Dartmoor is a landscape that gets under your skin. Once you’ve experienced its wild, open moorlands, ancient granite tors, and deep, silent river valleys, the memories are instilled in you forever.
My favourite part has always been the sight of the wild Dartmoor ponies, a truly iconic feature of this stunning part of the world.
For years, this has been my go-to place for a weekend of discovery, a place to breathe deep and reconnect. But I’ve also learned that planning a trip here, especially a camping trip, requires a bit of know-how.
Dartmoor offers two very different paths for sleeping under the stars: the rugged self-sufficiency of wild camping and the comfort of a designated campsite.
This guide is designed to help you choose your path and plan the perfect adventure. We’ll cover everything from the crucial rules of wild camping to the best campsites, and I’ll even share my own weekend itinerary to show you how it can all come together.
The Dartmoor Camping Planner: What You Need to Know Now
Let’s get the most important information up front. If you’re short on time, this is the essential planning hub.
Legal Status: Yes, “backpack camping” (the official term for wild camping) is legally permitted in designated areas of Dartmoor. This unique right, granted under the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985, was recently upheld by the UK Supreme Court, securing it for all responsible adventurers.
Key Safety Warnings:
- Check the Weather: Dartmoor’s weather is famously unpredictable and can change in minutes. Always check the specialist weather forecast before you leave.
- Check Firing Times: Large parts of the moor are active military training areas. It is essential to consult the official to ensure your route is safe.
- Leave No Trace: This is the golden rule. To protect this fragile environment, you must pack out everything you bring in and leave your campsite exactly as you found it.
Dartmoor Camping: Wild vs. Designated Sites
This is the first and most important decision you’ll make. The table below breaks down the two distinct camping experiences available on Dartmoor to help you choose the right one for you.
|
Feature |
Wild Camping (“Backpack Camping”) |
Designated Campsites |
|---|---|---|
|
Legality |
Legal only in designated purple-hashed zones on the official map. |
Legal on privately owned, registered sites across the park. |
|
Cost |
Free of charge. |
Paid, with prices varying by site and season (starting from approx. £12 per night). |
|
Facilities |
None. You must be fully self-sufficient and carry out all waste. A trowel is required for burying human waste. |
Typically includes toilets, showers, fresh water taps, and waste disposal. Some offer shops, restaurants, and play areas. |
|
Group Size |
Small groups only, with a maximum of six people stipulated in the official code. |
Varies by site; can generally accommodate larger family groups and multiple tents. |
|
Tent Rules |
Small, lightweight tent that can be carried in a backpack. Large family tents are not permitted. |
No restrictions on tent size; suitable for large family tents, trailer tents, and multi-tent setups. |
|
Campfires |
Strictly forbidden. The risk of wildfire is extremely high. Cooking must be done on a contained stove. |
Often permitted in designated fire pits or raised BBQs, subject to site rules. |
|
Best For… |
Experienced hikers, minimalists, and those seeking true solitude, wilderness, and a personal challenge. |
Families with children, beginners, larger groups, and those wanting a comfortable base for daily explorations. |
The Definitive Guide to Wild Camping on Dartmoor
There’s a sense of absolute freedom that comes with carrying everything you need on your back and choosing your own pitch amongst the tors and heather.
Dartmoor is the only place in England where this is a legally protected right, but it comes with serious responsibilities.
The Official “Backpack Camping Code”
The Dartmoor National Park Authority (DNPA) has a clear code of conduct built on three core principles. Following them is non-negotiable.
Travel Light: This is about self-sufficiency. You must use a small, lightweight tent and carry all your gear in a backpack. Stays are limited to one or two nights in any single location as part of a longer walking journey.
Stay Out of Sight: Discretion is paramount. You must camp at least 100 metres from any road and out of sight of houses or settlements. Your tent should be a neutral colour (green or brown) to blend into the landscape.
Tread Lightly: This is the heart of the “Leave No Trace” ethic. It means an absolute ban on open fires and BBQs due to the severe risk of wildfire. You must pack out all litter—including food scraps like fruit peels and tea bags, which don’t biodegrade quickly. Avoid polluting streams and be especially careful not to disturb wildlife during the ground-nesting bird season (1 March – 31 July).
Where to Camp: A Beginner’s Guide to the Tors
Choosing your first wild camping spot can be daunting. The key is to pick a location that is accessible but still feels wild. Always check the first to ensure you’re in a permitted area. Here are a few great options for first-timers:
- Row Tor: Close to a car park, this spot is perfect for testing new gear. It offers stunning panoramic views of the high tors like Yes Tor and East Mill Tor.
- Great Staple Tor: Known for its dramatic, house-sized stacks of granite, this tor provides fantastic visual interest and potential shelter from the wind. It’s a truly iconic Dartmoor landscape.
- Oke Tor: A great all-weather option with interesting rock clusters that can provide shelter. It offers expansive views down the Taw Valley and is a fantastic place to watch the weather roll in.
“Leave No Trace” in Practice
This is more than just a slogan; it’s a practical set of actions.
- Waste: Pack a dedicated rubbish bag and carry everything out. This includes used wet wipes and sanitary products.
- Toileting: If you need to go, walk at least 50 metres from any water source. Use a trowel to dig a hole about 15cm (6 inches) deep, and bury your waste. Used toilet paper must be packed out in your rubbish bag.
Our Dartmoor Weekend: A Personal Itinerary
To show you how it all comes together, here’s a breakdown of a weekend trip I took, following the “Designated Campsite” path. This itinerary is perfect for a first visit, blending comfort with exploration.
Day 1: Arrival and Moorland Immersion
- Basecamp: We stayed at a wonderful farm campsite near Postbridge. It was the perfect setup—a peaceful field with its own stream and woodland, but with the welcome comfort of a toilet block and showers. It gave us a comfortable base without sacrificing the feeling of being in nature. There are many friendly farm campsites and holiday parks across the park that offer a similar experience.
- Afternoon Exploration: We headed straight for Postbridge village to see its famous medieval Clapper Bridge. Standing on those massive granite slabs, imagining the centuries of footsteps that have crossed them, is a powerful experience. It’s one of Dartmoor’s most photographed landmarks for a reason.
Day 2: History, Legends, and Epic Drives
- Morning in Princetown: We drove up to Princetown, the highest village in the park. It has a fascinating history, founded by Sir Thomas Tyrwhitt and famously providing inspiration for Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s The Hound of the Baskervilles. You can’t miss the imposing granite walls of HM Prison Dartmoor, which first opened in 1809. The prison museum next door is well worth a visit to understand the town’s unique past.
- Scenic Drive – The B3212: The drive from Princetown towards Two Bridges and Postbridge is absolutely stunning, with rugged, open scenery stretching for miles. This road is also home to the spooky local legend of the “Hairy Hands,” a phantom that supposedly grabs the steering wheel and forces vehicles off the road!
- A Pint at a Famous Pub: We finished our drive with a stop at The Warren House Inn, one of England’s most remote and famous pubs. We warmed ourselves by its legendary fireplace, which is said to have been burning continuously since 1845.
Exploring the Heart of the Moor
Whether you’re camping or just visiting for the day, Dartmoor is packed with incredible things to see and do. Here are a few of my favourites.
Unmissable Historical Sites
Dartmoor’s landscape is an open-air museum, dotted with the remains of human history stretching back millennia.
Grimspound: Step back 3,500 years at this incredible Bronze Age settlement. Managed by English Heritage, you can walk among the remains of 24 stone roundhouses enclosed by a massive boundary wall.
Merrivale Prehistoric Settlement: A fascinating and easily accessible ritual complex from the Bronze Age, featuring stone rows, a stone circle, and burial cairns.
Hound Tor Deserted Medieval Village: Wander through the ghostly foundations of a 13th-century farming hamlet, abandoned centuries ago, likely due to climate change and the Black Death.
Lydford Castle & Saxon Town: Explore a different era of history with the remains of a Saxon town, a Norman castle, and a 13th-century tower that served as a notoriously harsh prison.
A Photographer’s Guide to Iconic Views
Dartmoor is a dream for photographers, with its dramatic light and rugged landscapes.
For Dramatic Tors: Haytor Rocks is one of Dartmoor’s most famous landmarks, perfect for sunrise and sunset. For unique compositions, head to Great Staple Tor with its incredible house-sized stacks of granite.
For Mystical Woodlands: Wistman’s Wood is straight out of a fairytale. Its ancient, moss-covered, and gnarled oak trees create an otherworldly atmosphere, especially in the mist.
For That Perfect Shot: Seek out the lone, wind-blown Hawthorn Tree at Holwell Lawn (near Haytor) for a classic Dartmoor subject. Or, for a splash of colour, find the iconic “Red Barn” at Emsworthy Mire, which is stunning when surrounded by bluebells in May.
Classic Dartmoor Pub Walks
There’s nothing better than earning your pint. Combining a walk with a classic pub is a quintessential Dartmoor experience.
The Old Railway Walk, Princetown: A fantastic five-mile walk along the former Princetown railway line, offering magnificent views of King’s Tor. It finishes perfectly at The Plume of Feathers in Princetown for a real ale and some hearty food.
The Widgery Cross Walk, Lydford: This popular three-mile route takes you up to Brat Tor, which is topped by the granite Widgery Cross. The walk starts and ends at the Dartmoor Inn, an ideal reward after your climb.
Essential Gear and Preparation
The right gear doesn’t just make you more comfortable; it keeps you safe. Dartmoor’s weather demands respect.
The Dartmoor Clothing System: Hope for Sun, Pack for Storms
The key to comfort on the moor is layering. I explain this system in detail in my guide all about how to layer for adventures, but here are the basics :
- Base Layer: A moisture-wicking top (merino wool or synthetic) to keep sweat off your skin.
- Mid Layer: An insulating fleece or synthetic jacket to trap warmth.
- Outer Shell: A fully waterproof and windproof jacket to protect you from the elements.
- Avoid Cotton: The golden rule is “cotton kills.” It absorbs moisture, stays wet, and chills you to the bone. Leave the jeans and cotton hoodies at home.
- Footwear: Sturdy, waterproof hiking boots are a must. Pair them with thick, anti-blister wool or synthetic socks.
Your Wild Camping Pack Checklist
If you’re heading out for a wild camp, every gram counts. Here is a list of non-negotiables:
- Shelter: A lightweight, 1-2 person tent in a neutral colour, or a bivvy bag for the more adventurous.
- Sleeping System: A sleeping bag with a comfort rating suitable for the season and a sleeping pad for insulation from the cold ground.
- Cooking: A lightweight gas stove or meths burner, fuel, and a pot. Remember, open fires are strictly forbidden.
- Navigation: A physical Ordnance Survey (OS) map of Dartmoor (OL28) and a compass are essential. Phone signal is unreliable, and fog can descend in minutes, so don’t rely solely on a GPS or phone app. A portable power bank is a wise backup.
- Safety & Essentials: A first-aid kit, emergency whistle, head torch with spare batteries, sun cream, and insect repellent.
- Water: Carry at least two litres of water and a reliable water filter or purification tablets to safely refill from streams.
I thoroughly enjoyed that, thank you, Janine! I stayed just on the edge of Dartmoor, in Devon, for a few days back in 2015, so almost ten years ago now. I explored some of the towns nearby, and believe Buckfast Abbey was one of the locations I visited. I haven’t really been camping much, but this sounds like a fantastic place, once seasoned in the art of putting up tents etc. Sounds like you have some very pleasant memories of Dartmoor, with your children. I will look forward to visiting this lovely part of South England another time too, surely!
I’m so glad you enjoyed this one, it really is a wonderful destination. Although the camping was cold in the evening with autumn temperatures setting in, the experience was truly magical. The next opportunity I get to visit Dartmoor I’ll try to pull in a trip to Buckfast Abbey. I’m sure our kids would enjoy a return trip now they’re grown up.
Thank you very much.
Janine.