Waterside campsites near Dolgellau

Probably the best base for exploring Southern Snowdonia, Dolgellau (pronounced doll-geth-lie) is a handsome grey stone town bunched below the slopes of the region’s main mountain, Cadair Idris, in a labyrinth of twisting streets. It’s a Mecca for outdoors-lovers who come for the nearby hiking, with trails like the long-distance Cambrian Way and Cross-Britain Way passing by, as well as climbing, white-water rafting and horse-riding. Even the famously sandy Snowdonia coast is close enough to enjoy on a day out. Of the campsites near town, expect to find level, grassy pitches, plus glamping and caravan hookups.

97% (1.1K) • 26 campsites

Top-rated campgrounds near Dolgellau

Wellstone Camping

1. Wellstone Camping

100%

(16)

98km from Dolgellau · 21 units · Tents, Glamping

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

Pets

Campfires

Showers

from

£25

/ night

Wild Wellingtons Glamping

2. Wild Wellingtons Glamping

100%

(1)

79km from Dolgellau · 3 units · Glamping

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

Showers

Campfires

Potable water

from

£110

/ night

Rhydfach Valley Camping

3. Rhydfach Valley Camping

100%

(12)

110km from Dolgellau · 1 unit · Tent

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

Campfires

Showers

Potable water

from

£20

/ night

Cilrath Wood Camping

4. Cilrath Wood Camping

100%

(42)

117km from Dolgellau · 15 units · Tents

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

Campfires

Showers

Potable water

from

£21

/ night

Denmark Farm

5. Denmark Farm

100%

(3)

64km from Dolgellau · 7 units · Tents

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

Campfires

Showers

Potable water

from

£14

/ night

£14

/ night

Recent reviews from the Hipcamp community

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.

Wiktoria

August 2025

Tent

2 nights at Cilrath Wood Camping

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

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 :)

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.

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.

Happy farmer sitting in a truck in a grassy field

Waterside campsites near Dolgellau guide

Where to go

Cadair Idris

Cadair Idris, Southern Snowdonia’s highest peak, rears up above Dolgellau in a flurry of grassy moorland, rocky outcrops and lonesome tarns, and should be on any Dolgellau-bound adventurer’s radar for its superb hiking and wild swimming. A ravishing mountain road climbs west from town along the northern side of the mountain, where small farm campsites are scattered around the foothills’ pastureland. There’s also camping near Minffordd on the southern mountainside.

River Mawddach

An unexpected nirvana for campers, the Mawddach is prime pitching territory from the sandy-rimmed estuary at Barmouth all the way up past Dolgellau north to ruined mediaeval Cymer Abbey. Campsites can be found near the river mouth and along the water upriver. The Mawddach Trail and the wild Cambrian Way headline the hiking possibilities.

Barmouth & Around

The big beach town in Southern Snowdonia, Barmouth is a likeable place (a resort with a small “r”) and its pristine sandy shores stretch northwest in a near-unbroken line for about 15 kilometres. While hiking is never far away and hardcore long-distance hike the Cambrian Way trundles through, there is more emphasis here on beach activities like swimming, yachting and kayaking. Most campsites fan out northwest along the coast towards Tal-y-bont.

Dinas Mawddwy & Around

In the extreme, emerald-hued south of Snowdonia, the switch from jagged, dramatic mountainside down into lower, greener Mid Wales hills is astonishingly beautiful – and amenity-rich village Dinas Mawddwy looks out on the lovely scene. Hiking is excellent, with a little-tramped back route onto Cadair Idris from here, and there is lush camping between Dinas Mawddwy and Mallwyd.

When to go

Weather stays wilder and colder here for longer and you will feel the benefits of making camp between May and September when the warmer weather comes. July and August are the hottest months—but also the busier ones. July has the edge in Dolgellau for hosting renowned folksy world music festival Sesiwn Fawr. Rainstorms regularly sweep over the mountains into Dolgellau and surroundings, meaning even summer can be a washout.