Camping and touring sites in forests
Camping and touring sites in forests can be a fun way to take a short break or spend holidays. There are several forests in Northern Ireland with sites and facilities for camping and touring vehicles.
Facilities
Facilities available at main stay sites in forest parks include:
- drinking water
- hot showers
- toilet facilities
- chemical toilet disposal points
- electricity hook up points for touring vehicles
Some sites have cafes, shops and laundry facilities in the forest park - or nearby.
Camping facilities for visitors with tents may also be available. These sites share the same washing and toilet facilities as visitors with caravans, with access and parking for cars.
Camping and touring online booking
To camp in a tent or stay in a caravan, motorhome, campervan, folding caravan or trailer tent, you can book online for the following forests:
- Castlewellan Forest Park camp/ touring online booking
- Drum Manor Forest Park camping/ touring online booking
- Glenariff Forest Park touring online booking
- Tollymore Forest Park camping/ touring online booking
These are well-equipped long stay sites where visitors can stay for up to 14 nights depending on availability. You should make a booking during peak season and especially at bank holiday weekends. Find out more about each forest park:
Camping and touring charges
Prices are listed on the following page:
Before you make a booking, understand the Forest camping and touring terms and conditions.
They set out the agreement between you and Forest Service for using their services.
Touring in the Trees camping and caravan sites
Touring in the Trees annual permits allow you to stay at nine touring caravan sites. Here, you can explore the forests and surrounding countryside. These forest sites are reserved for annual permit holders only. You cannot stay for longer than three nights in a row at one site.
Annual permits are limited in number and are available on a first come first served basis. You can find out more on the following page.
Touring in the trees caravan sites are at:
- Ballypatrick Forest
- Glenariff Forest Park
- Castlewellan Forest Park
- Rostrevor Forest
- Florence Court Forest Park
- Kesh Forest
- Springwell Forest
- Parkanaur Forest Park
- Drum Manor Forest Park
Youth camping sites
Youth organisations or school groups can arrange to use grass sites at some forests for short camping stays. The facilities on site are basic, with fresh water and a waste disposal point.
All groups booked on these sites must have responsible adults present at all times - with a suitable number of adults to young people to make sure they're properly supervised.
Camping stays must be pre-arranged by phoning the forest office. They can't be booked online. Phone numbers are at the following links:
The Discover Northern Ireland website has information on accommodation choices, ideas for great experiences and things to do.