Best Campsites Near Snowdon
By Dave Roberts 
Published – August 23, 2018
Best Campsites Near Snowdon
For those who want to climb Snowdon, camping is an ideal way to base yourself in Snowdonia for a weekend or longer. You’re spoilt for choice, with at least 9 campsites around the mountain that are all within walking distance of the footpaths or the Snowdon Sherpa. Many of the campsites are geared around car campers with big tents, staying for the week rather than the car camper who wants a few cheap nights under canvas in a more modest tent. Note that most of the sites will have a restriction on the number of nights booked in the high season.
Snowdonia Park Campsite and Brewpub in Waunfawr
This one is a little off the main footpaths, but has it’s own pub with microbrewery on site, so has to be included. The beer is also cheap here, with Snowdonia beer often at London prices in many other pubs. It’s also situated on the Welsh Highland Railway, and the Snowdon Sherpa route, with either taking you to the Snowdon Ranger, Rhyd Ddu or South Ridge routes. At only £10 for a one man tent – this is what we like to pay!
Bryn Gloch
This is the one for the pure car campers, as it’s simply too expensive for your usual hill walking camper who doesn’t need a hook up or all the other expensive stuff that goes with it. For those who insist on all the trappings of the luxury car camper, then this is ideal (with prices around £30 a night in high season).
Snowdon Base Camp
Found on Llyn Cwellyn, this is a fair walk from Rhyd Ddu on a narrow road that we would strongly recommend you do not walk on! You’ll need to catch the Snowdon Sherpa bus to Rhyd Ddu or Snowdon Ranger, or you can walk up to the forest and into Rhyd Ddu that way. Just a note – the pub is not on site, and you’ll need to find your way into Rhyd Ddu as mentioned above. Not ideal, but the only choice for those wanting to camp in Rhyd Ddu.
Beddgelert Forest Campsite
This used to be a popular campsite run by the Forestry Commission – but this has been moving more towards the higher end chalets and what-not type of accommodation. They still have camping spots, though the number may reduce as they build more accommodation, and these are firmly aimed towards the higher end camper with all the bells and whistles, rather than the budget conscious car camper, at £15/£20 a night for the pitch (depending on season) and one person, and £10 for each extra person and being a little cheaper for longer stays. You also need to book a three day break, with fixed change over days which might be a bit restrictive for some.
Cae Du Campsite – Beddgelert
Set out a little from Beddgelert is this large campsite, geared up for the car camper who needs all the facilities. It does have an on-site shop as well as a communal area so you can relax somewhere dry rather than huddle into a small tent in the rain.
Hafod y Llan NT Campsite
This is a small, informal site with basic facilities right at the start of the Watkin Path. For location, this is probably the best location of any of the campsites, being the only one on a path. At £7.50 a night, the price is right. You can also have a campfire in the designated areas.
Gwynant Campsite
Located between Nant Gwynant and Pen y Gwryd, this is a large campsite that’s reasonably priced.
Nant Peris – Ty Isaf
This is probably the most basic campsite of the, but our choice for a rough weekend’s hill walking. There’s the Faenol Arms directly opposite which makes up for the basic facilities!
Camping in Llanberis
Situated up a hill outside the village, this is a good location for the Llanberis Path. While you can take a short cut from here to the Llanberis Path, you probably shouldn’t if you’re choosing this path solely on how easy it is to follow as you’ll get lost! Those who can navigate, should take the short cut – no problem. This is a reasonably priced campsite at £7 per adult in the low season, £8 in high and £9 on bank holidays.
Dave Roberts
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