Quick Overview

• The Law: Wild camping in Ireland is only legal if you have the permission of the landowner, and some rules need to be followed.
• Our Favourite Spot: Connemara National Park is our favourite spot for wild camping, followed by Dunree Beach, Beara Peninsula and Glenbarrow.
• Rules: Respect the land, do not light fires, take rubbish with you, and be discreet.
• Mistakes: Choosing the wrong location to pitch, not having the right gear, disrespecting the landscape and wildlife.
• Gear: A good tent, high-quality sleeping bag, a good rucksack, enough provisions, a torch, and warm clothes.

Is Wild Camping Legal in Ireland in 2025?

To be clear, wild camping is not legal in Ireland, but in 2025 it’s certainly tolerated as long as a number of guidelines and broadly accepted rules are followed. The majority of Ireland’s landscape is privately owned so you will need permission from the landowner if you want to camp on their land.

Some places in Ireland have some widely-known guidelines that allow visitors to camp in the wild, as long as some precautions are taken to respect the land. In this case, wild camping is legal as long as:

• You have permission from the landowner
• You don’t damage the land and avoid littering
• You don’t use a gas stove and light any fires.

Can You Camp Anywhere in Ireland?

Theoretically, you can camp anywhere in Ireland, but it might not be entirely legal. If you have permission then you certainly can camp anywhere on their land. If you decide to camp anywhere in Ireland regardless of permission, you should keep a low profile by:

• arriving late and leaving early
• using a low-profile tent
• avoiding attracting any attention

9 Of The Best Wild Camping Spots in Ireland

The Ireland wilderness camping community is tight-knit and the best wild camping spots are closely guarded secrets to avoid them becoming too popular.

At Ireland Wide, we don’t agree with this approach – the land should be enjoyed and respected by everyone. Here is our list of the 9 best wild camping spots and what makes them so special:

1. Wicklow Mountains National Park

Established in 1991, the Wicklow Mountains National Park is only a 52km drive South of Dublin for any urban adventurers who might want a break from the city. It has over 23,000 hectares of land to explore with beautiful trails along ridges and between valleys.

While there is no official campsite, apart from Glendalough, camping if fully permitted throughout the National Park, so you won’t need to worry about breaking any rules. However, campfires are strictly forbidden and, as always, there is a list of rules that campers must follow to keep themselves safe and respect the land.

2. Knockmealdown Mountains, Waterford

For our next best spot for wild camping in Ireland, we’re heading South. Knockmealdown Mountains is a gorgeous mountain range that borders the counties Tipperary and Waterford. This makes it a popular destination for hikers and wild campers.

At 792m, Knockmeadown Mountain is the highest point in Waterford County. For this reason, you should bring a good pair of hiking boots and you will need warm clothes if you’re going during the winter months. Either way, it’ll be worth it for the panoramic view of Blackwater Valley and surrounding farmland.

3. Connemara National Park

Connemara National Park is another location where the public has permission to camp, as long as they follow best practices and respect the land. This area was once part of the Kylemore Abbey estate so it has been well kept over the years.

This National Park embraces 3,000 hectares, leaving you with lots of landscape to discover, from bogs and grasslands to woodlands and hills. There are even a 19th-century graveyard and a 4,000-year-old court tomb!

Something to bear in mind if you’re planning on visiting with your campervan is that Connemara National Park doesn’t allow overnight stays in the car park.

4. Minard Castle on the Coast of Dingle 

Minard Castle is far off to the southwest of the country, and it is this unique setting that makes it such a breathtaking for wild camping in Ireland. Close to Dingle is a small beach with stone and sand which is overlooked by the remains of Minard Castle.

Few places offer a better wake-up setting, and there is a local car park which makes setting up much easier for anyone who would rather not hike to get to a good wild camping spot. However, keep the tides in mind if you plan on wild camping close to the shore!

5. Beara Peninsula, Cork/Kerry

The Peara Peninsula is a 30-mile-long stretch of land across Southwest Ireland that connects the borders of Kerry and Cork, making it an excellent spot for wild camping.

You could take a 10-minute ferry trip to Bere Island, explore Castletownbere, or go to Derreen Gardens by Lauragh. Another great location to visit is Ardgroom Ogham Stone with the tallest Ogham (ancient script) in Europe.

6. Ben Crom Reservoir, Mourne Mountains 

The next place on our list of the best wild camping spots in Ireland is none other than Ben Crom Reservoir. This stone wall spans 22 miles and it is 700 ft long at the top, holding back the Ben Crom, a body of water with a capacity of 1.7 million litres.

Close by are the Mourne Mountains which reach an elevation of 850 metres. Given the importance of the structure and the potential risks associated with wild camping here, we recommend that this spot be left for the more experienced wild campers.

7. Black Valley, Kerry

For those of you who might want a more eerie setting when wild camping in Ireland, there is an abandoned cottage in Black Valley which would be perfect. It’s called ‘Molly’s Castle’ and it is nestled deep within the Valley which is a breathtaking location during any season.

Also being in the South-West of Ireland, this location is 74.8km from Minard Castle from earlier in the list, making it a good second location if you are looking to do a wild camping trip in Ireland.

Just be careful as Black Valley is a very remote location so you will need to be careful if you are camping alone. It might be a good location for summer camping rather than during the winter. You should also note that parts of Black Valley are privately owned so you should get permission before pitching up your tent.

8. Glenbarrow, Laois

Glenbarrow is a short walk from Slieve Blooms Way and is more rugged and remote than other wild camping spots in the area. It serves as the source for the River Barrow which is the second-longest river in Ireland.

It is home to an 8.3km loop in County Laois which could be hiked before you pitch your tent in the late afternoon. There are no camping facilities and campfires are forbidden but the solitude and secluded nature of this area make it a popular spot for explorers who want to go wild camping.

9. Dunree Beach, Donegal

This is the only sand beach in the list, and its place is well and truly earned. This cove is flanked on both sides by coastal hills in a horseshoe shape with incredible walks. This makes the beach more sheltered than most which is ideal if you want to camp on Dunree Beach on the Inishowen Peninsula of Donegal.

Some have reported sightings of Harbour Porpoises and bottle-nosed dolphins swimming through the bay and you can visit Fort Dunree which looms over the beach on the hill to the south.

However, wild camping on a beach brings a whole new range of challenges and risks so we strongly urge you to avoid camping alone and to save this spot for further down the line once you’re more experienced and confident in the process.

Wild Camping in Connemara: Our Favourite Spot

In our opinion, the best wild favourite camping spot in Ireland is Connemara National Park. When you choose to camp here, you get the safety and security of being in a national park, which is a safer location than most.

You also get a well-maintained landscape with diverse wildlife, breathtaking views, proper parking, established trails to hike, and plenty of resources to ensure you have a great time.

If you want to go wild camping in Connemara, you should follow their guidelines:

• Respect the wildlife and keep your dog on a lead
• Don’t damage or unnecessarily interfere with the fauna and the landscape
• Fires are strictly prohibited
• Dispose of waste properly and never litter
• Travel via marked trails and camp only in the more remote parts of Connemara National Park
• Be considerate of other visitors and workers

The Best Spots for Free Camping in Ireland

Becasue they don’t require any booking slots or campsite costs, all of these spots are ideal for free camping in Ireland. Our advice is to stick to Natioanl parks. Not only are they well maintained and easy to navigate with plenty of helpful resources, but they are also home to some of the best views and most interesting wildlife in the country.

We would especialy recommend Connemara National Park and the Wicklock Mountains National Park from the list above.

7 Essential Rules to Follow

1. Choose level ground that has earth deep enough for your pegs and is far away from any bodies of water or trees to avoid damaging your tent.
2. Seek permission from the landowner and make sure you respect the landscape by taking any rubbish with you
3. Avoid lighting any fires as you could damage the landscape and put yourself at risk
4. Bring more supplies than you think you will need and pack for unpredictable weather with waterproof clothing and potentially a tarp that can be used under, inside, or outside the tent
5. Limit your stay in any one spot to just one night to avoid attracting any attention
6. Any products with chemicals need to stay over 30 metres away from any bodies of water
7. You must pitch up at least 400 metres away from any roads for both your safety and others

5 Big Mistakes to Avoid

1. Not understanding which way you came and getting lost when trying to get back to your car
2. Pitching in a poor location such as by a cliff edge, under a dead tree, or close to a body of water, all of which put you and your belongings at risk
3. Starting a fire you can’t control and that gets out of hand
4. Getting your clothing wet and not having any spares as it’s unlikely you will get them dry again
5. Not checking your equipment before you leave – the last thing you want to forget are tent pegs!

Essential Gear You Will Need to Go Wild Camping in Ireland

When you go wild camping in Ireland, you need to make sure you have all the right gear with you, especially as you never know what scenarios you might come across.

Here are the bare essentials you will need to pack when camping in the wilderness:

• Tent: Whether it’s a 12 person tent or a solo setup, a waterproof and windproof tent is essential for Ireland’s unpredictable weather
• Sleeping Bag: Choose one that is appropriately thick enough for the weather you are going to camp in
• Torch: A high-powered torch is critical – just ensure it has enough battery power for the whole trip
• Warm, waterproof clothing: Pack some extra clothing that is both warm and waterproof
• Hiking boots: A good pair of hiking boots with good ankle support is a good investment – especially if they are waterproof
• Food: You should pack a variety of food, and you should pack extra just in case
• Water: You should bring plenty of water just in case of emergencies – you certainly should never drink from any bodies of water
• Map: Phones are great but nothing beats the reliability of a paper map
• First-aid kit: This is an often-overlooked piece of equipment that must be packed every time you go wild camping in Ireland
• Emergency whistle & blanket: Just in case of any medical emergencies, a whistle and blanket are good items to pack
• Compass: Provided you know how to navigate with a compass, they will help you avoid getting lost
• Toilet provisions: This will help you enjoy your experience more as you will be able to be as comfortable as possible while wild camping

You Could Also Consider

• Multitool: A multitool is one of those pieces of equipment that never fail to amaze you with just how helpful they are
• Camp chair: Especially when it rains, a camp chair is a  great addition to help make your stay as enjoyable as possible
• Camping stove: A stove is not an absolute necessity but it can certainly elevate your wild camping experience
• The more experience you have with wild camping the more your essentials list will change but this is a good place to start.

Final Thoughts

The Emerald Isle is home to some of the most underrated wild camping locations across Europe. Whetehr you choose to wild camp in one of Ireland’s National Parks, by a beach, or in the wilderness, you should always seek permission, ensure you’ve packed all the essentials, and follow the basic rules outlined above.

Most of all, make sure you have fun and soak up the beautiful surroundings!

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