Have a taste of outdoor living with the best camping spots in Glasgow!
Lately, I’ve been really into the idea of camping. There’s just something nice about being out in nature. Fresh air, quiet nights, no screens. But with work keeping me in the city most of the time, heading off to the Highlands isn’t always possible.
So I started looking into places to camp that are a bit closer to home. Turns out, there are some great spots around Glasgow where you can spend a night outdoors without going too far.
I’ve put together a list of the best ones I found in case you’re thinking of trying it out too.
West Highland Way
– Photo credit: westhighlandwayofficial
Website: https://www.westhighlandway.org/
Address: W Highland Way, Milngavie
Contact details: +44 1389 722600
Located in Milngavie, West Highland Way is certainly one of the most dramatic landscapes you can enjoy for your camping trip. It’s a 96-mile trail that winds past moody lochs, ancient paths, and misty moorlands.
What makes it a great camping spot? You’re spoiled for choice. Wild camping is allowed in most areas of the trail, so you can pitch up under star-splashed skies without being distracted by Glasgow’s bright lights.
That’s actually why this is one of my top camping spots. It’s only a 30-minute drive to get here, and I can actually experience a good ol’ camping trip here. Having a place like this so close to home is pure bliss.
Pro tip: Try camping just past the busy spots. Areas like Rowardennan or Tyndrum can fill up fast, especially in good weather. If you push on even 30 minutes past those areas, you’ll often find quieter, more scenic wild camping spots.
Also, pack a midge net. Trust me, it’s not optional in summer.
Meikle Bin
– Photo credit: nicolasturgeon
Website: https://forestryandland.gov.scot/visit/meikle-bin
Address: Western end of Carron Valley reservoir
Contact details: +44 300 067 6000
Another camping spot I can recommend, especially if you prefer a place that’s remote, is Meikle Bin in Campsie Fells. You’ll find it just off the B818 near Carron Valley Reservoir, with a small car park at Todholes where you can start your climb.
Standing at 570 metres, it’s the second-highest hill in the range and has a summit that offers sweeping views across Scotland. On a clear day, you can even spot both Ailsa Craig and Bass Rock, which sit on opposite coasts nearly 120 miles apart.
This one is a bit far from my home to be one of my regular wild camping spots, but the scenery here is too good to not camp here at least once. This place is especially magical in autumn, since that’s when the Northern Lights are at their strongest.
Pro tip: It’s better to camp lower down near the reservoir rather than close to the summit. The top can get windy and exposed, and there’s not much flat ground for pitching a tent.
My recommended spots are those along the forest edge, since you’ll find more sheltered spots there with great views and easier access to water.
Kilpatrick Hills
– Photo credit: gentlejamesoftheglens
Website: https://www.west-dunbarton.gov.uk/
Address: Clydebank G83 9LX
Aside from Meikle Bin, Kilpatrick Hills are another great spot to camp if you want wide-open views over Glasgow and beyond. They’re only about 10 miles from the city centre, making them one of the easiest wild escapes for a weekend adventure.
Camping here definitely feels like stepping into another world. There are quiet lochs, broad ridgelines, and tucked-away forest patches that are good for pitching a tent and switching off.
One of my favourite spots to wander is The Whangie, a narrow, twisting chasm formed by ancient volcanic shifts. I also love that this area holds traces of the past, like the Bronze Age cairns scattered near Cochno Hill.
Pro tip: Aim for Loch Humphrey if you want a peaceful, scenic base. It’s about an hour’s hike from Old Kilpatrick, and while the climb has a few steep sections, the views at the top are worth every step.
The lochside has several flat, grassy spots that are ideal for pitching a tent, and it’s far enough from the main paths to feel properly tucked away.
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park
– Photo credit: clydemuirshiel
Website: https://clydemuirshiel.co.uk/
Address: Lochlip Road, Lochwinnoch PA12 4EA
Contact details: +44 300 300 0200
Clyde Muirshiel Regional Park is less than an hour from the Glasgow city centre, but it opens up into a vast patchwork of moorland, forest, and quiet lochs. I’ve always seen it as an underrated camping spot, and honestly, that’s a big part of its appeal.
What makes it special? You’ve got heather-covered hills and historic trails like the Greenock Cut, a 19th-century aqueduct path with panoramic views. There’s also Windy Hill, a volcanic plug with panoramic lookouts.
There are other camping spots that are just as easy to reach, but I still find myself coming back here. It’s quiet, low-key, and has that kind of stillness that makes it easier to switch off and just be.
Pro tip: Stick to higher ground if the weather has been wet. The park’s moorland areas can get seriously boggy, especially around low-lying trails and loch edges.
I’ve found that pitching on slightly elevated, grassy spots—especially near Windy Hill—gives you firmer ground, better drainage, and a great view to wake up to.
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park
– Photo credit: lomondtrossachs
Website: https://www.lochlomond-trossachs.org/
Address: Balloch, Alexandria G83 8QX
Contact details: +44 1389 722600
Loch Lomond & The Trossachs National Park is one of the best places for a scenic wild camping experience. It’s about an hour’s drive to get here from the city centre, and trust me, the landscapes here make every mile worth it.
Covering 1,865 kilometres, the park is a stunning mix of lochs, forests, and mountains. It also straddles the Highland Boundary Fault, meaning you get a mix of lowland greenery and rugged Highland terrain in one place.
With such a sheer amount of space, I never had any trouble finding some amazing camping spots here. Not only are there plenty of secluded areas for wild campers, but there are also many designated campsites that are great for beginners.
Pro tip: Check the camping permit zones before setting up. While wild camping is allowed in most areas, certain lochside spots—especially around Loch Lomond—require a permit between March and September. Booking ahead ensures you get a legal, scenic spot without any hassle.
The WHW Hotel & Campsite
– Photo credit: miloslav.danisek
Website: https://westhighlandway.info/
Address: B821, Milngavie
Contact details: +44 7488 261730
Price: £20 per person
If wild camping isn’t really your thing, no worries—The WHW Hotel & Campsite is a great alternative right near the start of the West Highland Way. It’s only a 30-minute drive from the Glasgow city centre, so getting here won’t be much trouble.
What I like about this spot is how easy it is. You’ve got tent pitches, cosy huts, and even hotel rooms. They even have an on-site cafe and restaurant, so you don’t need to pack much beyond the basics.
Personally, this place is one of my top picks when I’m camping with someone new to the whole thing. The vibe is low-pressure, and if the tent doesn’t work out, there’s always a warm bed just a few steps away.
Pro tip: If you’re visiting during peak season, book your tent pitch early. The WHW Hotel & Campfire is a popular stop for West Highland Way walkers, especially in spring and summer, and the best pitches often get snapped up quickly.
Red Deer Village Holiday Park
– Photo credit: enigma.1979
Website: https://www.reddeervillageholidaypark.co.uk/
Address: 1 Village Dr, Stepps
Contact details: +44 141 779 4159
Operating hours: 9:30 AM – 5:00 PM (MON-FRI)
Price:
1-person tent: £25
2-person tent: £31
4-person tent: £50
6-person tent: £65
Another good spot for a laid-back camping experience is Red Deer Village Holiday Park. It’s right off the A80, making it super accessible whether you’re arriving by car or hopping on a bus or train.
While I usually lean toward wild camping, I’ve come to appreciate how peaceful and well-kept this place is. The flat, grassy pitches are ideal for beginners or anyone who wants a gentle intro to camping without giving up too many comforts.
The best part? You’ve got access to modern perks like electricity and WiFi, plus it’s close to public transport links, so it’s easy to explore nearby spots like Cardowan Moss and Frankfield Loch.
Pro tip: Bring earplugs if you’re a light sleeper. While the park is peaceful overall, it’s close to a main road and a residential area, so you might hear the occasional traffic or early morning movement.
Strathclyde Country Park Club Campsite
– Photo credit: paultobinjedi
Website: https://www.caravanclub.co.uk/
Address: Bothwellhaugh Road, Bothwell, Bellshill
Contact details: +44 1698 853300
Price: £19.30 per person
Strathclyde Country Park Club Campsite is a well-placed camping spot on the edge of Strathclyde Country Park, about 20 minutes southeast of the city centre. Since it’s close to the M74, it’s another spot you can easily reach with public transport.
I’d recommend this spot for beginner campers, since it offers a solid mix of nature and convenience. You’re close to shops and restaurants, so there’s no need to sacrifice comfort while enjoying a night outdoors.
On top of that, the campsite sits within 1,000 acres of woodland, wetlands, and open parkland wrapped around Strathclyde Loch, giving you plenty of peaceful spaces to explore. It’s an easy way to unwind without straying too far from home.
Pro tip: Choose a pitch away from the main road for a quieter night. While the campsite is peaceful overall, it’s close to the M74, and some spots near the entrance can pick up a bit of road noise.
If you prefer a more restful sleep, aim for a pitch deeper into the site, where the trees help block out sound.