Discovering Scotland's Best Kept Secret: Wild Campervan Adventures in Galloway Forest Park

The best place to go wild camping in a campervan and motorhome in Scotland, without a doubt, is Galloway forest park.  With 97000 hectares of forest it is the UK’s largest park located in Dumfries and galloway lowlands Scotland most relaxing place to live van life and explore nature camp freely undisturbed tops our list as super accommodating campervans motorhomes has a designated dark sky for stargazing wild camping encouraged here there are over 300 square miles hills glens forests discover. We have wild camped and “campervanned” here many times and keep coming back as it’s such a fantastic spot and, in our opinion, the best place in Scotland to go campervanning. Go for the wilderness and stay for the unbelievable star gazing. There is so little light pollution in the area that it gets very dark here at night. Pop your back doors open, grab an extra cover, make your favourite hot beverage, lie back, and watch the stars unfold! You will be able to see the night sky dance above you. Quite literally, over 7000 stars and planets are visible from here! We like to use the free stargazing app;Nightsky to get the most out of our sky-watching. Before you go, check out more about the International Dark Sky Association news so you don’t miss out on a meteor shower! 

Galloway forest park is excellent at night and an adventure during the day too. The area boasts a red deer park and many outdoor activities like mountain biking and hiking. There are countless lochs, forests, and hills waiting to be wandered. Dumfries and Galloway council have made Galloway forest park an excellent spot for motorhomes and campervans as they have a designated campervan and motorhome parking facility with services at Loch Clatteringshaws. There is a public, free black and grey water disposal and bins, and you are welcome to stay the night. If you prefer to wild camp, that’s an option too. Just make sure to check any signs beforehand.

“Wild camping, stealth camping, wild parking, parking up, wild Park up, overnighting or free parking,” are the terms used to describe parking up for free at a site that is “wild” or not a registered campsite or motorhome and campervan designated parking spot. You can wild camp from your recreational vehicle (RV), campervan, pop-top van, caravan, motorhome, car, or tent. We made a full Guide to wild camping in the UK here. Wild Camping is the best in Galloway Forest Park as it’s not only one of the largest nature reserves in Scotland, it’s incredibly tolerant and welcoming to wild campers and campervan and Motorhome tourists. The people of Dumfries and Galloway are friendly and accommodating. The nature is beautiful here and there is a free, public black and grey water disposal and designated motorhome parking.

A small car park is set just as you approach the road signposted for “Carrick Forest drive,” at Loch Doon in Galloway forest park.  Both the bays are spacious. One is on flat ground with amazing views of Loch Doon. The stream cuts down past the parking, and trees surround you. The other space is on a slight angle as it is on the slope of the hill down. Feels a bit more secluded up here. Both these spots are easily accessible by motorhomes, RVs, and campervans. The road is safe and easy to navigate in all types of vehicles. The top tip for this spot is to arrive before the golden hour, as the sunset here is magnificent. If you are new to Wild camping and wild parking, check out these top tips.

Coordinates: 55.217651, -4.396464

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This one is off the beaten path, very wild and secluded remote wild parking spot. Only accessible by vans as the road is unsuitable for motorhomes. Located on the opposite side of Loch Doon at Galloway forest park. The gates to this side of the loch get locked frequently, so be careful if you are coming to camp here and get locked in. There is a high chance of that happening. To find this spot: A single-track path leads you past Loch Doon castle, Craigmalloch house, and parking for Carrick drive, and you eventually come to a set of gates. Sometimes they are open, and sometimes they are closed. If open then drive-through and keep following the road all around to the other side of Loch Doon, past the former farm areas of Starr and Loch Head. However, you will be able to find a spot all along this path. Once over on this side of the Loch, there are lots of laybys to park at. You are in absolute seclusion, and the wilderness is all around. There are waterfalls, streams, dense forests, and the shorefront of Loch Doon all to explore.

Please note* to BE VERY careful of swimming at Loch Doon. Over the years, there have been quite a few accidental drownings due to the very cold water and powerful currents.

Beforehand, please make sure you are aware of and keep up to date on water safety and first aid, if you are travelling and camping remotely.