Touring in the Trees caravan sites

Touring in the Trees is an exclusive ring of small touring sites placed so that they can be used as bases from which to explore the forests and surrounding countryside. Forest Service Touring in the Trees caravan sites will be open for the 2023 season.

All Touring in The Trees permits for the 2023 are now sold. No further permits are available.

About the sites

The forest sites are generally convenient to the main tourist routes but are reserved exclusively for permit holders. Facilities are minimal.

Once you have bought your permit the freedom of all eight sites is yours to enjoy.

You must not stay longer than three nights at a time on any one site.

Accommodation is designed primarily for caravans although there is normally room for an awning.

Touring in the Trees sites cannot be booked in advance and should not be reserved. They are booked on a first come first served basis.

All sites are controlled and run by the Forest Service, an agency of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).

Sites by county

You can find out where the eight Touring in the Tress sites are, how to get there and more at the following links.

Antrim

Down

Fermanagh

Londonderry

Tyrone

Facilities and access

There are the following basic facilities on the sites:

chemical toilet disposal units
waste water disposal units
drinking water
hard standing for caravans

There are no electrical connections on site.

Access is controlled by locked barriers. Keys are issued on buying your permit.

Costs

Information about costs is on the following page:

Forest recreation charges

No refund will be given after 31 March and there is a cancellation fee of £15.

Annual permits

Permits are valid from 1 January to 31 December.

For more information contact Forest Service:

email: ForestServiceCorporate@daera-ni.gov.uk

Permit conditions

Annual touring permits are issued on condition that:

all caravans must be equipped with a chemical toilet
all caravans are parked in the designated pitches
a maximum stay of three nights on any one site
permits are clearly displayed
permits are not interchangeable
barriers are kept locked
dogs are kept on leash - owners are responsible for their actions on site
barrier keys are returned as soon as the permit is no longer needed/valid
no unauthorised caravans are allowed
make sure that all litter is removed from site
generators are not run on sites
caravans must not be left unattended overnight
users of the caravan sites do so at their own risk

DAERA will not accept liability for any damage to permit holders’ vehicles or other property.

DAERA reserves the right to withdraw permits at any time for breaking the rules or forest byelaws:

The Forestry Land Byelaws (Northern Ireland) 2013

Liability

DAERA accepts no liability for any damage, loss or injury (other than death or personal injury arising from the negligence of DAERA, or whether by or from the negligence, wrongful act or default of DAERA or its servants or agents, or from any other cause.

Anyone caravanning or camping in state forests under the authority of this permit do so at their own risk. They must:

make good any loss or damage to DAERA through their presence in the forests
indemnify DAERA against all actions, claims and demands brought against it arising out of their presence in the forests
follow any byelaws in force
use only those roads approved for caravan traffic
follow any directions or instructions given by DAERA

A charge of £10 will apply for replacing a lost or damaged permit.

Keep your receipt.

Long stay sites

For those who prefer a longer stay in one place, Forest Service has three long stay sites for caravan owners and campers, run independently from Touring in the Trees.

These are at the following Forest Parks:

The long stay sites have toilets, showers and hard standing pitches with electric hook-up.

Depending on availability, bookings can be made for up to and including 14 nights. They must be booked before your stay:

Forest camping and touring online booking

The latest charges are available on the following page:

Forest recreation charges

A forest ranger may be on duty and they will be happy to help you.

Forest Service contact

Forest Service - Headquarters

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