Yorkshire Dales National Park Area Guide

Covering 841 square miles (2,179 square kilometres) of stunning countryside in northern England, the Yorkshire Dales National Park was established in 1954 with the aim of protecting its purple-heather-clad uplands and dales – the latter riddled with thousands of miles of dry-stone walls and distinctive stone barns known as ‘laithes’. The eight million visitors who enter the park each year know that this place is very special indeed. 

Read on for Pitchup’s introduction to the Yorkshire Dales, and then discover more about the park with our expert guides to the many activities and attractions within the park.

Where is the Yorkshire Dales National Park?

Neighbour to the North York Moors and Lake District national parks, the landlocked Yorkshire Dales straddle the Pennines – the backbone of northern England – tucked between the counties of Northumberland, Lancashire and Cumbria. The park is within touching distance of the fells and dramatic landscapes of the Forest of Bowland and North Pennines National Landscapes as well.

Until 2016, the park was contained entirely within the confines of North and West Yorkshire, but in that year, it grew in size – somewhat controversially – by a quarter, adding an extra 161 square miles (417 square kilometres) of land and extending into the untamed upland scenery of Lancashire and Cumbria. 

The Yorkshire Dales National Park can be accessed from the A1(M), which runs between London and Newcastle upon Tyne, and the M6 (running between Birmingham and Carlisle), and the A66 traverses its northern limits from east to west. The lively market town of Skipton on the southern perimeter is the largest settlement in the Yorkshire Dales, and the national park is liberally peppered with postcard-perfect villages and hamlets. The booming city of Leeds (just south of the park) is a handy rail hub with connections to cities across the UK.

Things do in the Yorkshire Dales National Park

Sculpted by ice and shaped by man, the dramatic scenery of the Yorkshire Dales National Park never fails to amaze. Tracts of wild upland fuse with tranquil dales to provide a spectacular setting for adventures in the open air. In the Yorkshire Dales, you can conquer the notorious Yorkshire Three Peaks Challenge, or enjoy a family amble over stepping stones in the River Wharfe. Cyclists pedal the steep gradients up Buttertubs Pass for far-reaching views down Swaledale, and climbers abseil down the limestone cliffs at Malham Cove. 

Elsewhere in the park, head deep underground to explore the cathedral-sized cave at Gaping Gill, ride the heritage Settle-Carlisle Railway across the soaring spans of Ribblehead Viaduct, and cross breathtaking waterfalls like Ingleton, Aysgarth and Hardraw Force off your bucket list. Learn to sail dinghies on remote Semerwater, or stay up late under the dark skies to witness the glory of the Milky Way on a stargazing evening.

History abounds in these moorland and valley landscapes; the Yorkshire Dales is home to numerous cultural and heritage attractions including the haunting ruins of Fountains and Bolton abbeys, Pendragon Castle with its tenuous connections to the court of King Arthur, and numerous museums showcasing traditional Dales life. But the national park is a living, ever-changing place too, with 60,000 residents in peaceful villages tucked away in lush valleys and market towns full of indie shops, and its thriving hospitality scene allows you to eat out in anything from quaint tea rooms to cosy pubs and Michelin-starred restaurants.  

Can you wild camp in the Yorkshire Dales National Park?

Tempting though it is to get back to nature among pristine landscapes and wake up to nothing more invasive than the chirrup of birds, most of the land in the Yorkshire Dales National Park is privately owned and wild camping is illegal – unless, that is, you have the permission of the landowner. However, if you are discreet, respectful of the land and leave no trace of your stay, chances are your presence will be tolerated for one night.

Take a few minutes to read Pitchup’s informative guide to wild camping in the UK if you’re at all unsure on the rules and regulations in the Yorkshire Dales. You can always choose to bed down on a nearly-wild farm campsite instead, where the remote vibe combines with the comfort of knowing that you’re camping legally and providing an income for the landowner.