Skip to main content

Stay the Night

Looking to Stay the Night in one of our forests? 

This year we’re extending our Stay the Night scheme until 31 December 2024. This means self-contained motorhomes and campervans will be able to park overnight for one night in some of our car parks. There will be a slight reduction in the number of car parks participating from 1 November, so please check here for up-to-date information.

Read on to see where and how you can Stay the Night this year. 

 

Plan your stay

Have you got the right vehicle?

Stay the Night is only for self-contained motorhomes and campervans. This means vehicles that include accommodation and toilet facilities. It doesn’t include tents beside cars, pop-up, pup or toilet tents, or any motorhome or campervan without its own toilet facility. Only a small number of the participating car parks are suitable for large vehicles (over 7m length and caravans). Check the details for your chosen car park before travelling.

Search for a participating car park

You can only Stay the Night at a selection of our car parks during this trail so please check our interactive map or browse all our destinations before you travel.

Time it right

You can stay for one night only at a time between 6 pm to 10 am. You must not return to the same car park to Stay the Night within 48 hours. 

Find a space

Park safely and leave at least 4 metres between you and your neighbour. Make sure not to block other vehicles, gates, or trails, and stay off verges. All car parks have a Stay the Night capacity limit (which refers to motorhomes and campervans) and most have a limit on vehicle size. At the few sites that permit caravans be aware that they take up two of the available spaces. You can find out full details on each forest page. 

You can’t book Stay the Night. It operates on a first come first served basis. Please have a plan B in place if there isn't enough space.

There is a small cost

There is a £7 charge to Stay the Night at the majority of participating car parks. Achnabreac, Strone Hill and Bridge of Orchy have chemical waste disposal facilities and the charge is £10 at these car parks, or to just do a drop-off of chemical waste only it’s £5. At Glen Lochy the charge is also £10, but this includes use of either Strone Hill or Bridge of Orchy disposal facilities. Payment can be made through RingGo with details of how to do this at each car park. You can pay either using the RingGo app or by calling them on 0131 239 0000. You may want to download the RingGo app before you set off. Advance payment is not allowed. At sites with poor signal you’ll have up to 72 hours after your visit to pay. 

During the day, outside of the Stay the Night hours 6pm to 10am, normal car parking charges (if any) apply. You can find out more about these charges on our website or by checking the signs in our car parks.  

Blue Badge holders can Stay the Night for free with a valid badge displayed.  

FLS Annual Parking Passes are not valid for Stay the Night.

two images showing a couple standing next to a motor home and sitting inside it with a map

Where can you Stay the Night? 

Browse all destinations

Terms and conditions

To ensure a pleasant stay for everyone, please follow our guidance:

  • Stay the Night is for informal one night stop overs. Don’t stay for more than one night.
  • Don’t use generators – these can disturb wildlife and other visitors.
  • Use your own self-contained toilet facilities inside your vehicle only. Visit CAMPA for advice on waste disposal sites in Scotland.
  • Leave 4 metres between you and your neighbour.
  • Don’t block any gates or trails.
  • Don’t park on verges.
  • Don't start fires or use barbecues.
  • Take all rubbish away with you.
  • Keep noise levels down, especially between 10 pm to 7 am.
  • Keep dogs on a lead or under close control. Please pick up after your dog.
  • Car park too full? Please check Visit Scotland for nearby campsites.
Video guide to motorhoming in Scotland

 BAME couple drinking coffee/tea in motorhome/campervan with open door, at Leannach Forest car park, Queen Elizabeth Forest Park

What do you think?

We’d love to hear about your visit. Your feedback will play an important part in the future of overnight parking.

Leave feedback

 

Get in touch

Do you have any questions about Stay the Night? Please email:

staythenight@forestryandland.gov.scot

We monitor emails Monday to Friday, 9am to 5pm and will respond as soon as we can.