Dartmoor National Park is the only place in England where wild camping is explicitly legal — but only under specific conditions, and the legal situation has been through significant changes in the last few years. If you're planning to wild camp on Dartmoor in 2026, here's what you need to know.
The Legal Situation
The 2023 High Court Case
In January 2023, landowner Alexander Darwall took Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) to court, arguing that the right to wild camp on Dartmoor was not covered by the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985. The High Court agreed — overnight camping on the commons was not a legal right of access.
The Appeal (July 2023)
The DNPA appealed. The Court of Appeal overturned the High Court's ruling, confirming that the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 does include "the right to rest or sleep overnight" as part of the right to open-air recreation on the commons.
What This Means in 2026
Wild camping on Dartmoor's commons is legal. But the commons only cover about half of the national park. You cannot wild camp on:
- Land owned by the Ministry of Defence (the northern firing ranges — very clearly signed, sometimes actively shelled)
- Enclosed farmland (fields with walls, hedges, or fences)
- Forestry Commission plantations (unless specifically permitted)
- Access land managed by the DNPA but not designated as common land (check the DNPA's online map)
The Rules
The DNPA's byelaws for wild camping on the commons are:
- No camping within 100 metres of a public road — the A30, A382, B3212 and most minor roads count. This rule is enforced more strictly than it used to be.
- No camping in archaeological sites — the hut circles on the moor are protected ancient monuments. Setting up your tent inside one is both illegal and disrespectful.
- No group camping over 6 people and 2 tents — larger groups need a license from the DNPA.
- No camping for more than 2 consecutive nights in one spot — the "leave no trace" rule is part of it, but this specific limit is in the byelaws.
- No fires — the Dartmoor fire risk in summer (April-September) is severe. Open fires are banned. Gas stoves are fine.
- No litter — carry out everything you carry in. The DNPA rangers take photos of abandoned gear and publish them as evidence.
Best Wild Camping Spots on Dartmoor
The Northern Moor
- Furzor — the most popular spot. Flat ground, near water (the River Tavy), and accessible from the minor road at Bridestowe. Park at the layby near the cattle grid. It's a 15-minute walk in.
- Great Kneeset — quieter than Furzor, higher elevation. Park at the end of the road at Cock's Ford. The walk up is steep but the views over the north moor are worth it.
- High Willhays — the highest point on Dartmoor (621m). Park at the Meldon Reservoir car park. It's a 45-minute hike. Exposed, windy, and spectacular.
The Southern Moor
- Piles Copse — Dartmoor's ancient oak woodland by the River Erme. Sheltered, beautiful, midgey in summer. Park at the small layby at Piles Gate.
- Bellever Forest — accessible from the B3357. The forest has several flat clearings used by campers. Park at the Bellever Tor car park (£3, honesty box).
- Dartmeet — the confluence of the East and West Dart rivers. Popular with wild campers. Park at the main visitor car park (day use only — park after 6pm).
The Eastern Moors
- Grimspound — a Bronze Age settlement (the one with the stone circle that's on every Dartmoor postcard). You can camp nearby (not inside the enclosure, which is a protected monument). Park at the small car park on the B3212 at Hookney.
- Hound Tor — stunning tor with a medieval village ruin at its base. Park at the Hound Tor car park (£3). Camp in the valley below the tor, not on the ridge itself.
Parking Your Van
Most wild camping on Dartmoor involves parking your van and hiking to a pitch. Overnight campervan parking is a grey area even on the commons. The byelaws technically ban vehicles from the commons entirely. In practice:
- Park in designated car parks after paying — the DNPA car parks (most are £3-5, honesty box or RingGo) tolerate single-night campervan stays if you arrive after 6pm and leave before 9am
- Laybys on minor roads — widely used by campervan owners. The trick is to avoid obvious "camping" setups (no chairs, no awnings). Just sleep in the van
- Do NOT park at trailheads or popular walking spots — these are the most likely to get a knock from rangers or police
When to Go
| Month | Weather | Crowds | Midges | Verdict |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Apr-May | Mixed, cold nights | Low | None | Good, but pack a warm bag |
| Jun-Aug | Best chance of sun | High | Bad in valleys | Popular, book campsites |
| Sep-Oct | Milder, still nice | Medium | Dying off | Best balance |
| Nov-Mar | Cold, wet, dark | Very low | None | Hardcore only |
The army firing ranges on the northern moor are active Monday-Friday, 9am-5pm, most weeks. Check the DNPA firing range schedule online before heading to the north moor — the MOD is not bluffing about live firing.
Dartmoor Essentials
- OS Map OL28 — Dartmoor is crisscrossed with paths that don't exist on Google Maps. Phone signal is patchy and non-existent in the river valleys.
- Water — Dartmoor has plenty of streams and rivers, but you need a filter or purification tablets. Sheep and ponies drink from the same water you're using.
- Windproof tent — the wind across the northern moor is relentless. A tunnel tent (like a Hilleberg or Terra Nova) handles it better than a dome.
- Midge repellent — Smidge or Avon Skin So Soft. The river valleys are infested with midges from June to August.
- Trowel — no toilets on the moor. Bury your waste at least 30 metres from any water source, at least 15cm deep. Pack out your toilet paper in a zip-lock bag.
