Loch Lomond camping
Campsite, permit area or wild camp: which shore, which village, and how to get there
Loch Lomond camping means a campsite (the National Park lists 32), a shore permit area with no facilities (£4.50 a night in 2026, March to September), or wild camping outside the four zones. Pick your shore, then your site.
- Balloch. Touring and motorhome pitches at Lomond Woods; the nearest tent site is Lagganbeg at Gartocharn.
- Luss. One campsite with a tent field in summer and touring pitches most of the year.
- Tarbet. Motorhome bays at the pier and one Stay the Night space at Tarbet Isle.
- Arrochar. Glenloin for vans and Stay the Night spaces at Ardgartan.
- Inversnaid. Camping at the bunkhouse, with its showers and restaurant, reached by road or waterbus.
- Rowardennan. Cashel Campsite for tents, vans and caravans. No bus; a weekend waterbus from Tarbet in summer.
- Balmaha. Milarrochy Bay club site on the shore, and the island campsite on Inchcailloch.
- Drymen. Drymen Camping: tents and pods on the West Highland Way, outside the village.
- Aberfoyle. Cobleland Campsite at Gartmore and the Park’s tent-only Loch Chon site to the west.
- Callander. Keltie Bridge for tents and tourers, Callander Woods for vans, and Loch Achray to the west.
- Permits needed, 1 Mar to 30 Sep
- Mar–Sep
- Permit a night, 2026 (confirm when booking)
- £4.50
- Campsites on the Park’s list
- 32
- Midges typically worst
- Jul–Aug
Our pick by traveller type
Picked on what each site publishes: facilities, price, season and how you get there. Not a star rating.
- Family with a tent and a car Luss Caravan & Camp Site Loch-facing tent pitches, showers, a shop, and Luss village on foot. Milarrochy Bay is the east-shore alternative if you want quiet over a village. Luss’s tent field opens 1 April; confirm the end date when you book.
- Walking the West Highland Way Drymen Camping, Cashel, then Beinglas Book Beinglas first: it keeps nothing back for walk-ins. Drymen is £14 an adult (2026) with hot showers; Cashel has showers and laundry beside the path.
- No car Luss Bus 305 and the Ember E5 coach from Balloch stop in Luss village, beside the site. It beats Drymen Camping, which is 2 km out of Drymen, where bus 309 stops.
- Motorhome or campervan Keltie Bridge for hook-up; Firkin Point or Inveruglas for the loch Keltie Bridge charges £35 for 2 adults and 2 children with hook-up (£38 in July and August), and Callander is a walk away. A permit bay is £4.50 but has no water or waste point.
- Cheap, basic tent pitch Loch Chon or Loch Achray, once 2027 dates are out £11.20 an adult with toilets and water, no showers. Both showed closed in autumn 2026. Until they reopen, the cheapest solo options with facilities are Cobleland’s backpacker or cyclist pitch (£18 for one) and Drymen Camping (£14 an adult in 2026).
- A night on an island Inchcailloch, off Balmaha £11.20 an adult plus the £7.50 campers’ return ferry from Balmaha, which you book with the boatyard. Two nights at most, groups of up to 6, no drinking water. Closed until the 2027 season is published.
- Loch shore, no campsite A permit area, or wild camp outside the zones No pitches, no toilets, no water. The permit booking steps and zone map show which stretches are open.
Check before you go
- The National Park’s own campsites at Loch Chon, Loch Achray and Inchcailloch, and Forestry and Land Scotland’s Sallochy, showed as closed when we checked in October and November 2026. Look for the new season’s dates before you plan around one.
- The permit price on this page (£4.50) is from the Park’s booking page in 2026; older Park pages still show £4.30, so go by the price at booking.
- Coilessan permit area is closed for the season, so check the current zone map when you book a permit.
- Forestry and Land Scotland says fewer car parks take part in Stay the Night over winter.
- The camping byelaws are under review: the Park consulted in summer 2026, and any agreed changes are expected from 1 March 2028. Check the Park’s camping pages each spring.
Campsite, permit area or wild camp?
Book a campsite if you want toilets, water or a shower, or would rather not think about zones. The National Park’s list names 32 campsites in and around the Park and says most are privately owned, so you book with each site. The table below gives every one of them.
Book a permit area if you want the loch shore without a campsite around you. Permit areas are natural stretches of land with no set pitches and no facilities; a permit was £4.50 per tent or motorhome a night in 2026, for up to three nights in one area. Zones, times, booking and cancellation are in our camping permit rules and booking guide.
Wild camp only where the byelaws do not apply. The four camping management zones cover the busy loch shores, under 4% of the Park, from 1 March to 30 September. Outside them, and everywhere from 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, access rights let you camp under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
West shore, east shore or the Trossachs
West for trains and the motorhome permit bays; east for the West Highland Way and tent sites with showers; Trossachs for the Park's basic tent sites and the forest drive permits.
| Area | Tents | Vans | No car | Watch for |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| West shore: Balloch, Luss, Tarbet, Arrochar | Luss tent field in summer. Otherwise Lagganbeg (south) or Beinglas (north). | Luss and Lomond Woods; permit bays at Firkin Point and Inveruglas. | Train to Balloch or Arrochar & Tarbet; bus 305 or Ember E5 to Luss. | No overnight stays in the Luss and Arrochar council car parks. |
| East shore: Drymen, Balmaha, Rowardennan, Inversnaid | Drymen Camping, Milarrochy Bay, Cashel, Inchcailloch, Inversnaid. | Milarrochy Bay and Cashel. No motorhome permit bays. | Bus 309 to Drymen and Balmaha. No bus to Rowardennan. | Sallochy is closed. Cashel’s gate is locked 10pm to 7am. |
| Trossachs: Aberfoyle, Callander, Strathyre | Cobleland, Keltie Bridge, Immervoulin; the Park’s Loch Chon and Loch Achray. | Keltie Bridge, Callander Woods, Cobleland; Forest Drive permits. | Ember E4 to Callander; the Trossachs Explorer to Aberfoyle. | Loch Chon and Loch Achray have no showers and no bins. |
Shower and loch view in one: Luss, Milarrochy Bay and Cashel are the shore campsites whose pages list showers.
Every campsite at a glance, with prices
The 20 campsites on the Park’s list around Loch Lomond and the Trossachs, plus Inversnaid Bunkhouse, west to east, with prices as each site published them. “On booking”: the price shows once you pick dates in the site’s booking system. “Ask”: no price published, so phone. For July and August weekends, book as soon as your dates are fixed: Beinglas keeps nothing back for walk-ins.
| Campsite | Takes | On site | Season | Price | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Lagganbeg Caravan ParkGartocharn, south of Balloch | Tents, vans | Ask | Contact the site | ||
| Lomond Woods Holiday ParkBalloch | Vans, pods | Heated washrooms, laundry, EV charger; dogs | On booking | 01250 878123 | |
| Luss Caravan & Camp SiteLuss, west shore | Tents, vans | Showers, shop, laundry; dogs on leads | Tents from 1 April (confirm the end date when you book); tourers 1 March to 31 January, Christmas gap | On booking | 25% deposit, at least £25; walk-ins only in winter |
| Glenloin HouseArrochar | Vans only | Ask | Contact the site | ||
| Loch Lomond Holiday ParkInveruglas | Vans only | Ask | Contact the site | ||
| Ardlui Holiday ParkArdlui | Holiday homes and pods | No touring pitches on its booking system | Ask | £25 deposit for short breaks | |
| Beinglas CampsiteInverarnan, north end | Tents, vans, huts, bell tents | Showers, shop, laundry, Stagger Inn; dogs | Closed from 12 October; 2027 bookings open | On booking | Book ahead: no pitches kept for walk-ins |
| Drymen Camping2 km from Drymen | Tents, campervans (family pitches), pods | Hot showers, small shop; dogs £1.50 | 14 March to 11 October (2026) | £14 an adult; pods £52 to £120 (2026) | 30% deposit; online until 24 hours before |
| Gartfairn FarmBalmaha | Vans | Ask | Caravan Club certificated site | ||
| Milarrochy BayNear Balmaha, east shore | Tents, vans | Showers, shop, Wi-Fi, dog walk | 22 March to 25 October 2027 | From £10.50 (members’ price) | Through the Camping and Caravanning Club |
| Inchcailloch island (National Park)Off Balmaha | Tents only | Composting toilets, no water; ticks | Closed for winter; 2027 dates not out | £11.20 an adult, £2.20 a child, plus £7.50 campers’ return ferry | Up to 4 weeks ahead; 2 nights, groups of up to 6 |
| Cashel CampsiteRowardennan, east shore | Tents, vans, caravans | Showers, laundry, play area; dogs welcome | On booking | Online or 01360 870 234; gate locked 10pm to 7am | |
| Rowardennan Youth HostelRowardennan | Tents (Park list) | Ask | 01360 870259 | ||
| Inversnaid BunkhouseInversnaid (not on the Park list) | Tents | Bunkhouse showers, restaurant, bar; dogs | Ask | Pay in full; refund with 2 weeks’ notice | |
| Loch Chon (National Park)B829, west of Aberfoyle | Tents only, 26 pitches | Toilets, water, fire bowls; no showers or bins; dogs | Closed for winter; 2027 dates not out | £11.20 an adult, £2.20 a child, £3.30 a car | Up to 4 weeks ahead; 3 nights |
| Cobleland CampsiteGartmore, by Aberfoyle | Tents, vans, safari tents; 126 pitches | Toilet blocks; dogs free | Pitch for 2 £28 (£30 high season); electric £32 (£37); cyclist £18 | Online or 01877 382392 | |
| Trossachs Holiday ParkGartmore, by Aberfoyle | Tents, vans, pods | Ask | 01877 382 614 | ||
| Loch Achray (National Park)West of Callander | Tents only, 17 pitches | Toilets, water; no showers, bins or phone signal; dogs | Closed for winter; 2027 dates not out | £11.20 an adult, £2.20 a child, £3.30 a car | Up to 4 weeks ahead; 3 nights |
| Keltie Bridge Caravan ParkCallander | A few tents (1 to 4 person), tourers | Showers, drying room; dogs on leads | Tents on request; tourer for 2 adults, 2 children £35 (£38 July and August) | Deposit; pay in full 7 days before | |
| Callander Woods Holiday ParkCallander | Vans, pods | Washrooms, laundry, EV charger; pets | Listed as open all year | On booking | 01250 878123 |
| ImmervoulinStrathyre | Tents, tourers | Hook-up, river access; dogs | Ask | Online | |
| Permit area (National Park)33 shore areas | Tents; vans at 3 areas | Nothing: no toilets, water or bins | Permit 1 March to 30 September | £4.50 a night (2026) | Up to 4 weeks ahead; 3 nights |
| Stay the Night (Forestry and Land Scotland)Tarbet Isle, Ardgartan and others | Self-contained vans | Toilets at Ardgartan | Fewer car parks in winter | £10 a night | No booking; one night, pay by RingGo |
Also on the Park’s list but beyond Loch Lomond and the Trossachs: By The Way, Pine Trees and Strathfillan Wigwams (Tyndrum), Glendochart (Crianlarich), Maragowan and Clachan (Killin), Drummond Fisheries and Balquhidder Braes (Lochearnhead), Loch Earn Caravan Park, Loch Katrine at Stronachlachar and its Eco Camp, and Cot House at Kilmun.
Still deciding? Four questions
Tent or van?
Tents have the widest choice, but no tent campsite at Balloch, Tarbet or Arrochar is on the Park’s list: tents go to Luss, Lagganbeg or Beinglas. In a motorhome, the Park’s permits cover Firkin Point, Inveruglas and the Three Lochs Forest Drive only. Its older Q&A page calls these not suitable for caravans and sizes the bays at about 8 m by 2.5 m, so ask before you book a long van. Forestry and Land Scotland’s Stay the Night car parks take self-contained vans for one night, between 6pm and 10am, first come, first served.
Do you need a shower?
Permit areas have nothing. The Park’s own sites at Loch Chon and Loch Achray have toilets and drinking water but no showers, and the island campsite on Inchcailloch has composting toilets and no drinking water. For hot showers, book a private site: Luss, Milarrochy Bay, Cashel, Drymen Camping, Beinglas or Keltie Bridge.
Which dates?
From 1 March to 30 September the zones need a permit or a campsite booking, and permits open up to four weeks ahead. Each campsite sets its own season: Drymen Camping ran from 14 March to 11 October in 2026 and Milarrochy Bay lists 22 March to 25 October 2027. Luss’s information page gives its tent field as 1 April to 30 September, but its booking page shows tents to 31 October, so confirm when you book.
Dog, fire or group?
Dogs are welcome at Cashel, Cobleland, Loch Chon, Loch Achray and Beinglas, and on leads at Luss. Cashel and Beinglas allow no fires or barbecues; Luss allows raised barbecues and mesh-covered fire pits. On permit areas, the Park’s 2024 leaflet says bring your own wood, use a raised fire pit and skip fires in hot, dry weather. Inchcailloch takes groups of up to 6.
Camping by village
Each village page lists its campsites from their own websites, with season, facilities, booking and the permit rules that apply there.
- Balloch Camping near Balloch: Lomond Woods Holiday Park for touring vans and motorhomes; the country park does not allow camping. Price not published: phone 01250 878123.
- Luss Luss campsite and season: one site, with a summer tent field (confirm dates when you book) and touring pitches most of the year. Price on the booking system; deposit 25%, at least £25.
- Tarbet Tarbet motorhome stops: pier bays and a £10 Stay the Night space at Tarbet Isle. Stay the Night at Tarbet Isle £10.
- Arrochar Camping around Arrochar: Glenloin House for vans and Stay the Night at Ardgartan. Stay the Night at Ardgartan £10.
- Drymen Drymen Camping rates and dates: tents and pods on the West Highland Way, 2 km from the village, £14 per adult a night in 2026. £14 an adult a night; pods £52 to £120 (2026).
- Balmaha Milarrochy Bay and Inchcailloch: a club site on the shore and the island campsite reached by ferry. Milarrochy from £10.50 (members); Inchcailloch £11.20 an adult plus £7.50 ferry.
- Rowardennan Cashel and the east shore permits: Cashel takes tents, vans and caravans; Sallochy is closed; no bus. Cashel: price on its booking system or 01360 870 234.
- Inversnaid Inversnaid bunkhouse camping: pitches with use of the bunkhouse showers and restaurant, and Loch Chon on the road in. Price not published: book online with the bunkhouse.
- Aberfoyle Cobleland and Loch Chon: 126 pitches by the River Forth at Gartmore, and the Park’s tent-only site west of the village. Cobleland pitch for 2 from £28; Loch Chon £11.20 an adult.
- Callander Callander tents and tourers: Keltie Bridge, Callander Woods and the Park’s Loch Achray site. Keltie tourer £35 to £38; Loch Achray £11.20 an adult.
Midges, weather and wild camping
Midges and ticks. Midges typically run from late May to early September and peak in July and August, and the Smidge forecast reported a first peak in early to mid June in 2026. They are worst early in the morning and late in the evening on still, overcast, humid days. Ticks are present on Inchcailloch, and Forestry and Land Scotland posts tick warnings around Strathyre and Ben Ledi. Our midge season month by month is on the weather page.
What to pack for a Loch Lomond pitch: a head net and repellent; a groundsheet and a spare dry layer, because lochside pitches flood after heavy rain (see the Loch Achray photo below); water containers for Inchcailloch and the permit areas; a raised fire bowl and your own wood if you plan a fire; a bin bag, since Loch Chon, Loch Achray and the permit areas have no bins; and a tick remover. Pitch on open ground that catches the breeze and sits slightly higher than the shore, and check Loch Lomond weather by month before you pick dates.
Permit areas. The Park’s 2024 leaflet names 33, from Inveruglas, Firkin Point and Lochan Maoil Dhuinne on Loch Lomond to the Three Lochs Forest Drive, Loch Venachar and Loch Earn. The zone map and booking steps show which are open and which take vans.
Wild camping outside the zones. The Access Code asks you to keep to a light tent and small numbers, stay no more than two or three nights in one place, pitch well away from buildings, roads and fields of crops or farm animals, go to the toilet at least 30 metres from lochs and burns, skip fires when the fire risk is high, and take everything away. The Park adds: keep noise down and lights low after 10pm.
Sleeping in a vehicle. The Park’s leaflet says roadside places to stop and rest are not affected by the byelaws, but the council car parks at Luss and Arrochar, and Stirling Council’s car parks, do not allow sleeping overnight. Permit bays have no water or waste points, and nearby toilets cannot take chemical toilet waste.
On foot. If you are walking the West Highland Way, Drymen Camping, Milarrochy Bay, Cashel and Beinglas all sit on the route, and Inversnaid Bunkhouse offers a pick-up from the path most days. Cashel is in Rowardennan, where the Ben Lomond path starts. If a tent is not for you, our guide to hotels, hostels and cabins covers the rest.
Places to camp around Loch Lomond in photos
Questions people ask
Can you camp anywhere in Loch Lomond?
Not in the four camping management zones from 1 March to 30 September: there you need a campsite booking or a permit. Outside the zones, and everywhere from 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, you can wild camp under the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
What are the best campsites around Loch Lomond?
Our picks by need: Luss for a family with a tent (showers, shop, the village on foot); Cashel for the east shore and Ben Lomond; Drymen Camping and Beinglas for the West Highland Way; Keltie Bridge in Callander for a motorhome with hook-up; Loch Chon or Loch Achray for a cheap, basic pitch once their 2027 dates are out.
Which side of Loch Lomond is best for camping?
The west shore if you arrive by train or coach or need a motorhome permit: Luss, Firkin Point and Inveruglas are there. The east shore if you are walking: its campsites sit on the West Highland Way, but there is no bus beyond Balmaha to Rowardennan.
Where can I park my motorhome overnight in Loch Lomond?
On a campsite, on a National Park motorhome permit at Firkin Point, Inveruglas or the Three Lochs Forest Drive (1 March to 30 September), or in a Forestry and Land Scotland Stay the Night car park such as Tarbet Isle or Ardgartan (£10, one night). The council car parks at Luss and Arrochar do not allow overnight stays.
Is wild camping still legal in Scotland?
Yes. Access rights cover lightweight camping in small numbers for two or three nights in one place. In this National Park the seasonal byelaws limit it inside the four zones from 1 March to 30 September.
What happens if you get caught wild camping at Loch Lomond?
Camping in a zone between 1 March and 30 September without a permit or campsite booking breaks the byelaws, and the Park says this can mean a report to the Procurator Fiscal and a fine of up to £500. Outside the zones, responsible camping is allowed.
How do I get a permit to camp in Loch Lomond?
Online on the National Park’s booking site, up to four weeks ahead, or by phone on 01389 722001. Our permits guide covers zones, times and cancellation.
Can you camp at Loch Lomond in winter?
Yes, and no permit is needed from 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027, but many sites close: Drymen Camping’s 2026 season ended on 11 October and Beinglas showed a seasonal closure from 12 October. Luss keeps touring pitches open until 31 January, with a gap at Christmas.
Can you camp at Loch Lomond without a car?
Yes. Luss has bus 305, the Ember E5 and Citylink coaches, bus 309 reaches Drymen and Balmaha, and the Ember E4 stops at Callander. The summer waterbus (roughly May to late September; 2027 times to be confirmed) runs from Tarbet to Rowardennan on Saturdays and Sundays and back on Fridays and Saturdays.
Where can you go glamping at Loch Lomond?
Drymen Camping has pods (£52 to £120 a night in 2026), Cobleland has glamping safari tents, Lomond Woods and Callander Woods list glamping pods, and Beinglas has hiking huts and bell tents. Check prices with each site.