Explore the legal rights for wild camping on Dartmoor following the Supreme Court ruling. Learn about the Dartmoor Commons Act 1985 and backpack camping rules.
Dartmoor is currently the only place in England where you have a legally protected right to backpack camp on certain private lands without needing to ask the landowner first.
Discuss wild camping in Dartmoor including the best places to go, what to take, as well as practicalities
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Yes, the right to wild camp on Dartmoor has been officially upheld following a major legal battle that went to the Supreme Court. As of May 2026, it remains the only location in England where individuals have a legally protected right to backpack camp on specific private lands without obtaining prior permission from the landowner. This right is tied to the Dartmoor Commons Act of 1985, which grants public access for open-air recreation.
The Supreme Court recently clarified the interpretation of the Dartmoor Commons Act of 1985. The court ruled that the definition of 'open-air recreation' includes the act of pitching a tent as part of a journey. This landmark decision protected the outdoor community's ability to experience the national park's landscape and ensured that backpack camping remains a lawful activity within the designated commons areas of Dartmoor.
While often used interchangeably, 'backpack camping' is the specific term used to describe the legally protected activity on Dartmoor. The legal distinction, clarified by the Supreme Court, emphasizes that pitching a tent is permitted when it is part of a journey. This means it is not a 'free-for-all' for any type of camping, but rather a protected right for hikers and backpackers engaging in open-air recreation as they travel across the moorland.
The Dartmoor Commons Act of 1985 is a crucial piece of legislation that grants the public access to the commons for the purpose of open-air recreation. This act was the central focus of the recent Supreme Court case. The court's interpretation of this act confirmed that backpack camping is a legitimate form of recreation, thereby securing the legal framework for hikers to camp on certain private lands within Dartmoor National Park.
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