Wild camping in Ireland: is it allowed? (2026)
Wild camping isn't formally regulated in Ireland, but it's widely tolerated in remote mountain and upland areas as long as you stay discreet and leave no trace.
What's allowed
- Discreetly bivouacking in remote uplands and mountains, out of sight
- Wild camping in designated zones of a few national parks (incl. Wicklow, Ballycroy)
- Spending the night in many Coillte forests, following 'Leave No Trace'
- Camping on private land with the owner's permission
What's not allowed
- Camping on private land or fields without permission (most land is private)
- Open fires — banned everywhere under 'Leave No Trace'
- Multiple nights in the same spot, or camping close to houses and roads
- Washing up or bathing in rivers and lakes
Ireland has no legal right to wild camp, but in practice it’s widely tolerated in remote areas as long as you follow the unwritten rules. The principle is simple: camp high, camp out of sight, and leave no trace. Bear in mind that the vast majority of land is privately owned, so wild camping comes down mostly to discretion and respect.
Where it’s allowed
Tolerance applies above all in mountainous and remote upland areas, far from houses and roads. A few national parks permit wild camping in designated zones, such as Wicklow Mountains National Park and Wild Nephin (Ballycroy, Mayo). You can also spend the night in many forests managed by the state forestry body Coillte, provided you follow the Leave No Trace principles. On private land you may always camp with the owner’s permission.
Open fires
Open fires are banned. Ireland’s upland bogs and heath are extremely fire-prone, and Leave No Trace allows no fire at all. Use a gas stove only.
The unwritten rules (Leave No Trace)
- Camp out of sight, high in the mountains and away from homes and roads.
- Stay a maximum of one night in the same spot.
- Take everything back with you, including food scraps — leave the place cleaner than you found it.
- Don’t wash up or bathe in rivers or lakes; collect your water away from the source.
Practical tips
- When in doubt, or in the lowlands, always ask the landowner or farmer for permission.
- Arrive late and leave early, in small groups and with an unobtrusive tent.
- Irish weather changes fast — pick a sheltered spot and check the forecast.
- You’ll find recognised spots and tolerated zones on the CampCompass map.