Balmaha campsite: options, dates and permits
The shore campsite, the island campsite and the permit rules
The Balmaha campsite options are Milarrochy Bay Camping and Caravanning Club site, on the shore at Milarrochy Bay, and the National Park's tent-only Inchcailloch campsite on the island, which was closed for the season when we checked on 13 October 2026. Milarrochy Bay lists its dates as 27 March to 26 October 2026 and 22 March to 25 October 2027. Camping on the shore itself needs a permit from 1 March to 30 September.
- Inchcailloch, per adult per night
- £11.20
- Milarrochy Bay opens, 2027 season
- Mar–Oct
- Inchcailloch, longest stay
- 2 nights
- Shore permit, per tent per night
- £4.50
Today: 11°C and showers, sunset 18:22. Book ahead for the club site and the island campsite. Walkers on the West Highland Way pass all season.
Where can you camp near Balmaha?
Mainly at Milarrochy Bay Camping and Caravanning Club site (G63 0AL), on the loch shore with the West Highland Way running past the entrance. It has grass, electric-hook-up and hardstanding pitches, flushing toilets, showers, a shop, Wi-Fi and a designated dog walk. Its page lists dates of 27 March to 26 October 2026 and 22 March to 25 October 2027. It shows "from £10.50" as the members price, and does not say whether non-members can book, so check with the club.
The other option is Inchcailloch Campsite, the National Park's tent-only site on the island nature reserve. It costs £11.20 per adult a night and £2.20 for children aged 5 to 15, for up to 2 nights, booked up to 4 weeks ahead. It has composting toilets and no drinking water, and you reach it by the Balmaha ferry. It showed as closed for the season on 13 October 2026.
Between 1 March and 30 September, camping in the National Park's camping management zones is only possible in a campsite or with a permit, at £4.50 per tent or motorhome per night for up to three nights in one area. East Loch Lomond is one of the four zones, but the byelaw pages name no places, so check the zone map before you pitch on the shore. From 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027 no permit is needed in the zones. A breach can mean a fine of up to £500.
Campsites and camping near Balmaha
What each way of camping near Balmaha involves, from each campsite's own page or the National Park's published rules. Check anything marked as not found before you travel.
| Option | When | What you get | Booking and cost | Map |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Milarrochy Bay Camping and Caravanning Club site | 27 March to 26 October 2026, and 22 March to 25 October 2027, according to the club's page. | Grass pitches with and without electric hook-up, hardstanding pitches and larger-unit pitches. Flushing toilets, showers, a shop, Wi-Fi, a designated dog walk, backpacker facilities and a motorhome service point. Some grass pitches are sloping. Boat launching is allowed. | "From £10.50" is shown as the members price. The page does not say whether non-members can book: ask the club. | Open in maps |
| Inchcailloch Campsite, on the island | Shown as closed for the season when we checked on 13 October 2026. Pitches from 12:30pm, leave by 11am. | Tents only on the nature reserve, with composting toilets and no drinking water (fill containers at the boatyard in Balmaha). About 1 km walk from the North Jetty. A maximum of 12 people a night on the island and groups of no more than 6. Ticks are present. | £11.20 per adult per night, children 5 to 15 £2.20. Up to 2 nights, booked up to 4 weeks ahead. The ferry from Balmaha runs until 5pm and is booked in advance with the boatyard. Inchcailloch island guide has the crossing. | |
| Gartfairn Farm, Balmaha | Not found. Contact the site. | The National Park's list names it under motorhome campsites, as a Caravan Club certificated location. A tourism guide describes a working farm with a small number of caravan and camping pitches. | We found no dates, prices or booking terms, so we give none. | |
| Cashel Campsite, Rowardennan | Not found on the page we read. Contact the site. | Further up the east shore at Rowardennan (G63 0AW), with the West Highland Way passing the entrance. The National Park's list names it for tents and motorhomes. | Book through its online reservation system, or phone 01360 870 234. We found no pitch types or prices. | |
| Camping on the loch shore with a permit | Permit needed 1 March to 30 September. None needed 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027. | £4.50 per tent or motorhome per night for up to three nights in one area. Arrive from 1pm and leave by 11am. There are no facilities, so come prepared. Use a fire bowl or no fire, and bring your own wood. | Through the National Park's booking site, up to four weeks ahead. The guide to how permits work around the loch has the full process. |
Rates are those the sources show. We give no prices for sites whose own pages did not show them.
How to camp near Balmaha
Choose your kind of night
A pitch with showers at Milarrochy Bay, a tent on the island, or a permit pitch on the shore. Each is booked differently, so decide first.
Check the season and book
Milarrochy Bay lists 22 March to 25 October for 2027. Inchcailloch pitches and shore permits can be booked up to 4 weeks ahead. The National Park's booking line is 01389 722001.
Plan the crossing for the island
The ferry from Balmaha runs until 5pm and is booked in advance with the boatyard. Baggage space is limited, so pack light. The island has no parking.
Park or arrive by bus
Inchcailloch has no parking, and sleeping overnight in a vehicle is not allowed in the council car park. Car park charges in Balmaha has the charges and rules.
Eat, shop and walk
Eating out in Balmaha covers what we can confirm. Conic Hill is the walk everyone does from the village.
Check before you go
- Inchcailloch was shown as closed for the season on 13 October 2026. Check the National Park page for next season's opening.
- Milarrochy Bay shows only a members price. Ask whether non-members can book before you plan around it.
- Gartfairn Farm and Cashel Campsite pages gave us no dates or prices, so contact them.
- The byelaw pages name no places for each camping zone and refer to a map. Check the zone map before you pitch anywhere that is not a campsite.
- Ticks are present on Inchcailloch because of the deer: stay on paths and wear long trousers.
- Dogs: Milarrochy Bay has a designated dog walk and welcomes pets. We found no dog rules for Inchcailloch, so ask first.
Camping elsewhere on the loch
If Balmaha is full or not the right base, these are the next camping pages.
- DrymenPitches and pods on the West Highland Way. Camping at Drymen covers the season, the rates and the permit rules.
- LussOn the west shore. Luss camping has the options there.
Eating, weather and a roof
Back to the village: The village of Balmaha covers the harbour, the hill and the ferry.
A tent is only as good as the forecast. Weather and daylight by month shows which months suit camping.
Questions people ask
Is there a campsite in Balmaha?
Mainly Milarrochy Bay Camping and Caravanning Club site (G63 0AL), on the shore, and the National Park's tent-only Inchcailloch Campsite on the island. Gartfairn Farm is also listed.
When does Milarrochy Bay campsite open?
Its page lists 27 March to 26 October 2026 and 22 March to 25 October 2027.
How much does Milarrochy Bay cost?
The page shows "from £10.50" as the members price. It does not say whether non-members can book, so ask the club.
Can you camp on Inchcailloch?
Yes, at the National Park's tent-only campsite: £11.20 per adult a night, up to 2 nights, booked up to 4 weeks ahead. It was shown as closed for the season on 13 October 2026.
Do I need a permit to camp near Balmaha?
Not at a campsite. On the loch shore inside a camping management zone you need a permit from 1 March to 30 September, at £4.50 per tent per night for up to three nights.
Can I wild camp near Balmaha?
Between 1 March and 30 September, camping in the zones is only possible in a campsite or with a permit. Check the zone map, and follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code elsewhere.
Are dogs allowed at Milarrochy Bay?
The club's page says pets are welcome and lists a designated dog walk.
Can I sleep in my vehicle in Balmaha car park?
No. A motorhome may use one bay, but sleeping overnight in a motorhome in a council car park is not allowed.
How do I get to the Inchcailloch campsite?
By the ferry from Balmaha, booked in advance with the boatyard and running until 5pm, or by the Luss waterbus from March to October. It is about a 1 km walk from the North Jetty to the campsite.