The Lake District is one of those places that gets under your skin. Rolling fells, glittering lakes, stone-walled villages and some of the most dramatic skies you'll find anywhere in England. It's no wonder that camping in the Lake District is on so many people's bucket lists. Whether you're pitching a tent for the first time or you've been rolling up to campsites in your motorhome for decades, this corner of Cumbria delivers the kind of holiday that sticks in your memory long after you've packed up and headed home.
We've pulled together the very best campsites, caravan parks and glamping options in the Lake District so you can spend less time scrolling and more time planning your actual trip. From the popular central lakes around Windermere to the quieter valleys of Eskdale and Borrowdale, there's genuinely something here for everyone.
Why the Lake District is Perfect for a Camping Holiday
England's largest National Park covers 912 square miles and packs in 16 major lakes, hundreds of walking trails and enough pubs serving locally-brewed ales to keep even the most enthusiastic walker refreshed. It became a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2017, which tells you something about how special this landscape is.
For campers, the appeal is obvious. You wake up to birdsong, step outside your tent and you're immediately surrounded by fells. No long drives to reach the good stuff. The scenery is literally on your doorstep.
Families love it because there's so much to keep kids entertained. Water sports on Windermere, pony trekking near Coniston, Go Ape at Whinlatter Forest. Couples tend to head for the quieter northern lakes like Ullswater or Thirlmere. And retirees in motorhomes or caravans often base themselves somewhere central and use it as a hub for day trips.
Best Campsites in the Lake District for Tents
If you're a tent camper, the Lake District spoils you for choice. But a few sites stand out consistently year after year.
Wasdale Head Campsite
This is as dramatic as UK camping gets. Wasdale Head sits at the foot of Scafell Pike, England's highest mountain, with Great Gable looming above and Wastwater stretching out nearby. The campsite is basic by design. Grass pitches, simple facilities, no frills. But that's the point. You're here for the landscape, not the amenities. It's managed by the National Trust and fills up fast in summer, so booking ahead is essential.
Low Wray National Trust Campsite
Tucked into the western shore of Windermere, Low Wray is one of the most beautifully positioned campsites in England. There's direct lake access, woodland pitches with serious privacy, and on a still morning the water reflects the fells like a mirror. It's popular with families and walkers alike. The site has good facilities without feeling overrun, and you can hire kayaks and canoes right on site.
Syke Farm Campsite, Buttermere
Buttermere village is tiny, gorgeous and feels genuinely off the beaten track even though it's only about 9 miles from Keswick. Syke Farm sits right in the valley, owned by a working farm, and the views across to the surrounding fells are honestly jaw-dropping. Facilities are simple, the atmosphere is wonderfully unhurried, and on a clear evening the sunsets here are something else entirely.
Top Caravan Parks and Holiday Parks in the Lake District
If you're bringing a caravan or motorhome, or you want a holiday park with more facilities, the Lake District has plenty of high-quality options. Many have hardstanding pitches, electric hook-ups, and on-site amenities that make for a genuinely comfortable stay.
Limefitt Holiday Park, Windermere
Limefitt sits in the Troutbeck Valley just a few miles north of Windermere town, surrounded by open fells. It's a well-run park with touring pitches for caravans and motorhomes alongside static holiday homes. The on-site pub is a proper bonus after a long walk, and the setting feels genuinely rural even though you're not far from the main tourist centres. It's a good base for families and walkers.
Skelwith Fold Caravan Park
One of the Lake District's most established and well-regarded caravan parks, Skelwith Fold has been welcoming guests for decades. It covers 130 acres of private woodland near Ambleside, which gives it a wonderfully secluded feel. The facilities are excellent and the pitches are spacious. Dogs are welcome too, which always gets a thumbs up from our readers. It's the sort of place you book for a week and wish you'd booked for two.
Fallbarrow Holiday Park, Bowness-on-Windermere
If location is your priority, Fallbarrow is hard to beat. It sits right on the shore of Lake Windermere and the views from many of the lodges and pitches are genuinely stunning. It's a larger, more resort-style park with more facilities, so it suits families who want entertainment and activities alongside the scenery. Windermere's shops and restaurants are only a short walk away.
Glamping in the Lake District
Glamping has completely changed the game for people who love the idea of sleeping in nature but aren't quite ready for a two-man tent on wet grass. And the Lake District has some brilliant glamping options that genuinely deliver on the promise of outdoor living without the discomfort.
Yurt and Bell Tent Glamping
A handful of small, independent glamping sites in the Lake District offer yurts and bell tents with proper beds, wood-burning stoves and outdoor firepits. Sites around Coniston and Ullswater tend to be particularly popular. They book up months in advance for the summer season, so if you're planning a July or August trip you'll want to get in early. Most sleep four to five people comfortably, making them ideal for families or groups of friends.
Shepherd's Huts and Cabins
Shepherd's huts have had quite the glow-up over the past decade. In the Lake District you'll find them tucked into fellside farms with views that make you want to put your phone away permanently. Many have en-suite showers, underfloor heating and roll-top baths. They're particularly popular with couples looking for a romantic short break. Think proper beds, fairy lights and a private hot tub if you're lucky.
Browse glamping and holiday park options across the Lake District at campercation.com and filter by the type of accommodation that suits you best.
Practical Tips for Camping in the Lake District
A few things worth knowing before you head up to Cumbria, especially if it's your first time.
Booking Ahead is Non-Negotiable in Summer
The Lake District is one of the most visited places in the UK, pulling in around 19 million visitors a year. The popular sites around Windermere and Keswick can book out weeks or even months in advance during July and August, over the Easter weekend and during school half-terms. If you have your heart set on a specific site, don't leave it to chance. Book as early as you can.
Pack for Rain (Seriously)
The Lake District is beautiful precisely because it's wet. Rainfall in Seathwaite in Borrowdale averages around 3,000mm a year, making it one of the wettest inhabited places in England. That's not a reason to stay home. It's a reason to pack decent waterproofs, a pair of proper walking boots and a willingness to find the beauty in a misty fell. The landscape genuinely looks extraordinary in low cloud.
A good waterproof jacket, waterproof trousers and layering properly will keep you comfortable in almost any conditions. Don't forget a dry bag for electronics and a decent tent that's been tested in wind as well as rain.
Getting Around the Lake District
If you're in a motorhome or towing a large caravan, be aware that some of the Lake District's most famous roads are genuinely very narrow. Hardknott Pass and Wrynose Pass are spectacular but they're not suitable for larger outfits. Stick to the A-roads and B-roads unless you're in a small campervan and confident with tight turns.
The good news is that the area has decent bus services during the summer, including the open-top 599 Lakeland Experience bus between Grasmere and Kendal. Worth using it if you want to explore Grasmere or Ambleside without worrying about parking.
Leave No Trace
The Lake District's fells and shores are precious. Wild camping is technically allowed on open fell land in the Lake District National Park (unlike most of England), but the guidance is to camp above 1,000 feet, move on after two nights and leave no trace whatsoever. Take everything with you. Protect the environment that makes this place worth visiting in the first place.
When is the Best Time to Visit?
Late spring and early autumn are genuinely the sweet spots. May and early June offer longer days, wildflowers on the fells and significantly fewer crowds than July or August. September is arguably the best camping month of the year in the Lake District. The summer rush has thinned out, the light is golden, the bracken starts to turn amber on the hillsides and you can often grab pitches with very little forward notice.
October half-term can be wonderful if you're lucky with the weather. The autumn colours around Ullswater in particular are something genuinely special.
Winter camping is possible in the Lake District but it requires proper cold-weather gear and solid experience. A few sites stay open year-round, but many close between November and March.
Plan Your Lake District Camping Trip with Campercation
The Lake District is one of those destinations that genuinely rewards repeat visits. People come back year after year because it keeps giving something new. A different valley, a different fell, a campsite they'd not tried before.
Whether you're after a traditional tent pitch with nothing but grass and sky above you, a well-equipped caravan park with electric hook-ups and a hot shower, or a cosy glamping cabin with a wood-burning stove and a view worth writing home about, the Lake District has the lot.
Start planning your trip today at campercation.com. Browse hundreds of campsites, caravan parks and glamping options across the Lake District and the whole of the UK, filter by your preferences and book with confidence. Your next adventure is closer than you think.