The Best Dog-Friendly Campsites in Yorkshire

Finding dog friendly campsites in Yorkshire that genuinely welcome dogs - rather than merely tolerating them - makes the difference between a relaxing trip and one spent apologising for your Labrador's enthusiasm. Yorkshire has dozens of Yorkshire campsites where dogs are allowed, but the best ones go further: walks from the gate, relaxed attitudes, proper off-lead space, and sometimes even a dog shower to hose off the worst of the moorland mud. Here are ten campsites across Yorkshire that are worth your time when you are travelling with a dog.

Yorkshire Dales

Knight Stainforth Hall, Settle. Set on a forty-five-acre estate beside the River Ribble, with direct access to riverside walks and a dedicated enclosed dog exercise field where dogs can run off-lead in safety. Dogs can swim in the river in several spots near the site, which is a genuine selling point in summer. Stainforth Force, a beautiful waterfall, is a short walk upstream. The on-site Knight's Table restaurant and bar welcomes dogs too. The campsite has hardstanding and grass pitches with EHU for motorhomes. Two dogs per pitch, leads on site. Settle is about two miles south - walkable along the river or a five-minute drive.

Howgill Lodge, Appletreewick. A small, independently run site in the heart of Wharfedale, beautifully terraced into the hillside with far-reaching views. Simon's Seat is directly accessible on foot, and the walk up offers panoramic views of the Dales. The Bolton Abbey estate is a few miles south, with extensive dog-friendly walking along the River Wharfe. The campsite welcomes dogs at no extra charge and has a separate dog walking field. Two dogs per pitch. The Craven Arms and the New Inn in Appletreewick both welcome dogs - a twenty-minute riverside walk from the site.

Wood Nook Caravan Park, Skirethorns. Near Threshfield in upper Wharfedale, this is a well-run site with hardstanding gravel pitches, metered EHU, and good spacing between pitches. Dogs are welcome and walks into Grassington and along the River Wharfe start straight from the site. The surroundings are open and peaceful, and the Dales Way passes close by. A good option if you want a quieter, less commercialised site with proper motorhome facilities.

North York Moors

Spiers House, Cropton Forest. Run by Forest Holidays on Forestry England land, this site is surrounded by woodland with miles of forest trails directly from the campsite. Dogs can walk off-lead on many of the forest tracks, making it ideal for dogs that need proper exercise. The nearest village is Cropton, about a mile away, which has the New Inn with its own microbrewery - dogs welcome in the bar. Dalby Forest is a short drive for mountain biking and more extensive walks. The location is outstanding for dogs, though check with the site for current touring pitch availability as the balance between lodges and camping pitches has changed over recent years.

Hooks House Farm, Robin Hood's Bay. A clifftop campsite with direct access to the Cleveland Way and a steep but manageable path down to Robin Hood's Bay beach. Dogs are welcome on the beach outside the summer restriction period (typically October to April, though check locally). The walk along the clifftops to Boggle Hole and Ravenscar is magnificent and entirely dog-friendly. The site is basic - no showers in the main camping field - but the views and the walking make up for it. Whitby is a short drive north.

Lordstones, Carlton Bank. Perched on the edge of the North York Moors escarpment near Stokesley, with views across the Vale of Mowbray that stretch to the Pennines on a clear day. The Cleveland Way passes right through the site, and walks to Cringle Moor and Hasty Bank are dog-friendly. The site has good facilities including a café, and the spacing between pitches gives dogs room without encroaching on neighbours. Well-behaved dogs off-lead are tolerated on the wider moorland paths.

Dog Friendly Campsites Yorkshire: The Coast

Beach note: Most Yorkshire beaches impose seasonal dog bans from around 1 May to 30 September on the main bathing areas. Dogs are usually allowed on quieter sections or outside the restricted zones. Runswick Bay, Sandsend, and Robin Hood's Bay are generally more relaxed. Always check signs at beach entrances.

Cayton Village, near Scarborough. A Caravan and Motorhome Club campsite between Scarborough and Filey, with touring and motorhome pitches alongside Experience Freedom glamping accommodation. The site has a dog wash area and a dog walk directly from the gate. Cayton Bay is within walking distance - a sandy beach with dog-friendly access, though check locally for any seasonal restrictions on specific sections. The Yorkshire coast stretch between here and Filey Brigg offers excellent clifftop walking with dogs.

Flower of May, Lebberston. Between Scarborough and Filey, this large holiday park has designated dog-friendly pitches and a dedicated dog walk area. Lebberston is quiet and the site backs onto farmland, so early morning dog walks are peaceful. Filey, one of Yorkshire's most underrated seaside towns, is a short drive south - dogs are welcome on the beach north of the Coble Landing year-round. The site is more commercial than some on this list but the facilities are excellent and it is well run.

Accessible from West Yorkshire

Maustin Park, Knaresborough. If you want a campsite accessible from our Pontefract base without a long drive, Maustin Park near Knaresborough is forty minutes up the A1. Dogs are welcome, the site is well maintained, and Knaresborough itself offers riverside walks along the Nidd Gorge that are perfect for dogs. Harrogate is nearby for a day out, and the North Yorkshire countryside is on the doorstep. Not the most remote or dramatic option on this list, but a convenient choice for pet friendly camping in Yorkshire.

Constable Burton Hall, Leyburn. A small, quiet campsite on the edge of the Constable Burton estate in lower Wensleydale. Dogs can walk around the estate grounds and along quiet lanes to Leyburn. The site is peaceful, well spaced, and the owners are dog-friendly in the proper sense - welcoming rather than begrudging. The Bolton Arms in Leyburn accepts dogs, and the walk along the Shawl above the town gives wide views across the dale.

Tips for Visiting Dog Friendly Campsites in Yorkshire by Motorhome

These dog friendly campsites in Yorkshire are all worth visiting, but a few practical notes from experience. Always check individual campsite rules before booking - some sites limit the number of dogs per pitch to one or two, and a few have breed restrictions. Peak season (school holidays) sees the strictest enforcement of lead rules on campsites, which is understandable with more children around.

Bring your own dog towels and a boot tray or washable mat for the motorhome entrance. Yorkshire mud is a particular consistency that seems to bond permanently with upholstery if left to dry. A collapsible water bowl for walks and a long line for sites where off-lead is not permitted are both worth packing.

Most pubs across Yorkshire welcome dogs in bar areas, though not always in dining rooms - ask at the door rather than assuming. Country pubs are generally more relaxed than town centre establishments. And if you are visiting moorland between March and July, keep dogs on leads to avoid disturbing ground-nesting birds - it is a legal requirement in many areas and the right thing to do.

For more advice on travelling with your dog, see our full guide to dog-friendly motorhome trips. And if this is your first motorhome hire, the dogs will love it even more than you do. Browse our fleet to find a dog-friendly motorhome for your Yorkshire trip. For more, see our dog travel guide.