Northern Ireland Outdoors Forum - Hiking, camping and more

Outdoor Activities => Northern Ireland Camping and Bushcraft => Topic started by: Margaret on May 07, 2018

Title: Forest camp sites
Post by: Margaret on May 07, 2018
Hi I was wondering if anyone has suggestions for campsite with trees. The more trees the better. We love forests.  I am limited in mobility and can not back pack in..looking for good family friend camp sites or even better a farmer with a bit of wooded land willing to rent out a space but would need to be able to reach it by car. We want to avoid crowded  areas or places with lots of drinking and parties.  We also very much want to be able to build a fire but we are planning to buy a camping trailer in the next couple.of weeks so we can bring an above ground  fire pit as I know few places allow fires on the ground. A shame because we would have liked to try out some of the ideas for cooking in small pits... my sons are involved in scouting as well and we have been playing about quite a bit with outdoor cooking. I have a dog that never leaves my side, so only places that allow a pet.
Happy with modest facilities or no facilities. Do not fancy holiday camp type places.

So far we are looking into round lake near five mile town, but any other suggestions for places with trees would be very much appreciated.

Also if anyone happens to be selling a small camping trailer, or can advise any place cheaper than Halfords, please let me know. Been checking gumtree so may find something there, but someone beat us to the best one and the only one the right size now is almost as expensive as halfords and quite rusted.

Thank you for time.
Title: Re: Forest camp sites
Post by: NIPupper on May 07, 2018
there is some good camping at gosford forest park in co armagh. there are designated fire pits and large areas that can be camped on. The ranger is helpful and it may be possible to find a quiet spot to set up camp. i think there is 4 or 5 main places for camping. mostly i've seen family's camping there, no parties or that sort of thing. there is also lots of trees, even some giant redwood and coastal redwood and monkey puzzles etc. it's a really nice place with lots to explore.

update, it looks like fire are not aloud, only BBQ's.
Title: Re: Forest camp sites
Post by: Margaret on June 12, 2018
Thanks we will definitely look into this one.
Title: Re: Forest camp sites
Post by: RedLeader on June 12, 2018
There's a scout camp site at Castlewellan (or is it Tollymore, I can't 1900% remember) and I think when it's not in use the site will let people use it. But as a general rule, in my experience anywhere that has trees don't let people have open fires because people use all the dead wood that's lying around and there's the risk of a larger fire. I've not even seen many commercial campsites that will even allow a garden burner, suppose they've potentially be burned before (aha, pun intended!).
Title: Re: Forest camp sites
Post by: RedLeader on June 12, 2018
Just to add, I think this came up before but Rams Island will tick all your boxes - easy to get to, suitable for low mobility, has trees and allows open fires but no dogs! I seem to remember you mentioning having dogs before but if you could leave them at home I think Rams would be perfect for you.
Title: Re: Forest camp sites
Post by: Margaret on June 12, 2018
Nah, I couldn't leave the younger dog. Had him since he was 5 1/2 weeks and he has never left my side. He has never been alone and I don't think he would take well to it. Not to mention he keeps my feet nice and toasty.I had to keep him on a waist leash the whole time at Round lake as he cries like he is being killed if I move away from him. Yes he is spoilt git, but we do love him and he kind of saved me once. I faint sometimes, my blood counts aren't the best. He usually gives warning, but I went outside anyway once, fainted face down in a huge puddle and he had the intelligence to hold my head out of the water until I came too. My son would never leave him either.

The older one we leave with and the neighbour feeds her, as she was rescue and even after all these years she still only likes us in limited doses, then goes off to hide in a crate with a blanket over it, and she is easily terrified bulbous noises or strange situations and can be quite unpredictable with other dogs. Another reason I wouldn't leave them both alone together.

But yes without the dog Rams Island would be perfect.