Wild Camping
Wild Camping in Loch Lomond & The Trossachs
Scotland's most popular wild camping area — and the most regulated
Permit required
Free camping permits required for designated zones on Loch Lomond's eastern shore (Rowardennan to Ardlui) from 1 March to 30 September. Book at lochlomond-trossachs.org. Permits are free but must be booked in advance.
Current conditions
Daylight Today
- Sunrise
- 05:25
- Sunset
- 21:05
- Civil dawn
- 04:39
- Civil dusk
- 21:51
NOAA Solar Calculator · 5 May 2026
About this region
Loch Lomond is the closest wild camping to Scotland's central belt and as a result it is also the most heavily used and most regulated. Since 2017, camping management zones on the eastern shore of Loch Lomond require a free permit between March and September. Outside these zones and outside this period, camping operates under standard Scottish access rights.
Best camping spots
- Sallochy Bay (permitted zone, eastern shore)
- Cashel (permitted zone, eastern shore)
- Loch Chon (western shore of loch, outside CMZ)
- Ben Lomond summit camp (above permit zone)
- Loch Arklet area (Trossachs, unrestricted)
Getting there
Eastern shore accessible via minor road from Drymen to Rowardennan. West Highland Way runs the full eastern shore. ScotRail to Balloch then bus to Balmaha.
Best months
May and September (before and after peak midge season, outside school holiday crowds)
Key challenges
Very high visitor numbers in summer; midge pressure intense in sheltered bays July–August; permit system adds planning burden; some overused sites show impact
Why come here
Proximity to Glasgow (45 min); island sites (camping on Loch Lomond islands via permit); dramatic Ben Lomond backdrop; West Highland Way access
Frequently asked questions
- Do I need a permit to wild camp at Loch Lomond?
- Yes, in the camping management zones (CMZ) on the eastern shore between Rowardennan and Ardlui, from 1 March to 30 September. Permits are free and must be booked in advance at lochlomond-trossachs.org. Outside the CMZ areas, and outside those dates, standard Scottish access rights apply and no permit is needed. The western shore of the loch has no permit requirement.
- Can I camp on the Loch Lomond islands?
- Camping on the islands in Loch Lomond is possible but falls within the camping management zone rules if within the CMZ dates. The National Park Authority manages island access and visitor numbers. Inchailloch (managed by NatureScot) requires a permit via the island booking system. Most other islands are accessible by private boat and follow standard CMZ rules.
- Where can I camp at Loch Lomond without a permit?
- The western shore of Loch Lomond (the Arrochar/Luss side) is not subject to the CMZ byelaws. The Trossachs (Loch Katrine, Loch Ard Forest, Loch Chon) also has no permit requirement. Ben Lomond summit camps above the tree line are generally considered outside the byelaw zones. Check the National Park boundary maps for exact zones.
- Is Loch Lomond worth it despite the permit system?
- It depends on your expectations. The scenery is exceptional and the proximity to Glasgow makes it uniquely accessible. The permit system has reduced some of the historic impact and chaos of the pre-2017 situation. However, the eastern shore is genuinely very busy in summer and the midge pressure is significant June–August. For a quieter experience, the Trossachs end of the National Park offers better camping without the permit burden.