Welcome to my complete wild camping Snowdonia guide! Here, you’ll find insights on the best spots for wild camping in Snowdonia, along with top tips for your camping adventure. If you are new to wild camping, I’d suggest also reading this wild camping UK page. This will give you a broader overview of best practices, gear and going to the toilet in nature.

As for wild camping in Snowdonia…

Snowdonia holds some of the UK’s most beautiful and impressive scenery. It’s incredible! And the vast open spaces make it an ideal place to go for a stealth camp. Be it for a multi-day hike, searching out wild swimming spots or having a night under the stars.

It really is one of the best and most dramatic places to wild camp in the UK!

Other relevant posts to help you get ready:

• How to pack a hiking backpack like a pro
• 7 tips for staying warm when camping
• 19 Fun camping games for adults
• Wild Camping Lake District
• Wild Camping Brecon Beacons
• And Wild Camping Peak District

Before we start….

If you are new to this blog, I’m Bex Band – a full-time UK adventurer and founder of the women’s adventure community Love Her Wild. I’m on a mission to make getting outdoors and going on adventures as easy as possible. You can read more about me here. I share all my advice in this Snowdonia Wild Camping guide to help make your overnight adventure as smooth and easy as possible.

If you have any questions, please do use the comments box below. And for ongoing tips and inspiration on camping and adventure, make sure you follow me on Facebook and Instagram. I’d appreciate it 🙂

Also, grab a copy of my best-selling adventure memoir – Three Stripes South.

Can you wild camp in Snowdonia – is it legal?

Technically, no, it is not. The only legal places you can wild camp in the UK are Dartmoor (although there are some restrictions – more details here) and Scotland.

However, it is tolerated and commonplace in Snowdonia. The Snowdonia National Park Authority accepts that wild camping on unenclosed fell land, away from roads, is accepted if undertaken responsibly by small numbers of people.

So basically, you need to make sure you are away from roads, not hoping for any fences and aren’t doing this as part of a large group. And most importantly, you must be following a strict policy of Leave No Trace (full leave no trace rules here).

How to choose a wild camping spot

There is no shortage of wild camping Snowdonia spots. When I plan my adventures, I will get out an OS map (see ‘resources’ heading below for details of the maps I use) and plot the hiking route and distance I want to cover first. I can then find rough areas (depending on distance) of where I might want to camp down for the night.

Using the map, I’ll be looking for potential flat areas. These are shown using the contour lines. The closer the contour lines, the steeper the terrain.

I want the spot to be somewhere a good couple of km away from the nearest road. Avoid boggy areas (marked by a marsh symbol on OS maps). Peaks aren’t good places to camp as you are very exposed to high rain. You also don’t want to be at the bottom of a ditch or somewhere that might flood if it rains.

It doesn’t matter if it’s too near a path (as long as you aren’t on a path) as these are quite hard to avoid in the National Parks.

The other consideration is water. I’ll be looking for a running water source nearby where I can collect water for cooking that night and to get me going the next morning.

I’ll usually then have 2 to 4 potential spots marked on my map to explore when I get there.

Tarns (small mountain lakes) often offer perfect camping spots. Note, though, in the summer period, the best spots can get busy so you might not have the lake to yourself!

What’s the best tent for Wild Camping?

Among my collection of tents, one stands out as the clear choice for wild camping. It’s exceptionally lightweight, capable of enduring rain and winds, discreet while offering surprising spaciousness, and incredibly simple and swift to set up.

I introduce……the MSR Hubba Hubba (see photo above). This really is the best tent for wild camping!

The MSR doesn’t come cheap though. If you are on a tight budget then the Vango Nevis 200 is a fantastic option. I’ve camped in this tent in some pretty awful conditions and have been amazed that it’s remained sturdy and dry.

If you’re looking for a night bivvying, then I can recommend the Alpkit Hunka bivvy bag.

The best wild camping spots Snowdonia

Here are a few wild camping Snowdonia spots that I’ve used or planned before. Some of them are well known. I’d suggest using these as a guideline. See what they look like on a map and then use that knowledge to find your own spots elsewhere:

1. Cwm Eigiau

Cwm Eigiau, on the eastern side of Carnedd Llewelyn, is the ideal spot for a wild camp. With wide open spaces and good walking routes in.

2. Llyn Edno

Offering a lovely lake for you to pitch near, with spectacular views. Don’t forget your swimmers as this is a brilliant wild swimming spot!

3. Cwn Clogwyn

Cwm Clogwyn, with its dramatic cliffs and tranquil lake, serves as a stunning backdrop for wild camping. This makes a good place to camp for anyone wanting to climb Snowdon.

4. Llyn yr Adar

Llyn yr Adar, a hidden gem within Snowdonia National Park, is famed for its serene beauty and the enchanting chorus of birds that gives it its name. This is a great spot for wild camping but can also get busy, so avoid sunny weekends and holidays.

If you want to combine this camp with a Snowdon hike I recommend taking this route, which looks like this:

5. Moel Ysgyfarnogod

This camp is high up and exposed so not recommended in strong winds or bad weather. But on a good day, you’ll be rewarded with an incredible sunset. Set your alarm early to catch the sunrise!

6. Cwm Caseg tarn

Its crystal-clear waters, surrounded by the imposing peaks of the Carneddau range, offer a tranquil retreat and a spectacular wild camping experience for adventurers and nature lovers alike. Last time I camped here, I was rewarded a great display from the mountain rescue helicopter doing drills nearby!

This is another spot you can combine with a Snowdon hike if you like. Here’s a suggested route.

7. Glyderau

The Glyderau Range, home to five of Wales’ “three-thousanders,” attracts over half a million outdoor enthusiasts each year for its unparalleled views in Snowdonia National Park. Wild camping near Glyder Fawr and Glyder Fach offers a lunar landscape of jagged rocks and boulders, where a bivvy bag might suit better than a tent. For a gentler experience, consider the eastern peaks or Llyn Caseg Fraith, a stunning mountain lake near Llyn Ogwen. Camping a little away from the lake’s boggy shores allows for pitching a tent on firmer grass, with breathtaking views of Tryfan, one of Britain’s iconic peaks.

8. Cader Idris

Cadair Idris, towering majestically in the southern reaches of Snowdonia National Park, is a beacon for hikers, climbers, and nature enthusiasts. Known for its mythic beauty and the legends that shroud its peaks, it offers a diverse range of landscapes from rugged crags to mirror-like lakes. There are no shortages of flat spots near the summit.

9. Carnedd Dafydd

To the north of Carnedd Dafydd summit you’ll be able to find some great spots for pitching a tent overnight.

10. Lyn Du

The Rhinogydd, or Rhinogs, in Snowdonia National Park’s south-central area, are often overlooked yet offer the most remote heather-covered peaks in Wales, making them perfect for wild campers seeking solitude. The ideal camping spot is Llyn Du, accessible via the Roman Steps from Llyn Cwm Bychan, beneath Rhinog Fawr, offering even greater isolation further north among hills and tarns.

11. Moelwynion

The Moelwynion range in central Snowdonia, known for its swampy terrains and historic slate-mining peaks like Moelwyn Bach and Moelwyn Mawr, offers unique wild camping experiences despite being often overlooked. Cnicht, standing at 2,260 feet and dubbed the “Welsh Matterhorn,” is a favorite among adventurers, accessible from Croesor, with options to camp on its slopes or near disused quarries and lakes. An Ordnance Survey map points to a cave by a lake west of Cnicht, providing a cozy shelter for two, making it an unforgettable wild camping spot.

Can you wild camp on Snowdon?

A lot of tourists head to Snowdonia specifically with the purpose of summiting Snowdon, the highest mountain in Wales. It’s important to remember that Snowdon is the busiest hike in the area. At the summit is a large cafe and also a train station taking tourists up and down who don’t want to or can’t do the hike. This makes wild camping on Snowdon a lot trickier!

I have seen people wild camping next to the tarns on Snowdon, but I really wouldn’t recommend this just because the footfall is so busy, and you will draw attention to yourself.

I have known people to camp on the summit – it’s not possible in a tent but might be possible on a quiet night with a bivy bag (more on bivvying here) if you pitch very late and leave very early.

Note, though, that night hikes of Snowdon are increasing in popularity, and you are very exposed being that high up.

There are lots of places nearby where wild camping is possible, and you can still make it up and down Snowdon within a day. On one occasion, I followed the Beddgelert Forest trail (opposite the road where many of the trails up Sowdon start) and headed towards one of the nearby peaks (I can’t remember which one).

This was the wild camping spot we eventually ended up at:

Bivvy Bag Camping in Snowdonia

Opting for bivvy bag camping presents an excellent choice for those seeking a lighter and more immersive wild camping adventure. Snowdonia offers ample spots for bivvying, thanks to its flexibility in accommodating bags in tighter spaces compared to tents.

Although my bivvying video below isn’t in Snowdonia, it’ll give you a sense of how you find a good spot. While also showing that wild camping and bivvying is very doable, even if you have children in tow!

Getting to Snowdonia

Although it might initially seem easier to travel by car to Snowdonia, the increase in road traffic is causing damage to the area. I’d encourage you to take a more environmentally friendly option and to take public transport. Not only is it more eco but it also adds to the sense of adventure – there’s something quite ‘Famous Five’ about the old school public transport options in North Wales!

There are 2 main train stations in Snowdonia: Betws-y-Coed and Blaenau Ffestiniog. Sherpa Bus service offers transport from the stations to some of the more popular hiking spots. From there, it should be easy to set off and start your adventure.

Parking in Snowdonia

Snowdonia receives over half a million visitors a year – a lot of them during the sunny weather periods. On a good weather weekend, most foothill car parks will be full by 6.30/7am. Unless you plan to set off at 5am, you’ll want to look at using the park-and-ride Sherpa Bus service.

It’s also worth noting that most of the main car parks have a maximum 24hour stay. If you push this you will return to a ticket but could also potentially cause an unnecessary mountain rescue search as it might be assumed you have got lost in the mountains!

Where to base yourself in Snowdonia

If you want to have a base before or after your wild camp I’d suggest using one of the following places. These are also great places to pick up last-minute camping gear or food supplies.

• Blaenau Ffestiniog – a mining town which can be accessed by train. Suggested accommodation: Pisgah Guesthouse (£60)
• Llanberis – has some good attractions including slate mine tours and a lakeside railway. Suggested accommodation: Glyn Peris Guesthouse (£75)
• Betws-y coed – busy town with lots of restaurants, hotels and camping supply shops. Can also be accessed by train. Suggested accommodation: Waterloo Hotel (£110) or The Eagles Bunkhouse (£30)

Resources for wild camping in Snowdonia

If you are planning a wild camping Snowdonia trip, I suggest getting your hands on the following. Note for OS maps, there are 3 needed to cover the entire National Park. Depending on what areas you plan to cover you may not need them all:

• OS Snowdonia Map OL17 (map covering north Snowdonia)
• OS Snowdonia Map OL18 (map covering middle Snowdonia)
• OS Snowdonia Map OL23 (map covering south Snowdonia)
• Nature of Snowdonia (really great book with easy to digest knowledge on the flora, fauna, and wildlife in Snowdonia – small so is easy to carry)
• Hiking in Snowdonia (40 hiking suggestions)
• Britain’s Best Small Hill’s (a great all-around wild camping guide for suggestions across the UK on where to sleep wild for a night)

For reliable weather forecasts, check out the:

• Snowdonia MetOffice Weather Forecast

If you are looking for a more adventurous or wilder experience, you might want to consider a bivvy bag instead of a tent. Check out my Bivvy Bag camping guide for more information on this style of camping.

If you want to add a little bit of fun to your camping trip, check out my handy guide with 100+ camping games and challenges for adults: CAMPING GAMES FOR ADULTS.

For a bit of inspiration

Videos are a great tool to give you a sense of what wild camping in Snowdonia might feel like. There’s some great tips in these videos. But mostly they will show you what a good spot might look for and the wonderful views you are going to have in store!

A few final top tips

• Most visitors flock to hike Snowdon so if you are after a quieter experience, stay away from this mountain.
• Always tell someone where you are planning to go and what time you plan to be back
• It’s very important that you understand and follow the leave-no-trace protocol. This includes not lighting any fires, removing all rubbish with you off the mountain and following toilet etiquette. For more details, check out Wild Camping UK
• The weather can change drastically in Snowdonia. Make sure you check the forecast before leaving and have a way to monitor the forecast during your adventure
• Snowdonia has some big crags and tough rocky climbs. If you are planning to hike, it’s worth checking routes and difficulty levels in advance to make sure it’s within your remit.

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I hope you’ve found this Snowdonia wild camping guide useful. For those embarking on this new adventure, remember that the first step is often the most challenging. So, go ahead and take that leap to fully embrace the experience! And should things not go as planned, know that you can always pack up and return home.

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Have a great camping adventure……I’d love to hear how you get on in the comments!