Camping guides
Wild camping Northern Ireland: motorhome & campervan guide
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Wild camping in Northern Ireland is a perfect to access the country glorious scenery, remote hideaways and beautiful coastline, so read our complete guide to make sure you have an amazing Northern Ireland wild camping adventure!
The UK’s smallest country but packed with things to see, and moving around in a motorhome or campervan is the best way to enjoy your free-camping adventure.
Best wild camping spots in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland has heaps of spectacularly scenic locations when considering campervan and motorhome wild camping in the UK. Here are just a few suggestions:
North Antrim coast
home to famously beautiful scenery as well as world-famous destinations like the Giant’s Causeway and the Royal Portrush Golf Club. Look for wild camping places around Portrush, Portstewart, Ballycastle or a little further inland around the Antrim Glens.
The Ards Peninsula
Drive east from the Antrim coast at Ballycastle down to Belfast and then to the Ards Peninsula south of Belfast and Bangor. Recommended spots include around Portavogie, Ireland’s most easterly point, or going west from the peninsula for wild camping around Strangford Lough.
Fermanagh Lakelands
Heading south west, find a remote wild camping spot around Upper and Lower Lough Erne or the River Erne.
Pros and cons of wild camping in Northern Ireland
We thoroughly recommend wild camping in Northern Ireland in a campervan or motorhome, but do be aware of the advantages and disadvantages of arranging your trip here:
Pros
The scenery in much of the country is stunning, making it an awesome place to wild camp.
There are heaps of rural areas, so you’re sure to find a quiet spot pretty easily; you can also find remote areas where there aren’t any campsites/other guests.
Found a place you really love? Park up for the night without having to drive further to a booked campsite.
Whether you’re on a couples’ holiday or part of a group, Northern Ireland is small enough that most activities or sights are accessible without too long a drive.
You can stay overnight legally but with a wild vibe at one of the severalcampsites run by the Northern Ireland Forestry Service – a great way to campervan wild camp in NI.
Cons
As with England and Wales, you can only motorhome wild camp in Northern Ireland if you’ve asked permission from the landowner to park overnight.
Similarly, you can’t/shouldn’t linger in your camping spot the next morning – the wild camping principle is to arrive early and leave late.
You’ll need to hire a self-contained/self-sufficient van, or prepare to stay at a campsite every couple of nights.
Northern Ireland’s summer “marching season” (11 and 12 July, plus the week beforehand in many areas) sees most shops and businesses closed.
Best campsites for campervans and motorhomes in Northern Ireland
Northern Ireland campervan and motorhome campsites are plentiful, including many with a wild camping ethos or atmosphere. Try these for your NI wild camping trip:
Tollymore Forest Park camping, Newcastle : NI Forestry Service campsite in one of the country’s best known forest spaces. The campsite has toilets and showers, fresh water supply, chemical disposal and electric hook-up.
Castlewellan Forest Park camping, Castlewellan: another NI Forestry Service site, this time to the north of the spectacular Mourne Mountains. Amenities include male and female showers, nearby washing and toilet facilities, fresh water supply, a dishwashing room and chemical disposal. Hire mountain bikes, e-bikes and canoes at the nearby Grange Yard.
Castle Ward Caravan Park, Strangford Lough: National Trust campsite with views of Strangford Lough, set in a quiet corner of the Castle Ward estate of Game of Thrones fame. Pitches are suitable for campervans and motorhomes, all with hardstanding and electric and water hook-up.
Maddybenny Farm Campsite, Portrush/Portstewart : family-friendly campsite on the Causeway coast, with hard/gravel pitches, grass pitches, electric hook-up, chemical disposal and ladies’ and gents’ shower blocks/toilets.
Pros and cons of using campsites for campervan and motorhome wild camping in Northern Ireland
Like wild camping itself, there are pros and cons of using campsites on your Northern Irish wild camping trip:
Pros
“Proper” campsites are a great option if this is your first motorhome holiday or your first time campervanning in Northern Ireland.
No need to find a landowner to ask permission to stay overnight – just book your campsite and rock up.
Newbies to campervan and motorhome holidays can meet plenty of fellow travellers to ask for tips and advice.
Hire any type of campervan or motorhome – you don’t have to be self-sufficient or prepare to go off-grid.
Cons
Lack of spontaneity – if you have a campsite booked, you can’t just stop anywhere you like for the night.
You’ll miss out on the most truly remote spots.
Campsites in popular areas can be crowded in high season – not ideal if you want a peaceful and romantic break.
Wild camping in Northern Ireland – what to consider
Laws
Like England and Wales, wild camping isn’t permitted in Northern Ireland unless you’ve obtained permission from the landowner. The exception is in some Northern Ireland Forestry Service sites, as above.
Wild camping without permission is a civil offence, in other words, non-arrestable. However, not moving on when requested to (by a security officer, landowner or police) can be classed as trespass, a criminal offence. Always pack up and move on if asked to!
Tips
Arrive late and leave early – free camping isn’t the time for a long lie-in or a lengthy barbecue.
Park out of sight of main roads and houses; have your van as “hidden” as possible.
Follow the “leave no trace” principle: take away all your litter; be respectful of your environment and its wildlife; and don’t light a fire.
Northern Ireland can get cold even in summer, especially at night, so bring at least one set of warm clothes (hoodie/fleece, leggings/thermals, long-sleeved top, hat and thick socks) on your trip. Bring as much warm bedding as your campervan space allows.
It can rain a lot in N Ireland too! Bring waterproofs.
Northern Ireland is generally a safe country, but do tell someone back home where you’re going to be every night. You can share your proposed location via what3words (don’t leave this until the last minute, as you may have to drive back towards civilisation for a phone signal).
Stock up on food, water and other drinks before arriving at your wild camping location – don’t rely on finding a local shop open late.
Have a look online to find the nearest campsite to your proposed free camping spot; it’s always worth having a backup.
Don’t unpack too much stuff for the night (outdoor table etc) in case you’re asked to move.
What van to choose for wild camping
The campervan or motorhome you pick for your Northern Ireland wild camping trip depends on a number of factors:
Spring/summer trip or autumn/winter? How much storage room has your proposed van for extra cold weather gear and blankets/duvets?
What about meals – do you plan to cook most meals in the van or are you going to eat out most nights? (Remember that a lot of Northern Ireland is rural, so don’t expect shops to be open late everywhere you go, particularly on Sundays.)
Would you like a self-sufficient van for a fully off-grid break, or are you happy staying at campsites some nights? Also consider that a huge motorhome won’t be very discreet if you want to free camp.
Additionally, the van you choose will depend on whether you’re going as part of a couple or as a group of friends:
Couples
Do you want a basic two-berth van, or something more luxurious? Obviously you’ll only need a two-berth van/double berth sleeping space, but consider if you also want a spacious dining/leisure area. You might also want room for outdoor kit like bikes or climbing gear.
Would you like a van with a fixed sleeping space, so you don’t have to spend time packing a bed away each morning? (This might be a consideration if free camping, as you should be packed up and back on the road early.)
What kitchen space and kit do you need?
Group of friends
What’s the minimum size of van you can get for your combined budget? Is there enough living space for anyone not driving or in the passenger seat to relax in during the day.
As above, do you want a van with fixed berths, to avoid packing beds away every morning?
Will there be enough room for everyone’s gear – rucksacks, sports kit, luxury extras…?
Will you all eat out most nights, or will you take turns cooking? One member of the party may have stronger preferences on kitchen space and kit than others.
Dog-friendly van options
One of the best things about campervan/motorhome holidays is being able to bring your dog with you. If you have your own van and are completely free camping, rules and regulations about camping with dogs shouldn’t affect you. But if not, check that any campsite you choose is dog-friendly, and look for a van to hire on Camplify that allows pets – plenty do.
Recap about free camping in Northern Ireland
Wild camping in Northern Ireland is the same as everywhere else: it needs a bit of forward planning, and it’s as important to choose the right spot as it is to choose the right van.
We hope this guide gives you everything you need to know about motorhome and campervan wild camping in Northern Ireland – happy holidays!
If you want to continue reading about wild camping in the UK, consider our specific guides about:
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