11 Scenic Places To Go Camping In Galway This Summer

If you’re in search of the best places to go camping in Galway, you’ve landed in the right place.

As one of Ireland’s most scenic counties, Galway has long been a solid fixture on the island’s tourist trail.

From the vibrant city centre to the stunning natural scenes in the surrounding county, there’s an endless number of places to visit in Galway.

In this guide, you’ll discover many of the best places to go camping in Galway, from coastal campsites to some very unique spots to pitch your tent.

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Our favourite places to go camping in Galway

The first section of our guide tackles our favourite campsites in Galway (if you’re after glampsites, nip into our guide to glamping in Galway).

Each of the campsites below has, at the time of writing, excellent reviews and has been visited and can be vouched for by one of the Irish Road Trip Team.

1. Clifden Eco Beach Camping Galway

Clifden Eco Beach Camping & Caravanning Park is a Multi-Award Winning campsite in Galway. Ireland’s first eco-certified carbon-neutral premises, Clifden Eco Camping provides a unique semi-wild adventure camping experience.

Known for its blue space and spectacular seascape views, Clifden is perfectly located on the shores of Connemara’s Wild Atlantic Way. 

Offering space for large motorhomes, caravans, campervans, and tents of all sizes, this eco-park makes sea kayaking, fishing, traditional boat tours, bike hire, and self-guided walking and bike tours easier than ever.

The campsite is a stone’s throw from Omey Island, Connemara National Park and the Sky Road. There’s also plenty of things to do in Clifden itself to keep you busy.

2. Connemara Caravan & Camping Park

Our second favourite of the many campsites in Galway is Connemara Caravan and Camping Parrk, where the coastal setting has been drawing visitors for many a year.

With its own private beach and access to Lettergesh Beach too, Connemara Caravan & Camping Park offers the opportunity to truly reconnect with nature.

Guests here love the remote setting and welcoming hosts, who take a relaxed approach to the business of tent pitches.

With excellent facilities kept in super-clean condition at all times, a stay at Connemara Caravan & Camping Park is as relaxing as any in the area.

Campsites in Galway located right next to the sea

Now that we have our favourite palces to go camping in Galway out of the way, it’s time to look at the county’s other great campsites.

Below, you’ll find a clatter of campsites in Galway that are finely located just feet from the chilly waters of the Atlantic.

1. Renvyle Beach Caravan & Camping Park

A simple but stunning spot right on the beach, Renvyle Beach Caravan & Camping Park makes it into our guide to the best places to go camping in Galway.

Offering basic facilities that are nonetheless very clean and boast hot water year-round, a stay here is guaranteed to be comfortable.

The location is truly special, tailor-made for sunset dinners and summertime swimming. This spot is popular with visitors of all ages and boasts great laundry and drying facilities too. 

There’s a reason Renvyle Beach Camping regarally ranks high in guides to the best places to go camping in Ireland.

2. Gurteen Bay Camping (one of the most scenic campsites in Galway)

Close to the villages of Roundstone in Galway, gorgeous Gurteen Bay is a beautiful place to camp or caravan in Galway.

With excellent facilities, the convenience of its very own on-site shop and a kitchen/dining area, Gurteen Bay Caravan & Camping is a great place to stay.

One of the highlights of a stay here is the opportunity to wake up and go to bed every day with the sea right in front.

The owners have been here some time and know how to run a smooth operation, with ample parking and advice on local attractions.

3. Aran Camping and Glamping

Situated on the stunningly beautiful Aran Islands, Aran Island Glamping is one of Ireland’s newest purpose-built camping and Glamping Facilities.

Within walking distance of the main ferry terminal at Kilronan and local amenities and shops, guests stay in pods overlooking Frenchman’s beach, with panoramic views across Galway Bay towards the mountains of Connemara. 

Pods are luxuriously appointed to make for a comfortable, relaxing stay. Equipped with everything you need to enjoy a barbecue, hot shower and more, this is camping for people who don’t do camping! 

Places to go camping in Galway (that have a 4+ review score on Google)

Now, just to clarify – each of the campsites in Galway mentioned below have a 4/5+ review score on Google at the time of writing.

Below, you’ll find a couple of more places to go camping in Galway where, according to those that have visited, you’ll be guaranteed an enjoyable stay.

1. Cong Camping

Cong Camping, Caravan & Glamping Park is one of the best-situated campsites in Galway for those looking to explore the county.

Located between the shores of Loughs Mask and Corrib, in Connemara, Cong featured on TripAdvisor’s top 10 Irish destinations in 2018 and 2019.

The campsite here boasts both grass or hardstanding pitches for campervans, tent pitches (with and without electric hook up) and glamping bell tents.

Offering top facilities including free wifi throughout the park, campers’ kitchen, showers and toilets, mini-cinema, sitting room, laundry and children’s playground, this is a comfortable place for the whole family to enjoy.

2. O’Halloran’s Caravan Park

Another highly rated spot, O’Hallorans is a simple but pleasant place to pitch your caravan in Galway. With access to beautiful beaches, guests here can feel at one with nature.

The toilets and showers are extremely clean if somewhat basic, whilst there are unfortunately no kitchen facilities at O’Hallorans. For those seeking a simple place to reconnect with the wilderness from the comfort of their caravan, this camping and caravan park in Galway is a great place to pitch up.

3. Kings Caravan & Campsite

A stunning campsite with not one but two private beaches, Kings is something of a hidden gem located close to Galway.

Sunsets are particularly beautiful here, with the uninterrupted skyline inviting you to gaze out until the sun has long disappeared.

With plenty of room to choose from, this place offers basic but clean facilities and caters for both caravans and tents of all types.

If you’re in search of cheap but beautiful campsites in Galway, it is tough to beat Kings for value.

Wild camping in Galway

Since first publishing this guide, we’ve received a fair few questions about wild camping in Galway, and whether it’s allowed or frowned upon.

The quick answer is yes, wild camping in Galway is allowed, but it’s important that you’re aware of what’s OK and what isn’t.

Respect

First things first – regardless of where you wild camp, you need to ensure that you leave no trace – if you bring it with you, you take it home – no exceptions.

Privacy

Many landowners will be perfectly OK with you camping on their land, but it’s important that you ask for permission in advance to avoid being booted out of your tent in the middle of the night.

National parks

Wild camping is allowed in national parks. Those looking to try wild camping in Galway can head to Connemara National Park. Wild camping is allowed in certain areas.

Coillte land

Coillte have several designated wild camping spots in Galway, each of which is located near a waymarked trail. You can find the spots on this handy map.

Galway camping: Advice needed

When it comes to camping Galway is home to a seemingly endless number of places to pitch a tent, both designated and wild.

I’m sure that we’ve unintentionally missed out on some great places to go camping in Galway in the guide above.

If you have a Galway campsite to recommend, let us know in the comments section below.

FAQs about the best camping Galway has to offer

Since publishing this guide a while ago, we’ve received a lot of emails asking for advice on where to go camping in Galway.

In the section below, we’ve popped in the most FAQs that we’ve received. If you have a question that we haven’t tackled, ask away in the comments section below.