Stay the Night
Looking to Stay the Night in one of our forests?
We are trialling an extension of Stay the Night to run over winter this year. This means self-contained motorhomes and campervans will be able to park overnight for one night in some of our car parks.
Read on to see where and how you can Stay the Night this winter
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 all participating car parks. 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.
Where can you Stay the Night this winter?
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.
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.
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.