Wild camping: a beginner’s guide
Wild camping is all about getting back to nature, usually in peaceful, remote countryside away from any habitation. However, a bit of planning is required to make sure you’re wild camping in a safe and legal way. Whether you are keen to take the plunge and try wild camping, or would rather initially opt for a nearly wild camping experience instead, this guide takes you through all the basics: how to wild camp legally, how to find a wild camping spot, what to pack, and a rundown of the rules of wild camping to make sure you stay on the right side of the law.
See all of Pitchup’s nearly-wild campsites
Jump to:
Where can I wild camp legally in the UK?
Where can I wild camp legally in the rest of the world?
How to find the perfect wild camping spot
Are there any alternatives to wild camping?
What is wild camping?
Wild camping means setting up your tent anywhere other than a designated campsite, and generally away from other people too. It’s about taking life back to its basics: just you and a shelter in the natural world. That might be in woodland, on a mountainside or in a field. Generally, the term is synonymous with going off-grid and back to basics in terms of kit and facilities.
In this article, we're using the term 'wild camping' to refer to short-stay tent camping/bivouacking rather than anything involving a vehicle such as campervan stays or camping in your car.
Is wild camping legal?
Different rules apply for wild camping in different countries, so it’s important to check what restrictions apply in your chosen country. Even in countries where wild camping is legal, rules can vary from area to area, so you’ll still need to do some research into any local rules or guidelines to make sure that you’re wild camping in an approved spot.
Wild camping is legal in vast tracts of Scotland, but in England, Wales and Northern Ireland, most land is privately owned. As current law does not give people access to someone else’s land, strictly speaking wild camping is illegal in England, Wales and Northern Ireland. However, many landowners are happy to host wild campers if they ask permission first and are respectful of the land. It’s up to you to ensure that you ask permission and follow the wild camping rules.
If you are caught wild camping without permission, you may be found guilty of trespass. As this is classed as a civil offence, it’s unlikely that you will be arrested but you will be asked to move on. As long as you do so, that will be the end of the matter. If you are repeatedly caught wild camping without permission, you may be fined.
Where can I wild camp legally in the UK?
Wild camping laws in the UK vary between Scotland and the rest of the country, with Scotland benefiting from right-to-roam rules that do not apply elsewhere. Below, we’ve outlined the general wild camping rules for all parts of the UK.
Wild camping in Scotland
Scotland is currently the only part of the UK that allows wild camping pretty much anywhere. Following the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003, people are allowed to camp on most unenclosed land, including many of Scotland’s national parks, as long as you act responsibly and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park is an exception to this rule: overuse of the land means that wild camping is banned in areas of the park between March and September, unless you buy a camping permit in advance.
Wild camping in England
Dartmoor National Park is once again the only place in England where wild camping is officially permitted. Following a legal ruling in July 2023, wild campers on Dartmoor no longer need to seek the permission of individual landowners before pitching up.
Lake District National Park authorities are generally tolerant of responsible wild campers who follow ‘leave no trace’ principles, although they don’t have designated wild camping areas.
Wild camping in Wales
The wild camping rules in Wales are similar to those in England: you’ll need to seek the landowner’s permission before setting up camp. This means that it is possible to go wild camping in Eryri or near the Wales Coast Path if you can find out who owns the land.
Bannau Brycheiniog (formally the Brecon Beacons) National Park authorities have a list of landowners who allow campers on their land, so you can seek permission from the right person. Pick up a guide from the Bannau Brycheiniog National Park Visitor Centre at Libanus.
Wild camping in Northern Ireland
Wild camping is illegal in Northern Ireland unless you have gained the landowner’s permission. However, wild camping is allowed at some Northern Ireland Forestry Service sites if you book ahead or buy a permit.
Where can I wild camp legally in the rest of the world?
Europe
Wild camping laws vary from country to country around Europe, and even from area to area within that country. It’s always advisable to read up on the laws for your chosen country before setting off, and check local bylaws as well.
Below, we outline the general wild camping laws for several popular European destinations to give you an idea of what to expect.
- Arguably the best countries for wild camping in Europe are Norway, Sweden and Finland, where the law of allemansrätten guarantees access to nature. Certain rules apply (such as staying a certain distance from houses and not lighting fires), but largely wild camping is possible here.
- At the other end of the spectrum, there are some countries in Europe where wild camping is generally illegal and should be avoided: these include The Netherlands and Belgium (although the latter does have designated 'bivouac areas' where you can legally wild camp).
- In France, wild camping is tolerated in places where it is not specifically prohibited by either national laws or local rules. National rules include a ban on wild camping on the seashore, on public roads and within 500 metres of a listed heritage monument. In addition, national parks have their own rules, as do many municipalities, so it’s best to check the rules for your specific destination.
- There are strict laws governing wild camping in Spain – in general it is not permitted, and can lead to substantial fines. There are, however, some areas of Spain where wild camping is tolerated as long as certain restrictions are followed. It’s worth checking the rules for ‘controlled camping areas’ with the local authority, as exceptions often apply only to things like youth camping groups.
- The rules for wild camping in Germany are rather unclear – and because they are set at a local level, they will vary from state to state. Broadly speaking, wild camping is banned in Germany’s forests, nature reserves and coastal areas, and you’ll need to seek permission if you’re on private land. Outside of these areas (and towns) wild camping is neither expressly prohibited or permitted, although it’s always worth checking local regulations.
- In Italy, bivouacking (staying from sunset to dawn, and leaving no trace of your stay) is permitted in rural areas unless there are signs expressly prohibiting it. Other forms of wild camping (such as longer stays) are not subject to national rules, so you’ll need to check local laws. In the main, wild camping is allowed with permission from the local authority or landowner, and outside of protected natural areas.
- Wild camping laws in Portugal vary from region to region. In general, wild camping is prohibited in protected areas, natural parks and beaches. It's best to check local regulations for other areas, as failure to comply with these and camping in unauthorised areas can result in fines of up to €300.
- Wild camping in Austria is not uniformly regulated and is therefore subject to local laws. In some areas, wild camping is entirely banned while in others it is not expressly prohibited; therefore you should always check the local regulations for your chosen area. The one wild camping law that applies across Austria is a ban on camping in forests.
- In Switzerland, wild camping is not specifically prohibited, but each canton and municipality makes its own laws. In general, wild camping is banned in Swiss national parks, nature reserves and federal hunting ban areas. Outside of these areas, sensible wild camping is usually permitted above the treeline in mountain areas; however, it’s always worth checking with the local authority or tourist office.
USA and Canada
Wild camping is accepted in many parts of the USA and Canada: these include Canadian Crown Land, US national forests and grasslands, national parks and national monument areas. There are, however, some restrictions – such as not camping on Indian Reservation land. Different states and parks have different laws and regulations.
Australia and New Zealand
Wild camping is not officially permitted in Australia, but the country has a number of free sites where camping is allowed on a first-come-first-served basis.
In New Zealand, ‘freedom camping’ is generally allowed on Department of Conservation land, with certain exceptions such as Maori burial sites and protected animal habitats. Some councils allow campers to stay on their land too, as long as they follow local guidance.
The rules for wild camping
The number-one rule for responsible wild camping is ‘leave no trace’: your camping spot should look exactly the same when you leave it as on arrival.
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Arrive later in the day and leave early, where possible
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Keep groups small
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Bring food in sealable, reusable containers
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Take all your rubbish away with you
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Bury human waste in a hole at least 15cm deep and 50 metres from any trails or water sources
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Only light fires when it’s safe to do so, and keep them small
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Try not to move anything like rocks or logs, or remove any vegetation
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Don’t stay in the same place for more than one night
How to find the perfect wild camping spot
Once you’ve chosen your area you will need to pick a suitable spot in which to spend the night. So what should you look for in a wild camping pitch?
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Use mapping apps such as Google Maps to look out for places well away from residential properties, footpaths and tracks.
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Arrive before dark so that you can check the terrain in the daylight, looking out for evidence of wildlife that might disturb you (or that you might disturb) during the night.
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Look out for wildlife signs on nearby roads to be aware of any animal habitats in the area, particularly in mating or nesting seasons.
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Be aware of water sources: it’s good to be fairly near one for cooking and hydration purposes, but in general you should aim to stay at least 50 metres from a natural water source to avoid contamination (and boggy ground).
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Look out for a spot that is naturally quite flat, where you can camp without the need to damage plants or move rocks and stones.
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If possible, find an area that’s sheltered from the wind, but don’t stay too close to trees that might creak all night or catch sparks from your campfire.
What to pack for wild camping
Packing for a wild camping trip is about finding the balance between complete self-sufficiency and keeping it lightweight enough to carry easily. With that in mind, we’ve compiled a packing list of wild camping essentials.
Tent
Buy a tent that’s as lightweight but strong as you can afford; a tent weighing 2kg or under should be fine to carry.
Sleeping bag
Again, it’s a balance between practicality and weight; obviously if you’re wild camping in the UK in winter, you’ll need to buy a sleeping bag that’s appropriate for the weather.
Sleeping mat
Vital for a comfortable and warm night’s rest, sleeping mats come as roll-ups that you can fasten to the top of your rucksack, or inflatable (preferably self-inflating) mattresses that fold away into a small bag.
Pillow
Pack a travel pillow or an inflatable one (the latter takes up much less space).
Bags
Keeping your gear (and yourself) dry when wild camping is of paramount importance, so protect kit in your rucksack by using an inner dry bag.
Clothes
Take a change of clothes (keep them dry in a waterproof bag), and remember that layers are your friend. Top everything with waterproof clothing and boots. Hats and gloves will help to keep you warm too.
Cooking gear and food
A portable stove and pan are handy to have, as well as a knife and fork. Keep your food in resealable containers, and take rubbish bags with you too.
Water
You may be able to access water from a stream or other fresh water source, but it’s best to carry a couple of litres in case there’s nothing close to your chosen wild camping site.
Hygiene essentials
Pack wet wipes for keeping clean and basic toiletries (in mini-sizes to lighten your load if possible) in a waterproof bag. Microfibre travel towels are light, fold into nothing and dry easily. Toilet paper is also an essential, as well as a trowel for latrine digging.
Emergency kit
Include a mobile phone and a GPS device for navigation, plus a power bank or extra batteries. A map and compass will help you find out exactly where you are if there is no mobile signal; take a torch and spare batteries for finding your way around after dark; and always have a first-aid kit to hand, containing include plasters, antiseptic cream, insect repellent, suncream and a tick-removing tool.
Are there any alternatives to wild camping?
In this guide we’ve focused on wild camping in a tent, but there are other ways to find similar experiences, such as staying at a nearly-wild campsite. There are many campsites across the UK that offer nearly wild camping in England, nearly wild camping in Wales, nearly wild camping in Northern Ireland and nearly wild camping in Scotland.
Booking a pitch at a nearly-wild campsite will give you a taste of aspects of the wild camping experience such as remote locations and quiet surroundings, but often with the addition of basic facilities such as toilets. There’s also the peace of mind that comes with knowing you’re camping in a legal spot.
See all of Pitchup’s nearly-wild campsites
Wild camping FAQs
Is wild camping legal?
The laws of wild camping are different in each party of the country – for example, wild camping is generally legal in Scotland, but in England, Wales and Northern Ireland it is only legal if you obtain the landowner’s permission. Failure to ask permission can result in punishment in the UK, such as a fine.
Is wild camping safe?
Wild camping should be relatively safe as long as you choose your spot well, pay attention to local guidelines regarding things like wildlife and fires, and pack everything you need.
What are the rules for wild camping?
The main rule for wild camping is always to ‘leave no trace’, making sure that you leave your camping spot exactly as you found it.
Where do I go to the toilet while wild camping?
Stay well away from any natural water sources, and dig a hole at least 15cm deep so that you can bury solid waste. Take used toilet paper away with you in a sealed bag and dispose of it in a bin.