Forest campsite and touring rules
If you're camping or touring in public forest parks in Northern Ireland, the person making the booking must read the site rules - and make sure that others in their group also follow the rules.
Forest parks involved
The camping and touring rules below, apply to:
Consider the other visitors
Forest Service wants everyone to enjoy themselves when staying at their touring and camping sites.
Forest park facilities are mainly used by family groups and many have young children. All customers are asked not to be involved in any noisy activities which may annoy or disturb other guests between the hours of 11.00 pm and 8.00 am.
Parents with children must take full responsibility for them at all times.
The person making the booking is responsible for the behaviour of their party. It's their responsibility to read the site rules and make sure that others in their group follow the rules.
Anyone not following these rules will be asked to leave the site and will not get a refund. Forest Service can also ban individuals from future use of the site.
Entry to the site
- anyone under 18 years will not be able to enter the forest park unless they're with an adult throughout their stay
- forest officers or forest rangers have the right to refuse entry to anyone who has failed to follow to these rules on a previous visit to any Forest Service site
- commercial vehicles, mechanical plant and machinery are not allowed on site
- vehicles may only be driven on site when you're entering or leaving - repeated or unnecessary driving around the site is not allowed
- a maximum speed limit of 10 mph must be followed at all times
- if you have visitors during your stay, they must pay the standard entry charge for their vehicle and park in the day visitor car parking area
- you cannot enter the site before noon on the day you first arrive - on the day you depart, you must leave your pitch by noon
- at some sites, there may be key deposit arrangements to help visitors enter the forest park outside of normal opening hours - ask the forest ranger for details when you arrive
- no sub-letting or transfer of sites allowed
Litter and waste disposal
- each site or pitch must be kept free from litter – use the litter bins provided
- solid waste material must not be dumped in sinks or drains
- used nappies and sanitary pads should be placed in the bins and not flushed down toilets
- chemical toilets must only be emptied at the marked sluice points
- dishes, cutlery, cooking pots and so on, should only be washed in the dish washing sinks
Noise and general behaviour
- noise must be kept to a minimum between 11.00 pm and 8.00 am
- ball games are not allowed around touring vehicles and tents or around buildings
- riding of bicycles, skateboards and so on is not allowed where it could cause annoyance
- the use of water balloons and playing of water games is not allowed
- avoid inconsiderate use of radios, other music devices or musical instruments
- electric generators aren't allowed on site
- using a washing machine or tumble drier isn't allowed
- erection of clothes lines isn't allowed
- swings must not be put up on site or rope swings attached to trees
- children must be under the supervision of their parents or guardians at all times
- the use of drones, remote control aircraft or remote control toy cars is not allowed
Fires and barbecues
- open fires and fire pits are banned at all times
- purpose made barbecues using charcoal only are allowed up until 10.30 pm and must be completely put out by no later than 11.00 pm - don't place the barbecue directly on the ground as this burns the grass
Control of dogs or other animals
- dogs must be kept under control and on a lead at all times
- anyone whose dog causes a nuisance to other users may be asked to remove the animal or leave the site
- any dog foul must be cleared immediately and binned
Use of showers, toilets and sinks
Shower, washing and toilet facilities are provided for your convenience and should be left clean and tidy, as you'd expect to find them.
Tents and awnings
- awnings are allowed on some sites only - as long as they form part of your touring vehicle and don't extend onto the pitch beside you
- no tents or gazebos are allowed on hard standing pitches with electric - apart from Drum Manor Forest Park
- no pup tents are allowed on any site
If you need any further information, contact the forest park you're planning to stay at: