Glencoe ranks high among the best tourist destinations in Scotland. With just your wild camping tents, gear and supplies, you will have the opportunity to spend days admiring and taking photos of the stunning scenery, discover the joys of hiking and climbing, and relieve yourself from the worries and pressures of modern living.
Planning a camping adventure in Glencoe can be straightforward as long as you know where the best campsites are. This guide will help you narrow down your choices and select the right camping spot. You will also learn what makes each place memorable and worth the trip. The latter part of this guide will also deal with a few common questions that novices tend to have about exploring Glencoe, Scotland.
The 7 best camping spots near Glencoe
The best places to camp near Glencoe can be found around the area’s most beautiful natural formations and bodies of water. Some can be found on the valley, while others are on the shores of lochs or the forests of Glencoe. We have selected our top seven from all the available options below so that you can easily pick the one that will meet your needs and deliver your expectations.
1) Glencoe Camping and Caravanning Club Site
Located in the heart of Glencoe, this campsite offers comfort and convenience to backpackers and car campers alike. With 100 pitches available for its guests, it’s quick and easy to pick suitable camping spots for wild camping tents, caravans, or motorhomes. Other on-site facilities include a barbecue pit, toilets, showers, laundry room, playground, and a supply shop.
This wild camping spot in Glencoe comprises 40 acres of woodland, so expect stunning views and a relaxing ambience. We like how close it is to various tourist spots in the area. For instance, the Glencoe and North Lorn Folk Museum is a short walk from the campsite. It’s perfect for art lovers and history buffs. Campers who enjoy hiking can also take on the numerous nature trails, including the West Highland Way.
2) Caolasnacon Caravan and Camping Park
This family-run campsite offers magnificent views of the surrounding mountains and Loch Leven. It is only a few miles from Glencoe and beside the village of Kinlochleven. Your choices of accommodation include hardstanding pitches, tent grass pitches, electric pitches, caravan pitches, and lodges.
Caolasnacon is perfect for anglers, in particular. Its location will allow you to go fishing in Loch Leven and the adjacent River Leven. Consider renting a boat from the locals so that you can also have a relaxing time out in the waters while trying to spot the various animals in the area, such as golden eagles, otters, and red deer.
If you run out of supplies, the campsite’s proximity to the Kinlochleven makes it easy to resupply because of the village’s shops and visitor hub.
3) Red Squirrel Campsite
This whimsically named campsite near Glencoe is set on the banks of River Coe. It’s pet-friendly, but the management reminds all guests to observe the wild camping rules and respect indigenous wildlife like red deer, sheep, goats, wild ducks, and foxes. As such, we recommend it for animal lovers who also yearn for picturesque views of the Highlands, rivers, and lochs.
Red Squirrel has pitches suitable for tents, caravans, and motorhomes. It has the basic outdoor facilities, but our favourite is its communal campfire area, where guests are encouraged to roast marshmallows and snack on s’mores. Outside the campsite, you can challenge yourself by taking on the hiking or biking trails to the mountains. You can also head to the Glencoe Visitor Centre to learn more about its history and culture.
4) Lagnaha Farms
If you want to experience camping in a bothy, this family-managed farm has two cosy units equipped with a tiny kitchen, bathroom, and living area. However, if you prefer something more rustic, pack for wild camping and choose a tent pitch on its gentle slopes. You may use the toilet block and showers, but other than that, you’d have to rely on your camping gear and supplies.
Lagnaha Farms can also serve as an excellent base for exploring Glencoe. It is found in the small coastal village of Duror, less than 15 minutes away from the top-rated tourist attractions in the area. We recommend bringing or renting a mountain bike to enjoy the scenery and the numerous biking trails, ranging from easy to challenging.
5) Invercoe Caravan & Camping Park
This holiday park just outside Glencoe is one of the most popular in the area. It is open all year round, but we suggest going there during wintertime. Doing so will give you the chance to engage in exciting snow sports and see the Highlands in a different light. Take note, however, that some hiking trails are not open to visitors during this time of the year since they pose heightened safety risks.
Invercoe has 60 pitches for backpackers and car campers. Travellers who require greater comfort and convenience may book its camping pods or holiday homes as an alternative. Regardless of your choice, you can expect a wonderful time there because of its fantastic setting and proximity to the famous Scottish peaks, lochs, and rivers.
6) Glencoe Mountain Resort
Aside from the picturesque views of the Buachaille Etive More, the best things about Glencoe Mountain Resort in Rannoch Moor are its outdoor recreational facilities. Whether you are a hiker, angler, skier, or snowboarder, you will have various options at your disposal. Our favourite are the gondola ski lifts, which can be equal parts relaxing and exhilarating. This campsite also has a dedicated snowboard park, where you can learn the basics or do some tricks.
Regarding accommodations, you may choose from the resort’s 20 tent pitches, 4 caravan pitches, or 16 micro lodges. There are toilets and showers with hot water. If you’re feeling famished, the resort has an on-site café, but for more diverse options, the restaurants and pubs in Glencoe are only a few minutes away.
7) Achindarroch Touring Park
On the south of Lochaber, beside Glen Duror, you will find this beautiful and peaceful wild camping spot. Achindarroch has enough space for 40 grassy or hardstanding pitches, 37 of which have electrical hook-ups. Guests may use the on-site laundry room, games room, and restaurant. Many also appreciate the dog walking area, where their furry camping companions can run and play with one another.
Aside from Glencoe’s mountains, hills, and valleys, Achindarroch also offers easy reach to other local tourist hotspots, such as Fort William, Cuil Bay, and the Glenfinnan Viaduct. During our stay there, we particularly enjoyed stargazing within the campgrounds. The night sky was so dark that we could trace the famous constellations, and the quiet setting allowed us to unwind and have a restful sleep afterwards.
Make the Most of Your Wild Camping Adventure in Glencoe
Glencoe has a lot to offer to nature lovers and outdoor sports enthusiasts. It’s great that you are interested in discovering and experiencing all that through wild camping. To ensure that you will have a safe and fun time over there, we hope you will take your time planning and preparing well for the trip.
Start by choosing a camping spot near Glencoe. Our suggestions can help you speed up this process, but feel free to explore your other options. Research the conditions and weather in your selected campgrounds. Don’t forget to read the wild camping guidelines in Scotland carefully. Finally, form an activity itinerary and create a list of your camping essentials to pack.
FAQs about Wild Camping in Glencoe
Yes! Wild camping in Scotland is permitted under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, provided you comply with its rules and regulations. Therefore, we encourage first-time campers to read the guide before picking a wild camping spot near Glencoe. Otherwise, you will be putting your entire trip at risk of being disrupted or ruined entirely if caught trespassing or breaking the relevant laws.
Yes, the Lost Valley welcomes everyone who wishes to escape to the Highlands and explore this scenic valley. Note that the wind and rain up there can become too rough for beginners, so double-check the weather forecast before your trip. It’s best to be prepared for everything, especially since you will be camping in a remote area in Glencoe.
