Best campsites near Bournemouth: 6 top picks

The best campsites near Bournemouth put you within easy reach of Dorset's coast, heathland, and ancient forests. This guide covers six of the top campsites near Bournemouth, ranging from well-equipped holiday parks to quieter touring sites tucked into the Purbeck countryside. Camplify trip data shows that Dorset remains one of the most popular short-break destinations for campervans and caravans in the south of England, with most hirers arriving for long weekends and school holiday weeks.

Browse campervans and caravans for hire in Bournemouth if you already know your dates.

Most of the sites in this guide sit within 30 minutes of Bournemouth, making them realistic for a Friday evening arrival after work. The area rewards those who plan ahead: Dorset's popularity means peak-season pitches go fast, particularly around bank holidays and the summer school holidays. Pick up a campervan or caravan from a local owner on Camplify and you can be parked up with a cup of tea before dark.

If you're planning a longer tour along the south coast, our guide to the 5 best Weymouth campsites is worth a look before you set off.

Bournemouth campsites in the Poole and Purbeck fringe

South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park

South Lytchett Manor Caravan & Camping Park sits in the grounds of a Victorian manor house on the edge of Lytchett Minster, about seven miles west of Bournemouth and a short drive from Poole Harbour. The setting is genuinely striking: mature trees, manicured grass, and a walled-garden atmosphere that feels a world away from the busier coastal holiday parks. Pitches are spacious and well-maintained, with electric hookups throughout.

The park is close enough to Poole for a day trip to Sandbanks or the RNLI College area, yet the site itself stays calm and ordered. Owners in the area suggest arriving via the village rather than through the narrow country lanes from the A35, which can catch larger vehicles off guard.

Facilities are solid rather than flashy: a clean amenities block, a laundry room, and a dog-friendly field. It's a quieter park suited to couples and families who want a comfortable base rather than on-site entertainment.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 7 miles from Bournemouth town centre (around 20 minutes)

• Best for: Couples, families, those touring Poole Harbour and the Purbecks

• Key facilities: Electric hookups, heated amenities block, laundry, dog-friendly pitches

• Book ahead: Easter through September, and any bank holiday weekend

Hoburne Park

Hoburne Park is a well-established holiday park near Christchurch, sitting just inland from Highcliffe and a short hop from the New Forest boundary. A community favourite among hirers who want full facilities without the full-scale resort feel, it strikes a good balance between comfort and convenience.

The park has an indoor and outdoor pool, a bar and restaurant, and a children's play area, making it a reliable choice for families travelling with younger children. Touring pitches with electric hookups are kept separate from the static holiday home areas, so you get a degree of quiet during evenings. Hirers who've stayed here rate the amenities block highly, particularly the heated shower facilities in cooler months.

Hoburne Park's position near Christchurch means the Saxon town's harbour, priory, and riverside pubs are within easy reach. The New Forest is also accessible for a day of cycling or rambling, without needing to reposition the vehicle.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 8 miles from Bournemouth (around 20 minutes via the A35)

• Best for: Families with children, those wanting on-site facilities

• Key facilities: Indoor and outdoor pools, bar and restaurant, electric hookups, play area

• Book ahead: School summer holidays and bank holidays are especially busy

Camping near Bournemouth in the New Forest fringe

Oakdene Forest Park

Oakdene Forest Park, managed by Shorefield Holidays, is set within a working forest near St Leonards, roughly nine miles north-east of Bournemouth toward the New Forest. The woodland surroundings give it a distinct atmosphere compared to the open coastal parks further south. Pitches sit beneath the trees and the site has a relaxed, outdoorsy feel throughout.

This is a community favourite among Camplify travellers, particularly those pairing a Bournemouth base with New Forest exploration. The park has a leisure complex with indoor pool, fitness facilities, and a club room, while the forest trails directly accessible from the site are well-suited for cycling and walking. Families appreciate having activities on-site for days when the weather turns, which in Dorset is always a realistic possibility.

The surrounding area of St Leonards and Ashley Heath is quiet and semi-rural, with good road access to Bournemouth, Ringwood, and Fordingbridge. For hirers who want a more forested setting than the typical Dorset caravan park, Oakdene is a strong option.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 9 miles from Bournemouth (around 20-25 minutes)

• Best for: Families, New Forest explorers, those wanting woodland surroundings

• Key facilities: Indoor pool, leisure complex, electric hookups, woodland trails on-site

• Book ahead: Summer school holidays and New Forest half-term breaks

Back of Beyond Touring Park

Back of Beyond Touring Park takes its name seriously. Tucked into the heathland and woodland near St Leonards, it's a smaller, adults-only touring park that prioritises peace over facilities. The pitches are generously sized and the environment is deliberately low-key, which makes it a strong option for couples or solo travellers who find larger holiday parks too loud.

The park has electric hookups, a clean facilities block, and a motorhome service point. There's no bar, no entertainment programme, and no children's play area. That's entirely the point. Camplify owners familiar with the area suggest it as a reliable alternative when the bigger parks are fully booked, and regulars tend to return year after year. The local footpath network connects directly into the New Forest proper.

Being well-rated by the Camplify community for its calm atmosphere, Back of Beyond is the sort of park that suits people who've done the bigger sites and know what they actually want from a night away.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 10 miles from Bournemouth (around 25 minutes)

• Best for: Couples, adults-only travellers, those prioritising quiet and nature

• Key facilities: Electric hookups, modern amenities block, motorhome service point

• Book ahead: Fills quickly in summer due to its smaller size; book early for July and August

Top campsites near Bournemouth: Wareham and the Purbecks

Wareham Forest Tourist Park

Wareham Forest Tourist Park is set in a pine forest on the edge of Wareham, around 16 miles west of Bournemouth. This is the furthest site from the town centre in this guide, but the setting more than justifies the extra driving time. The forest surroundings, red squirrels, and the proximity to the Isle of Purbeck make it a genuine draw for those who want landscape as much as convenience.

The park is well-known among Camplify travellers for its combination of natural surroundings and solid facilities. There are fully serviced pitches, a shop, a cafe, and a fishing lake on-site. Hirers who've stayed here rate the pitches highly, particularly the hardstanding options that stay usable in wet conditions. The nearby heathland and Purbeck Hills are excellent for rambling, and Corfe Castle is a short drive away.

This is a touring park that works well for those planning a loop through Dorset rather than a single fixed base. Wareham town is walkable from the site, with riverside pubs and a Saturday market worth timing your stay around. If you're planning a wider south-coast loop, our guide to the 5 best Weymouth campsites pairs naturally with a stay here.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 16 miles from Bournemouth (around 30 minutes via the A35)

• Best for: Nature-focused travellers, couples, families exploring the Purbecks

• Key facilities: Serviced and hardstanding pitches, shop, cafe, fishing lake, dog-friendly

• Book ahead: Peak summer and Corfe Castle event weekends; fishing pitches go especially fast

St Leonards Farm Caravan and Camping Park

St Leonards Farm Caravan and Camping Park is a no-frills, family-run touring park near the village of West Moors, around nine miles north of Bournemouth. The site sits on working farmland, giving it a genuinely rural character that distinguishes it from the more commercial parks in the area. Pitches are level, electric hookups are available throughout, and the facilities block is well-maintained and clean.

Recommended among Camplify hirers looking for an affordable, straightforward base in the Bournemouth area, the park suits those who use their campervan or caravan as a proper home from home. The farmland setting means stargazing on clear nights is genuinely rewarding, and the site is quiet enough that you can hear it. West Moors village has a pub and basic amenities within walking distance.

The park's position makes it a practical gateway to both the New Forest and the Dorset heathland, with Bournemouth town centre reachable in under 25 minutes. For hirers who prefer picking up a vehicle from a local owner and keeping costs sensible, this is a grounded, reliable choice. Those planning a wider touring adventure might also enjoy our guides to the 5 best Brecon Beacons campsites and 5 best campsites on Anglesey for future trips.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approx. 9 miles from Bournemouth (around 22 minutes)

• Best for: Budget-conscious travellers, couples, families wanting a quiet rural base

• Key facilities: Electric hookups, clean amenities block, dog-friendly, farmland setting

• Book ahead: July and August, and bank holiday weekends

Ready to explore Bournemouth and Dorset?

The best campsites near Bournemouth fill up quickly, particularly across the summer months and bank holiday weekends. Pick up a campervan or caravan from a local owner on Camplify and you'll have the freedom to explore Dorset's coast, heathland, and forest at your own pace. Search available vehicles near Bournemouth to find your ideal match for the trip.