Camping in Wharfedale

Wharfedale's combination of riverside meadows, limestone scenery and dramatic fells makes it a popular spot for camping, though as with the rest of England, wild camping without the landowner's permission remains illegal here, so it is worth sticking to established sites. Established campsites and caravan parks are dotted along the valley, from family-friendly fields near Kettlewell and Buckden in Upper Wharfedale to sites closer to Grassington and the Bolton Abbey estate further south, many offering direct river access, dales views and easy walks from the pitch. Ground can be uneven and thin over the limestone in places, so a good tent and pegs suited to rocky or shallow soil are worth packing, along with layers for changeable Dales weather even in high summer.

The best camping season generally runs from late spring through early autumn, when the hay meadows are at their most colourful, days are longest for exploring the fells around Great Whernside and Buckden Pike, and river levels in the Wharfe are usually low enough for a paddle in the shallows well away from the dangerous currents at the Strid. Spring brings newborn lambs to the surrounding pastures and wildflowers to the meadows, while a well-timed early-autumn trip can offer quieter sites and the first colours in Strid Wood and around Grassington, though pitches can still be busy during the Grassington Festival in summer and the Kilnsey Show at the end of August.

For those who prefer a roof over their heads without giving up the outdoor feel, glamping options across Wharfedale range from wooden pods and shepherd's huts to safari tents, often set on working farms with views over the dale. These sites suit visitors keen to base themselves near Kilnsey Crag for climbing, Kettlewell and Buckden for high-level walking, or Bolton Abbey for gentler riverside strolls, while still enjoying warm beds, proper bathrooms and, on many sites, a farm shop or on-site cafe close by.