The best campsites in Fernworthy Forest with horseback riding

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Set on the banks of the Fernworthy Reservoir at the heart of the Dartmoor National Park, Fernworthy Forest has some of the NP’s most rewarding short walks. Follow the lakeside trail, enjoy bird-watching or fish for brown trout around the lake, then stop for a picnic by the lakeside. Hikers can choose from a variety of forest trails. Explore Bronze Age stone circles, follow scenic woodland walks, and spot herds of native Dartmoor ponies grazing the moors. There are no campsites at Fernworthy Forest, but wild camping is permitted—pitch your tent beneath the trees for a real back-to-nature experience.

96% (432) 216 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Fernworthy Forest

The Enchanted Wilderness

1. The Enchanted Wilderness

93%
(43)
Yelverton, England · 6 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Simple riverside camping pitches in the Tamar Valley on the edge of Dartmoor
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£28
 / night
Secret Spot Camping Saunton

2. Secret Spot Camping Saunton

99%
(140)
Braunton, England · 12 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Finding this exclusive Devon spot is like making it on to the best VIP guest list in town
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

3. Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

91%
(70)
St Austell, England · 67 units · Tents, Glamping
Lakeside camping with streams, rope swings and farmyard animals in rural Cornwall
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£15
 / night
Swell Camping at The Orchard

4. Swell Camping at The Orchard

100%
(2)
Croyde, England · 4 units
Bell tent glamping with views of Saunton Sands in Devon
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£100
 / night
Strawfields Cabins and Camping

5. Strawfields Cabins and Camping

100%
(26)
Titching Park Lane, England · 14 units · Tents, Glamping
Camping and rustic glamping with campfires on an idyllic smallholding close to North Devon’s best-loved beaches
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£30
 / night
Buckland Farm Camping

6. Buckland Farm Camping

95%
(21)
Wellington, England · 12 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Dog-friendly camping on the edge of the Blackdown Hills
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£22
 / night
Tremanor Farm

7. Tremanor Farm

89%
(19)
Castledore, England · 50 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Cornish camping with sea views, 5 minutes from the beach and 10 minutes from the Eden Project
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£20
 / night
Goren Farm

8. Goren Farm

100%
(85)
Seaton, England · 7 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Nearly wild camping in Devonshire wildflower meadows
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£21
 / night
Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

9. Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

88%
(66)
Bude, England · 50 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Glamping near Bude, with eye-catching eco-pods, a staggering treehouse for couples and traditional tent camping
Pets
Electrical hookup
Showers
from 
£26
 / night
Pure & Rustic

10. Pure & Rustic

86%
(7)
Croyde, England · 6 units
Acres of beautiful woodlands & pastures for those that like to sleep under canvas with or without electric. Hot showers, Pure Greenfields spring water on tap, designated fire pits to bring out your rawness of nature!! Pure & Rustic is close by to some fantastic local pubs, and the beaches of Croyde, Saunton, Putsborough & Woolacombe. A magical woodland retreat to watch the moon & stars float by..!
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£15
 / night
Livit, Glamping by the coast

11. Livit, Glamping by the coast

98%
(48)
Bideford, England · 9 units
Adventure-filled glamping with sea views to savour
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£55
 / night
Deer Barn Retreats

12. Deer Barn Retreats

94%
(33)
Taunton, England · 3 units
Dog-friendly glamping on the Somerset-Devon border
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£81
 / night
Cerenety Eco Campsite

13. Cerenety Eco Campsite

93%
(21)
Bude, England · 5 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Back-to-basics camping on the edge of Bude
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£22
 / night
Fire Beacon Camping

14. Fire Beacon Camping

95%
(11)
Sidmouth, England · 16 units
Set in a peaceful, rural location in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Fire Beacon Camping is a fabulous location for a countryside escape, 1.5 miles along a traditional Devon country lane, when you arrive the views of Devon countryside, will not disappoint! Perfectly situated for stunning sunsets and the best starry night skies, how many shooting stars will you see? (weather permitting) This is a tranquil, off grid nearly wild campsite, with a strong eco ethos with views across to Exmoor, composting toilet facilities, and recycling facilities. the wildlife is abundant, all the pitches are extremely generously sized and a Fire Pit provided for each one. It's a 10 minute drive to Sidmouth with its beautiful beaches and wide range of Independent shops, Cafes and pubs, and 10 minutes drive in the opposite direction to Ottery St Mary, which also boasts a wide range of Independent shops, there are also plenty of Farm Shops in the area. There is no end of wonderful beaches to explore along the Jurassic coastline. From Fossil hunting in Lyme Regis to the East, the quaint fishing village of Beer to massive golden sandy beaches in Exmouth to the west. With lots of woodland walks on the 'doorstep' the East Devon Way is a 5 minute walk away, 15 minutes walk to the Fire Beacon Nature Reserve and for keen hikers, we're close to the South West Coast Path. For mountain bikers, there are some great routes in the local woodlands and bike routes are also close by with the challenging River Exe Loop and family bike routes along the Otter river less than 15 minutes’ drive away.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£18
 / night
Cheglinch Camping (Wild Camping)

15. Cheglinch Camping (Wild Camping)

100%
(20)
Ilfracombe, England · 27 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Unspoiled countryside camping on the outskirts of a working Devon farm, offering far-reaching views and a relaxed atmosphere
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£16
 / night
Yurt in the Orchard

16. Yurt in the Orchard

100%
(31)
Tiverton, England · 1 unit
A private, dog-friendly yurt with a hot tub overlooking a North Devon cider orchard
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£125
 / night
Atlantic Horizons

17. Atlantic Horizons

100%
(1)
Bude, England · 9 units · Tents, Glamping
We are a friendly glamping and camping site set in the beautiful natural surroundings of the North Cornwall coast and countryside allowing for a quiet getaway or family break. Atlantic Horizons aims to offer the camping experience but without the hassle. Supplying you with everything you need for a relaxing yet comfortable glamping experience. We understand how the issues of packing and unpacking can be for you, especially after a long drive, therefore we feel that it is important to remove any challenges by providing you with a variety of glamping packages to suit your needs.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£39
 / night
Diddylake Shepherd Huts

18. Diddylake Shepherd Huts

100%
(6)
Bodmin Moor, England · 1 unit
An off-grid shepherd’s hut site out on Bodmin Moor
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£75
 / night
Wylde Valley Camping

19. Wylde Valley Camping

97%
(16)
Bude, England · 132 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A popular festival space that's now a bona fide campsite, with modern, pop-up facilities and a top North Cornwall location
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Showers
from 
£15
 / night
Little Dunley Cottages

20. Little Dunley Cottages

100%
(2)
Newton Abbot, England · 1 unit
The Tiny House is a delightful, bijou holiday accommodation for adults only, and as its name suggests, is a compact house – however, you will be astounded to see what we have managed to fit inside! If you are looking for a romantic holiday for two, or simply wish to escape the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy some peace and quiet in a serene countryside location in Devon, this house is the ideal choice.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£100
 / night

Set on the banks of the Fernworthy Reservoir at the heart of the Dartmoor National Park, Fernworthy Forest has some of the NP’s most rewarding short walks. Follow the lakeside trail, enjoy bird-watching or fish for brown trout around the lake, then stop for a picnic by the lakeside. Hikers can choose from a variety of forest trails. Explore Bronze Age stone circles, follow scenic woodland walks, and spot herds of native Dartmoor ponies grazing the moors. There are no campsites at Fernworthy Forest, but wild camping is permitted—pitch your tent beneath the trees for a real back-to-nature experience.

96% (432) 216 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds in Fernworthy Forest

The Enchanted Wilderness

1. The Enchanted Wilderness

93%
(43)
Yelverton, England · 6 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Simple riverside camping pitches in the Tamar Valley on the edge of Dartmoor
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£28
 / night
Secret Spot Camping Saunton

2. Secret Spot Camping Saunton

99%
(140)
Braunton, England · 12 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Finding this exclusive Devon spot is like making it on to the best VIP guest list in town
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£20
 / night
Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

3. Pleasant Streams Farm Camping

91%
(70)
St Austell, England · 67 units · Tents, Glamping
Lakeside camping with streams, rope swings and farmyard animals in rural Cornwall
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£15
 / night
Swell Camping at The Orchard

4. Swell Camping at The Orchard

100%
(2)
Croyde, England · 4 units
Bell tent glamping with views of Saunton Sands in Devon
Pets
Showers
Potable water
from 
£100
 / night
Strawfields Cabins and Camping

5. Strawfields Cabins and Camping

100%
(26)
Titching Park Lane, England · 14 units · Tents, Glamping
Camping and rustic glamping with campfires on an idyllic smallholding close to North Devon’s best-loved beaches
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£30
 / night
Buckland Farm Camping

6. Buckland Farm Camping

95%
(21)
Wellington, England · 12 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Dog-friendly camping on the edge of the Blackdown Hills
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£22
 / night
Tremanor Farm

7. Tremanor Farm

89%
(19)
Castledore, England · 50 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Cornish camping with sea views, 5 minutes from the beach and 10 minutes from the Eden Project
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£20
 / night
Goren Farm

8. Goren Farm

100%
(85)
Seaton, England · 7 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Nearly wild camping in Devonshire wildflower meadows
Campfires
Showers
Potable water
from 
£21
 / night
Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

9. Surf Pods and Camping at Atlantic Farm

88%
(66)
Bude, England · 50 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Glamping near Bude, with eye-catching eco-pods, a staggering treehouse for couples and traditional tent camping
Pets
Electrical hookup
Showers
from 
£26
 / night
Pure & Rustic

10. Pure & Rustic

86%
(7)
Croyde, England · 6 units
Acres of beautiful woodlands & pastures for those that like to sleep under canvas with or without electric. Hot showers, Pure Greenfields spring water on tap, designated fire pits to bring out your rawness of nature!! Pure & Rustic is close by to some fantastic local pubs, and the beaches of Croyde, Saunton, Putsborough & Woolacombe. A magical woodland retreat to watch the moon & stars float by..!
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£15
 / night
Livit, Glamping by the coast

11. Livit, Glamping by the coast

98%
(48)
Bideford, England · 9 units
Adventure-filled glamping with sea views to savour
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£55
 / night
Deer Barn Retreats

12. Deer Barn Retreats

94%
(33)
Taunton, England · 3 units
Dog-friendly glamping on the Somerset-Devon border
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£81
 / night
Cerenety Eco Campsite

13. Cerenety Eco Campsite

93%
(21)
Bude, England · 5 units · Tents, Motorhomes
Back-to-basics camping on the edge of Bude
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£22
 / night
Fire Beacon Camping

14. Fire Beacon Camping

95%
(11)
Sidmouth, England · 16 units
Set in a peaceful, rural location in the East Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty. Fire Beacon Camping is a fabulous location for a countryside escape, 1.5 miles along a traditional Devon country lane, when you arrive the views of Devon countryside, will not disappoint! Perfectly situated for stunning sunsets and the best starry night skies, how many shooting stars will you see? (weather permitting) This is a tranquil, off grid nearly wild campsite, with a strong eco ethos with views across to Exmoor, composting toilet facilities, and recycling facilities. the wildlife is abundant, all the pitches are extremely generously sized and a Fire Pit provided for each one. It's a 10 minute drive to Sidmouth with its beautiful beaches and wide range of Independent shops, Cafes and pubs, and 10 minutes drive in the opposite direction to Ottery St Mary, which also boasts a wide range of Independent shops, there are also plenty of Farm Shops in the area. There is no end of wonderful beaches to explore along the Jurassic coastline. From Fossil hunting in Lyme Regis to the East, the quaint fishing village of Beer to massive golden sandy beaches in Exmouth to the west. With lots of woodland walks on the 'doorstep' the East Devon Way is a 5 minute walk away, 15 minutes walk to the Fire Beacon Nature Reserve and for keen hikers, we're close to the South West Coast Path. For mountain bikers, there are some great routes in the local woodlands and bike routes are also close by with the challenging River Exe Loop and family bike routes along the Otter river less than 15 minutes’ drive away.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£18
 / night
Cheglinch Camping (Wild Camping)

15. Cheglinch Camping (Wild Camping)

100%
(20)
Ilfracombe, England · 27 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
Unspoiled countryside camping on the outskirts of a working Devon farm, offering far-reaching views and a relaxed atmosphere
Pets
Campfires
Potable water
from 
£16
 / night
Yurt in the Orchard

16. Yurt in the Orchard

100%
(31)
Tiverton, England · 1 unit
A private, dog-friendly yurt with a hot tub overlooking a North Devon cider orchard
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£125
 / night
Atlantic Horizons

17. Atlantic Horizons

100%
(1)
Bude, England · 9 units · Tents, Glamping
We are a friendly glamping and camping site set in the beautiful natural surroundings of the North Cornwall coast and countryside allowing for a quiet getaway or family break. Atlantic Horizons aims to offer the camping experience but without the hassle. Supplying you with everything you need for a relaxing yet comfortable glamping experience. We understand how the issues of packing and unpacking can be for you, especially after a long drive, therefore we feel that it is important to remove any challenges by providing you with a variety of glamping packages to suit your needs.
Pets
Campfires
Showers
from 
£39
 / night
Diddylake Shepherd Huts

18. Diddylake Shepherd Huts

100%
(6)
Bodmin Moor, England · 1 unit
An off-grid shepherd’s hut site out on Bodmin Moor
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£75
 / night
Wylde Valley Camping

19. Wylde Valley Camping

97%
(16)
Bude, England · 132 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping
A popular festival space that's now a bona fide campsite, with modern, pop-up facilities and a top North Cornwall location
Electrical hookup
Campfires
Showers
from 
£15
 / night
Little Dunley Cottages

20. Little Dunley Cottages

100%
(2)
Newton Abbot, England · 1 unit
The Tiny House is a delightful, bijou holiday accommodation for adults only, and as its name suggests, is a compact house – however, you will be astounded to see what we have managed to fit inside! If you are looking for a romantic holiday for two, or simply wish to escape the hustle and bustle of life and enjoy some peace and quiet in a serene countryside location in Devon, this house is the ideal choice.
Pets
Showers
Campfires
from 
£100
 / night

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The best campsites in Fernworthy Forest with horseback riding guide

When to go

July and August are the peak season in Dartmoor National Park, and popular spots such as Fernworthy Forest can get crowded—parking is limited, so get there early. Forest walks can be enjoyed year-round, but it’s most magical in autumn, with its canopy of fall foliage. Dartmoor weather is notoriously changeable, so pack a sweater and raincoat even in summer.

Know before you go

  • Fernworthy Forest is located north of Dartmoor National Park, about a 15-minute drive southwest of Chagford. There is a pay and display car park by the entrance to the forest.
  • Restrooms are located at the forest car park, but there are no other facilities, so bring everything you need with you. The closest village is Chagford, which has a few pubs and small shops. 
  • Trout fishing is possible on the lake between March and October, and fishing permits can be purchased on-site. 
  • Parts of the lakeside trail are accessible for wheelchairs and pushchairs.
  • Dartmoor National Park is one of the few places in the UK where wild camping is permitted. Tents must be pitched away from roads and attractions, and large group camping is not allowed. 
  • Dartmoor has free-roaming ponies, sheep, and cattle, and these animals have the right of way on moorland roads. There is a strict speed limit of 40 mph throughout. It is a fineable offense to feed any of the animals in the park, and visitors are also advised to keep a distance for their own safety—these are feral animals and may kick or bite.