Dog-friendly camping near Newton Stewart, Galloway

Lying on the banks of the River Cree, the town of Newton Stewart is often dubbed the “Gateway to the Galloway Hills.” As well as enjoying the walking opportunities on the hills and climbing the Merrick, South West Scotland’s highest mountain, visitors can tackle varied mountain biking trails in nearby Galloway Forest Park, explore the nearby RSPB nature reserve Wood of Cree, and fish for salmon and trout in the River Cree.

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Top-rated campgrounds

Lying on the banks of the River Cree, the town of Newton Stewart is often dubbed the “Gateway to the Galloway Hills.” As well as enjoying the walking opportunities on the hills and climbing the Merrick, South West Scotland’s highest mountain, visitors can tackle varied mountain biking trails in nearby Galloway Forest Park, explore the nearby RSPB nature reserve Wood of Cree, and fish for salmon and trout in the River Cree.

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Top-rated campgrounds

1. The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute

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112km from Newton Stewart · 2 units · Glamping · Scotland

Our Huts are located within the Moss Wood area of Bute Forest - a mixed birch and alder wood that extends up the hillside to the west of the A886 that connects the Rhubodach Ferry to Port Bannatyne and Rothesay. Moss Wood has a range of facilities. Park on the shore-side where the coast can be enjoyed or at the main entrance, and take a walk up through Moss Wood along the Poetry Trail. A steep walk in places, the Poetry Trail is a loop punctuated with places to stop and read, to stop and think. Read nature poetry from throughout the ages, stop at the Blether Stane, or taking the spur to the Viewing Point back south across the Kyles. Moss Wood connects to the West Island Way – take the Poetry Trail and the spur to the Viewing Point – and then take the Stag’s Trod further up (steeply) till you reach the West Island Way. From there, head south towards Port Bannatyne or north along the boundary of the Community Forest. From the viewing point, you can also explore interesting heritage features such as the old WW2 bunker, kayak shelter, Balnakailly settlement, and the SSSI oak woodland.

2. Damson View Glamping

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127km from Newton Stewart · 5 units · Glamping · Cumbria, North West England

Self-contained glamping pods in the Lake District's beautiful Lyth Valley

3. Lake District Herdwick Huts

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112km from Newton Stewart · 5 units · Glamping · Rydal, England

You will not find a more stunning place to stay and explore within the UK. Set in the very heart of the Lake District National Park, there is good reason why this magnificent location inspired the poet William Wordsworth to commit some of his most world-renowned poetry to paper. These beautiful huts are nestled underneath the Fairfield horseshoe mountain range and Nab scar, so there is no need to drive anywhere for the finest mountain hikes. With Rydal Lake, a wild swimmers hot spot, and waterfalls and plunge pools on site, it really is hard to beat! You will not find a more stunning place to stay and explore within the UK. Set in the very heart of the Lake District National Park, there is good reason why this magnificent location inspired the poet William Wordsworth to commit some of his most world-renowned poetry to paper. Grasmere is on the doorstep, voted one of the top places to visit in the Lake District, with the famous '‘Coffin route’ walk offering a spectacular lake and mountain view stroll straight from your hut door. With low level to high level walks exploring the Lakes from Rydal caters for everyone. Ambleside and Grasmere are both walking distance for cafes, restaurants and cinemas and Rydal offers scenic off-road strolls to arrive by. Each with fresh linen, wood burning stove and cast iron gas hob, you are sure to be comfortable even in the thick of winter.

4. Renison's Farm

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122km from Newton Stewart · 1 unit · Glamping · Penrith, Cumbria, North West England

Off-grid wagon glamping on a farm with views of Lake District fells

5. Red Deer Village Holiday Park

105km from Newton Stewart · 10 units · Motorhomes · Glasgow, Lanarkshire, South Scotland

Red Deer Village Holiday Park in Scotland is a 5 star holiday park, conveniently situated on the doorstep of Glasgow, just off the A80, one of Scotland’s main arterial routes to the North. The Scottish holiday park is close to a number of public transport links, with regular buses and trains into Glasgow city centre. he level and spacious caravan and campsite near Glasgow is the ideal base for a holiday in and around West Central Scotland, or as a stopover for a few days whilst touring. There are 24 hardstanding pitches with electric hookup, suitable for touring caravans and motorhomes. Our grass area has a number of spacious tent pitches, which are well served by immaculate facilities.

Stories from the community

S

Simon

August 2025

With pets

Weekend Trip to The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute

Beautiful views up the Loch. Quite a steep climb but easily achievable. Fire pit, bbq and seating area ideal. Even the compostable toilet had a great view!

M

Meron

June 2025

2 nights at The Charcoal Huts - Isle of Bute

The Charcoal Huts were so magical. We stayed in Birch and it had amazing views, was quite private and had everything we needed - including things we forgot. It was beautiful and cosy inside and the fire kept us so warm. I really loved this place.

Under £50

Loch Katrine Eco Camping

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142km from Newton Stewart · 22 units · Motorhomes, Glamping · Stirling and Falkirk, Central Scotland

Loch-side sleeping and exploring in one of Loch Lomond and The Trossachs National Park's most historic locations

Baystone Bank Farm Campsite

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110km from Newton Stewart · 47 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Millom, England

Lake District camping on a working farm with a stream to splash in, campfires encouraged and a horse-riding centre on the doorstep

Social District

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123km from Newton Stewart · 30 units · Tents · Grizedale, Cumbria, North West England

Lake District camping on the banks of Lake Windermere, with direct access to the water.

Cleghorn Farm

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94km from Newton Stewart · 15 units · Tents, Glamping · Lanark, Scotland

*PLEASE NOTE THE CABIN IS AVAILABLE FOR MIDWEEK AND WEEKEND BOOKINGS. CAMPING WILL RETURN IN SPRING 2026.* Cleghorn Farm is a mixed farm just north east of the market town of Lanark. Comprised of 250 acres of fields and woodland and bounded to the south by Mouse Water, it is a beautiful spot to get away from it all without having to leave it all behind if you don't want to. The fields are grazed and cultivated but the woodlands are much as they were at the end of the last ice age with spectacular walks along Cleghorn Glen with the chance to see badgers, bats, deer and all manner of birds among the towering pine and beech trees. The Mouse Water (pronounced moose) tumbles down along the edge of the farm and has some glorious pools for swimming, shallows for paddling and some spectacular water falls before it joins the River Clyde.

Howbeck Lodge

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97km from Newton Stewart · 29 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Hesket Newmarket, England

A dog-friendly farm campsite on the northern edge of the Lake District

Available this weekend

Troquhain Woods

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31km from Newton Stewart · 6 units · Tents, Motorhomes · Castle Douglas, Dumfries, South Scotland

Nearly wild camping for tents and campervans in a Scottish woodland

West Highland Way Hotel & Campsite

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115km from Newton Stewart · 46 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Glasgow, Lanarkshire, South Scotland

A welcoming campsite on the West Highland Way

Langley Dam Glamping

141km from Newton Stewart · 5 units · Glamping · England

Nestled in the Tyne Valley, on our beef and sheep farm, at the edge of the North Pennines Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty Langley Dam Glamping provides high quality, en-suite accommodation in our unique glamping cabins. The six ‘Langley Longboat’ cabins are positioned on the bank of Langley Dam Reservoir, providing exceptional views over the 14 acres of water and towards Whitfield moor. Langley Dam itself is a commercial fly fishery and Troutmaster water. Visitors are welcome, and encouraged, to enjoy the fishing experience that the water provides (charges do apply, but residents have discounted fishing fees). We also have rowing boats that can be hired for fishing purposes. We have created some fantastic 3D showcases of the inside of the cabins. You can use these to get a better feel of how the cabins are laid out. We have created 3 showcases to reflect the 3 types of cabins we have. Humbleton is unique, then The Wonneys which is the same layout as The Rushy Lot, and Wheatleys which is the same as Blackcleugh and Bare Bones.

Wanderlusts Gypsy Caravans

116km from Newton Stewart · 3 units · Glamping · Melmerby, England

Travelling from site to site in a bow-top gypsy caravan, through Cumbria's stunning scenery

Harebeck Holidays

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91km from Newton Stewart · 8 units · Motorhomes, Glamping · Wasdale, England

Nestled between the Western Lake District Fells and the Irish Sea coast this site is situated on a working dairy and sheep farm. Farm tours can be arranged on arrival. A play hut with outdoor games, drying room with communal fridge and freezer (some units have their own small fridge). Natural hedges surround the site. Four fruit trees near the shower block Half a mile to Gosforth village with Shop, Bakery, Cafe, 4 Pubs providing food and an Italian restaurant. Gosforth and Seascale villages have play parks. Muncaster Castle, Ravenglass and Eskdale Railway, Wasdale, Scafell Pike and Sandy Beaches with Cafes selling local ice cream are nearby with most Lake District attractions within an hours drive and Edinburgh a three hour drive away. There are 5 campervan/motorhome pitches, a pod, a modern take on a shepherds hut with underfloor heating, a heated pod and two gypsy caravans with electricity to book. All pitches are on gravel positioned to enjoy views over farmland to Scafell Pike and other fells, they are surrounded by grassy areas with seating and a picnic table. A wooden play hut has outdoor games and toys inside. Awnings can be added on the 3 larger pitches. Tents can be pitched next to units for an extra £10 per night. Barbeques are allowed on gravel with our Gypsy Caravans having a campfire area. There is a communal fridge and freezer, outdoor drying space. Farm tours can be arranged. Wildlife and farm animals can be seen in the surrounding fields. Fresh vegetables and barbeque packs can be ordered with 24 to 48 hours notice. Grocery deliveries accepted from supermarkets. There is also a holiday cottage on the farm sleeping 6 over two rooms. Situated midway between the Western Lake District Fells and the Irish Sea Coast makes this site ideal for lower or higher level walks. Sandy beaches at Seascale and St Bees have cafes selling locally made ice cream alongside play areas to keep children happy. Scafell England's highest mountain is close by as are a number of Wainwrights. Nearby is Muncaster Castle and Gardens with its Hawk and Owl Centre, also Ravenglass (a Roman port with remains of a bath house), you can ride up the Eskdale Valley on the Ravenglass & Eskdale Railway (Laal Ratty). Perhaps take a stroll to Stanley Ghyll waterfall. They have a cafe at both terminuses with a museum in Ravenglass where nearby you can sample Ravenglass Ice Cream. Wasdale and Ennerdale are close by both valleys having cafes and pubs.

Star Hosts in Newton Stewart

Ewe Love Camping Pods

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103km from Newton Stewart · 3 units · Glamping · Penrith, Cumbria, North West England

Modern Lake District glamping pods among the trees, with exceptional views of Blencathra

The Old Chapel Campsite

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139km from Newton Stewart · 30 units · Tents · Murton, England

Nearly wild camping in the North Pennines

Camping at Cardewlees

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95km from Newton Stewart · 37 units · Tents, Motorhomes, Glamping · Carlisle, England

A welcoming, family-run farm campsite between the Lake District and Hadrian's Wall

King Garth

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94km from Newton Stewart · 1 unit · Glamping · Carlisle, England

Built in 1733, King Garth is also known as The Old Customs House, reflecting its role in these fraught times of smuggling. Its strategic position on the banks of The Eden served as the perfect lookout for a bailiff employed by Carlisle Corporation to protect the very important salmon fishery. The plaques on the building which commemorate the visits by Mayors date back to the 1700s. These visits no doubt involved indulgent banquets centring around freshly caught salmon I grew up on the opposite side of the river. On family walks along the Eden I was always fascinated by the house on the other side sited in such an amazing position. In 2010, when I returned to Cumbria I was amazed to hear that this house was for sale. It was a ruin and everyone told me I was mad..... I probably was a little! But I soon realised that I wasn’t alone in my love of this house, everyone I met from the surrounding villages had a tale to tell about this iconic place. King Garth is for sharing - with locals, (we have an annual barbecue), with wildlife and with people like you. The aim when renovating King Garth was to celebrate and embrace its history. King Garth is off grid and has no running water. It is furnished in a style to reflect its history. It isn’t everyone’s ‘cup of tea’: you have to drive a mile down a muddy lane, there is no hot shower, no electric lighting, and a compost toilet. BUT we offer beautiful evenings of candle light, log burner, hot tub under the stars and bathing in the river. My priority with King Garth and the land attached was to manage in a way to protect the abundant wildlife. There are also alpacas who you can look after during your stay. You will be astounded by the din the birds make at dawn and dusk! Inside the house there is an owl box where one summer a pair of barn owls successfully raised chicks. Since then a kestrel frequents the box and has twice laid there. This part of the Eden is tidal so both estuarine and river species co exist. Kingfishers and otters are often spotted And even the occasional seal! Kinggarth comes with fishing rights and if you want to fish this can be arranged with the host. The bird feeders are frequented by tree sparrows, yellow hammers, wood peckers, nut hatches and in winter red poll.

Beirhope Alpacas

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145km from Newton Stewart · 11 units · Tents · Kelso, Scotland

A small, off-grid campsite with alpacas in the historically rich southern Scottish borders

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Dog-friendly camping near Newton Stewart guide

Where to go

Around Town

Newton Stewart is home to a wide range of shops and restaurants, making it a convenient place to base yourself with exploring the area. Just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre, and attractions such as the Newton Stewart Museum, Creebridge Caravan Park has pitches for tents and tourers.

Galloway Forest Park

Keen stargazers flock to Galloway Forest Park,a designated Dark Sky Park. The park also has varied biking and walking trails through its forests, hills and lochs, and the long distance Southern Upland Way passes through. Glentrool Camping and Caravan Site is situated inside the park while Balloch O’ Dee is just outside and has converted barns, a vintage caravan and a roundhouse for hire, as well as tent and touring pitches. Both are around a 15-minute drive from Newton Stewart.

Wigtown

A 10-minute drive south of Newton Stewart, Wigtown is Scotland’s National Book Town and gateway to the Machars peninsula. A little further south, Drumroamin Farm Caravan and Camping Site is a peaceful spot, with views of Wigtown Bay, pitches for tents and tourers, and static caravans for hire.

When to go

May to August is the best time to visit for making the most of Scotland’s extended summer daylight hours. However the season can bring crowds and booked-up campsites. If planning to visit in the summer, try to avoid travelling during the Scottish school holidays in July and early August. For stargazing, however, the long nights of October to March are the best time of year to head into Galloway Forest Park (a designated Dark Sky Park).

Know before you go

Wild camping is legal throughout Scotland as long as you follow the Scottish Outdoor Access Code.
Local buses can get you to most places of interest. The closest train station is in Barrhill and has direct connections to Glasgow.
There are several shops in Newtown Stewart and you should have no trouble finding the essentials.