Uncontrolled fly camping around a picturesque spot in the Lake District is causing distress among local residents; here's how to wild camp without causing annoyance to others
In the heart of England's Lake District, a beloved UNESCO World Heritage Site, an escalating issue of fly camping has become a significant concern for locals and environmental groups. The picturesque landscapes, once roamed by the poet William Wordsworth, are now marred by the irresponsible actions of a minority who disregard the principles of responsible wild camping.
In May 2025, Alexander Darwall successfully upheld the right to wild camp in large parts of Dartmoor National Park. However, in the Lake District, the increase in fly camping issues is driving environmental degradation, disturbance to wildlife, and anti-social behaviour. Unlike respectful wild camping, which is generally tolerated when done with care, fly camping involves groups pitching tents in sensitive areas, often near roads, and leaving behind significant harm and mess.
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) launched its We Wild Camp campaign in June 2025, aiming to raise wild camping's profile, lead to reform, and share best practice. Eben Muse, BMC policy and campaigns officer for Wales, stated that fly camping, done by a minority, is having a negative impact on landscapes, especially in hotspot areas.
The cause of this issue is multifaceted. Lack of awareness or disregard for the Leave No Trace principles, lack of enforcement, and inadequate official camping facilities and education contribute to the problem. Residents often bear the burden of cleaning and reporting issues, while authorities struggle to challenge fly campers effectively.
Environmental degradation, such as litter, fire scars, and tree damage, is just one of the effects of fly camping. Disturbance to wildlife and natural habitats, anti-social behaviour, and community frustration are also common.
To address this issue, authorities and advocacy groups propose several measures. These include extending and better managing wild camping rights, increasing ranger patrols and enforcement, improving designated camping facilities, outdoor education programs, and campaigns and community engagement.
The BMC's campaign is calling for six key changes to allow for reform, including giving National Park Authorities the power to create wild camping zones. The campaign is also advocating for a substantial new investment in young people's outdoor education to improve understanding and skills needed to wild camp responsibly.
Locals and organizations continue to push for policy improvements and more funding to protect the Lake District's natural beauty from destructive camping practices while expanding responsible camping access. Terry Abraham, a local filmmaker, has noticed a negative generational shift in under 30s when it comes to respecting nature in the Lake District. He is concerned that the issue around fly camping is getting "out of hand" and has affected his enjoyment of the Ullswater and the fells.
The BMC is combatting fly camping through the Wild campers tackling fly camping Facebook group, a forum to discuss leaving the countryside better than found. Guidance on how to wild camp responsibly is proposed to be included within an updated version of the countryside code.
In essence, tackling the fly camping epidemic in the English Lake District requires a combination of better education, enforcement, facility provision, and community involvement to encourage responsible, low-impact camping and preserve this iconic landscape for future generations. Additional funding for National Parks, National Landscapes, and land managers is requested to support responsible wild camping in the right place.
The British Mountaineering Council (BMC) is advocating for reform in wild camping practices, particularly in the Lake District, where fly camping is causing environmental degradation, wildlife disturbance, and antisocial behavior. They are calling for the power to create wild camping zones, increased educational investments in young people, and improvements in outdoor-living facilities to promote lifestyle changes and encourages sports enthusiasts to practice sports-betting responsibly in the home-and-garden that is the English Lake District, preserving its beauty for future generations.
