Yorkshire holidays: our complete guide to campsites in Yorkshire

Best local features

The North York Moors National Park is a special place combining moorland, coast, forest and dale. Rich in heritage and wildlife, there’s plenty of walking to be done in quiet spaces. Or head to coast to feel the wind on your face and hear the roar of the sea.

Further inland, to the west, is the second of the national parks – the Yorkshire Dales. Here you can explore rolling hills across a rugged and wild landscape. It is a place of calm and beauty. A place to take time for yourself, away from the hustle and bustle.

The Yorkshire coastline is a stunning stretch of natural beauty, diverse landscapes, and charming towns. Starting in the north, the dramatic cliffs and moorland of Staithes provide a picturesque setting with its historic fishing village charm. Moving south, Whitby offers iconic sights such as Whitby Abbey, and a vibrant harbour filled with seafood delights. Further along, Robin Hood's Bay captivates visitors with its narrow, winding streets and fossil-rich beaches. Scarborough, the region's largest coastal town, boasts sandy beaches and a bustling promenade. For nature enthusiasts, the RSPB Reserve Bempton Cliffs is a haven for birdwatching, home to thousands of seabirds, including puffins and gannets.

Continuing down the coast, Filey offers a more tranquil experience with its long, sandy beach and Bridlington combines traditional seaside charm with the modern amenities of a family-friendly resort.

Best attractions

Harrogate is a Victorian, boutique spa town with a selection of places to shop and eat, with the famous Bettys being top of the list for an afternoon tea or lunchtime treat. As well as the historic Victorian and Georgian buildings of the town, there is also plenty of green open space in the form of several parks and gardens.

There’s so much to see and do in the medieval city of York. The ancient defensive walls surround the city, which you can walk along, or step inside and marvel at the grand York Minster. The timber-framed houses and traditional shopfronts of the Shambles make shopping (or just browsing) a real delight, and of course you have your choice of places to eat and drink.

Just over the border from Cumbria is an impressive piece of Victorian engineering – the Ribblehead Viaduct. Set 32 metres above the ground, the viaduct carries the Settle to Carlisle Railway over 24 massive stone arches.

Malham Cove is a large, curving cliff formation of limestone rock above the village of Malham. Climb to the top of the 80-metre-high vertical cliff face for stunning views from a large area of deeply eroded, spectacular limestone pavement.

Janet’s Foss is a pretty waterfall and pool near Gordale Scar, located in woodland three miles along the footpath from Malham village.

One of England’s highest market towns, Hawes is the home of Wensleydale cheese. It’s also a great place for walkers to access the Pennine Way.

Aysgarth Falls is a series of waterfalls that cascade over limestone ledges on the River Ure, near Aysgarth village, just under 10 miles from Hawes. The falls are divided into three stages, called Upper Force, Middle Force and Lower Force. The visitor centre offers details on many local walks, including through the nearby wooded valley.

The forest landscape at Dalby offers a variety of different trails, from gentle strolls to challenging bike rides. The forest is also a designated Dark Sky Discovery Site – the perfect location for some night-time stargazing.

To experience breathtaking views in the daytime, and a possible chance to see the northern lights at night-time (on rare occasions when conditions are right), head to the 298-metre-high Sutton Bank escarpment.

Helmsley is a pretty market town with attractions to choose from such as a birds of prey centre, a historic castle, walled gardens and even a brewery. For shoppers to get their fix there is a selection of stores, galleries and boutiques to browse.

Wander the ruins of the English Heritage-managed Rievaulx Abbey and learn about the monks who called it home. The site also has a museum, visitor centre and tearoom. You can follow the Cleveland Way to go between Helmsley Castle and Rievaulx Abbey, too.

Best campsites in the Yorkshire Dales

High Moor Farm Park is situated four miles from Harrogate on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales. Harrogate is a pretty spa town with a shopping centre, plenty of open space to enjoy, gardens, a theatre and cinemas.

High Moor Farm Park has a range of recreational facilities, including a licensed bar serving meals, a nine-hole golf course, bowls and fishing. Also on the campsite is a shop, a large indoor swimming pool and amusement area with pool tables. Toilets and showers are heated, there are also bathrooms and separate accessible facilities, along with a laundry.

Find out more: High Moor Farm Park  

At just 40 minutes from Windermere, 40 minutes from Skipton and 30 minutes from Morecambe, Riverside Caravan Park couldn’t be better placed for a location from which to explore the Yorkshire Dales, the Lakes and the coast.

The campsite is nestled on the banks of a river, within walking distance of the market town of High Bentham. There are plenty of local walks, you can fish on the river, and a golf course is close by. There are 61 touring pitches, including 12 fully serviced hardstandings. Campsite facilities include toilets and showers, a family bathroom, laundry, games room and play area.

Find out more: Riverside Caravan Park  

This Yorkshire campsite is situated just outside Masham, where you’ll find two well-known breweries, Theakston’s and Black Sheep – both offering tours and shops to peruse. Less than five miles from Old Station are the Himalayan Garden and Sculpture Park, and Thorpe Perrow, an arboretum, bird of prey and mammal centre.

The campsite is part of a former railway station and pitches are grass or hardstandings with some electric hook-ups available. There is a heated toilet and shower block, accessible facilities, a launderette and a shop. The campsite also has a bistro open Tuesday to Sunday serving breakfasts, light bites and a full main lunchtime menu.

Find out more: Old Station Holiday Park  

Set on the edge of the Yorkshire Dales National Park, Langcliffe Park is just one mile from the market town of Settle where you can take the Settle to Carlisle Railway, considered to be the most beautiful and scenic railway journey in England. The route crosses the Ribblehead Viaduct with incredible views of the Yorkshire Dales. For guests who enjoy a good walk, there are several waterfalls and caves in the local vicinity, all no more than three miles from Langcliffe Park.

The campsite has hardstanding pitches of two types – standard with electric hook-up, or deluxe with the addition of individual water and waste points. There are toilet and shower blocks, accessible facilities, a motorhome waste point, a launderette, plus a dog walking field.

Find out more: Langcliffe Park  

Best campsites: Yorkshire Coast

Enjoying a clifftop location, with many pitches having a view of the sea, Whitby Holiday Park is one of the closest parks to Whitby. It offers pitches with 16A electric hook-ups on grass with great coastal views, or there are a few hardstandings in a more sheltered area, but minus the views. The campsite has a bar and clubhouse, together with a small games room. There’s also a toilet block, shop and laundry room.

Clifftop paths lead down to sandy beaches and the National Trust-owned Saltwick Bay and Cleveland Way coastal path are both accessible directly from the campsite. Whitby and the Gothic abbey ruins are only a gentle stroll away – you can even see the ruins from some of the pitches.

Find out more: Whitby Holiday Park  

Set in the Wykeham estate, St Helens in the Park is situated on the edge of the North York Moors National Park, and just six miles from Scarborough. The campsite is divided into terraces with tree screening to create more intimate areas. All pitches have electric hook-up. Facilities include toilets, showers, a shop and café. There is a specific adults-only area but children and dogs are also welcome on the campsite.

A private woodland walk leads to Wykeham village where there’s an eighteenth-century restored coaching inn. It is also easy to access the North York Moors National Park. Active guests can head to the North Yorkshire Water Park for land and water-based activities.

Find out more: St Helens in the Park  

Best campsites: North Yorkshire

Set in a pleasant location to the southeast of the North York Moors National Park, this campsite has pitches with views over farmland, forest, and moorland. Its location means the site is surrounded by great walking countryside and it's two and a half miles from the market town of Helmsley.

The campsite is laid out on three levels with super, grass, and hardstanding pitches. There are two toilet and shower blocks with family and accessible bathrooms. On the campsite are outdoor play areas, a football field, and mini golf, with a sports centre nearby. The campsite also has a storage compound, seasonal pitches, and a well-stocked licensed shop.

Find out more: Golden Square Caravan Park  

York Meadows Caravan Park at Sheriff Hutton is set in an idyllic location surrounded by rolling farmland, nestled in the stunning and tranquil splendour of the Howardian Hills and Vale of York. The caravan park is situated in a perfect area to explore the historic city of York as well as Castle Howard which is just five miles away.

The campsite is set on the outskirts of Sheriff Hutton with the castle ruins dominating the skyline. The village is a short walk from the campsite, offering easy access to pubs and shops. York Meadows offers hardstanding, grass, and super pitches with luxury, heated facilities as well as a children’s play area and a shop.

Find out more: York Meadows Caravan Park  

An adults-only campsite with the best of both worlds – set in a tranquil, pretty area, yet only four miles from the city of York, with a bus service into the city stopping outside the site entrance. For cyclists there’s the York Solar System Path to easily access the city, too. For a unique way to get into York you can take a river boat on Saturdays and Sundays.

The campsite is located by the River Ouse, half a mile from the village of Naburn and adjacent to the lock gates. There are grass, hardstanding or fully serviced pitches, all with electric hook-up. There’s a shop on the campsite and coarse fishing available from the river. Facilities include toilets, showers, accessible facilities, a laundry room and shop. Pet owners can exercise dogs on two large fields covering almost 10 acres.

Find out more: York Naburn Lock Caravan Park  

Located on the south side of Harrogate, just two miles from the town centre and with a bus stop five minutes’ walk away, this campsite is in an ideal location for exploring the pretty spa town, which has a shopping centre, scenic gardens and a theatre. A trip to Bettys Tea Rooms is also a must! For a day in the outdoors, the National Trust’s Brimham Rocks is 14 miles away. Here you’ll find giant rock formations and heather moorlands.

Harrogate Caravan Park has 67 pitches, a mixture of grass and hardstanding, with electric hook-up and free WiFi. Facilities include toilets and showers, a laundry room, plus an award-winning farm shop and café.

Find out more: Harrogate Caravan Park  

Flaxton Meadows eco-campsite is located in North Yorkshire’s beautiful countryside renowned for its wildlife and scenery. The campsite provides a peaceful, adults-only retreat for those wishing to enjoy nature, yet within easy reach of a range of amenities. Guests at Flaxton Meadows have a range of accommodation to choose from, including handcrafted luxury log cabins and touring and motorhome pitches on hardstanding and grass, with natural screening and electric.

All guests can enjoy use of the state-of-the-art washrooms and toilets, a bar, launderette and nature walk. The tranquil setting of Flaxton Meadows means you can enjoy the sounds of nature and witness wildlife all around.

Find out more: Flaxton Meadows  

Best campsites: South Yorkshire

Yorkshire holidays: FAQs

Where to visit in Yorkshire?

Yorkshire offers a wealth of attractions for visitors. Explore the historic city of York, home to the magnificent York Minster and charming medieval streets. Visit the stunning Yorkshire Dales National Park, perfect for hiking and scenic drives.

The coastal town of Whitby, with its dramatic abbey ruins and maritime heritage, is a must-see. Leeds combines vibrant urban life with cultural venues like the Royal Armouries Museum. Discover the picturesque village of Haworth, associated with the Brontë sisters, or take in the natural beauty of the North York Moors. Don't miss the elegant spa town of Harrogate, known for its gardens and tea rooms.

What is the best campsite in Yorkshire?

This really varies from person to person depending on what you are looking for in a campsite. Yorkshire campsites range from small farm sites with limited facilities and offering a more back-to-basics holiday, to those with full facilities and extra leisure options such as restaurants and swimming pools.

Can you wild camp in Yorkshire?

While you can’t wild camp in Yorkshire, there are a choice of campsites across North, East, South and West Yorkshire.

Are there any campsites in Yorkshire near the beach?

Definitely – you can choose from campsites on the Yorkshire coast for a seaside break, or maybe you’d prefer a countryside campsite in the Yorkshire Dales.

Some of the best campsites in Yorkshire are in North Yorkshire, where you’ll find the beautiful North York Moors National Park and the historic city of York. Our Campsite Finder tool will help you find the ideal Yorkshire campsite for you.

Can you camp in the Yorkshire Dales?

You are not allowed by law to wild camp in the Yorkshire Dales but you will find there are plenty of Yorkshire Dales campsites. Many of these are farm sites offering a back-to-nature experience but with the benefit of fresh water and toilet facilities. Use our handy Campsite Finder tool to see what Yorkshire Dales campsites are available.