Wild Camping Ethics in National Parks

Know the Law Before You Pitch

Wild camping in the UK is not a single activity with one set of rules. In Scotland, the Land Reform (Scotland) Act 2003 gives you a right of responsible access, which includes wild camping on most unenclosed land. That means you can pitch a small tent on open moorland, in the hills or by a remote loch – provided you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code. In England and Wales, the situation is very different. Wild camping is generally illegal without the landowner's permission. Some national parks, such as Dartmoor, have historic traditions and permissive areas, but these can change. Always check the latest bylaws with the national park authority before you travel. Ignorance of local rules is not an excuse, and a ranger asking you to move is a sign you got it wrong.

Leave No Trace: More Than a Slogan

The leave-no-trace ethic is the backbone of ethical wild camping. It means arriving without a trace and leaving nothing but footprints – ideally none at all. Practical steps include:

• Pitch your tent on durable surfaces like rock, gravel or dry grass. Avoid fragile plants, moss and soft bog.
• Never dig trenches or cut vegetation. If the ground is uneven, move on.
• Carry out all litter, including food scraps, tea bags and biodegradable items. Orange peel takes years to break down.
• Use a camping stove instead of a fire. Open fires are banned in many national parks and scar the landscape.
• For human waste, dig a small hole 15–20cm deep, at least 30 metres from water, and cover it. Better still, carry it out in a sealed bag.

If you can't leave it exactly as you found it, don't camp there.

Respect Wildlife, Livestock and Fellow Visitors

National parks are working landscapes. Sheep, cattle and ponies graze freely, and ground-nesting birds like curlew and skylark raise their young between March and July. Camp well away from livestock, and never feed or approach wild animals. Keep your distance from deer, especially during rutting season. If you have a dog, keep it under close control or leave it at home – many wild camping areas have seasonal restrictions. Other people come to the hills for solitude. Arrive late in the evening and leave early in the morning. Keep noise to a minimum. You are a guest in someone's home, whether that home is a farm, a moor or a mountain.

Choosing a Spot and Setting Up Sensibly

Wild camping is not about finding the perfect Instagram view. It's about a quiet, low-impact night. Look for a spot that is:

• At least 100 metres from roads, buildings, footpaths and water sources.
• Out of sight of houses and popular trails.
• On flat, well-drained ground that won't flood if it rains.
• Free from overhanging dead branches or loose rock.

Use a small, dark-coloured tent – bright orange domes scream "look at me". Pitch once, and don't move if you can help it. Keep your camp tidy. Don't leave kit outside overnight. And remember: if a spot already looks used, that's a sign to find somewhere else. Love it to death is a real problem in places like the Lake District and Snowdonia.

Planning Ahead: Weather, Access and Emergencies

Ethical wild camping begins long before you leave the house. Check the mountain weather forecast – not just the valley one. Wind, rain and midges can turn a dream trip into a misery. Tell someone your route and expected return time. Carry a paper map and compass; phone batteries die. Know the access rights: in Scotland, you can camp on most unenclosed land, but not in enclosed fields, near roads or in some byelaw areas like parts of Loch Lomond during summer. In England and Wales, get permission from the landowner or use a campsite. Plan for a leave-no-trace exit: know where you can responsibly dispose of waste, and have a backup plan if the weather turns.

The Spirit of Wild Camping

Wild camping is a privilege, not a right – even where it is legal. It asks you to be self-sufficient, humble and quiet. The best wild campers are barely noticed. They arrive as dusk falls, sleep lightly, and are gone before the first dog walker. They carry out more than they carried in. They leave the place better than they found it. That might mean picking up a stray piece of litter that wasn't yours. It might mean choosing a less popular spot to spread the impact. It means accepting that some places are too fragile, too busy or too legally sensitive to camp. If you embrace that spirit, you'll have nights you remember for a lifetime – and the landscapes will remain wild for those who come after you.