Yorkshire campsites: our pick of the best

Best campsites in Yorkshire

While you can’t wild camp in Yorkshire, there are a choice of campsites across North, East, South and West Yorkshire. Are there any campsites in Yorkshire near the beach? Definitely – you can choose from campsites on the Yorkshire coast for a seaside break, or maybe you’d prefer a countryside campsite in the Yorkshire Dales. Some of the best campsites in Yorkshire are in North Yorkshire, where you’ll find the beautiful North York Moors National Park and the historic city of York.

Some of the most popular places to go camping in Yorkshire include Whitby, Harrogate and the Yorkshire Dales.

Best campsites: Yorkshire Dales

High Moor Farm Park is situated four miles from Harrogate on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Harrogate is a pretty spa town with a shopping centre, plenty of open space to enjoy, gardens, a theatre and cinemas.

High Moor Farm Park has a range of recreational facilities, including a licensed bar serving meals, a nine-hole golf course, bowls and fishing. Also on the campsite is a shop, a large indoor swimming pool and amusement area with pool tables. Toilets and showers are heated, there are also bathrooms and separate accessible facilities, along with a laundry.

Find out more: High Moor Farm Park  

At just 40 minutes from Windermere, 40 minutes from Skipton and 30 minutes from Morecambe, Riverside Caravan Park couldn’t be better placed for a location from which to explore the Yorkshire Dales, the Lakes and the coast.

The campsite is nestled on the banks of a river, within walking distance of the market town of High Bentham. There are plenty of local walks, you can fish on the river, and a golf course is close by. There are 61 touring pitches, including 12 fully serviced harstandings. Campsite facilities include toilets and showers, a family bathroom, laundry, games room and play area.

Find out more: Riverside Caravan Park  

This Yorkshire campsite is situated just outside Masham, where you’ll find two well-known breweries, Theakston’s and Black Sheep – both offering tours and shops to peruse. Less than five miles from Old Station are the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, and Thorpe Perrow, an arboretum, bird of prey and mammal centre.

The campsite is part of a former railway station and pitches are grass or hardstandings with some electric hook-ups available. There is a heated toilet and shower block, accessible facilities, a launderette and a shop. The campsite also has a bistro open Tuesday to Sunday serving breakfasts, light bites and a full main lunchtime menu.

Find out more: Old Station Holiday Park  

Set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Langcliffe Park is just one mile from the market town of Settle where you can take the Settle to Carlisle Railway, considered to be the most beautiful and scenic railway journey in England. The route crosses the Ribblehead Viaduct with incredible views of the Yorkshire Dales. For guests who enjoy a good walk, there are several waterfalls and caves in the local vicinity, all no more than three miles from Langcliffe Park.

The campsite has hardstanding pitches of two types – standard with electric hook-up, or deluxe with the addition of individual water and waste points. There are toilet and shower blocks, accessible facilities, a motorhome waste point, a launderette, plus a dog walking field.

Find out more: Langcliffe Park  

Best campsites: Yorkshire Coast

Enjoying a clifftop location, with many pitches having a view of the sea, Whitby Holiday Park is one of the closest parks to Whitby. It offers pitches with 16A electric hook-ups on grass with great coastal views, or there are a few hardstandings in a more sheltered area, but minus the views. The campsite has a bar and clubhouse, together with a small games room. There’s also a toilet block, shop and laundry room.

Clifftop paths lead down to sandy beaches and the National Trust-owned Saltwick Bay and Cleveland Way coastal path are both accessible directly from the campsite. Whitby and the Gothic abbey ruins are only a gentle stroll away – you can even see the ruins from some of the pitches.

Find out more: Whitby Holiday Park  

Set in the Wykeham estate, St Helens in the Park is situated on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, and just six miles from Scarborough. The campsite is divided into terraces with tree screening to create more intimate areas. All pitches have electric hook-up. Facilities include toilets, showers, a shop and café. There is a specific adults-only area but children and dogs are also welcome on the campsite.

A private woodland walk leads to Wykeham village where there’s an eighteenth century restored coaching inn. It is also easy to access the North York Moors National Park. Active guests can head to the North Yorkshire Water Park for land and water-based activities.

Find out more: St Helens in the Park  

Best campsites: North Yorkshire

Set in a pleasant location to the southeast of the North York Moors National Park, this campsite has pitches with views over farmland, forest and moorland. Its location means the site is surrounded by great walking countryside and it's 2.5 miles from the market town of Helmsley.

The campsite is laid out on three levels with super, grass and hardstanding pitches. There are two toilet and shower blocks with family and accessible bathrooms. On the campsite are outdoor play areas, a football field and mini golf, with a sports centre nearby. The site also has a storage compound, seasonal pitches and a well-stocked licensed shop.

Find out more: Golden Square Caravan Park  

York Meadows Caravan Park at Sheriff Hutton is set in an idyllic location surrounded by rolling farmland, nestled in the stunning and tranquil splendour of the Howardian Hills and Vale of York. The caravan park is situated in a perfect area to explore the historic city of York as well as Castle Howard which is just five miles away.

The campsite is set on the outskirts of Sheriff Hutton with the castle ruins dominating the skyline. The village is a short walk from the campsite, offering easy access to pubs and shops. York Meadows offers hardstanding, grass and super pitches with luxury, heated facilities as well as a children’s play area and a shop.

Find out more: York Meadows Caravan Park  

An adults-only campsite with the best of both worlds – set in a tranquil, pretty area, yet only four miles from the city of York, with a bus service into the city stopping outside the site entrance. For cyclists there’s the York Solar System Path to easily access the city, too. For a unique way to get into York you can take a river boat on Saturdays and Sundays.

The campsite is located by the River Ouse, half a mile from the village of Naburn and adjacent to the lock gates. There are grass, hardstanding or fully serviced pitches, all with electric hook-up. There’s a shop on site and coarse fishing available from the river. Facilities include toilets, showers, accessible facilities, a laundry room and shop. Pet owners can exercise dogs on two large fields covering almost 10 acres.

Find out more: York Naburn Lock Caravan Park  

Located on the south side of Harrogate, just two miles from the town centre and with a bus stop five minutes’ walk away, this campsite is in an ideal location for exploring the pretty spa town, which has a shopping centre, scenic gardens and a theatre. A trip to Bettys Tea Rooms is also a must! For a day in the outdoors, the National Trust’s Brimham Rocks is 14 miles away. Here you’ll find giant rock formations and heather moorlands.

Harrogate Caravan Park has 67 pitches, a mixture of grass and hardstanding, with electric hook-up and free WiFi. Facilities include toilets and showers, a laundry room, plus an award-winning farm shop and café.

Find out more: Harrogate Caravan Park  

Flaxton Meadows eco-campsite is located in North Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside renowned for its wildlife and scenery. The campsite provides a peaceful, adults-only retreat for those wishing to enjoy nature, yet within easy reach of a range of amenities. Guests at Flaxton Meadows have a range of accommodation to choose from including: handcrafted luxury log cabins and touring and motorhome pitches on hardstanding and grass, with natural screening and electric.

All guests can enjoy use of the state-of-the-art washrooms and toilets, a bar, launderette and nature walk. The tranquil setting of Flaxton Meadows means you can enjoy the sounds of nature and witness wildlife all around.

Find out more: Flaxton Meadows  

Best campsites: South Yorkshire

Waleswood is an ideal location for anyone who enjoys the outdoors, being set within Rother Valley Country Park. There are plenty of walking opportunities, fishing is available on the country park lakes and cyclists can enjoy the mountain bike trails.

All pitches on the campsite have electric hook-up, with hardstandings and grass available. Super pitches also have a water tap and grey water drain. There are extra-large pitches for RVs. The campsite has shower and toilet blocks, an accessible family room, a licensed coffee shop, two motorhome service points and a shop. For children there is a play area, table tennis and table football on site, with Gulliver’s Valley Resort theme park within walking distance.

Find out more: Waleswood Caravan & Camping Park  

Why camp in Yorkshire?

The largest county in England, Yorkshire is known for its history and heritage, as well as its castles, medieval abbeys, vibrant cities and two national parks.

The North York Moors National Park is a special place combining moorland, coast, forest and dale. Rich in heritage and wildlife, there’s plenty of walking to be done in quiet spaces away from the noise of traffic. Or head to the coast to feel the wind on your face and hear the roar of the sea. Some popular places to visit during your camping holiday in North Yorkshire include Dalby Forest, the picturesque fishing village of Robin Hood’s Bay, the ruins of Rievaulx Abbey, the pretty market town of Helmsley, and the 298m-high Sutton Bank escarpment.

In the west of Yorkshire is the Yorkshire Dales National Park. Here you can explore rolling hills across a rugged and wild landscape. It is a place of calm and beauty. A place to take some time for yourself. Main places to explore while camping in the Yorkshire Dales include the waterfalls of Janet’s Foss and Aysgarth, Malham Cove’s limestone cliff formation, the market town of Hawes – home of Wensleydale cheese, and the Ribblehead Viaduct which carries the Settle to Carlisle Railway over 24 arches, 32m above the ground.

Let's not forget of course the capital of North Yorkshire – the city of York, famous for its Gothic cathedral, Roman city walls, and the Shambles – an historic street of medieval buildings now housing cafés, boutiques and independent shops.