Destinations
11 best NC500 campsites for motorhomes
)
It’s hailed as one of the most beautiful road trips in the world and nicknamed “the UK’s Route 66”. Scotland’s stunning North Coast 500/NC500 is perfect for motorhome trips, taking in some of the most spectacular scenery in the country. Make your trip even more amazing by knowing the best places to spend the night with our top 10 NC500 campsites for motorhomes. We’ve listed them in geographical order from the start of the route – staying at these campervan and motorhome parks will ensure you hit the highlights!
11 Best NC500 campsites for motorhomes
1. Ardtower Caravan Park
Culloden Road, Inverness, IV2 5AA
Price per night: from £30
Starting off your NC500 motorhome trip, Ardtower Caravan Park is in a scenic highland setting close to the world-famous Culloden battlefield. As it’s between Culloden and Inverness (the start of the NC500), it’s a great stopover for your first night – or why not stay on for another day and visit the award-winning visitor centre at Culloden Battlefield? The caravan and camping park is award winning too, with spotless bathrooms, pitches with electric hook-up, and many more modern comforts.
Campsite features:
Award-winning caravan and motorhome park between Inverness (2.5 miles) and Culloden Battlefield (2.5 miles)
Stunning views of Moray and Beauly firths, Bonnie Black Isle and the mountains and hills beyond
Choice of standard or serviced pitches, all with electric hook-up and suitable for larger motorhomes
Café serving breakfast and evening pizza: sit in or take away
2. Dornoch Camping and Caravan Park
The Links, Dornoch, Sutherland-shire IV25 3LX
Price per night: from £27
NC500 campsites for motorhomes next to award-winning beaches will be a hit with all types of traveller, and this is one of the best on the route. Dornoch Caravan and Camping Park, a five-minute walk from the small town of Dornoch, is right by award-winning Dornoch Beach, a golden expanse of sand stretching for miles on Dornoch Firth. Site facilities should be a hit too: there’s a shop, motorhome service point and much more.
The park is 20 minutes’ drive from another North Coast 500 highlight, Dunrobin Castle – but no need for a day trip, as you’ll pass the castle on the next leg of the route.
Campsite features:
Award-winning family-run campsite by a beautiful beach, next to a championship golf course
120 pitches spread over 25 acres
Putting green, play area and games room
Showers, launderette and hook-ups all available
3. John O'Groats Caravan and Camping Site
County Road, John o' Groats KW1 4YR, UK Price per night: £12 per adult; pitches from £20.50
John O'Groats Caravan and Camping Site is a good choice for those looking for a comfortable and convenient vacation destination on the Caithness coast. The campground offers a wide range of accommodation options and amenities, as well as easy access to a number of attractions and activities.
Take the opportunity to explore the iconic John O'Groats harbor, tour Castle Mey or visit Dunnet Bay. Other local attractions include the Orkney Islands, John O'Groats Beach and Duncansby Head Nature Reserve.
Campsite Features:
Rental of camping pitches, touring pitches, glamping pods and static caravans.
On-site facilities such as shop, laundry and showers.
Children's play area and games room.
Close to a variety of attractions and activities including John O'Groats Harbour, Dunnet Bay, Castle Mey and Orkney Islands
[Book now](https://www.johnogroatscampsite.co.uk/# contact)
4. Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Site
Dunnet, Thurso, Highlands KW14 8XD
Price per night: £9.50 per adult; pitches from £11
As our first two picks showed, NC500 campsites for motorhomes have a high chance of being near a famous attraction. Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Club Site is no exception, set just half a mile away from beautiful Dunnet Beach.
World-famous John O’Groats and ferries to Orkney are 11.5 miles away. The campsite is also close to the town of Thurso (8 miles), where there are plenty of places to eat, drink and shop. Or stock up on supplies and bring them back to the site, as the park allows barbecues.
Campsite features:
The most northerly Caravan and Motorhome Club site in Britain
Five miles from the country’s most northerly point, Dunnet Head
Dog friendly; dog walk straight from the site
Showers, disabled-access facilities, launderette, motorhome service point and gas sales
5. Sango Sands Oasis
Sango Bay, Durness, Sutherland IV27 4PZ
Price per night: £10 per adult
Camping on the cliff tops above award-winning beaches is the order of the day at Sango Sands Oasis Camping and Caravan Site, on the north west tip of Scotland halfway along the NC500 route. It’s only a mile from yet another famous attraction – Smoo Cave – as well as the craft village and eateries of Durness village. On-site facilities include electric hook-up and a breakfast bar.
Campsite features:
Cliff top camping with breathtaking sea views: look out for whales, seals and dolphins
Under four miles from Ceannabeinne Beach and the Golden Eagle zipline
New modern toilet and shower block, waste disposal and laundry facilities
Breakfast bar serving coffee and hot food; evening bar open daily in summer
Book now ****
[NB: Booking is not required if you don’t need electric hook-up.]
6. Clachtoll Beach Campsite
134 Clachtoll, Lochinver, Sutherland IV27 4JD
Price per night: from £19 (one adult)
Just over halfway along the NC500 route, settle down at another of the scenic NC500 motorhome campsites by a beach at Clachtoll Beach Campsite, five miles from Lochinver. This friendly and eco-friendly campsite is directly on the NC500 route and just 100 metres from stunning Clachtoll Beach and the imposing Split Rock.
Facilities include new toilet and shower facilities, a laundry with free detergent, and serviced pitches, most with sea views. This is the NC500 motorhome campsite to bring four-legged friends to: the owners stress that they’re “very, very dog friendly”.
Campsite features:
Award-winning family- and pet-friendly family-run campsite a minute’s stroll from the beach
Wide range of facilities including disabled-access and family bathroom with free nappies and wipes; freezer and fridge facilities and secure media charging lockers
Undercover barbecue area with seating: open fire most nights
Shop selling fresh eggs, homemade cakes and local tartan products
Book now
7. Broomfield Holiday Park
Price per night: £17 (one adult); from £22 (two adults); under-16s free
Any list of the top NC500 campsites for motorhomes should include Ullapool, the village on the west coast that’s a gateway to many of the Scottish islands. Our top pick for Ullapool motorhome campsites is Broomfield Holiday Park, for its extremely convenient location a five-minute walk from Ullapool seafront and just 0.2 miles from the ferry terminal. Things are pretty spectacular on site too, with plenty of well-kept amenities and a lochshore setting over 12 acres.
Campsite features:
On the shores of Loch Broom very close to Ullapool village
Family run for over 60 years
Ideal base for island ferries: the Stornoway ferry passes the site
Set on 12 acres of level grass overlooking the Summer Isles and Loch Broom
8. Sands Caravan and Camping
Price per night: £18 (one adult); £24 (two adults)
Also on the west coast, Sands Caravan and Camping provides seaside camping in a beautiful setting. With views towards the Isle of Skye and the Outer Hebrides, this spacious and excellently-equipped campsite is a perfect place to park up on a NC500 trip.
Even better, it’s all part of the Sands estate, where loch and river fishing is included in your pitch price. Barbecues and campfires are allowed; stock up on food and supplies in Gairloch three miles away.
Campsite features:
Dog-friendly beachside camping over 55 acres: pitch in the raised area for stunning views, or park up among the sand dunes
Play area, dog walking area, café and shop
Bike and kayak hire: launching slip on site
Covered indoor cooking and dining area
9. Inverewe Gardens Poolewe Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Poolewe, Achnasheen, Highlands IV22 2LF
Price per night: from £15.50
NC500 campsites for motorhomes come in the garden variety too! Inverewe Gardens Poolewe is a Camping and Caravanning Club site surrounded by more than 2,000 acres of conservation estate – the tropical Inverewe Gardens. It’s on a peninsula at the edge of Loch Ewe, with glorious views over the loch and plenty of walks all around. Poolewe village is an easy amble from the site at just under half a mile.
Campsite features:
Club site surrounded by a 19th-century tropical gardens estate
Within 10 minutes’ walk of local village, supermarket, bakery, café, hotel restaurant and safari tours
Pitches on hardstanding or grass, with or without electric hook-up
Showers, laundry, dishwashing area, gas sales and dedicated accessible facilities
[Book now](https://www.campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk/campsites/uk/highlands/achnasheen/inverewe-gardens-poolewe-camping-and-caravanning-club-site/# Book)
10. Reraig Caravan and Camping
Balmacara, Kyle of Lochalsh IV40 8DH
Price per night: from £15
If you want to visit the Isle of Skye while on the North Coast 500 route, consider making Reraig Caravan and Camping a mainland base. And even if not, this is a gorgeous setting to park up for a night or two, on the shores of Loch Alsh only five minutes’ drive from Eilean Donan Castle.
“Meticulously maintained” and “One of the most beautiful and well maintained sites we have stayed on throughout Europe” are among the many 10/10 reviews for this peaceful site, a perfect pitstop as you reach the final leg of the NC500.
Campsite features:
Peaceful campsite five minutes’ drive from Kyle of Lochalsh
100 metres from a shop and with a hotel restaurant and pub next door
Men’s and women’s showers/toilets, plus washing-up sinks, grey water disposal and fresh water filling area
Barbecues allowed
11. Bunchrew Caravan Park
A867, Bunchrew, Inverness, Highlands IV3 8TD
Price per night: from £25
Another of the NC500 campsites for motorhomes near Inverness, Bunchrew Caravan Park is the final stop on your trip. Stop here for a lazy few days of winding down and sightseeing: Inverness is just three miles away and the caravan park is by a beach on the southern shore of the Beauly Firth.
Views are wonderful over the water to Ben Wyvis and the hills beyond, and there are lovely walks close by for the whole family (and dog). The plentiful facilities include a play area and gas sales.
Campsite features:
Waterside campsite surrounded by parkland, 20 minutes’ drive from Loch Ness
Bike hire and tourist information available on site
Well-stocked shop and seasonal catering van for breakfast, evening meals and packed lunches
Dishwashing area, chemical disposal point and shower block with hairdryer points
Can I wild camp in a motorhome on the NC500?
No, we don’t recommend it. While wild camping in Scotland is allowed in almost all the country under the terms of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code (this technically refers to tent/backpacking camping, but motorhome wild camping is generally tolerated), the NC500 has become so popular that some visitors don’t follow the best practices. As some campers don’t stick to respectful, ‘leave no trace’ guidelines, many local residents are pushing back against motorhome wild camping on the route.
Even if you always camp responsibly, please use a designated motorhome campsite, or a campsite allowing the use of waste disposal facilities to non-guests, when travelling the NC500.
Hire a motorhome for your NC500 camping trip
Wherever you set off from, organising your NC500 motorhome trip is easy with Camplify. We have a huge range ofmotorhome hire in Scotland listings to browse through, with vans available to suit all types of trips and budgets.
Starting from England? Check out our expert guide to the ultimateEngland to Scotland road trip, leaving from London and taking in Inverness where you can detour onto the NC500.
The North Coast 500 route is packed with stunning sights and we’ve had to leave out a few when compiling our top 10 NC500 campsites for motorhomes! Have a look at ourNC500 road trip guide for more ideas on what to see on the route.
Why Camplify?
We are proud to be the UK’s fastest-growing campervan, motorhome and caravan sharing community. You'll find plenty of vans for hire near you, plus you get lots of advantages:
Comprehensive hire insurance
24/7 RAC nationwide breakdown cover
Dedicated customer support
All members are verified
By hiring at Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across the UK in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.
Sign up if you want to join our beloved community of van life lovers and receive our most recent news and offers.