Camping Sites Near Dublin: 9 Great Places for a Weekend Away

Some of the best camping sites near Dublin are closer than you would think. Within an hour or two of the city you can pitch beside a Wicklow mountain trail, wake up next to a Westmeath lake, let the kids loose on a working farm in Kilkenny or fall asleep to the sound of the sea in Wexford. You do not need to drive the length of the country to find a clean, well-run site with a real sense of getting away.

This guide runs through nine campsites that work for a weekend, whether you are travelling as a couple, wrangling a young family or heading out under canvas for the first time. Four of them sit in County Wicklow, so if it is camping in Wicklow you are after, you are especially well covered. New to all this? Our first-time camping essentials guide is a good companion read.

At a glance

1. Camac Valley Caravan & Camping Park, Co. Dublin

If you want to camp without really leaving the city, Camac Valley is about as close as it gets. It sits beside Corkagh Park in Clondalkin, just off the M50 and N7, which makes it the natural choice for a concert, a match or an early flight, as well as for motorhomes and caravans that want hard standing and a short hop to town. It is open all year, long after the seasonal sites have shut. Facilities are geared to comfort rather than adventure, with hard stands, a playground, a shop, a campers' kitchen, laundry and dog-friendly pitches, and Corkagh Park's walking routes and fishing lakes right on the doorstep.

• Best for: short stays, Dublin events, motorhomes, families, easy city access.
• Nearby: Corkagh Park, Grange Castle, Dublin city, the M50 and N7.
• Pack this: camping chairs and a table, a waterproof jacket, a daypack and a compact cooking setup.

2. Roundwood Caravan & Camping Park, Co. Wicklow

Roundwood is one of the best bases near Dublin for a walking weekend. The village sits high in the Wicklow Mountains, with Glendalough, Lough Tay and Lough Dan all a short drive away, and Powerscourt and the Sally Gap not much further. Spend the day on the hills and you can be back at a well-equipped site by evening, which is exactly what makes it work for two nights. For a mountain site it keeps the comforts too, with showers, a toilet block, a campers' kitchen, a TV lounge, laundry and electric hook-ups.

• Best for: walkers, couples, scenic weekends, motorhomes.
• Nearby: Glendalough, Lough Tay, Lough Dan, the Wicklow Way, Powerscourt.
• Pack this: waterproof hiking boots, a fleece, a 25 to 35L daypack and an insulated sleeping mat.

3. Hidden Valley Holiday Park, Rathdrum, Co. Wicklow

When the trip is really about keeping children entertained, Hidden Valley is hard to beat. Built around activities rather than just pitches, it comes into its own on school holidays and bank holiday weekends, when a football and a nice view will not cut it. Alongside camping and caravan pitches there is Splash Valley aqua park, laser tag, kayaking and mini golf, so there is always something to do when the weather turns. It is livelier and busier than most on this list, which is the whole point for families, and weekends book out early.

• Best for: families, activity weekends, school holidays, first trips with children.
• Nearby: Rathdrum, Glendalough, Avoca, Brittas Bay.
• Pack this: a family tent, a table and chairs, kids' waterproofs, headtorches and spare socks.

4. River Valley Holiday Park, Redcross, Co. Wicklow

River Valley is the all-rounder of the Wicklow sites, and it pulls off a clever trick: families and couples get their own space, with families pitched near the amenities and couples able to book the adults-only Secret Garden away from the bikes and games. It is a multi-award-winning, family-run park in Redcross, with Glendalough, the Vale of Avoca and Brittas Bay all close by. The facilities suit a night or a week, from modern shower blocks, a campers' kitchen, laundry and electric hook-ups to an on-site bar and restaurant at Mickey Finns and a long list of activities from crazy golf to go-karts. It runs from mid-March to late October, so it works well outside peak summer too.

• Best for: families, couples wanting an adults-only pitch, activity weekends, motorhomes.
• Nearby: Avoca, Glendalough, Brittas Bay, Avondale Forest.
• Pack this: a family tent, camping furniture, kids' sleeping bags and a daypack.

5. Moat Farm Caravan & Camping Park, Donard, Co. Wicklow

For the opposite of a busy activity park, Moat Farm is one of the quietest sites near Dublin. It is a small, family-run park a minute's walk from Donard village, tucked into the foothills of the Wicklow Mountains, and it makes a lovely base for anyone who wants to walk, cycle or just slow down. Unusually for an Irish site it offers free hot water for showers, along with a campers' kitchen, laundry, a barbecue area and a TV room, and it is within easy reach of Dublin, roughly seventy minutes on the N81. The park is compact, with around forty pitches, and the Glen of Imaal, Glendalough and Russborough House are all close for day trips.

• Best for: walkers, couples, quiet weekends, dog-friendly trips, motorhomes.
• Nearby: Glen of Imaal, Glendalough, Russborough House, Church Mountain.
• Pack this: waterproof hiking boots, a warm sleeping bag, an insulated mat, a camping stove and a daypack.

6. Lough Ennell Caravan & Camping Park, Co. Westmeath

If you would rather swap mountains for water, Lough Ennell is a relaxed lakeside option about an hour from Dublin. Set in mature woodland on the shore, it suits families, couples and anglers after a slower weekend, with Mullingar, Belvedere House and Gardens and the Lilliput Adventure Centre all close. Facilities cover the essentials well, with hot showers, a campers' kitchen, laundry, a motorhome service bay, a playground and a seasonal cafe. Worth knowing: lakeside pitches feel cooler at night even in summer, so bring a warmer sleeping setup than you think you need.

• Best for: lakeside camping, fishing, relaxed weekends, families, campervans.
• Nearby: Mullingar, Belvedere House, Lilliput Adventure Centre, Hill of Uisneach.
• Pack this: a warmer sleeping bag, an insulated mat, a stove and kettle and a lantern.

7. Nore Valley Park, Bennettsbridge, Co. Kilkenny

Nore Valley is the one to pick when the campers are small. It is a family-friendly site and pet farm near Bennettsbridge, and the mix of animals, playgrounds, go-karts and open space is exactly what younger children want from a weekend. Kilkenny City is close enough for a day out, so you get countryside and a bit of culture in one trip. The working-farm feel is the draw, with plenty of room for children to roam while you get the kettle on. It is a longer run than the Wicklow sites, so it earns its place as a two-night stop.

• Best for: families with young children, farm stays, first trips, Kilkenny weekends.
• Nearby: Kilkenny City, Jerpoint Abbey, Kells Priory.
• Pack this: kids' sleeping bags, headtorches, waterproofs and camping chairs.

8. Curracloe Caravan & Camping Park, Co. Wexford

For a proper beach weekend, Curracloe is worth the extra distance. It sits near one of the finest stretches of sand in the country, with dunes and coastal walks on the doorstep, which makes it a summer favourite for families and couples. It is the kind of trip where simple comfort matters more than a packed schedule. The coast brings its own demands, though: wind picks up in the evenings, temperatures drop quickly once the sun goes and sand gets into everything, so good layers and a windproof make all the difference.

• Best for: beach camping, summer breaks, families, couples, dog-friendly trips.
• Nearby: Curracloe Beach, Raven Point, Wexford town, Johnstown Castle.
• Pack this: a windproof waterproof jacket, an insulated bottle, camping furniture and a few dry bags.

9. Tree Grove Camping Park, Co. Kilkenny

Tree Grove is the pick if you want a quiet site with a city on the doorstep. This small, family-run park sits within easy reach of Kilkenny City, so you can walk in for cafes, restaurants and the Medieval Mile, then retreat to a calm campsite afterwards. It suits couples, motorhomes and small families who want the best of both. There is room for around thirty pitches plus glamping pods, with free hot showers, a sheltered eating area, a campers' kitchen and a games room, and Kilkenny Castle is close enough for a full day out.

• Best for: couples, campervans, Kilkenny city breaks, short stays.
• Nearby: Kilkenny Castle, the Medieval Mile, Smithwick's Experience, the River Nore.
• Pack this: a compact two-person tent, a comfortable mat, a daypack and a waterproof jacket.

What camping near Dublin costs, and when to book

As a rough guide for 2026, expect around 25 to 40 euro per pitch per night in peak season for a small tent or campervan, with electric hook-up and extra adults usually added on top. Family-run sites tend to sit at the lower end, while the bigger activity and coastal parks run higher. For July, August and bank holiday weekends the best sites fill up weeks ahead, so book early. Outside those windows, a midweek pitch can often be sorted with a phone call the day before. Each site's own page, linked above, has current rates.

Camping with a dog near Dublin

Most of these sites welcome dogs on the camping pitches, usually on a lead: Camac Valley, Roundwood, River Valley, Moat Farm, Lough Ennell, Nore Valley, Curracloe and Tree Grove all take dogs, though several ask that they are not brought inside rental units or pods. The one to watch is Hidden Valley, which does not permit dogs during July and August. Lead and season rules vary from site to site, so always confirm when you book. Bring a lead, plenty of water and a towel for muddy paws, and keep dogs close around livestock, especially at working-farm sites like Nore Valley.

What to pack for camping in Ireland

Irish weather does what it likes, so the trick is packing for all of it. Get the big four right, shelter, sleep, warmth and a way to make a hot drink, and everything else is comfort.

• A waterproof tent with room for your group.
• A sleeping bag rated for Irish spring, summer and early-autumn nights.
• An insulated sleeping mat or camp bed, and a camping pillow.
• A waterproof jacket and a warm fleece.
• A camping stove, gas and a kettle.
• Camping table and chairs.
• A headtorch or lantern.
• A reusable or insulated bottle.
• A daypack for walks and day trips.
• Dry bags to keep essentials dry, and spare socks.

Heading to a festival instead? See the festival camping checklist.

Is wild camping allowed in Ireland?

Wild camping here is not as open as people assume. Almost all land is owned, and Leave No Trace Ireland advises getting the landowner's permission before you pitch. Wicklow Mountains National Park allows wilderness camping in certain circumstances, but only if you follow its guidance closely. For most families and casual campers, a registered site is simpler, safer and a good deal more comfortable.

Wherever you end up, keep it low-impact: pitch small, take everything home, avoid fires outside designated spots and respect the land, the wildlife and the people who live nearby.

When is the best time to camp near Dublin?

May to September is the sweet spot. The days are long, temperatures are kinder and most sites have their seasonal facilities open. July, August and bank holiday weekends are busiest, especially at family parks, Wicklow activity sites and the coast, so book ahead. If you would rather have space, June and early September are quieter while still giving decent daylight and milder nights.

Final thoughts

The real luxury of camping sites near Dublin is choice. You can stay on the edge of the city, walk straight into the Wicklow Mountains, settle beside a lake, hand the kids to a farm for the weekend or chase the sea down in Wexford, all within a couple of hours. The site sets the scene, but the gear decides how much you enjoy it. A dry tent, a warm sleeping setup, a proper rain jacket and a reliable way to cook will turn a damp Irish weekend into one you want to repeat.

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