Have you read articles and seen pictures of other people wild camping and wanted to do something similar, yet felt it was little too overwhelming and extreme? If this sounds like you and you need a close alternative, then I have found it for you- nearly wild camping.

I was overjoyed when I finally persuaded my great mate Steve to come camping with me. Wild camping though was a step too far. The thought of digging a hole, squatting and burying was simple too much to bear as was washing in a river. With two young sons and a stressful job, Steve very much loves his comforts these days. He believes that any break away should be comfortable and include dining experiences where the cuisine sings in the mouth. His words not mine! For this reason, I did a bit of research and tried to find a close alternative to wild camping. Oddly enough this is when I discovered something called ‘ Nearly wild camping’. I showed Steve a site I’d found and he agreed to give it a go. What a good sport!

What Is Nearly Wild Camping?

As the name might suggest, nearly wild camping gives you many of the same experiences you will enjoy when wild camping, but a couple of added extras make it appear much less extreme for many, especially those new to camping in general. Firstly, there will almost always be a landowner who lives nearby. This gives peace of mind should something go wrong, but it also means that you have permission to use the land you’re camping on.

Wild camping itself is only strictly legal in Scotland and Dartmoor. In all other places it is technically illegal, but tolerated by most if done responsibly. This excellent travel writer goes into more detail about it if you wish to learn more. In short, it is rare that you’ll be caught by the land owner, but it usually works out OK even if you are, as you can see here. There is always a chance though that you’ll be asked to move on if the owner takes exception to you being there. The law means you must respect their wishes and move no matter what time of day it might be. Nearly wild camping eliminates any of these concerns.

With nearly wild camping you also have the added bonus of toilet facilities and sometimes a shower like we had. I’m used to going without these now and have even written a piece about how wild toileting isn’t as bad as you think. For many though, it is what would put them off of wild camping altogether. I took my girlfriend Lou wild camping by a stunning glacial lake in Snowdonia, but the lack of facilities put her off for life I think. It isn’t for everybody.

Won’t There Be Lots Of Other People About?

When I drive by many campsites, they can seem crowded in peak season. Tents seem to be almost on top of each other at times and so there is hardly any privacy at all. Tent walls are hardly sound proof, so I’d imagine you’re at the mercy of other people’s sleeping habits too. Not something I’ll be entertaining any time soon. I wild camp to escape the hustle and bustle of everyday life and it seems that nearly wild camp sites offer this experience. Pitches are far more spread out and you may well not be able to hear or see anybody else in sight. Perfect.

Our Nearly Wild Camping Experience

Steve and I used a site called Wonderful Wilderness. Their beautiful website drew us in, but we can say now after visiting that the place more than lived up to our high expectations.

The name suggests it is somewhere remote and indeed it is. Located around ten miles east of Dolgellau and just outside The Snowdonia Park boundary, you must take a single track lane for around three miles just to reach the place. This is an adventure in itself as you ride the waves of the land and pray that a car isn’t coming the other way. The journey there is an adventure in itself.

We doubted our map reading skills, but finally arrived to a warm welcome from the owners Carly and Steve. They soon showed us to our pitch, which was bigger than we imagined. It was more of a field than a pitch and the sheep and mountain river made it all the more great. There was also a camp fire already set up and ready to use.

We decided to pitch the tent close to the river, so that we could enjoy that sound of the running water all evening. What we didn’t realise though was that a total lack of wind plus the water was a breeding ground for midges. They took to us like Brits take to cups of tea. Thankfully, plenty of bug spray sent them on their way- at least for a while anyway!

The evening was every bit as enjoyable as it would have been if I was wild camping. We used the Jet Boil and my bush box to cook up some yummy chilli, which was all washed down with some beers chilled in the river. How can anybody not enjoy that? Steve then set about starting the fire. This was great fun as it didn’t all go according to plan as you’ll see in the clip below, but the joy on the man’s face when it all worked was a picture.

The Camp Fire Experience

I think we all instinctively like an open fire. It’s what helped our ancestors survive after all. I’ve enjoyed many a fire at one of the many bothies I’ve visited, but Steve’s fire this evening was something special. He spent years living in an old house, where an open fire was common place. As such, he knows what he’s doing and his creation this time didn’t disappoint. It was incredible how much light and heat it gave off. It also had the bonus of keeping the flying insects away.

Testing The Two Man Tent

I had planned to bivvy and give Steve the entire tent. Annoyingly, the starry sky we had expected was instead replaced with cloud and rain. Top-to-toe it was then in the two man. I’ve only ever shared it with Louise and that time it was cramped, as we also had all our camping gear too. This time though we could of course leave all that in the car. There was plenty of room and in the end the only inconvenience were the half dozen midges we’d let in, along with the odd noises coming from Steve’s side. Thankfully his insulated sleeping bag kept any dodgy smells well away from my nostrils. Perhaps chilli wasn’t the best food of choice when sharing a tight space with another bloke.

We woke to rain splattering the top of the tent and an extra guest in the porch. Perfect weather for him I think.

The poor weather soon passed and we were soon packed away and ready for the off. Steve fancied a fry up and luckily he’d spotted a cafe not far from where the single track lane meets the busier road. I wasn’t going to argue with that. We did after all have a rather ambitious hike in mind for the rest of the day.

In Conclusion…….

We both thoroughly enjoyed this trip and couldn’t recommend the campsite we used enough. At £30.00 for two people, it is well priced for the experience and peace of mind you get. Steve got to enjoy many of the joys of wild camping without ever really feeling like he was roughing it. I also still got the same buzz I do from wild camping, while enjoying those home comforts as well.

I’d also add that the nearly wild camping experience gives a great opportunity to spend some quality time with friends or family. Once the fire is lit, there is nothing else to do other than relax and enjoy the company of others. That’s easily lost in today’s age with all the technological distractions on offer. I’ve been friends with Steve for nearly thirty years and this was without doubt the most fun we’ve had in nearly all of them. I don’t think it’ll be too long before we’re back doing something similar again.

Has this article made you consider giving it a go? I’m sure you won’t regret it and would of course love to know about similar experiences you have had. Happy camping!