Camping in Fort Augustus, Scotland is a wonderful way to experience this quaint village in the Scottish Highlands. Set along the Caledonian Canal and right at the southern end of the famous Loch Ness, Fort Augustus makes a great holiday camping destination. Explore some lovely walks in the surrounding hills, take a boat tour of Loch Ness, and visit the Urquhart Castle ruins, all while spending a few nights under the stars in your tent of campervan.
There are a handful of camping and caravan parks in and around Fort Augustus, and we’ve created this guide to help you pick the perfect pitch for your upcoming trip.
Keep reading to see all your options for a Fort Augustus camping trip!
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Fort Augustus Camping
You’ll have a few great options when looking for a campground and caravan park in the vicinity of Fort Augustus, although unfortunately there are no longer any campgrounds directly in town. However, there’s no need to worry as you’re sure to find an option that suits your needs in close proximity to this lovely tourist town.
We find that a stop at Fort Augustus perfectly suits those on a larger Highlands camping trip, especially if you’ve been camping in Fort William and are making your way up to Inverness. This route traces the popular Great Glen Way walk and takes in some of the most lovely spots in all of Scotland!
In Fort Augustus you’ll find a few good static caravan parks as well as some glamping options, but if you’re after a true campground you’ll need to head out of town a bit.
We’ve outlined your options in the following section and you can also refer to the Fort Augustus camping map below to get a sense of each caravan park’s location.
Camping near Fort Augustus
We’ll cut to the chase and let you know that unfortunately there are no actual campgrounds directly in Fort Augustus. Some of the static caravans parks used to allow tents and campervans, but they’ve since changed over to only provide holiday caravans for let.
However, there are still some good campground options in the immediate vicinity, both on the shores of Loch Ness, which we’ve described below.
Inver Coille Camping & Glamping
Distance to Fort Augustus: 4 miles / 6.5 km
Camping Options: Tent pitches, Glamping pods
Reservations: Recommended. Click here to reserve.
The first, and in our opinion, best option for those looking for traditional tent camping near Fort Augustus is the Inver Coille Camping & Glamping site. Located approximately 4 miles north of town on the shores of Loch Ness and just off the A82, this is a popular spot for walkers camping on the Great Glen Way as well as those looking for a quiet holiday destination.
Although many will be disappointed that Inver Coille doesn’t welcome campervans or caravans, this is to the benefit of tent campers as you won’t have to deal with the inconveniences that often come with sharing pitches with those in campers. In addition to tent pitches there are also several unique glamping options available here. These include Geodomes, a wooden pod, and a timber tent.
You’re a short distance from Fort Augustus here and in addition Inver Coille is also near several great walking routes as well as only three miles from the village of Invermoriston, which has a variety of services on offer.
The facilities at Inver Coille are basic, but well cared for and include a modern shower block and a fire pit area.
Loch Ness Shores Camping & Caravanning Club Site
Distance to Fort Augustus: 14 miles / 23 km
Camping Options: Caravan & Camper pitches, tent pitches
Reservations: Essential during summer months.
Your other option for a traditional camping & caravan site near Fort Augustus is the Loch Ness Shores Camping & Caravanning Club Site. Located approximately 14 miles from Fort Augustus, the site is located on the south shores of Loch Ness. This is a much quieter side of the loch as you don’t have the main A road running past and there are far fewer towns and villages.
Loch Ness Shores is as you can guess from the name, right on the lovely shores of Loch Ness and has beautiful views out over the water. This is a Camping & Caravanning Club Site, but they welcome all campers here. Tents can be accommodated, although they primarily cater to campervans and motorhomes here.
Amenities include everything that you expect at a club site such as hardstanding pitches with electric hookups, well-maintained grassy areas, a small shop, and tidy shower/toilet blocks. There is also a small dock to launch your boat, and the fishing is top notch.
All things considered, if you’re travelling in a campervan and want to be near Fort Augustus, Loch Ness Shores presents one of your best options.
Loch Ness Highland Resort
Distance to Fort Augustus: In town
Camping Options: Glamping pods
Reservations: Essential. Click here to reserve.
If you’re dead set on being right in town, unfortunately you won’t have any options where you can pitch your tent or campervan. However, a great option to consider is one of the stylish and well-appointed glamping pods at the Loch Ness Highland Resort. This is the perfect place to stay if you want to be able to walk to shops, restaurants, and pubs in Fort Augustus while still having a relaxed, camping-vibe stay.
Glamping pods here can accommodate either two or four people depending on the specific pod, and all feature a small but functional kitchenette as well as full washroom. There are televisions as well, and the kitchenettes include a microwave, kettle, and small refrigerator.
The amenities here are also top notch and include a small shop, restaurant, childrens play area, and free WiFi throughout.
We recommend the Loch Ness Highland Resort if you’re looking to get out of your tent or camper for a night and enjoy a bit more luxury conveniently located right in Fort Augustus.
Loch Ness Lodge Retreat
Distance to Fort Augustus: .5 miles / 1 km
Camping Options: Static caravan rentals.
Reservations: Essential.
A final option that is located just outside of Fort Augustus will only suit those looking for a static caravan rental. Caravans are generally owned by individuals and then made available as a holiday rental whenever not in use. The caravans are well-appointed and feature large decks to sit out on and enjoy those beautiful summer days in the Highlands.
Loch Ness Lodge Retreat will be a good option if you’re looking for a break from pitching up and want to enjoy a basic, but thoughtfully designed static caravan.
Looking for more camping & caravan parks in the area?
For those willing to drive a bit, you’ll find many more great options near Fort Augustus. Some of our helpful camping guides for the region will help you find a great pitch for your next trip:
- Loch Ness Camping Guide: Fort Augustus sits at the southern terminus of Loch Ness, but there are many additional camping opportunities along the length of Loch Ness.
- Inverness Camping Guide: Heading north from Fort Augustus and past Loch Ness towards Inverness will bring many more opportunities to camp. This is a great option if you’d also like to see some of the sights in the capital of the Highlands.
- Fort William Camping Guide: At the southern end of the Great Glen you’ll find the popular tourist town of Fort William. There are many great campgrounds here all within driving distance of Fort Augustus. You can even camp right at the base of Ben Nevis!
Wild Camping
Wild camping is a nearly sacred right in Scotland and we almost always get inquiries regarding wild campsites in our camping guides. Fort Augustus has a somewhat unique set of circumstances when it comes to wild camping, which we’ll explore below.
In short, it is possible to wild camp near Fort Augustus, but there are several things you’ll need to keep in mind. Keep reading to get all our top tips to have a successful wild camp.
Wild Camping near Fort Augustus
First things first. Wild camping near Fort Augustus is only for those who are on a mult-day walk, cycle trip, or other outdoor adventure that will have you setting up late and leaving early.
If you’re on holiday and simply looking for a free place to pitch your tent, the area around
and Fort Augustus won’t be for you. Much better to find a pitch at one of the nearby campgrounds.
However, if you’re walking or cycling the Great Glen Way or another route in the area, you will be able to wild camp.
You’ll want to first familiarize yourself with the main principles of the Scottish Outdoor Access Code, which we’ve outlined below:
- The Scottish Outdoor Access Code permits wild camping.
- Wild camping is lightweight, done in small numbers, and only for two or three nights in a single place.
- Avoid camping in enclosed fields of crops or farm animals.
- Keep your campsite well away from buildings and roads
- Always Leave No Trace by packing out litter, property handling human waste, and removing evidence of your pitch, and avoiding campfires.
Although the length of the Caledonian Canal, which includes Fort Augustus, is considered a Scheduled Ancient Monument, which typically prohibits wild camping, there are luckily several informal wild camping spots provided along the Great Glen Way and near Fort Augustus.
These campsites can be broken into two broad categories: Trailblazer rest sites and canalside informal campsites.
For all intents and purposes there isn’t much difference between the two, just be sure to only stay for a night.
For those looking to pitch up near Fort Augustus, the Kytra Loch site will have the most appeal. It can accommodate up to three tents and sits right on the banks of the Caledonian Canal.
Outside of this designated wild camp spot you are not allowed to wild camp along along Loch Ness or in the area surrounding Fort Augustus.
What to Bring
We’re sure you’ll already have the essentials like a great tent, sleeping bags, and camp chairs, but below are some of our favorite items for camping near Fort Augustus:
- Map: A good map is essential to exploring the area, and learning more about your surroundings. We always recommend bringing an Ordnance Survey map and this version covers Fort Augustus as well as portions of Loch Lochy and Loch Ness.
- Camping Stove – This classic piece of gear is perfect for cooking up deluxe campsite dinners.
- Cooler – Keeping food and drinks cool is essential when camping.
- Midge repellent – Camping in the Highlands is almost synonymous with midges. Be sure to pack some bug repellent to fight off these tiny nuisances!
Have a great trip!
That’s it!
We hope we’ve provided all of the information you need to plan a fantastic camping trip, and we know you’ll find the perfect campsite for your upcoming adventure!
Be sure to let us know in the comments below if you have any questions and be sure to tell us about your trip!
