Thurso Camping: Best Campsites Near Thurso, Caithness

You quickly start running out of land once you get to Thurso. But it’s not only the bragging rights of making it to mainland Scotland’s most northerly town that makes Thurso a great destination for outdoor explorers. The town is a watersports hotspot with surfers braving the cold waters of Thurso Beach all year-round. It is also a popular spot with bikers tackling the Thurso to Dunnet Head cycling route. Less extreme attractions include the Swanson art gallery and Caithness Horizons heritage center. Campers choosing to stay a while have options, too, from parking in a well-appointed caravan park to pitching a tent among sand dunes.

Where to go

Thurso Bay

Centrally located, overlooking Thurso Bay and the Pentland Firth, and handy for catching the ferry from Scrabster to the Orkney Islands, Thurso Bay Caravan and Camping Park is an ideal spot close to the beach. The family-owned site has plenty of hard and grass pitches with and without electric hookup.

Murkle Bay

Three miles east of Thurso, Murkle Caravan Park lies just outside the quaint village of Castletown and within walking distance of a lovely stretch of beach. The site has pitches and electric hookups for caravans, motorhomes and tents. You can also rent a campervan from the site.

Dunnet Head

Mainland Britain’s most northerly point, the cliffs of Dunnet Head are filled with seabirds, including puffins and razorbills, in the spring and summer. At the tranquil Dunnet Head Camping and Caravan Site you can pitch a tent or park your touring vehicle close to the beach’s sand dunes and enjoy the view over the Pentland Firth to the Orkney Islands.

John O’ Groats

The small coastal village of John O’ Groats lies 19 miles east of Thurso and is the starting point for the 'End to End' long distance walking trail that goes all the way to Land's End in England, 876 miles (1,400 kilometers) away. You can also take a boat trip to Duncansby Head, where the cliffs are filled with nesting birds in spring and summer, and travel the short distance over the Pentland Firth to Orkney. On the seafront, John O’ Groats Camping and Caravan Site has pitches for caravans, motorhomes and tents.

When to go

For enjoying long, sunny days in the great outdoors, visiting in spring and summer is best—in June the sun doesn’t set until after 10 p.m. This is also the best time of year for viewing seabirds. The busiest time is typically July and August when the Scottish schools are on holiday. If you can brave the cold and short daylight hours, winter promises a crowd-free experience and the possibility of spotting the Northern Lights.

Know before you go

Some sites in the area are seasonal: check opening dates before traveling.
There are some good spots for wild camping along the coast. If choosing to camp wild, follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Local bus and train services can get you to most places of interest and around Caithness and beyond.
There is a large Tesco in the town and a Lidl supermarket just outside, on the way to Scrabster.