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White sand beaches and blue turquoise water in – Scotland? That can’t be right! You bet your bottom it is. These are the kinds of sights that you can see along Scotland’s North Coast 500 road, a.k.a. “the Scottish Route 66,” and the following North Coast 500 campsites are not to be missed.
This guide will include official campsites on the North Coast 500 with options for campervans.
You may also find our NC500 itinerary useful.
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Why Camp Along the North Coast 500?
Besides the tropical-like scenery, you’ll enjoy the Highlands’ hills and lochs (lakes) while driving along this road.
What more could nature/adventure enthusiasts ask for?
As hotels, hostels, and B&Bs book out fast on the NC500, camping is ideal for those booking at the last minute (ish).
If you prefer to book self-contained apartments, here’s our guide.
North Coast 500 camping is one of the most budget-friendly ways to experience the Highlands.
Campsites tend to be cheaper than B&Bs, although renting a campervan can be pricy.
If you plan to hike and wild camp with a tent, read over the Scottish Outdoor Access before you arrive.
A train line runs up the east coast of the NC500, and buses connect Inverness and the west, ideal for hiking to remote wild camp spots.
This guide discusses wild camping in Scotland more below.
Lately, locals have not been so welcoming to wild campers, so please be considerate to those who live in the Highlands.
North Coast 500 Campsites
The North Coast of Scotland boasts a variety of different landscapes.
Camping allows you to get up close and personal with nature, disconnecting from technology if you wish!
The Highlands is geared up for campers and camper vans, with its campsites offering shared bathroom facilities, recycling, hookups, waste disposal and sometimes even WiFi.
Where To Camp?
Several fantastic NC500 campsites with modern facilities are dotted around the Scottish Highlands.
There are also many private spots for those looking to go off the grid during their NC500 camping trip.
In this section, let’s explore the sites and what each offers.
1. Applecross Campsite
Applecross is a popular camping spot in the Scottish Highlands.
It is often the first main stop road-trippers make after taking on the hairpin Bealach na Bà road.
So what’s the appeal?
Applecross boasts views over to the Isle of Skye and a hoaching eatery called the Applecross Inn.
Applecross campsite is a 10-minute walk from the Inn.
The site offers large tent areas, free hot showers and toilets, shaver points, dishwashing facilities and free WiFi around the reception area.
Applecross also caters for camper vans and motorhomes via ten serviced hard-standing pitches and nine electric grass pitches.
Don’t fancy camping?
There are glamping huts on site, too.
Applecross was quite popular, but now it is in high demand, so book using their online system and it open from March and until October.
2. Achmelvich Bay The Shore Caravan Site
This award-winning beach sits next to the family-friendly Shore Caravan Site, which offers no-set pitches but aims not to turn anyone away.
They have an overrun campsite close to the caravan site.
Facilities include a toilet block with showers, launderette, on-site shop, chip shop and WiFi.
Campfires are allowed, but not on the grass.
The Shore Caravan Site is open from March until September.
3. Clachtoll Beach Campsite
The family-run Clachtoll Beach Campsite welcomes eco-friendly guests to their campsite close to the town of Lochinver.
Facilities include electric hook-ups, toilet and shower facilities, hair straightener points, dishwashing, laundry, eco-friendly toilet waste disposal, a vending machine with hot drinks, media charging lockers and WiFi!
The Clachtoll Beach Caravan Site is open from April until October.
4. Scourie Campsite
Scourie Campsite is located in the centre of Scourie village which has a shop, a hotel and a restaurant.
The campsite is near the ferry port for Handa Island, where day trippers go to see the local puffins.
Campsite facilities include showers, water, and waste.
This is one of the few campsites on the North Coast 500 that is open all year round.
5. Sango Sands
At the top of the NC500 route lies the town of Durness.
Durness is home to Smoo Cave and Sango Sands campsite.
You feel like you are at the end of the world staying at this campsite in the North West.
Sango Sands is open from April to the end of October and offers 58 electric hook-up points, both hard standing and on the grass.
Facilities include toilets, a shower block, a kitchen, waste disposal, dishwashing, laundry facilities, and a restaurant with a bar.
Furry friends are welcome at this pet-friendly campsite.
Like many of northwest Scotland’s campsites, it lacks shelter, so it can get windy up there.
The Sango Sands Caravan Site is open from Spring until October.
6. Thurso Caravan and Campsite
Thurso Caravan and Campsite is a large campsite featuring individual plots, shared bathroom facilities and public picnic tables.
Showers are hot, and the site is across from a supermarket.
The site has views of Orkney and a nice pathway walk along the coast.
We have stayed here.
The Thurso Caravan Site is open from April until October.
7. Ardtower Caravan Park
A bustling all-year-round campsite in Inverness, Ardtower books up fast, so reserve early.
This site has shared shower and toilet facilities, a shop and a shared cleaning area.
Charming vibe, plus views over the Kessock Bridge.
We have stayed here.
North Coast 500 Wild Camping
The beauty of camping in Scotland is that you can camp anywhere, to an extent.
The Scottish Outdoor Access Code states you must:
- Respect the interest of locals – this is especially true when camping on land
- Care for the environment – leave the land as you find it, no digging or fires at cultural sites
- Take responsibility for your actions – be safe, stay away from buildings, farms and roads
- Here is advice on how to deal with emergencies while camping.
The grey area with NC500 wild camping is that the primary way to get around the route is by car, and wild camping in other areas of Scotland is often utilised by those on foot.
See our West Highland Way guide for more details on Scotland’s West Coast hike.
Since wild camping is not allowed near roads, you will need to leave your car as you hike to your camping spot.
These rules are in place to protect you, the locals, and the environment and not infringe on your rights to explore the Highlands, so be smart but have fun.
Camping Gear List
Before you set out on your NC500 adventure, you will need to have your equipment in order.
So, what exactly do you need?
Everyone’s packing lists may vary, but here is what a list of the essentials might look like:
- A quality tent that will keep you safe from wind and rain
- Layers
- Waterproof jacket and overtrousers
- Comfortable footwear such as hiking shoes like these Salamon trek shoes US / UK
- Personal hygiene products and sunscreen
- Portable cooler
- Extra phone battery packs like Anker US / UK (you will need it for maps)
- Bag to collect rubbish – leave nothing behind
- A strong stomach, you shouldn’t do the toilet in a public place
- Don’t forget to bring a lot of money for petrol/gas and food/water!
Read more: NC500 packing list.
The Best Time For Camping
Naturally, the weather in this region is unpredictable, and it often experiences multiple seasons in one day.
However, some months are preferable to others when it comes to camping.
May is often a great time to visit Scotland before the dreaded midges take force, while the start of September can see more sunshine than June, July, and August.
During the summer, daylight lasts about 16 hours, giving you a lot of sunlight to enjoy the scenery.
Winter can be dark and miserable with dumps of snow; most campsites, attractions, and even restaurants close until spring.
North Coast 500 Motorhomes
Camping not your cup of tea?
Hiring a campervan or motorhome for the NC500 is very common and is a relatively easy way to get around if you know how to drive on single-track roads.
There are plenty of ‘passing places’ for you to pull over in to let other drivers pass.
If you see many campervans together like the image below, it is not a sign that it is an excellent overnight stop.
It’s a signal to move on and find somewhere else…
Warning: You do have the winding roads of the Bealach na Bà to contend with.
There are many benefits of taking a North Coast 500 motorhome trip, such as flexibility with your itinerary, avoiding hotels that book up quickly, and the fact that campers offer a bit more luxury than camping in a tent!
North Coast 500 caravan sites tend to run alongside the camping sites mentioned in this article.
The facilities available at each one have been discussed above.
Conclusion
This NC500 camping guide details where to stay on the NC500 if you are camping or campervanning.
If camping is not your thing, I still recommend you check out this road and all it offers while staying at hotels or bed and breakfasts; I’ve linked to those guides below.
we are staying by trailer tent and with our children and dog, do you have any suggestions for us of where to stay , we would also love to see the isle of Skye too. we have a 4 week window give or take.
Hi Kerry, you can check out the NC500 campsites in our guide (above where you’ve commented).