As the most renowned national parks get busier and busier, it’s time to turn our attention to some of the easily forgotten green gems of the UK. Dartmoor National Park is one of these, nestled in the southwest of England and waiting to be explored by you. It features a range of landscapes, with forests, wetlands, rivers, rock formations and more. If you’re lucky, you may even spot the ponies that roam the craggy landscape. But if you don’t, you’ll still likely be captivated by the Neolithic tombs, abandoned medieval farmhouses and Bronze Age stone circles. Dartmoor National Park is also an excellent destination for hiking and biking enthusiasts.
The best way to visit Dartmoor National Park is by motorhome, so we’ve rounded up a complete list of Dartmoor camping sites to help you find the perfect one for your trip. Book one of these great campsites in Dartmoor, pack up your campervan and let the adventure begin!
1. The best child-friendly campsite
Out of all the motorhome sites in Dartmoor, your children will have the best time at Three Hares Campsite. This small family-run site describes itself as “simple, secluded and scenic, “ and what more could you want for camping in Dartmoor? It’s an oasis of tranquillity and suits every type of traveller.
Spend your mornings hiking the Two Moors Way or biking the Wray Valley Trail or Granite Way. Afternoons are for cooling off with a swim in the River Teign or trying your hand at kayaking. You’ll likely work up an appetite that can only be satisfied by Devon cream teas! Evenings are reserved for relaxing onsite, perhaps reading in one of the many hammocks set up in the willow trees. Children will be entertained for hours by the tree swing and play area.
This eco-friendly site has all the necessary facilities in place so your day can end with a hot shower. If you need any more supplies to use their barbecues, simply visit the fab farm shop five minutes away, which offers top-notch sausages and local veg for your grill.
This site doesn’t allow dogs due to the neighbouring sheep.
Price: from £15 per night
Location: Westford Farm, Exeter EX6 6RD, United Kingdom
50.711424, -3.814091
2. The best wild camping site
If you’re looking to truly escape the bustle of daily life and emerge yourself in the stunning nature of Dartmoor National Park, then Meldon Lake and Woods should be first on your list. This wild camping site is situated on a Devon farm, a mere five-minute drive from Okehampton and 50 minutes to Teignmouth beach.
They depict themselves as a no-frills site, and that may be exactly what you’re looking for when considering campsites near Dartmoor. This rural location allows you to properly stop everything and focus on the present, with nothing to disturb your tranquillity escape the chatter of birds and rustling wildlife.
There are several walking routes surrounding the campsite, as well as the Granite Way cycle route that can take you to the National Cycle Network’s ‘Devon Coast to Coast’ Route 27 - the ideal challenge for long-distance bikers! You can follow your daily adventures with a wild swim onsite.
This site is not recommended to those looking for a glamping experience and is dedicated to a rural camping experience.
Price: from £15 per night
Location: Meldon, Devon, England, EX20 4LU, United Kingdom
50.711721, -4.034968
3. The best campsite for a campfire
It’s rare to find a campsite that allows campfires, and even rarer to find one that encourages them! Ashbourne Woods is a rural site, tucked away with 68 acres of woodlands and one of the best campsites near the Dartmoor National Park. There is a communal fire area, and campfires are allowed on pitches, so be sure to bring plenty of marshmallows and sausages!
The site features a shared fridge, water facilities, a laundry/washing up area and more. No matter how basic your campervan is, you’ll be well taken care of at Ashbourne Woods.
Aside from being campfire-friendly, this campsite is also dog-friendly! Once you’ve arranged your dog-friendly campervan hire, you can pitch up on one of their electric or non-electric pitches.
A pint is never far from this campsite; a ten-minute walk will bring you to a fab eleventh-century pub that can fulfil all your needs.
Price: from £20 per night
Location: Ashbourne Woods, Rattery, South Brent TQ10 9JZ, United Kingdom
50.442056, -3.787525
4. The best location during a road trip
You may be trying to explore as much of Dartmoor National Park as possible or merely stopping here as you head south to Cornwall; either way, you may be looking for the most practical campsite for a one-night stop. Lemonford Caravan Park is the best located of the motorhome sites in Dartmoor for this, as it is situated right on the A38.
This family-run campsite is positioned between Dartmoor National Park and the coast, allowing you to enjoy a bit of both. You could trek the craggy terrain of Dartmoor or walk up to Hay Tor. Alternatively, you may wish to visit Teignmouth or Dawlish for a beach day. Nearby Paignton Pier offers tenpin bowling, fairground rides and crazy golf.
Lemonford Caravan Park offers all the amenities you’ll need, including an extensive laundry room to freshen up your suitcase. They also provide a spacious wetroom and toilet for guests with limited mobility.
Newton Abbot is just ten minutes away, so you can do a spot of shopping or enjoy a nice dinner in this lovely city.
Price: from £17 per night
Location: Lemonford Ln, Bickington, Newton Abbot TQ12 6JR, United Kingdom
50.538978, -3.703420
5. The best campsite for a full package
Bundu Camping and Caravan Park shines compared to other Dartmoor camping sites because everything you need is right there on site. At the entrance to this homely campsite, you’ll find a bar and cafe, which is renowned for its selection of ales and ciders. As if that wasn’t enough, right next door is The Pump and Pedal, which offers delicious pizzas! If you’re planning long days exploring Dartmoor National Park and staying active, you’ll undoubtedly appreciate a warm meal ready for your return.
This campsite is easily accessed from the A30 and allows you to explore the northern edge of Dartmoor National Park. The National Cycle Route 27 is adjacent to the site, and if you haven’t brought your own set of wheels, you can hire a bike within 100 yards of the campsite.
Bundu also features a barbecue area in case you feel like cooking yourself, and they even have an onsite shop selling provisions and charcoal. If you usually like to start your day with a morning newspaper, this shouldn’t have to change when you’re on holiday, and you can arrange to have your daily newspaper ready on this campsite. The only difference will be that you’re enjoying it with a gorgeous view!
Price: from £18.50 per night
Location: Sourton Down, Okehampton EX20 4HT, United Kingdom
50.705844, -4.060338
6. The best campsite for your furry friend
And finally, we close off our list of the best campsites in Dartmoor with The Old Rectory Caravan and Camping Park. Don’t let this long name throw you off, as this family-run park is a camping delight! It’s ideally situated for anyone looking to explore both Cornwall and Devon, and offers something for everyone.
This site stands out to other motorhome sites near Dartmoor for how it goes the extra mile, thinking of truly everything. You can start your morning with free-range eggs, veggies, sausages and bacon, all of which are produced onsite. If the weather is rather grim and you’re worried about ruining your shoes, have no fear! You can loan a pair of wellies onsite to complete your camping attire. If that rainy day has driven you indoors, you can entertain yourself with a juicy novel from the on-site book exchange.
But a campsite shouldn’t just appeal to the humans in the travelling party, and so The Old Rectory Caravan and Camping Park goes a step further from just being a dog-friendly campsite. They have a designated dog-walking field, which will allow both you and your pup the chance to stretch your legs and socialise.
Price: from £16 per night
Location: The Old Rectory, Gulworthy, Tavistock PL19 8JA, United Kingdom
50.532590, -4.190528
There you have it, six of the best campsites in Dartmoor and why you should visit them! These campsites span the length of Dartmoor, allowing you to explore this vast area and soak in all the beauty it offers. Dartmoor is the ideal campervan getaway, and we recommend taking the next bank holiday to enjoy a motorhome trip to Dartmoor. You could even visit several of these great motorhome sites in Dartmoor and make a road trip out of it!
Looking for a road trip with a stop in Dartmoor? Check out our London to Cornwall road trip itinerary!
