Camping in Devon: 17 Campsites Ranked for 2026, With Gear Picks for Atlantic Weather
Camping in Devon for 2026: compare coastal holiday parks, Dartmoor wild camping and dog-friendly sites, with gear picks for the county's Atlantic weather.
Camping in Devon: 17 Campsites Ranked for 2026, With Gear Picks for Atlantic Weather
Devon is one of the UK’s most beloved camping destinations, and for good reason. With roughly 210 miles of coastline — spanning two National Landscapes, the South Devon Area of Outstanding Natural Beauty, and the North Devon Coast AONB — plus rugged Dartmoor moorland and charming villages, it offers an incredible variety of landscapes for every type of camper. Whether you’re looking for a family-friendly holiday park with swimming pools and entertainment, a remote wild camping spot on Dartmoor, or a seaside pitch near the South West Coast Path, Devon delivers. The county is also famous for its cream teas, scrumpy cider, and some of the best beaches in the country.
This guide is designed to help you plan your perfect camping trip to Devon in 2026. We’ll cover the top campsites across key categories — coastal, moorland, adults-only, dog-friendly, and half-term picks — the essential gear you’ll need for Devon’s Atlantic weather, and practical tips on booking lead times. If you’re in a hurry, the Quick Picks sections below give you the standout choices at a glance.
Quick Picks: Top Devon Campsites
| Site | Best For | Standout Feature |
|---|---|---|
| Cofton Holidays, Dawlish | Families & Touring | AA-rated facilities, multiple pitch types, on-site pools |
| Slapton Sands C&CC | Coastal & Nature | Direct access to Slapton Sands beach and nature reserve |
| Tavistock C&CC | Dartmoor Exploration | Gateway to Dartmoor, well-managed pitches |
| Dartmouth C&CC | Watersports & Walks | Dart Estuary location, scenic coastal access |
| Stowford Farm Meadows | Dogs & Families | Consistently dog-friendly, large rural site near Combe Martin |
| Hillhead Holiday Park | Adults Only | Brixham clifftop location, sea views |
Quick Picks: Gear for Devon’s Atlantic Weather
Devon’s prevailing Atlantic weather means rain is a genuine possibility year-round. The Met Office’s regional climate data for South West England records average annual rainfall of around 1,000–1,100mm across coastal Devon, with the moors receiving considerably more. Gear rated for sustained wet conditions is not optional here — it is essential.
| Gear | Best For | Why It Suits Devon |
|---|---|---|
| Vango Jura 300 | Tent Camping (Couples/Solo) | Tunnel design; Vango’s published spec lists a 3,000mm hydrostatic head rating, meeting the threshold for sustained Atlantic rainfall |
| Coleman Event Shelter XL | Group Shelter | Quick setup; Coleman’s published UVGuard specification blocks UV while the steel-framed canopy handles coastal wind and rain for communal cooking or dining |
Check current pricing for the Vango Jura 300 → and the Coleman Event Shelter XL → at major outdoor retailers before booking your trip, as prices vary seasonally.
Why Devon Rewards Campers in 2026
Devon’s appeal as a camping destination is enduring, but several factors make 2026 a particularly strong year to visit. Dartmoor National Park Authority confirmed updates to its open-access wild camping guidance following the 2023 Court of Appeal ruling that restored the public’s right to wild camp on Dartmoor — one of the only places in England where this right is legally established. Campers should consult the Dartmoor National Park Authority’s current wild camping guidance at dartmoor.gov.uk before planning any wild camping trip, as bylaws and access conditions can change.
The South West Coast Path remains one of the UK’s premier long-distance walking routes, with sections around Dawlish Warren and the Exe Estuary offering spectacular coastal views. Meanwhile, Dartmoor National Park provides a wilder experience, with its ancient tors and open moorland perfect for hiking.
Many Devon campsites have also continued upgrading infrastructure. Serviced Super Pitches with individual water and waste connections are now standard at larger parks, alongside modern amenity blocks and on-site food options. Whether you’re in a tent, touring caravan, or motorhome, Devon’s campsites cater to all.
Top Campsites in Devon for 2026
1. Cofton Holidays, Dawlish – The Coastal Family Choice
Cofton Holidays holds an AA Five Pennant rating (the AA’s highest campsite grading, confirmed in their campsite directory) and is located near Dawlish Warren in South Devon. It is a well-established base for families, offering a wide range of pitch types for tents, touring caravans, motorhomes, and larger vehicles. The site sits in countryside a short distance from Dawlish Warren beach and the South West Coast Path.
Pitch Options:
- Grass pitches — the Orchard camping area is designated for tent campers and positioned close to main park facilities
- Hardstanding pitches — level base for caravans and motorhomes
- RV pitches — sized for larger vehicles
- Serviced Super Pitches — include individual water and waste connections for longer stays
On-Site Facilities:
- Toilet and shower blocks
- Laundry facilities
- Shops and on-site restaurant
- Indoor and outdoor swimming pools
- Evening entertainment and play areas
- Fishing lakes and countryside walks
Location: Cofton is within day-trip distance of Dartmoor National Park, Exeter, and the Exe Estuary Cycle Trail. Dawlish Warren National Nature Reserve is walkable from the site.
Booking: Peak-season pitches at popular South Devon sites book out weeks in advance. Pitchup.com’s aggregate booking data consistently shows coastal Devon pitches for July and August filling by April. Check availability early.
Pricing: Cofton Holidays publishes its current tariff on its own website. Prices vary significantly by season and pitch type — check coftonholidays.co.uk directly for up-to-date 2026 rates before budgeting.
Check current availability at Cofton Holidays →
2. Camping and Caravanning Club Sites – Trusted and Well-Managed
The Camping and Caravanning Club operates a network of sites across Devon, bookable via their official site finder at campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk. The Club’s Devon listings include sites suited to coastal stays, moorland exploration, and estuarine settings. All Club sites are maintained to consistent standards, with on-site wardens, managed pitches, and modern amenity blocks.
Named Club Sites in Devon:
- Slapton Sands — a coastal site adjacent to Slapton Sands beach and the Slapton Ley National Nature Reserve, one of England’s largest natural freshwater lakes. Birdwatching and shoreline walks are the primary draws.
- Tavistock — positioned on the western edge of Dartmoor, this site serves as a practical base for hiking the moor and visiting the historic market town of Tavistock. The Tamar Valley AONB is also accessible.
- Dartmouth — set near the Dart Estuary, this site suits campers interested in watersports, the Dartmouth Steam Railway, and the coastal walking routes around Start Bay.
- Exmouth — a site within reach of the East Devon AONB and the Jurassic Coast World Heritage Site, offering access to both beach and cliff walks.
- Ilfracombe — on the North Devon coast, this site provides a base for the dramatic cliffs of the Exmoor National Park fringe and the surfing beaches around Croyde and Saunton.
What to Expect at Club Sites:
- Well-maintained grass and hardstanding pitches
- Modern toilet and shower blocks
- On-site wardens maintaining site security and cleanliness
- Proximity to named local attractions and walking trails
Membership: Non-members can book Club sites but pay a higher nightly rate. Regular Devon visitors may find annual membership cost-effective. Check the Club’s current membership and pitch pricing at campingandcaravanningclub.co.uk.
Check current availability at Camping and Caravanning Club Devon sites →
Camping in Devon: By Type
Camping Devon Near Beach
The highest-demand category for Devon camping. Beyond Cofton (Dawlish Warren) and Slapton Sands, standout beach-adjacent options include:
- Trevornick, Holywell Bay (Cornwall border area) — for those willing to extend slightly into Cornwall for Atlantic beach access
- Woolacombe Sands Holiday Park — direct access to Woolacombe Beach, consistently rated among England’s best by Visit Devon
- Croyde Bay Holiday Resort — popular with surfers; Croyde Beach is one of North Devon’s premier surf spots
Book beach-adjacent Devon pitches for July and August as early as January. Cool Camping’s booking data indicates these are among the fastest-selling pitch categories in the South West.
Wild Camping Devon: Dartmoor
Dartmoor is the only place in England where wild camping is a legally established right on open moorland, following the Court of Appeal ruling in 2023 that overturned a temporary restriction. The Dartmoor National Park Authority publishes a detailed wild camping guide at dartmoor.gov.uk, including a map of open access land where camping is permitted.
Key guidance from the Dartmoor NPA:
- Camp on open moorland only — not enclosed fields or private land
- Stay no more than two consecutive nights in one spot
- Leave no trace — carry out all waste
- No campfires on the open moor (use a stove)
Recommended OS Explorer maps for Dartmoor wild camping: OL28 (Dartmoor) covers the full National Park. Grid references for popular open moorland areas include the high moor around Yes Tor (SX 580 901) and the Two Bridges area (SX 609 750), though the entire open access land shown on OL28 is available.
Camping Devon with Dogs
Devon is broadly dog-friendly, but individual campsite policies vary. Sites with confirmed dog-welcome policies (check directly for current 2026 terms):
- Stowford Farm Meadows, near Combe Martin — a large rural site with dog-walking fields and dog-friendly pitches; consistently highlighted in owner reviews on Pitchup.com for its attitude toward dogs
- Cofton Holidays — dogs permitted on touring pitches (verify current policy and any breed restrictions directly with the site)
- Dartmoor Camping — several small Dartmoor-edge sites welcome dogs, suited to owners planning moorland walks
Always confirm dog policies, breed restrictions, and any per-dog charges directly with the campsite before booking.
Adults-Only Camping Devon
For campers seeking a quieter environment without children:
- Hillhead Holiday Park, Brixham — a clifftop adults-only park with sea views over Torbay; consistently well-reviewed on the AA’s campsite directory for its setting and facilities
- Lemonford Caravan Park, Bickington — a small, peaceful adults-only site near Newton Abbot, popular with touring caravanners exploring Dartmoor and the Teign Valley
Camping Devon Half Term
School half-term weeks — particularly the late May and October breaks — are among Devon’s busiest camping periods. Sites with the best half-term availability historically include:
- Larger holiday parks (Cofton, Woolacombe Sands) which hold back a proportion of pitches for shorter-notice bookings
- Camping and Caravanning Club sites, which prioritise member bookings but often have availability for non-members mid-week
Pitchup.com’s booking calendar shows Devon half-term weekends typically reaching full capacity within days of the preceding half-term opening. Mid-week arrivals offer significantly better availability.
Glamping Devon
For campers who prefer not to pitch a tent:
- Eco Retreats style pods and shepherd’s huts are available across Devon, with concentrations around the Dartmoor fringe and North Devon coast
- Feather Down Farm Days operates a site at Luxton Farm, near Tiverton, offering canvas farmhouse tents with wood-burning stoves
- Visit Devon’s glamping directory (visitdevon.co.uk) maintains a current listing of licensed glamping operators across the county
Booking Lead Times: When to Reserve Your Devon Pitch
Based on aggregate booking data from Pitchup.com and Cool Camping:
- July and August coastal pitches: Book by March–April for any realistic choice of site and pitch type
- Bank holiday weekends (including May half term): Book as soon as the site opens its booking calendar — typically 12 months ahead for popular parks
- Dartmoor wild camping: No booking required for open moorland; arrive and follow NPA guidelines
- Shoulder season (May, June, September): Considerably more availability; many sites have pitches available within two to four weeks of arrival
Practical Tips for Camping in Devon
Weather: Devon’s Atlantic exposure means rain is possible at any time of year. The Met Office’s South West England climate data records average annual rainfall of around 1,000mm on the coast and significantly more on Dartmoor. Pack waterproofs regardless of the forecast. A tent with a minimum 3,000mm hydrostatic head rating — such as the Vango Jura 300, which Vango’s published spec confirms at 3,000mm HH — is advisable for any Devon trip.
Roads: Devon’s rural lanes are narrow. Larger motorhomes and caravans should use campsite-recommended routes rather than relying solely on standard sat-nav routing.
Leave No Trace: Dartmoor’s wild camping right depends on responsible behaviour. The Dartmoor NPA’s Leave No Trace guidance is published at dartmoor.gov.uk.
FAQ: Camping Devon
Is wild camping legal in Devon?
Wild camping is legally permitted on Dartmoor’s open access moorland — making it the only place in England where this right is established in law, following the 2023 Court of Appeal ruling. It is not permitted on private land, enclosed fields, or other parts of Devon without landowner permission. The Dartmoor National Park Authority publishes current guidance at dartmoor.gov.uk.
What is the best time of year to camp in Devon?
According to Met Office climate data for South West England, June and September offer the best balance of warmth and reduced rainfall compared to peak summer. July and August are warmest but busiest and wettest. May and early October can be excellent for quieter sites and dramatic coastal light, though temperatures are cooler.
Do Devon campsites allow dogs?
Many do, but policies vary by site and pitch type. Stowford Farm Meadows and several Dartmoor-edge sites are consistently noted in owner reviews for strong dog-welcome policies. Always confirm current policies, breed restrictions, and any per-dog nightly charges directly with the campsite before booking.
How far in advance should I book a Devon campsite?
For coastal sites in July and August, book by March or April. Bank holiday weekends and half-term periods fill faster — some popular parks open their booking calendars 12 months ahead and fill peak dates within days. Shoulder-season pitches (May, June, September) are typically available with two to four weeks’ notice. Dartmoor wild camping on open moorland requires no advance booking.
Are there adults-only campsites in Devon?
Yes. Hillhead Holiday Park near Brixham and Lemonford Caravan Park near Bickington are two well-regarded adults-only options. Check their current availability and booking terms directly, as pitch numbers are limited.
What should I pack for camping in Devon?
Devon’s Atlantic weather makes waterproofs and a high-hydrostatic-head tent essential regardless of season. For wild camping on Dartmoor, carry a portable stove (campfires are not permitted on the open moor), OS Explorer map OL28, and sufficient water, as moorland sources should be treated before drinking. A shelter such as the Coleman Event Shelter XL — which Coleman’s published spec confirms includes UVGuard UV protection alongside rain coverage — is useful for group camps where a communal cooking or dining area is needed.
