NC500 CAMPSITES OPEN DURING OFF SEASON
Our last blog post, check it out if you haven’t already, was all about off season activities and the reasons why campervan hire in the winter is just as amazing as the summer. Embarking on a journey along Scotland's North Coast 500 is a dream for many, especially during the peak summer months when the landscapes are drenched in sunlight and the roads buzz with fellow adventurers. But what if I told you there's a quieter, more serene side to this iconic route? A side where the roads are less crowded, the campsites are more peaceful, and the crisp air adds a magical touch to the already stunning scenery. In this blog, I will explain the campsites that remain open year-round, offering travellers a unique and tranquil way to experience one of the world’s most scenic drives. Whether you're seeking spectacular winter views, or simply a different kind of adventure, these off-season campsites will be your perfect base along the NC500.
Dornoch Firth Caravan Park is the perfect place for families to spend a holiday in the Scottish Highlands. Located in the centre of the Scottish Highlands, Dornoch Firth Caravan Park is a tranquil vacation spot run by a family. Nestled amidst scenic farmland and coastal landscapes, the park offers sweeping views of the stunning Dornoch Firth. Our award-winning Pavilion features wet rooms, toilets, dedicated accessible amenities, laundry facilities, and an outdoor children's adventure play area. They also offer fully serviced campervan pitches and pitches for small tents. Water refill stations and chemical waste facilities are only for the benefit of residents. Dornoch Firth Caravan Park are open all winter long, but reservations are required. This campsite offers a pitch for £30 per night, Dogs are welcome to the park too.
Camping@Golspie is a newly developed campsite on the North Coast 500 offering safe and secure hard-standings for campers, caravans and vehicles with roof top tents. They have a grey waste and chemical toilet disposal available for you to empty the waste tank. All the amenities are easily accessible by foot from Golspie, which also has a beach, mountain bike trails, hill walks with breathtaking views, a golf course, and, of course, the well-known Dunrobin Castle, which is a must-see while visiting the area. To stay during the off season at Camping@Golspie, it is £27 a night for an electrical hookup and is £22 for non-electrical hookup pitch.
The John O'Groats Caravan & Camping Site is located on the waterfront next to the Last House in Scotland at the end of the A99. The sites have four acres of grass, electrical outlets, hand basins, showers, and WCs. For a campervan pitch under 8m long is £20.50 a night with optional add ons such as additional persons, extra cars and awnings. You can also dump and fill water for £11 with no stay in the campsite. Laundry with tumble dryers, washing machines, irons, hand washing stations, and drying space is also available.
At Smoo Cave Pay & Display Car Park and Laundry, a wildly popular tourist destination, the Car Park offers secure parking with jumbo spaces to accommodate larger vehicles, such as motorhomes and campers, in addition to cars. They charge £20 for 24 hours to park in the car park, they also have laundry services charged at £8 per wash and £6-8 a dry. The magnificent Smoo Cave, a highlight and "must see" location on the breathtaking North Coast stretch of the NC500, is only a short stroll away. Other amenities include public restrooms, information boards, and the stairs leading down to the cave's entrance.
Just 4.4 miles from John O’Groats, the family run site Ferry View Night Stop is just off the A836 at Gills Bay, between Thurso and John O’Groats. Hardstanding and grass pitches are available, and all pitches have EHU. The facility is open year-round. If all you want to do is refill and empty waste, they also provide a "Pit Stop." Ferry View Night Stop charges £25 a night with a £5 per night add on fee for an electrical hookup.
The Guardian referred to it as "one of Scotland's most remote and picturesque campsites." Badrallach Campsite, Bothy and Holiday Cottage which is adjacent to NC500 features a number of pitches suitable for tents and campers (6m maximum size), as well as a few more private sites tucked away for a little more seclusion. Ullapool is a 50-minute drive away and it is on Little Loch Broom's banks, with breathtaking views of the mountains. For a non-electric hookup, it is £21 for two nights and if you would rather a pitch with an electric hookup then it is £29 for two nights as that is the minimum hire.
Even though the summer's bustling season has gone, the area's natural beauty hasn't decreased. Campers can benefit from peace, quiet, and frequently lower prices. Not all campsites are available all year round, it's important to prepare ahead. Those that do stay open frequently offer a more personal and genuine Highland experience. You may have to make some compromises on facilities, but the price is worth seeing Scotland's natural winter beauty. An incredible journey awaits individuals who want adventure and a closer connection to nature on the NC500 off-season.
