Loch Lomond camping and motorhome permits
Zones, season, booking and what happens without a permit
You need a permit to camp in the four National Park camping management zones from 1 March to 30 September. Book it online on the National Park’s booking site, up to four weeks ahead. From 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027 no permit is needed.
- Permit season
- Mar–Sep
- Max stay
- 3 nights
- Book up to
- 4 weeks
- Fine up to
- £500
Do you need a permit?
Yes, if you camp in a management zone between 1 March and 30 September. The four zones are West Loch Lomond, East Loch Lomond, Trossachs West and Trossachs North, and together they cover under 4% of the National Park.
The price is shown when you book. Older pages quote different figures that conflict, so we do not repeat any of them: read the current price on the booking page.
Tents and motorhomes work differently. A tent permit lets you arrive from 1pm and leave by 11am. A motorhome permit is valid from 7pm to 10am, covers set locations only (Firkin Point, Inveruglas and the Three Lochs Forest Drive) and does not allow caravans. An official campsite takes its own booking, so read that site’s terms.
Your options and limits
What each way of staying involves, from the National Park’s published rules. Confirm anything marked “check” when you book.
| Option | When | Limits | Booking |
|---|---|---|---|
| Tent in a zone | 1 March to 30 September. | Up to 3 nights in one area. Arrive from 1pm, leave by 11am. | Online on the National Park’s booking site, up to 4 weeks ahead. |
| Motorhome in a zone | Same season. Permit valid 7pm to 10am. | Bays about 8 m by 2.5 m. No caravans. Firkin Point, Inveruglas or the Three Lochs Forest Drive only. | As for tents. The location page we used looks dated, so check. |
| Inchcailloch island campsite | Check the booking terms. | A small, basic campsite. Permit needed, up to 2 nights, party of up to 6. | Campers’ ferry fare is £7.50 for an adult return, from Balmaha Boatyard (Macfarlane and Son), cash or contactless. |
| Official campsite pitch | Check the site. | Pitch prices listed at £11.20 per adult and £2.20 per child (aged 5 to 15). The page is a legacy one, so confirm. | With the campsite. |
| Camping in winter | 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027. | No permit needed in the zones. | None. |
How to book a permit
Pick your zone and dates
Match the village to a zone on the National Park’s zone map. Our map of all places helps you find the village first.
Book online
Permits are booked online through the National Park’s booking site (campmanager), up to 4 weeks ahead. By phone it is 01389 722001, and by email campingbookings@lochlomond-trossachs.org.
Arrive and leave on time
Tents can arrive from 1pm and must leave by 11am. A motorhome permit runs from 7pm to 10am.
Stay within the limit
The limit is 3 nights in one area.
If your plans change
You can cancel up to one week before arrival. There is no refund for bookings under £9.
Check on the day
- We do not quote a permit price because older sources disagree. Read it on the booking page.
- The motorhome locations and bay size come from an older National Park question-and-answer page. Confirm them when you book.
- The Inchcailloch limits come from the 2023 campsite terms. Check before you book the ferry.
- The campsite pitch prices come from a legacy page. Confirm them with the site.
- We have not verified the rules on fires and toilets in the zones. Read the National Park’s camping rules before you go.
Camping by village
Each village page covers its own pitches, the permit that applies and the walking or boat links nearby.
- LussLuss campsites: pitches and the permit for the area.
- DrymenDrymen pitches and permits: pitches and the permit for the area.
- CallanderCamping near Callander: pitches and the permit for the area.
- RowardennanRowardennan campsites: pitches and the permit for the area.
- BalmahaBalmaha pitches and permits: pitches and the permit for the area.
- AberfoyleAberfoyle campsites: pitches and the permit for the area.
- ArrocharWhere to camp around Arrochar: pitches and the permit for the area.
- BallochCamping near Balloch: pitches and the permit for the area.
- InversnaidWhere to camp around Inversnaid: pitches and the permit for the area.
- TarbetTarbet pitches and permits: pitches and the permit for the area.
Without a permit, and elsewhere
Camping in a zone in season without a permit can get you reported to the Procurator Fiscal and a fine of up to £500.
Outside the four zones the permit system does not apply, but responsible-camping rules still do. Check the National Park’s guidance before you pitch, and read its fishing page separately if you plan to fish.
Camping for Ben Lomond usually starts on the east shore: the Ben Lomond walk covers the hill and on to Rowardennan the village. We have not verified the zone boundaries there, so check the official map. Inversnaid and what to do there covers the upper loch, and how to walk the West Highland Way is the long-distance route to plan camping around.
Planning dates? Month-by-month weather shows which months suit tents. If a tent is not for you, accommodation around the loch lists the alternatives. For the island campsite, what to expect at Inchcailloch has the day-trip detail. We explain how we check these rules on how we check facts.
Questions people ask
Do I need a permit to camp at Loch Lomond?
Yes, if you camp in one of the four management zones from 1 March to 30 September. From 1 October 2026 to 28 February 2027 no permit is needed in the zones.
How much is a Loch Lomond camping permit?
The booking page shows the current price. Older pages disagree, so we do not quote one here.
What happens if you get caught wild camping at Loch Lomond?
In a zone in season, without a permit, you can be reported to the Procurator Fiscal and fined up to £500.
Where can I camp near Ben Lomond?
Check which zone covers the east shore on the National Park’s official map, and book a permit there if you camp in season. We have not verified the zone boundaries.
Is it free to fish Loch Lomond?
Fishing is a separate question from camping. We have not verified the fishing permit rules, so check the National Park’s fishing page before you cast.
Can I bring a motorhome or caravan?
Motorhomes can use permit locations at Firkin Point, Inveruglas and the Three Lochs Forest Drive. Caravans are not allowed.