The best campsites and places to camp near Glasgow
Hi and welcome to CampingScotland.com, in this blog post we explore the best areas and campsites near Scotlands largest city, Glasgow.
The first question we need to answer before we start is how far is to far? Well for this post since were looking for campsites near Glasgow were going to go with campsites that are within a 1 hour drive from the city centre.
So where are the best areas to camp that are a maximum 1 hour drive from the city centre? Well you’r a bit spoilt for choice, theres the stunning national park in the north with a mixture of loch side or forestry campsites, the stunning Ayrshire coastline to the west and Stirling to the North East.
If you want to skip right to the map just scroll down where we have centered it on Glasgow and set the zoom at around a 1 hour drive (you can also zoom out if your willing to go further).
Which areas?
Do you go North? South? West? or East? Well that depends on what you are looking for. I won’t go into to much detail on each of the locations but I will give you a summary of what you can expect from each to help narrow down your search.
The North (Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park)
One of two National Parks in Scotland, Loch Lomond and the Trossachs has a great selection of fresh water lochs where you can camp right on the water edge. From watersports, great hill walking and wildlife this is a great place to go for peaceful, stunning scenery. Wild camping within the National Park is restricted in some areas where you are required to book a wild camping pitch via the National Parks website (see link below).
The West (Ayrshire)
If you are looking to camp near some stunning coastal beaches, or love your golf then head west towards Ayrshire. With its coastal towns, swimmable beaches and stunning countryside you will have plenty to see and do.
The South
If your heading South then why not stop off at Peebles or near Dumfries where you will find stunning countryside, great walks and small villages.
The East
To the East you have Stirling, Falkirk, Dunblane and also Edinburgh. Expect large towns, historic sights, rivers and farmland.
The Map
Click on any of the icons on the map to find out more about each campsite.
If you want to narrow your search by applying filters or explore all the campsites in Scotland on a bigger map then head over to our Campsite Finder section.
Best Campsites Near Glasgow - TOP 6
We couldn’t do a post about campsites near Glasgow without mentioning what we believe to be the top 6. These campsites are our personal favourite, click on each to find out more.
Kelburn Campsite
Kelburn Campsite Is located on a historic Kelburn Estate which includes a Castle that dates back to the 13th century painted in a unique and unmistakably way. The campsite sits on the grounds of the castle with a large grass area dedicated to tents, limited number of hard standing pitches for campervans and a selection of bell tents for those looking for a more luxurious camping experience. There are various fire pits scattered through the site and dogs are welcome with all campers except for those staying in a bell tent. There is a toilet and shower block available for campers use and the site opens between March and September each year. The estate offers plenty to keep you busy, with various events, café, small shop, waterfalls (where wild swimming is possible), horse rising centre, woodland walks, adventure park and much, much more. A short walk away you will find the village of Fairlie which has a direct train link to Glasgow. You will also find The Village Inn pub which serves up cold beer and food. Further afield is Largs Yacht Haven which has a bar & restaurant (25min walk) and the town of Largs (1 hr walk along a coastal path) which has a ferry service to Milport of the Isle of Cumbrae (rent a bike and explore the island in a day). With so much to do within the estate and locally this is a great place for families, couples and friends and especially for those traveling on foot.
Hillend Campsite
Small pop-up campsite located in Ayrshire, encircled by tranquil woodlands with a laid-back semi-wild feel. The site caters for small campervans and tents of all sizes where you are free to pitch up anywhere within a spacious open field. The campsite might feel remote and off-grid but the village of Auchinleck is just a 30 minute walk away where you will find a pub, , shops, restaurant and train station. Raised fire pits and BBQ’s are permitted with the owners stating “Our site is all about bringing camping, back to a time, where kids made their own fun and parents could relax. Not forgetting, camping wouldn’t be camping without a fire. Off the ground firepits and BBQ’s are welcomed”.
Glentress Forest Lodges Campsite
Large campsite located next to the world famous 7stanes mountain bike trails at Glentress Forest in the Scottish Borders. The site has a selection of hard standing and grass pitches for both campervans and tens, some with electrical hook up. There are also various glamping pods available to hire on a nightly basis and sleep up to 5 people. The site has a separate female and male toilet and shower block, drying room for wet biking gear and a communal kitchen. Locally you will find the adventure park Go Ape next door along with some of the best mountain biking trails in the country, the Cardrona Golf course is also a short walk away where you will also find a put and restaurant within the Cardrona Hotel. Further afield you will find the Borders Distillery where you can learn about how they create their lowland whisky. Outside of Fort William this is probably one of the best campsites for mountain bikers in the UK so if you are looking for some laid back accommodation conveniently located to some world class trails then look no further.
Blair Drummond Caravan Park
Small family run campsite located within a sheltered walled garden set amidst mature woodland’s just outside the village of Doune. The site has hardstanding and grass pitches for campervans and a small grass area located by the outer walled garden for tents (only 8 tent pitches). This site is perfectly located to explore Stirlingshire with Blair Drummond Safari Park right on its doorstep for those looking for a fun family day out. The village of Doune is around a 45-minute walk or a short drive where you will find the historic Doune Castle, restaurant and Deanston Distillery. The site also has a ship selling essential supplied and a short walk away you will find Blair Drummond Smiddy which has a café, farm shop and takeaway food. There is a toilet, shower block and communal gas BBQ area where you can cook up some delicious burgers purchased from the farm shop. We really like this site due to its closeness to Deanston Distillery, woodland setting, access to farm shop and small sheltered tent area.
Sallochy Campsite (woodland camping)
Sallochy Campsite is situated on the Eastern shores of Loch Lomond and offers stunning views across the loch towards the Arrochar Alps. The small beach is a perfect spot to unwind and enjoy the scenery and the 200 year old oak woodland is a peaceful place to stroll and spot some local wildlife. The campsite has basic facilities to give you a ‘wilder’ camping experience. Composting toilets and drinking water are available but there are no showers on-site. There are 10 loch side pitches and 10 inland pitches, fire pits are available to rent along with firewood. Wild swimming is possible in the loch and there are various local hill walks available.
Loch Chon Campsite
Loch Chon Campsite is located within the Loch Lomond National Park, this loch side campsite is part of the “camping in the forest” sites scattered thought the national park and aim to give you a wild camping experience camping with nature. There are around 20 rubber matted pitches (make sure you bring a good sleeping mat) scattered thought the forest with a washing up area and toilet block. Fires are permitted in fire pits which can be hired from the ranger’s hut where you can also purchase wood. Loch Chon is perfect for wild swimming with additional swimming possible within Loch Ard nearby (there is even an outdoor mini waterpark at Loch Ard during the summer).
