Motorcycle camping in the UK — routes, sites, and what to pack

Motorcycle camping is a specific discipline. Not harder than other forms of camping, but different in ways that matter — pack weight and dimensions are constrained by what the bike can carry, the route is as important as the destination, and there's a particular satisfaction to arriving somewhere on two wheels that no other form of travel quite replicates.

Here's how to approach it in the UK, from kit to routes to where to actually stay.

The kit question.

Tank bags, tail bags, and panniers are the three options, and which you use depends on the bike. Soft luggage works on almost everything; hard panniers are better for longer trips but restrict lane filtering and add width. A 30–40 litre total capacity is workable for a one-person setup — tent, sleeping bag, mat, clothing, and kit.

Tent choice matters more on a motorcycle than in a car. Weight still matters less than dimensions — you're not hiking to the pitch, but a tent with long poles or an awkward pack size is a problem. Tunnel tents pack smaller than dome tents of equivalent floor space. Whatever you choose, practice pitching it at home before you leave.

The routes that work best.

The most celebrated motorcycle routes in the UK are the obvious ones — the NC500 in Scotland, the Snowdonia road network in Wales, the A39 Atlantic Highway in Devon and Cornwall — and they're celebrated for good reason. They're excellent roads with excellent scenery.

Less-obvious but worth knowing: the Elan Valley in mid-Wales (B4518 and surroundings) is stunning, consistently empty, and has none of the tourist infrastructure of Snowdonia. The Loch Lomond eastern shore roads are busy in summer but the minor routes through Loch Katrine and into the Trossachs are quieter. The roads across the North Yorkshire Moors between Whitby and Helmsley are genuinely good — the B1257 from Helmsley to Stokesley has been called the best road in England by people who take these things seriously.

Where to stay.

Most standard campsites will accommodate motorcycles — a bike takes up far less pitch space than a car and tent. The specific thing to look for is surface: a muddy or soft-grass site entrance after rain is manageable in wellies and difficult on a laden touring bike. Sites that list 'motorcycles welcome' specifically often have a small area of hardstanding near the entrance for bike parking.

Biker-specific sites exist across the UK, particularly in Scotland and Wales. They tend to offer covered secure parking, early departure flexibility, and owners who understand a 5am start. Worth seeking out if you're touring rather than doing a single trip.

The etiquette.

Arrive before dark. Don't run the engine through the site — push the bike to your pitch if the route requires going past tents. Don't warm up the engine at 6am if people are still sleeping. These aren't complicated, but they're worth knowing if you haven't camped on two wheels before.

Three routes to consider in 2026.

Route 1: The Southern Uplands (Scotland). Dumfries north through the Galloway Forest Park, east to the Borders, back via Moffat. Two to three days, largely empty roads, good sites around Galloway and the Tweed Valley. Route 2: Mid-Wales loop. Brecon north through the Elan Valley, across to Aberystwyth, south through the Cambrian mountains. Brilliant roads, not enough people do it. Route 3: Dartmoor and Exmoor circuit. Two moors, one trip. The minor roads across both are excellent; the sites around the Brendon Hills and Dartmoor's northern edge are well-suited to motorcycle tourists.

Search for motorcycle-friendly campsites on Campfind — filter by site type and 'moto friendly' to find sites that specifically cater for bikes.