Snowdonia National Park
Snowdonia Natural Park is a breathtaking natural wonder in North Wales, UK. It is also known as “Eryri or Yr Wyddfa”. The National Park of Snowdonia is the largest park in Wales and the third largest in the UK. The park stretches about 823 square miles and includes nine mountain ranges, twenty-three miles of coastline, fifteen peaks above 3000 feet, and a wealth of rivers, lakes, and forests.
Snowdonia Park attracts thousands of visitors yearly, and Mount Snowdon is the highest mountain in Wales. The Park offers various activities for outdoor enthusiasts such as hiking, mountain biking, water sports, etc.
Snowdonia National Park is also known for its camping sites. There are almost 150 Snowdonia National Park camping sites. With over 100 Eryri National Park camping sites, visitors can choose the best for them according to their preferences.
Types of Camping
Official Campsites
To make an ideal destination for campers of all kinds, Snowdonia National Park offers different camping sites for everyone. Different sites include tent pitches and luxurious glamping options.
Facilities
Facilities at most of the campsites at Snowdonia National Park:
- Toilets and Showers: Clean Toilets and hot shower facilities are available at almost all the campsites in Snowdonia National Park.
- Laundry Facilities: Some campsites in the park have the facility laundry, which is good for families with children.
- Utility Rooms: In the park, there are some camping sites with utility room facilities. These rooms are well-equipped with washing machines, tumble dryers, and freezers for ice packs, ensuring your stay with convenience.
- Recreational Areas: Some of the common facilities at the campsites are campfire area and pits, dining tables, built-in barbecue, children’s play area, and group dining area among others.
- Internet Access: Campsites also have the facility Wi-Fi for those who want to stay connected with people while enjoying.
- On-Site Shops: Some of the campsites also have mini-shops that sell local foods and camping necessities. Hence clients do not have to travel a long distance to access these necessities.
Wild Camping
In the National Park, there are also opportunities for wild camping. But there are some legal considerations and code of conduct for wild camping.
Wild Camping isn’t legally allowed, because each piece of land is owned by someone. One can do wild camping with permission from landowners. Also if the land owner asks you to leave the area, and you don’t do that, then it’s considered as crime and may involve police interference.
Legal considerations and permissions
- Land Ownership: All the areas in the park are owned by someone. So it’s important to take permission from landowners. It’s crucial near farms or residential properties.
- Access Land Provisions: Because of The Countryside and Rights of Way Act (CROW), even if you find a remote spot you must have to confirm first that it’s not a private land. Otherwise, you have to get permission to get access.
Wild camping code of conduct
- The environmental impact of wild camping combined with respect towards the environment and other users of the area must be controlled and therefore Snowdonia wild campers should abide by the following guidelines. This code includes the following guidelines:
- Camp High and Off the Beaten Track: Select places that are not frequented or near byways, buildings, and farms. This helps ensure that you do not become too conspicuous which is detrimental to the physical landscape.
- Pitch Late and Leave Early: Organize your camp later in the day and wake up earlier to break down your camp. This minimizes your visibility and thus helps in preserving the setting of the place to a natural setting.
- Leave No Trace: Make sure that after the search you leave the surroundings as you met it. Leave no trace behind, with this in mind, take all rubbish, food scraps, and any other waste with you.
- No Fires or Disposable Barbecues: This is particularly evident from the damage that is occasioned by open fires to the environment. It is recommended that one uses a gas stove for cooking to avoid such fires. Also, the area around the stove should not be littered with materials that can easily catch fire.
- Toileting Practices: Before you answer the call of nature you should do so at least 30 meters away from the water source or trail. Waste should therefore be buried at least 15 cm deep and covered well. Take along with any sanitary articles.
- Avoid Polluting Water Sources: Daily do not wash dishes or yourself in streams, lakes, or rivers. Employ a small bowl and always discharge wastewater in a proper and distant area from water channels.
- Respect Landowners: If requested to exit a property by the owner or persons acting on the owner’s behalf, then step off without any protests.
- Use Discreet Tents: The color of the tents should be of such a color which isn’t easily noticed by the eye.
- Limit Group Size: Tent with little or a few small tents so that to have the least impact on the ecology and environment of the area.
Popular Campsites in Snowdonia
Family-Friendly Campsites
There are several Family-Friendly camping sites in Snowdonia National Park, for those who wants to enjoy with their family. At campsites, there are necessary facilities to make everyone’s stay enjoyable.
Tyn-yr-Onnen Farm Campsite
Located close to the Moel Eilio, Tyn-yr-Onnen Farm is a campsite for families. The campsite has a playground for children so that they can play safely. This campsite is also popular among water sports lovers, as the campsite is near the lake. People can do several activities like paddleboarding, kayaking, and swimming safely and easily.
Bwch-yn-Uchaf Campsite
Bwch-yn-Uchaf is located just near Bala Lake. It’s another good campsite for families and water sports lovers too. Due to its location, Families can also enjoy the stunning views of the nearest Arenig mountain range. Furthermore, you don’t have to go far enough for any necessary products. Because of the nearby Llanuwchllyn village, which is located at a small walk from the campsite.
Llyn Gwynant Campsite
Llyn Gwynant campsite is located by Llyn Gwynant lake and guests can choose pitches with amazing views of mountains. The campsite provides limited access to launch a boat, stand-up paddleboards, kayaks, and canoes from the site, making it suitable for families, who like being involved in water exercises. Even though a children’s playground is not listed, there are options for water sports due to the lakes would offer fun for any family.
Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite
Nantcol Waterfalls Campsite is the perfect campsite for families as it is located at the foot of the Rhinog mountains, a mere two miles from sandy beaches. The campsite includes natural water sources such as waterfalls and rivers that offer the camper an opportunity to have a natural setting for the camp. The campsite’s isolated location and surrounding natural attractions would be interesting for families who want quiet and adventurous camping.
Adventure Campsites
Dolgam Campsite
Dolgam Campsite is located near the Betws-y-Coed village. This campsite allows you to explore the stunning landscapes of Snowdonia National Park. Located at the foot of Moel Siabod Mountain, the easy access to hiking trails directly takes you to the top of the mountain, offering breathtaking views of the surrounding landscape. The facilities at the campsite make your stay enjoyable and comfortable. The demand for this campsite rises, because of its location near Swallow Falls which also allows you to do some water activities.
Tyn Cornel Campsite
Tyn Cornel Campsite is located near the River Tryweryn. The location of the campsite provides easy access to the Arenig Mountains. The campsite is popular among families as it also provides a play area for the children. The Tyn Cornel Campsite allows you to do several activities like hiking, mountain biking, and water sports on the river. To further enhance your experience, there’s a Bala Lake nearby which is known for sailing and windsurfing opportunities. A range of facilities including electric hook-ups and an on-site shop make Tyn Cornel a practical location for visitors who wish to engage in the stunning landscapes and physical pursuits the Snowdonia region can provide.
Cae Du Farm Holidays Campsite
Cae Du Campsite is located near the coastline of Snowdonia National Park. This campsite allows you to go to nearby hiking trails to see panoramic views of the surroundings. The thing that makes this site different from other camping sites is that, it features it’s beach. This Beach is perfect is families and whitewater activities.
