Waterside camping near Bala, Gwynedd

Set up your tent by the water’s edge in Bala, where over 390 campsites put you close to lakes, rivers, and streams. The average night costs £79, but you’ll find pitches for as little as £10 if you book early. Campfires are allowed at most sites, and you’ll get basics like toilets and pet-friendly rules—handy if you’re bringing your dog. Fishing, swimming, and horseback riding are all on your doorstep. Locals favour sites like Henbant Permaculture Farm + Camp (172 reviews), Panpwnton Campsite (74 reviews), and Bwch Yn Uchaf (57 reviews) for their easy access to the water and relaxed atmosphere. Don’t forget—a waterside pitch in Bala means you’re waking up to views that feel straight out of a postcard, and you can be swimming or casting a line before breakfast.

97% (1.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

Set up your tent by the water’s edge in Bala, where over 390 campsites put you close to lakes, rivers, and streams. The average night costs £79, but you’ll find pitches for as little as £10 if you book early. Campfires are allowed at most sites, and you’ll get basics like toilets and pet-friendly rules—handy if you’re bringing your dog. Fishing, swimming, and horseback riding are all on your doorstep. Locals favour sites like Henbant Permaculture Farm + Camp (172 reviews), Panpwnton Campsite (74 reviews), and Bwch Yn Uchaf (57 reviews) for their easy access to the water and relaxed atmosphere. Don’t forget—a waterside pitch in Bala means you’re waking up to views that feel straight out of a postcard, and you can be swimming or casting a line before breakfast.

97% (1.1K)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Wellstone Camping

100%

(16)

125km from Bala · 21 units · Tents, Glamping · Pembrokeshire, South Wales

Authentic Mongolian yurts and camping in a laid-back Pembrokeshire site with scenic views and friendly alpacas.

2. Rhydfach Valley Camping

100%

(12)

137km from Bala · 1 unit · Tent · Pembrokeshire, Wales

An exclusive-hire campsite with its own wild swimming pond in Pembrokeshire

3. Cilrath Wood Camping

100%

(42)

144km from Bala · 15 units · Tents · Narberth, Wales

Off-grid eco camping with campfires in a patch of Pembrokeshire that time forgot

4. Denmark Farm

100%

(3)

89km from Bala · 7 units · Tents · Lampeter, Wales

Spy real, live dragonﬂies dancing over lily-rich ponds as you head out in search of sleepy dragons in the wooded wonderland at this quiet eco site

5. Wild Wellingtons Glamping

100%

(1)

106km from Bala · 3 units · Glamping · Llandysul, Wales

Eco-friendly glamping 10 minutes from the beaches of Cardigan Bay, with great facilities for parents and acres of wild space for kids

Stories from the community

C

Charliejale

August 2025

Tent

Weekend Trip to Cilrath Wood Camping

WOW! We have just returned from a 3 night stay, and I’m hesitant to write this… only because I don’t know if I want the world to discover this little haven we will now forever adopt as our own, BUT that would be selfish, and Peter deserves all the recognition for the pure love that has been poured into every detail of this little, beautiful campsite. The site is well taken care of with little trails that lead you to little secluded spots and to the larger field that is immaculately conserved with trees surrounding the space. We recommend you use an app that helps you identify all the birds because the bird song there is truly wild, loud and varied. There is a lovely little lake at the bottom of the site that is being preserved for the wildlife, with so much activity to be witnessed even in the short time we spent walking around it. The toilets are regularly maintained and super clean. The showers were hot, clean and in a separate block to the toilets. All brought together with a really well designed aesthetic as well as made incredibly functional. Both carry through the eco ethos and are stocked with environmentally considered products in case your own dont fit the bill. Peter (aka Grumpy Farmer who is an absolutely beautiful soul) was always on hand to come and help if need be, always seemingly working on the site on more beautiful features, projects that work with the campsite, like food banks, community growing and forest school. We will return. Yearly.

W

Wiktoria

August 2025

Tent

2 nights at Cilrath Wood Camping

Sooo nice, and highly recommended! Great for kids and adults! Amazing hosts!

A

Anjali

August 2025

Tent

With pets

2 nights at Rhydfach Valley Camping

Lovely patch of tranquility with the sound of the water and nextdoor horses neighing every so often. A very quiet area with minimal traffic so you can fall asleep to the sound of nature every night✨ The camping area itself is well kept with lots of space for all sorts of configurations for all your camping set up needs. The pond is gorgeous too for those brave enough for a dip but there's also a bench for those of us who simply enjoy just looking at them. Dennis was a wonderful host throughout it all I cannot credit him more for being so fabulous and patient! He went out of his way multiple times for us just because he's a great bloke and gave us some great recommendations for local things to do. We will be back again for sure! I had the most wonderful birthday trip in this little slice of heaven :)

N

Nicholas

April 2025

Tent

1 night at Rhydfach Valley Camping

Excellent spot, highly recommend it for a peaceful get away. Dennis and Susan are fantastic hosts too, very helpful and friendly.

R

Runa

October 2024

With kids

3 nights at Wild Wellingtons Glamping

Lovely place to visit. Beautiful beaches nearby. The dome was comfortable and the kids loved it. Communal kitchen and fire pit were everything we needed. Sinead and Tom exceptional hosting.