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 2025 season.
Storm Éowyn
Following significant damage caused by Storm Éowyn, Forest Service are urging all visitors to exercise extreme caution if they are visiting forests.
Forest Service are working to reinstate access at sites affected by storm damage, with timber harvesting and haulage work ongoing in many forests.
Visitors should :
- always follow signage
- stay well away from work areas
- turn back if a trail or path is blocked (if you can’t get through easily neither can emergency services)
- avoid approaching, climbing over, or passing under fallen trees
In forests where recreation is managed by partner organisations, visitors should contact the relevant organisation or consult their social media channels. Information on the management of recreation in forests is available using the following link:
Castlewellan Forest Park
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council have taken over the development and management of recreation in Castlewellan Forest Park. This includes the management of camping and caravanning at the park.
The Touring in the Trees site in Castlewellan will transfer to the council on 1 January 2025. The site will no longer be included within the Forest Service Touring in the Trees.
You can find out more on the Newry, Mourne and Down District Council tourism website:
About the sites
The forest sites are generally convenient to the main tourist routes but are reserved only for permit holders. Facilities are minimal.
Once you have bought your permit the freedom of all seven 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 Trees sites are, how to get there and more at the following links.
Antrim
- Ballypatrick Forest
- Google Maps Ballypatrick Forest
- Glenariff Forest Park
- Google Maps Glenariff Forest Park
Fermanagh
- Florence Court Forest Park
- Google Maps - Forest Court Forest Park
- Kesh Forest
- Google Maps - Kesh (Clonelly) Forest
Londonderry
Tyrone
- Drum Manor Forest Park
- Google Maps - Drum Manor Forest Park
- Parkanaur Forest Park
- Google Maps - Parkanaur Forest Park
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:
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:
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:
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:
The latest charges are available on the following page:
A forest ranger may be on duty and they will be happy to help you.
Forest Service contact