Camping in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
The wild natural beauty of Loch Lomond is the perfect setting for outdoor adventure.
- The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Popular camping styles for The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
Star Hosts in The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
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12 top campsites in The Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park
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Camping in Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park guide
Overview
Camping in Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park allows you to embrace one of the most beloved parts of Scotland, which spreads across the Southern Highlands as the fourth-largest national park in Britain. Under an hour’s drive north of Glasgow and a gateway to more Scottish Highlands landscapes, the park’s hills, valleys, and lochs form the perfect canvas for an accessible rural retreat surrounded by mountains, forest, and charming villages. Loch Lomond is a magnet for outdoor adventurers, who can enjoy the likes of guided fishing trips around the loch and its rivers, or take in the surroundings on foot by following a wide network of hiking trails featuring the popular West Highland Way. Whether you want to take a relaxed ramble along the shore, cruise the waters, or pitch a tent on a tiny island, you’ll find plenty of ways to explore, and setting up camp—whether at a designated site or in the wild—is the best way to immerse yourself.
Notable Campsites
- Best for scenery: Luss Caravan and Campsite is set on Loch Lomond’s western banks.
- Best for glamping: Loch Katrine Eco Lodges overlook Loch Katrine toward Ben A’an.
Family Camping in Loch Lomond
Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park welcomes visitors of all ages, so it’s perfect for bringing the kids along on a family camping holiday. They won't be bored either, as the national park and its lochs are packed with activities. Whether it's admiring the surrounding nature, getting out on the expansive waters, or going on a family day out to an adventure course, there's a great deal here to keep the kids occupied at Loch Lomond.
Things to Do with Kids in Loch Lomond
- Loch Lomond Faerie Trail: Enjoy a magical day out with your kids at the Faerie Trail, a woodland adventure that will pique their curiosity with stories of faeries, trolls, and unicorns.
- Loch Lomond Bird of Prey Centre: Over 35 birds of prey and owls live here, where visitors can see flying shows and learn all about these magnificent animals in a safe, welcoming environment.
- Sea Life Loch Lomond Aquarium: Take the kids to experience an underwater world that features rays, sharks, otters, turtles, and more.
- TreeZone Aerial Adventure Course: Unforgettable experiences involving zip wires, balance beams, and bridges above the trees await at TreeZone.
- Boat trips: A number of boat trips are available to hop on in the Loch Lomond area, from luxury cruising yachts to speedboat tours. Pick one to suit your family's tastes and enjoy the waters from a different perspective.
Tips for snagging a campsite
- Booking is recommended for all campgrounds in the national park. Bookings should be made directly with the sites.
- Most sites allow booking many months in advance, so make your reservations as soon as you know travel dates. Smaller sites only allow booking up to two weeks in advance.
- In some areas of the park, wild camping is restricted to designated sites where permits are required from March through September. Permits may be booked up to two weeks in advance.
When to go
The long hours of daylight and promise of fine weather makes May through September the most popular time of year to visit Loch Lomond. The area does get crowded with tourists in summer, however, especially in July and August, so be sure to make bookings in advance. To avoid crowds while still enjoying mild but cool conditions, September or October is a good option with the additional benefit of seeing the shores of Loch Lomond covered in autumn colours and blooming heather.
Know before you go
- You can travel directly to Balloch, on the southern shore, by train from Glasgow. Local buses can get you to other nearby points of interest.
- If you choose to wild camp, be sure to follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. Wild camping is restricted in some parts of the national park.
- Biting midges are a nuisance in summer, and Lyme disease-carrying ticks are also present in the park, especially during spring and summer.
- Much of the park and its facilities are accessible, including the track around Loch Katrine. Check the official Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park website for more information.
