perfect time to undertake long walking trails as the land will be dry and hikers can enjoy the long daylight hours.

With milder temperatures during autumn, it’s a fantastic time to avoid the peak summer tourist season, go on hikes, take in the majestic coast views, and enjoy the ever-changing colours of the woodland.

Winter brings the shortest daylight hours and coolest temperatures, but visitors can enjoy the crisp air during walks on the different trails in the region. In particular, we love the atmosphere when visiting Bolton Priory at this time of the year.

Recommended For Your Trip To Yorkshire

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    Hi and welcome to Wandering our World! This article was written by one of the Wandering our World team - a team of travel enthusiasts who live around the globe.