Best campsites in the Lake District: 8 top picks

The best campsites in the Lake District span everything from wild lakeside pitches to well-serviced caravan parks with electric hook-up and on-site facilities. This guide covers 8 top campsites in the Lake District, arranged by area, to help you find the right base for hillwalking, family camping, or a quieter off-grid escape in Cumbria.

Browse campervans and caravans for hire in the Lake District if you already know your dates.

The Lake District is roughly 20 minutes south of Penrith by road, making it one of the most accessible National Parks in England. From Manchester, you're looking at around two hours on the M6. Camplify trip data shows the most popular trips here run four to seven nights, with families and couples making up the bulk of bookings across spring and summer. If you're planning a London to Lake District road trip, the journey is very manageable in a campervan and gives you flexibility that no hotel can match.

Picking up a campervan or caravan from a local owner keeps things simple. Owners across Cumbria and the surrounding areas list their vehicles on Camplify, so you can collect close to your first campsite rather than driving cross-country before you've even arrived. Our guide to the Lake District National Park is worth a read before you finalise your itinerary.

Camping in the Lake District: Keswick and the northern fells

Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park

Castlerigg Hall Caravan and Camping Park sits on high ground above Keswick, with views across to Blencathra and the surrounding fells that make it one of the most photographed campsite settings in the country. The elevation gives it a feeling of openness that lower valley sites simply cannot match.

Popular among Camplify travellers, Castlerigg Hall is consistently the top-rated Lake District campsite across feedback from the community. Hirers who've stayed here rate the pitches highly for their layout and the views, and owners in the area often point arriving guests in this direction as a first-night base before exploring further south. The site is well-maintained, with electric hook-up points available and a motorhome service point on site.

Keswick town centre is a short drive or a brisk walk downhill, which matters when you want access to good pubs and outdoor kit shops without committing the whole day to a car journey. Bank holiday weekends fill up fast here, so advance booking is essential. See also: best motorhome campsites in stunning Lake District for a broader view of motorhome-specific options in the region.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 20 minutes from Penrith; around 2 hours from Manchester

• Best for: Couples, fellwalkers, motorhome owners seeking views and easy town access

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, motorhome service point, shower and toilet blocks, on-site shop

• Book ahead: Bank holidays, school summer holidays, and any weekend from late May onwards

Low Wray Campsite (National Trust)

Low Wray Campsite (National Trust) occupies a quiet stretch of the western shore of Windermere, sheltered by mature woodland and well away from the busier tourist spots on the lake's eastern side. It is a proper off-grid camping experience in the sense that facilities are deliberately simple, which is exactly what draws many people to it.

The National Trust runs the site with a light touch, keeping the landscape as the main attraction. There are hardstanding pitches for campervans alongside grass pitches for tents and tourers, and the site is dog friendly. Hirers who've stayed here rate the lakeside atmosphere and the sense of calm that comes from a site that doesn't try to compete with the scenery.

Canoes and paddleboards can be launched directly from the shore. The Wray Castle walk is nearby, and the village of Hawkshead is a short drive away for provisions. This is a site that works particularly well for those who want a more romantic Lake District getaway rather than a family activity hub, though families come here too and tend to love it.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Around 30 minutes from Penrith; just over 2 hours from Manchester

• Best for: Couples, dog owners, paddlers, anyone wanting a quieter lakeside experience

• Key facilities: Hardstanding and grass pitches, dog friendly, direct lake access, basic shower facilities

• Book ahead: Spring bank holiday and July through August; the site is often fully booked weeks in advance

Ambleside and the Langdale valley campsites

Skelwith Fold Caravan Park

Skelwith Fold Caravan Park sits in wooded grounds between Ambleside and Coniston, spread across a generous site that gives pitches a degree of privacy unusual for such a well-equipped park. The surrounding woodland is a genuine feature rather than a backdrop, with footpaths running directly from the site into the hills.

A favourite spot for Camplify hirers returning year after year, Skelwith Fold is particularly strong for families. The facilities are comprehensive: electric hook-up throughout, a well-stocked shop, a games room, and a children's play area. The site is pet friendly and handles larger campervans and motorhomes well. Owners in the area suggest arriving mid-week if you want a quieter pitch, as weekends here are consistently busy throughout the season.

Ambleside is close enough for an evening walk in, and the Langdale valley is accessible without a long drive. For families planning a Lake District trip, this site pairs well with the broader advice in our Lake District family holidays guide.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 35 minutes from Penrith; around 2 hours 10 minutes from Manchester

• Best for: Families, those wanting full facilities in a scenic woodland setting

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, shop, play area, games room, pet friendly, hardstanding pitches

• Book ahead: School holidays, bank holidays, and most summer weekends from June

Great Langdale Campsite (National Trust)

Great Langdale Campsite (National Trust) is positioned at the head of the Langdale valley with the Langdale Pikes rising directly above. For anyone who wants to wake up and be on a serious hillwalk within minutes of leaving their pitch, this is one of the best campsites in the Lake District for that purpose.

The site handles campervans, motorhomes, and tents across a mix of grass and hardstanding pitches. It is well-rated by the Camplify community, particularly among those who prioritise access to the fells over resort-style facilities. The Old Dungeon Ghyll pub is a short walk away, which adds considerably to the site's appeal after a long day's rambling.

Facilities are solid rather than extensive: good shower blocks, electric hook-up on some pitches, and a motorhome service point. The valley road is single-track in places, so drivers of larger vehicles should check the site's own guidance before arrival. Demand peaks around bank holidays and the school summer holidays, when the valley can feel considerably busier.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Around 45 minutes from Penrith; approximately 2 hours 20 minutes from Manchester

• Best for: Hillwalkers, serious fell enthusiasts, those who want immediate trail access from their pitch

• Key facilities: Hardstanding and grass pitches, electric hook-up (selected pitches), motorhome service point, showers

• Book ahead: Bank holidays and all of July and August; very high demand throughout the season

South Lake District campsites near Windermere and Ullswater

Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Estate

Park Cliffe Camping and Caravan Estate occupies elevated ground above the southern end of Windermere, with pitches that look across the lake and towards the Coniston fells beyond. Views from the upper terraces of this site are among the finest at any campsite in the region.

The site is well-regarded across Camplify's community of owners and hirers, with particular praise for the quality of its facilities and the range of pitch types available. Hardstanding pitches, fully serviced options, and electric hook-up are all on offer. There is a small shop, a laundry, and play areas for children, making it one of the more rounded family camping options in the area. The Stott Park Bobbin Mill heritage site is nearby, and Haverthwaite Steam Railway is close enough for a half-day excursion.

The lake itself can be reached by a footpath from the park, and the village of Bowness-on-Windermere is accessible by road for boat hire and the wider tourist offer. For those picking up a campervan from a local Camplify owner, the south Lakes area has good pickup options that make this site easy to reach.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 50 minutes from Penrith; around 1 hour 45 minutes from Manchester

• Best for: Families, couples wanting lake views, those with larger motorhomes requiring serviced pitches

• Key facilities: Hardstanding, electric hook-up, fully serviced pitches, shop, laundry, children's play areas

• Book ahead: School holidays and bank holidays; summer weekends book out quickly

Hillcroft Park

Hillcroft Park sits on the edge of Pooley Bridge at the northern end of Ullswater, giving it a position slightly apart from the main Windermere tourist cluster that many visitors actively prefer. Ullswater is one of the quieter major lakes, and Pooley Bridge is a pleasant village base with a good pub, a farm shop, and direct access to the Ullswater Steamer service.

Recommended by owners in the area for its relaxed atmosphere and well-kept grounds, Hillcroft Park offers electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, and good shower facilities. It is a pet friendly site, and the footpaths around Ullswater are accessible directly from the village. Hirers heading to the northern Lakes often choose this site for its combination of convenience and the slightly less crowded feel compared to the central Windermere area.

The Ullswater Way long-distance route passes nearby, and the drive up to Kirkstone Pass is within easy reach for those who want a scenic road trip day from their pitch.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Around 25 minutes from Penrith; approximately 1 hour 50 minutes from Manchester

• Best for: Those exploring Ullswater, dog owners, anyone wanting to avoid the busier southern Lakes

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, showers, pet friendly

• Book ahead: Summer weekends and the school holiday period from late July

Windermere and Patterdale: top campsites in the Lake District's eastern valleys

Windermere Camping and Caravanning Club Site

Windermere Camping and Caravanning Club Site is positioned near Troutbeck Bridge on the northern approach to Windermere, giving it reasonable access both to Ambleside and to the lake itself without being in the thick of the busiest tourist areas. It is a well-run site with the reliable standards that Camping and Caravanning Club members have come to expect.

Electric hook-up is available across the site, and facilities include good shower and toilet blocks along with a motorhome service point. The site suits both club members and non-members, though members benefit from reduced rates. Camplify travellers heading here for the first time often combine it with a day on the lake and an evening in Ambleside, which is around 10 minutes by road.

The site works well as a base for family camping in the Lake District given its central position and the range of activities accessible from Windermere. Hardstanding pitches are available for motorhomes and larger campervans.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Around 30 minutes from Penrith; approximately 1 hour 55 minutes from Manchester

• Best for: Club members, families, those wanting a reliable well-managed site near Windermere

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches, motorhome service point, showers

• Book ahead: Bank holidays, July and August, and school half-terms throughout the year

Sykeside Camping Park and Brotherswater Inn

Sykeside Camping Park and Brotherswater Inn occupies the floor of the Patterdale valley beside Brothers Water, with Hartsop fell rising sharply to the east and the Kirkstone Pass road above. The setting is about as dramatic as a campsite in England gets, and it attracts a loyal following among those who want to walk straight onto the high fells without driving to a trailhead.

The Brotherswater Inn is on site, which is a significant practical and social advantage. After a long day on the Fairfield Horseshoe or High Street ridge, having a pub within walking distance of your pitch is not a small thing. The Camplify community knows this site well, and feedback consistently highlights the combination of accessible hillwalking and the pub as what sets it apart from other campsites in the Lake District.

Facilities are practical rather than resort-style: hook-up is available, showers are on site, and the setting does the heavy lifting. It is a particularly good pick for Peak District family campsites comparisons if you're weighing up fell country options, though Patterdale arguably has the edge for dramatic scenery. Dogs are welcome, and the valley walks suit all abilities.

Quick facts:

• Distance: Approximately 30 minutes from Penrith; around 2 hours 10 minutes from Manchester

• Best for: Hillwalkers, pub fans, anyone wanting a dramatic valley setting with immediate fell access

• Key facilities: Electric hook-up, showers, on-site pub and food, dog friendly

• Book ahead: Summer weekends fill fast; bank holiday periods are particularly busy in this valley

More camping destinations nearby

The Lake District sits within easy reach of other outstanding camping regions across England, and many Camplify travellers extend their trips or plan separate visits to these destinations.

• Best campsites in England – a broader look at the top camping destinations across the country for planning multi-stop itineraries.

• Best campsites in Cornwall – Atlantic coast sites with dramatic cliff-top positions and long sandy beaches.

• Best campsites in Devon – countryside and coastal options spanning Dartmoor and the South Devon coast.

• Best campsites in Dorset – Jurassic Coast views and chalk downland sites across one of England's most scenic counties.

• Best campsites in Somerset – Exmoor, the Mendips, and the Somerset Levels offer a surprisingly varied camping landscape.

• Best campsites in the New Forest – ancient woodland sites with roaming ponies and easy access to the Hampshire coast.

• Best campsites on the Isle of Wight – a compact island with a surprising range of campsite types and reliable sunshine records.

Ready to book your Lake District trip?

The best campsites in the Lake District fill up quickly, particularly over bank holidays and school holidays. Browse available campervans and caravans on Camplify and pick up from a local owner close to your chosen site. The earlier you book, the more choice you'll have.