Wild camping

Sleeping under the stars is an incredible experience, especially under the dark skies in the Cairngorms.

There are lots of campsites in the National Park where you can enjoy this experience, but you might also choose to wild camp. Wild camping is lightweight and means carrying all your kit in your rucksack (or on your bike, horse or canoe). It’s often is part of a journey or expedition and is done in small numbers for two or three nights in any one place. Wild camping is permitted in the National Park, if you do it responsibly.

• Wild camping at Loch Avon Ewan MacDonald

  

  
• Wild camping at Dulnain River Marcus Risdell

  

  
• Wild camping at Ben Macdui Marcus Risdell

  

  

To wild camp responsibly, we ask that you:

• Only camp in small numbers and don’t stay in the same spot for more than two or three nights to minimise the impact on the land.
• Do not light a campfire, be prepared and take a gas stove. Take extra care with sparks, flames and cigarettes at times of high fire risk.
• Plan ahead and carry a toilet kit (trowel, plastic bags, toilet paper and hand sanitiser). If you need to go to the toilet, go at least 30 metres from lochs, rivers and streams and if you need to poo dig a hole and bury it, and replace the turf. Bag up and take any toilet paper and sanitary items away with you.
• Leave no trace by bringing a litter bag and taking all your litter and food scraps away and remove all traces of your camp pitch.
• Consider your campsite location, keep away from enclosed fields of crops or farm animals and stay away from buildings, roads, and historic structures.
• Be discreet and respectful. The National Park is home to vibrant communities and rare wildlife so make sure your adventured don’t impact on any of the residents of the Cairngorms.
• If it is busy, move on and find a quiet spot for yourself.