Your Essential Guide to Glen Nevis Campsites

Within the breathtaking Highlands of Scotland, Glen Nevis offers some of the most scenic and serene camping opportunities in the United Kingdom. Surrounded by Ben Nevis, the highest mountain in the British Isles, and the tumbling River Nevis, Glen Nevis provides a tranquil escape into nature whilst still being conveniently located near Fort William. Campers flock to Glen Nevis to soak up the fresh air, admire spectacular mountain vistas, and enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, biking, fishing, and more. From large, well-equipped caravan and camping parks to remote, rugged bothy shelters, Glen Nevis caters to all types of camping holidays and budgets. 

Glen Nevis is home to a variety of campsites and caravan parks to suit different styles of camping holidays. The main facility is the Glen Nevis Caravan and Camping Park, located right in the heart of the Glen. This large, well-appointed park offers pitches for tents, camper vans, and caravans, along with a few static caravans for rent. Facilities include modern washrooms with hot showers, a campers' kitchen, laundry, wifi, and a small shop selling essentials. The campsite has a relaxed, friendly atmosphere and the owners organise regular entertainment during peak seasons.

Another excellent option for camper vans and motorhomes is the Glen Nevis Camping and Caravan Park. This small, intimate site provides hardstanding pitches in a peaceful setting with views of the River Nevis. Although basic, there are electrical hookups available and a block with toilets and showers. Campfires are permitted on-site for that authentic camping ambience. It's located just 1.5 miles from Fort William.

For a back-to-basics, secluded camping experience, check out the Glen Nevis Youth Hostel and Camping. The hostel offers bunk-bed accommodation but also has a small camping area for tents. Facilities are limited to basic washrooms and a self-catering kitchen, but the natural setting beside the River Nevis is hard to beat. It's ideal for hikers looking to camp before/after tackling Ben Nevis or the West Highland Way.

Finally, wild camping is permitted in certain areas of Glen Nevis but requires respect for the natural environment and following responsible guidelines. Campers must camp in small, discreet groups, avoid damaging or disturbing the landscape, and remove all litter. Wild camping immerses you in the remote Highland wilderness, but comes with more challenges than formal campsites. Always check where it is permitted before pitching your tent.

Glen Nevis offers a range of accommodation options to provide shelter, comfort and amenities during your camping holiday. Whether you prefer a basic tent pitch or a well-appointed caravan, there are sites and facilities to suit your needs and budget.

Tent Camping

The most traditional way to camp is by pitching your own tent. Designated tent camping zones at Glen Nevis campgrounds provide level, soft grassy meadows or hardstanding gravel pitches on which to set up. Both allow you to bed down on the ground under canvas. Many sites have electric hook-up points available to power small lighting and devices. Shared amenities blocks offer hot showers, flush toilets, and sinks for washing up. Tent campers must supply their own camping gear but some sites have rental equipment available. This is a budget-friendly way to enjoy the outdoors.Tent Camping at the Glen Nevis Camping & Caravanning Club Site is one of the best sites in the Glen Nevis Area, it costs between7£-23£ to set up your tent.

Campervan and Motorhome Sites

Travelling by campervan or motorhome has become increasingly popular. Glen Nevis sites cater for self-contained vans with designated parking spaces, some with electric hook-ups to power appliances and lighting. Fresh water taps and waste disposal points are also provided for topping up water tanks and emptying waste. Staying in your own motorhome allows you compact, flexible accommodation without the need for a tent. Sites are suited for short stopovers or longer stays. Campervan Stay at Glen Nevis Caravan & Camping Park is extremely reputated and costs around 25£-35£.

Caravan Comfort

For more spacious and home-like comfort, Glen Nevis has sites for both privately owned touring caravans as well as on-site static caravans for rent. Hardstanding pitches accommodate caravans of all sizes and most have electric, water and sewerage hook-ups available. Static caravans come in a range of sizes from two to six berth. They provide amenities like bedrooms, kitchens with fridges and cookers, hot running water, and ensuites. Touring caravan or static caravan accommodation allows leisurely camping with some home comforts. For this experience stay at the Caravan Comfort at the Glen Nevis Holiday Park, a touring caravan pitch is between 20£-30£ a night.

Alternative Shelters

In addition to standard tents, some Glen Nevis campgrounds offer creative alternative shelters like yurts, pods and wigwams. These insulated wooden huts or canvas structures provide the experience of camping without all the set-up. Most contain some basic furniture like beds and lighting and are suitable for small groups. Shared campsite facilities supply any additional amenities needed. It's camping with a twist. We recommend the Glen Nevis Holiday Park!

Back to Basics Bothy Stays

For experienced campers, bothy accommodation offers very basic, remote shelter. A bothy is a simple stone cottage found in wilderness areas like Glen Nevis. They have no running water or electricity and require campers to bring all their own supplies. However, they provide free emergency-use shelter in exposed areas. Bothies give you a sense of isolation and connection with nature.

With accommodation options from deluxe caravans to rustic bothies, Glen Nevis can fulfill any camping comfort level. Select the shelter that suits your needs and embrace the great outdoors!

A huge drawcard of camping in Glen Nevis is the wealth of outdoor activities right on your doorstep. With the majestic Ben Nevis and charming Glen Nevis literally within walking distance, thrillseekers, nature lovers and fitness junkies alike will find plenty of ways to spend their days. Here are some of the top activities and attractions accessible from the Glen Nevis campsites and caravan parks:

Hiking Ben Nevis

The most popular activity is undoubtedly hiking Ben Nevis. As the highest mountain in Britain, climbing “The Ben” is a rite of passage for many campers. There are two main routes - the Mountain Track (the tourist route) and the less-used Carn Mor Dearg Arete route for experienced hikers. The hike up takes 3-5 hours climbing 1000 metres over 4 miles. Rewarding panoramic views await those who conquer the summit! Just take care in unpredictable weather.

Walking the West Highland Way

Glen Nevis marks the end point of the epic West Highland Way - a 96-mile walk from Milngavie to Fort William. Many campers choose to rest their weary legs after completing the route at the campsites. Part of the Way also passes through Glen Nevis along a section called “The Devil’s Staircase” - a fittingly named steep ascent and descent.

Mountain Biking in Glen Nevis

Another way to admire dramatic Highland scenery is on two wheels. Glen Nevis is a mecca for mountain biking with miles of waymarked trails from family-friendly to white-knuckle descents. You can bring your bike or hire one locally. Nevis Range and Great Glen MTB Trails offer chairlift-assisted downhill rides with stunning vistas. Don't forget your helmet!

Fishing on the River and Lochs 

Cast a line in Glen Nevis’ plentiful lochs and waterways teeming with wild brown trout and salmon. Permits can be purchased locally - fly fishing is especially popular. Or try your luck seaside at Neptune’s Staircase on the Caledonian Canal near Fort William. Early mornings and evenings tend to offer the best catches.

Water Sports

The bracing waters of Glen Nevis provide thrillseekers with options like kayaking, canoeing and gorge walking along the River Nevis. Local adventure companies offer guided tours, instruction and equipment rental to get you started. More relaxing water activities include swimming in scenic pools or cruising the Caledonian Canal.

Nevis Range Activities

Nearby Nevis Range is a hive of outdoor activities outside the glen. In summer it offers forest walks, trails, high ropes courses, a mountain gondola and more. Come winter this becomes a ski resort with runs, chairlifts and magnificent panoramas. Campers get discounted lift passes - ideal for day trips from the valley.

Making the journey to the breathtaking beauty of Glen Nevis is an adventure in itself. Situated in the Lochaber region of the Scottish Highlands, its tranquil valley and majestic mountain setting feels a world away from the hustle and bustle of urban life. Several transportation options allow you to travel into the heart of this natural wonderland and its superb campsites. 

Driving for Flexibility and Freedom

Most visitors choose to drive to Glen Nevis as it provides the freedom and flexibility to explore the area at your own pace. Having your own vehicle allows you to take detours along the way to admire scenic lochs and rugged peaks or stop at historic castles and quaint villages across the Highlands. Arriving by car also makes it easy to get around the valley itself and access key hiking trails, vantage points, and other attractions once you are settled into your campsite. The main route from Glasgow and Edinburgh is via the A82 road which runs along the shores of the famous Loch Lomond before entering the dramatic mountain pass of Glencoe. Continuing north, you'll pass Fort William and follow signposts west for Glen Nevis to reach your destined campsite. The drive takes around 2.5-3 hours from Glasgow or 5 hours from Edinburgh but be sure to build in plenty of time for photo stops and breaks. Fill up on petrol before setting off into the glen as fuel stations are limited. Driving gives you the freedom to explore the region at your own pace.

Public Transport for a Relaxed Journey

For a more relaxed ride, scheduled coaches and trains serve Fort William and the surrounding region. From major hubs like Edinburgh and Glasgow, Citylink and ScotRail services route through the southern Highlands showcasing mesmerising scenery out the window. The train from Glasgow or Edinburgh takes around 5-6 hours but allows you to sit back and soak up spectacular sights along the way. Some choose to bring their own bicycle or rent one in Fort William to pedal the last few miles from the station into the heart of Glen Nevis. This active option allows you to journey through the area under your own power. Another alternative is to hike directly into the valley on long distance walking routes like the West Highland Way which finishes in Glen Nevis after 96 miles passing through rugged wilderness. Trekking parts of the trail is an immersive way to arrive straight into the landscape. For most, arriving first by train, bus or car then exploring on foot or bike is ideal. Alight at Fort William station or bus depot then use local taxis or buses to reach campsites in Glen Nevis just two miles away. Some facilities offer shuttle services during peak periods - check directly for availability. Travelling by public transport allows you to sit back, meet fellow travellers, and soak up spectacular sights along the way.

Campervanning through the Highlands

Many road-trippers opt to tour Scotland in the ultimate freedom machine - a campervan or motorhome. Meandering through the Highlands on wheels allows you to chase the best views, most secluded overnight stopovers, and everything in between. You can cruise the famous North Coast 500 route or make your own path navigating single track roads and epic mountain passes. Facilities in Glen Nevis cater for self-contained vans with electric hook-ups, waste disposal points, and freshwater taps. The scenic drive from Glasgow or Edinburgh takes around 3 hours but build in plenty of extra time for photo stops, short walks, and other impromptu adventures. Travelling and camping by campervan or motorhome provides door-to-door transport without sacrificing comfort or the flexibility to roam wherever you please.

Active Alternatives: Cycle or Hike Your Way  

For the more intrepid, pedal power or foot power are rewarding lower carbon choices. Cycling is an ever-popular way to immerse yourself in the dramatic landscapes of the Highlands. Well-marked, scenic routes like the Caledonia Way and the Fort William to Glen Nevis cycle path take you on traffic-free trails from Fort William right to the doorstep of the glen. Many campers choose to bring or rent bikes for full or partial journeys. Passing deep blue lochs, forest trails and mountain ridges under your own steam is exhilarating. Keen hikers can trek directly into the valley on long distance walking paths like the epic 96 mile West Highland Way which finishes in Glen Nevis. Tackling parts of the trail allows you to arrive straight into the landscape under your own power. However you choose to arrive, navigating by bike, boots or blade will recharge your senses.

By whichever means you choose to get there, the magnificent vistas and tranquil valleys of Glen Nevis are worth the effort. Journeying into the heart of the Highlands is an experience unto itself before even pitching your tent under the watchful gaze of Ben Nevis. An outdoor paradise awaits to restore body, mind and soul. Start planning your trip to this special pocket of Scottish wilderness.

Responsible camping is crucial to preserving the natural environment and ensuring campsites are enjoyable for everyone. Glen Nevis campgrounds require visitors to follow some rules:

• Leave no trace - take all litter with you and leave your pitch as you found it
• Keep noise to a minimum especially overnight from 10 pm
• Extinguish fires fully and carefully 
• Adhere to check-in and check-out times
• Keep dogs under control and clean up dog waste
• Park considerately within pitch boundaries
• Respect facilities like kitchens and washrooms
• No fireworks or unauthorised drones

By being a conscientious camper, we can protect spectacular places like Glen Nevis for the future. Check individual sites for their full camping policies.