The Finest NC500 Campsites for motorhomes & Campers in 2023 (with map)

Planning a motorhome or campervan journey across the North Coast 500 in Scotland? Listed below are a few of the finest NC500 campsites for motorhome, campervans, caravans & tents to remain in a single day, together with opening time (some are open all yr), services every campsite has, route planning, plus ideas for wild tenting alongside the NC500 route.

Don’t overlook to seize your FREE Scotland guidelines that can assist you keep organised.

*We work exhausting to make this the perfect motorhome weblog and street journey web site potential, stuffed with useful content material for you. The web site is supported by our readers, so for those who purchase by hyperlinks on this web site we could earn a commission- at no further value to you. All opinions stay our personal.

Should you discover this publish helpful, you can even deal with us to a espresso on the backside of this page- we promise to take pleasure in it whereas creating extra helpful content material like this- we would even take pleasure in a biscuit (or two!)

Are you able to camp wherever on the NC500 (North Coast 500)?

If you’re planning a North Coast 500 tour in any automobile, however particularly with a motorhome, caravan or campervan, the place to remain is likely one of the greatest concerns.

Let’s begin with some details.

The North Coast 500 is a collection of public roads in Scotland, which had been there lengthy earlier than the route was created. It’s free to drive the NC500– however you’ll need to pay for gas, meals and campsites.

As a result of these are public roads, you can not simply camp wherever on the NC500- there are many slender roads with solely passing locations and for those who parked in a type of you’d trigger chaos!

There best choice is to remain in one of many many campsites alongside the route- we listing a few of our favourites under.

Are you able to wild camp on the NC500 in a campervan or motorhome?

There are some strict guidelines about wild tenting in a motorhome or campervan in Scotland. It’s not as straightforward as you may suppose and it’s actually not a ‘proper’.

The brief reply is you ‘can’ wild camp in some locations alongside the route, however you should be very cautious to not block the street or entry to buildings or farmland, not trigger injury or go away any hint and also you MUST transfer on if requested.

There has additionally been some pressure between the locals and visiting vans, which remains to be simmering. After I drove the NC500 in my motorhome, I wild camped a few of the nights, however alongside the busy west coast I selected to remain in campsites because it made it much less worrying for me.

Finest NC500 campsites for motorhomes

Fortunately, there are LOADS of campsites alongside or close to to the route of the NC500. Some are open all yr spherical, however many are seasonal, opening solely close to Easter (some don’t open till July) and shut by the tip of September. 

Right here’s methods to discover motorhome campsites close to you.

In case you are planning to drive the NC500 throughout July and August, it pays to do your analysis and guide a web site in advance- particularly one of many ones with superb views or good services.

Should you’re motorhoming in Scotland exterior of peak season (which we extremely advocate), then it’s best to have extra flexibility and never must guide up fairly thus far prematurely.

Having mentioned that, if there’s a spot you actually wish to keep at, reserving is all the time a good suggestion. 

READ MORE: See our North Coast 500 motorhome itinerary right here

It’s additionally in all probability a good suggestion to hitch one of many huge motorhome golf equipment to your trip- both the Tenting and Caravanning Membership or the Caravan and Motorhome Membership- or each.

Being a member could make it simpler to guide websites AND can provide you a spot to empty waste for those who want to- they’re normally extra accommodating for members. 

Planning a visit to Scotland?

We’ve achieved the exhausting give you the results you want!

Seize our full Scotland journey planner and get:

• 80+ concepts for locations to go to
• Maps and itinerary recommendations
• Routes and issues to see alongside the best way
• Ideas, customs and far way more!

Finest Motorhome Campsites alongside the North Coast 500 route

It doesn’t matter which means you go across the NC500- it’ll all the time be one of many most scenic drives in Scotland.

To make this publish simpler to navigate, I’ve break up the route into sections going clockwise so you could find campsites which could give you the results you want.

In fact, I can’t embrace each campsite in right here, so listed below are a few web sites which you may discover helpful to seek out different choices:

The completely different sections of the NC500 are:

• WESTER- ROSS – Inverness throughout to the west coast and up the SW nook
• SUTHERLAND- The remainder of the west coast and a lot of the northern coast, aside from the very NE
• CAITHNESS- the highest NE Nook, round John o’Groats
• EASTER ROSS and the Black Isle Peninsula -East coast all the way down to Inverness
• INVERNESS-SHIRE- the realm round Inverness

NC500 Route Map

Right here’s the map of the NC500 route, with a few of the most important factors on them.

You may learn extra concerning the factors and methods to plan your North Coast 500 route right here.

Should you’re travelling in a motorhome or camper, learn our NC500 motorhoming information too

We’ve damaged this publish up into the next sections:

• finest NC500 campsites on the west coast
• campsites for motorhomes and campers on the north coast
• finest NC500 campervan and motorhome campsites on the east coast and close to Inverness

We’ve picked a choice of campsites, from huge vacation parks with indoor swimming pools, to smaller websites with fundamental services however a extra tranquil setting.

You can too see an interactive map of the perfect campsites alongside the North Coast 500 route right here:

For every, we’ve included the handle, once they’re normally open throughout the yr, in the event that they’re canine pleasant, tough costs and if they permit campfires and/ or BBQs.

NC500 Books

Should you take pleasure in researching earlier than a visit, you may discover these books helpful:

Don’t overlook to seize your motorhome logbook to report all your superb adventures!

Finest NC500 campsites for motorhomes on the west coast

The Wee Campsite

The Wee campsite is small however has unbelievable views of the loch. The essential services embrace showers, bogs, wash-up and electrical hook-ups.

Handle: Croft Street, Lochcarron, Highland, Scotland, IV54 8YB

Open (tough information): Often April till finish of September

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Sure

Costs: from £15 per unit (+pp)

Max Van Measurement: 7.5m

Applecross Campsite

Applecross is a small however standard village, set on the shores of a peninsula proper within the SW nook.

There are solely two routes to get there- one alongside the northern coast of the peninsula and one over the tops of the encircling hills- often called the Bealach na Bà- one of many steepest and highest roads within the UK.  

The campsite at Applecross has spectacular views of the Isle of Skye and the western shoreline. 

Handle: Applecross, Strathcarron, Ross-Shire, UK – IV54 8ND

Open (tough information): Starting March till finish October

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Free-standing BBQ allowed, no campfires

Costs: from £13 for a motorhome/campervan/caravan (+pp)

Sands Caravan and Tenting Park

Sands Campsite has an enviable location proper on the coast, near the city of Poolewe and the mountains of Wester Ross.

There’s a store promoting contemporary bread, groceries, fuel and alcohol, laundry facilties, children playground plus an onsite cafe in excessive season and lots to do within the space. 

Handle: Sands Caravan & Tenting, Gairloch • Wester Ross • IV21 2DL

Open (tough information): Often April till October

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Sure

Costs: from £24 for a motorhome with 2 adults

Broomfield Vacation Park

Should you fancy a little bit of nightlife, Ullapool is an efficient stopping level and Broomfield Vacation Park is likely one of the few campsites close to Ullapool. It’s additionally an ideal base for those who’re getting a ferry to the Isles. They’ve electrical hookup, children play space and bathroom blocks.

Handle: West Lane, Ullapool, IV26 2UT

Open (tough information): April till finish September

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQs

Costs: from £24/ night time for a motorhome and two folks

Shore Caravan Website

Shore Caravan Website is family-friendly campsite is on the award-winning Achmelvich Bay and is simply 4-miles from the small village of Lochinver. 

The seashore is the principle attraction and you may look forward to finding households browsing, swimming and rockpool looking. There are additionally climbing routes close by. 

Services embrace a rest room block with showers, launderette, on-site store, chip store and WiFi. They’re strict about their services being for company solely. 

Handle: 106 Achmelvich, Lochinver, Sutherland, IV27 4JB

Open (tough information): Open April- October

Canine pleasant?: No

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? Campfires allowed not on grass

Costs: from £15 (+pp)

Clachtoll Seaside Campsite

Probably the most iconic seashores on the NC500 is Clachtoll beach- and you may keep in a single day proper subsequent to it. 

The campsite has electrical hookup, showers, rest room blocks (with hairdryers) and laundry services. There’s even a merchandising machine and WiFi.

This family-run web site may be very environmentally acutely aware and actively encourages campers to make use of eco-friendly chemical substances in waste tanks when disposing of onsite as properly.

Handle: Clachtoll Seaside Campsite, 134 Clachtoll, Lochinver, Sutherland, IV27 4JD

Open (tough information): Open all yr

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQs

Costs: from £19 for an unserviced pitch (+pp)

Scourie Campsite

Scourie Campsite is on the sting of Scourie Bay, with breathtaking views throughout the bay and islands. They’re additionally close to the ferry which runs to Handa Island so you’ll be able to see the puffins. 

They’ve exhausting standing pitches, plus rest room blocks, dishwashing and waste.

Handle: Scourie, Lairg, IV27 4TE

Open (tough information): April to September

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQs

Costs: from £18 (+pp)

NORTH COAST & CAITHNESS NC500 campsites for motorhomes

Sango Sands Oasis

Sango Sands Oasis campsite is perched above the sandy Sango Sands seashore and is likely one of the hottest campsites on the North Coast 500 route.

Smoo Cave is simply down the street and the views over the North Sea are spectacular. It was voted probably the greatest campsites within the UK by the Instances. Ceannabeinne Seaside and the Golden Eagle zipline are close by.

Services embrace electrical hookup, exhausting standing and grass pitches, rest room blocks, waste disposal, laundry services and a restaurant with bar. 

You solely must guide in order for you electrical hook-up. Non-serviced and grass pitches are first come, first served. 

Honest warning: it will possibly get windy alongside this coastline- it’s very uncovered. I received caught in a storm there and it was VERY rocking within the motorhome!

Tenting out of season:  From mid November to mid March chances are you’ll keep right here in a single day for simply £10 with electrical hookup. You can too use their water replenish. The bogs are closed however there are public bogs accessible subsequent to the native grocery store.

Handle: Sango Bay, Durness, Sutherland, IV27 4PZ

Open (tough information): All yr for those who don’t want services

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? No

Costs: From £10pp (further prices for youngsters and electrical energy)

There’s an onsite bar and restaurant, stocked stuffed with all the perfect Scotch Whisky, this cosy campsite is right to your keep within the north-west of Scotland.

Dunnet Bay Caravan and Motorhome Membership Website

Dunnet Bay is one other campsite with breathtaking views and a close-by seashore. Near the city of Thurso, it’s in a superb location to go to John o’Groats and Orkney. That is the place we left our motorhome for the day once we visited Orkney on our motorbikes (you can even take your motorhome or camper to Orkney, even when only for the day.)

Dunnet Bay is a Caravan and Motorhome membership web site and there are services to match- rest room blocks, laundry, electrical hookup and loads of issues to do close by. 

Handle: Dunnet, Thurso, Highlands, KW14 8XD

Open (tough information): March till finish of October

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ

Costs: from £20 (+pp)

John O’Groats Caravan and Tenting Website

If you wish to camp proper subsequent to John o’Groats, that is the campsite to do it. The views are fantastic and the services are good- electrical hookup, rest room blocks and laundry services. 

Handle: County Street, John o’ Groats KW1 4YR

Open (tough information): April till finish of October

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ

Costs: from £24 for a caravan or motorhome

EAST COAST NC500 campsites for motorhomes and campers (inc BLACK ISLE and Inverness)

Wick River Camptite

The Wick River campsite is a sheltered campsite on the banks of the River Wick and solely a 5-minute stroll into the city of Wick. Close by are outlets, eating places, swimming, golf and seashores. 

Handle: Riverside Drive, Wick, Caithness KW1 5SP

Open (tough information): Could till finish of September

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? No

Costs: from £26 for a motorhome and a pair of adults.

Brora Caravan Membership Website

The Brora Caravan Membership Website is on a reasonably sheltered stretch of shoreline, but is simply 300m from the seashore.

It’s a preferred web site with birdwatchers, because the Arctic Tern nest on the seashore. Close by are lochs and the ocean for swimming or fishing- you may even see whales, seals or dolphins. Brora village is barely a few miles away and has outlets and a few eating places.

Handle: Dalchalm, Brora, Highlands, KW9 6LP

Open (tough information): March till finish of October

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ

Costs: from £15 (+pp)

Dornoch Caravan and Tenting Park

The Dornoch Caravan and Tenting Park sits proper on the award-winning Dornoch seashore and near the small city of Dornoch. 

It’s solely a 5 minute stroll to Dornoch Cathedral and there’s Dunrobin Fortress (probably the greatest castles on the NC500) and a golf course close by. 

Handle: The Hyperlinks, Dornoch, Sutherland-shire IV25 3LX

Open (tough information): April till finish of October

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ

Costs: £27 for a unit with 4 folks with electrical

Grannie Heilan Hame Vacation Park

As websites go, this can be a good one. There are such a lot of services, together with loopy golf, a jacuzzi, children membership, zipwire, bowling, indoor pool, tennis courts- and that’s earlier than you even get to the seashore and the unbelievable views.

The location sits on the white sand seashore of Embo and is near the historic city of Dornoch. 

Onsite there’s a store, bar and restaurant. It’s a Park Dean resort, so it’s not quiet- or low cost, however in order for you leisure, that is the place for you.

Handle: Dornoch, Sutherland, IV25 3QD

Open (tough information): Feb till October

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ

Costs: from £16 pp

Dingwall Tenting and Caravanning Membership Website

This Dingwall campsite overlooks the well-known Cromarty Firth and is a peaceable place to unwind.  Pitches are stage and there’s a mixture of grass and hard-standing, many with electrical. There are rest room blocks and washing services. 

It’s near the market city of Dingwall which has a variety of retailers, a grocery store and eating places.

It’s additionally an excellent place to depart the motorhome and catch a practice into Inverness or to Kyle of Lochalsh on the West coast; a shocking route taking in a few of Scotland’s most stunning surroundings.

The Dingwall Heritage climbing Path passes the campsite and follows the River Peffery to a picnic space on the Cromarty Firth. 

Wildlife lovers can hopefully spot dolphins at Cromarty, or see Pink Kites on the Black Isle. Ospreys may be seen in close by Udale Bay. For native tradition, go to the Victorian village of Strathpeffer or go to the Black Isle Brewery, Munlochy for excursions and tastings.

NOTE: TV and Wifi indicators could also be poor. 

Handle: Jubilee Park Rd, Dingwall IV15 9QZ

Open (tough information): April till finish of October

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ

Costs: from £9.25pp

Black Rock Campsite

Black Rock campsite is near the Black Rock gorge- a 120 deep chasm carved by the River Glass. 

The park is near the village of Evanton, simply 15 miles north of Inverness and Dingwall (with the practice station) is simply 4 miles west. There’s a bus service to succeed in each of those locations.

There are 33 gravel touring pitches, all stage with water drainage, electrical hook up and an aeriel socket. There are additionally rest room and washing services, plus freezer packs, a store and a pub simply exterior, which presents 10% low cost to campers. 

Handle: Balconie St, Evanton, Dingwall IV16 9UN

Open (tough information): April till finish of October

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ

Costs: from £25 per night time

Ardtower Caravan Park- close to Culloden 

If you wish to go to Culloden, Ardtower Caravan Park is a superb choice. 95% of pitches have an uninterrupted view in direction of the Black Isle and the views past. There’s respectable wifi in most areas and trendy services.

Handle: Culloden Street, Inverness, IV2 5AA

Open (tough information): All yr (could shut in February/ March for upkeep)

Canine pleasant?: Sure

Campfire/ BBQ allowed? BBQ

Costs: from £28 for a grass pitch with 2 adults.

Planning a visit to Scotland?

We’ve achieved the exhausting give you the results you want!

Seize our full Scotland journey planner and get:

• 80+ concepts for locations to go to
• Maps and itinerary recommendations
• Routes and issues to see alongside the best way
• Ideas, customs and far way more!

NC500 motorhome campsites open all yr spherical

Listed below are a number of campsites we all know of alongside the NC500 that are open all yr. (Please do examine in advance- simply in case they’ve modified their phrases since we wrote this).

Waste Disposal factors for motorhomes and campervans on the NC500

It sickens me how ceaselessly the information has tales of idiots who’ve determined to simply dump their waste (human or in any other case) in conjunction with the street, or in a nook of a automobile park- with completely no regard for the injury their actions are having each on the setting and on the general public notion of motorhomers and campervanners. 

WARNING: Locals have began a NC500 ‘watch’ to report troublemakers and individuals who go away behind injury or waste- and you may end up banned from another campsites on the route, so please act responsibly. 

It’s true that the NC500 route has some areas the place disposing of waste may be tricky- particularly out of season when many locations are closed. 

Nevertheless, there are alternatives round, and the federal government is working to place extra choices in place, so please do use them. The simplest choice is to guide right into a campsite and use their waste disposal factors and replenish on freshwater. 

There are even a few campsites alongside the route the place you’ll be able to get rid of gray and black waste hygienically, even for those who select to not keep on that campsite (you’ll need to pay a cost for utilizing their facilities- as they must pay to get your waste handled and eliminated.)

A few these are:

If you already know of any extra NC500 motorhome campsites you’d advocate, be at liberty to depart them within the feedback so others can profit. Secure travels!

Sharing is caring!