Camping Management Byelaws Review

About this review

On this page, you will find information from Loch Lomond and the Trossachs National Park Authority about the Camping Byelaws Review, which is taking place as part of a legal requirement to review the Byelaws every ten years.

We’ll look at:

• what the camping management byelaw review will consider
• how and when people can get involved
• the key stages and timescales for the review process

What are the Camping Management Byelaws?

The Camping Management Byelaws help manage camping in some of the National Park’s most popular and sensitive areas.

They apply seasonally from 1st March to 30th September and cover specific lochshore areas known as Camping Management Zones. During this time, people wishing to camp in these areas must book a camping permit or stay at a managed campsite.

The Camping Management Byelaws are in place to help protect nature, provide positive experiences for visitors, and support local communities. This contributes to the National Park’s overarching goals of securing a positive future for people, nature, and climate. 

What is the Camping Management Byelaws Review?

By law in Scotland, the Camping Management Byelaws must be reviewed every ten years.

This review will look at:

• how the Byelaws have worked over the last ten years
• their impact on the environment, communities and visitors
• whether they need to adapt to changes over time

The review will be informed by evidence, stakeholder input, and a public consultation on proposals for the future operation of the Byelaws.

What will the review consider?

The Byelaws have delivered significant improvements in reducing environmental damage and antisocial behaviour. We continue to be committed to this and ensuring that camping in the National Park remains sustainable, enjoyable and inclusive.

The review will consider whether to recommend:

• changes to the existing Byelaws
• new Byelaws, if appropriate
• removing parts of the current Byelaws

This may include consideration of:

• areas covered by the Byelaws
• the time period the Byelaws apply
• camping capacity and availability
• environmental impacts and site pressure
• irresponsible behaviour such as littering, fires and toileting
• management of motorhomes and campervans
• how the Byelaws are managed and resourced

Key Dates

• February – March 2026
  Stakeholder workshops

• July – September 2026
  Public consultation on proposals

• September – December 2026
  Review consultation responses and finalise proposals

• December 2026 – February 2027
  Review considered by the National Park Authority Board and submitted to Scottish Ministers by 1 March 2027

Any agreed changes are anticipated to come into effect from 1 March 2028.

How to take part in the Camping Management Byelaws Review

There will be opportunities to get involved as the review progresses.

• Stakeholder workshops will take place between February and March 2026 to gather views from organisations and groups with an interest in camping and land management in the National Park.

• A public consultation will run between July and September 2026, where anyone will be able to share their views on proposed changes to the Camping Management Byelaws. Details on how to take part in the public consultation will be shared on our website closer to the time.

Still have questions about the byelaws?

We understand that managing our natural landscapes involves complex regulations. Whether you are curious about the specific boundaries of the Management Zones, the evidence behind the current review, or how these rules affect your next trip to the National Park, we have gathered the details you need.

Explore our Frequently Asked Questions to find out more about the review process and what it means for camping in the Park.