[Closed] Places to wild camp near Dumfries

I would just camp down in Dalbeattie car park itself, should be fine.

I camped up in the van at Ae just the other week, was awesome.

Was that in the main car park or are there any smaller more secluded ones?

Check Mabie for trail closures before you go. Sure I read something about upcoming tree felling in Mabie forest to try and stop the spread of a disease killing Larch trees.

Dalbeattie car park is pretty secluded. I've van camped there a couple of times.

Also stayed at Dalbeattie without any problems with a van and small tent. Had a police car come into the car park in the evening do a loop and drive past me with a little wave then some people trail building walk past in the morning with a cheery hello.

On the way to Dalbeattie http://scotland.forestry.gov.uk/visit/the-hills

The road between Beeswing to New Abbey has a spot, Kissock forest park, used to access Lotus Hill.

If parking up @ Ae there is an alternative to the Stanes parks. To get there check the map for the picnic area, pass the road end down to the cafe/shop and take the next forest road on the right. Quite a drive into the forest, various parking bays after the ploughs abs the green & blue trails follow the river to Craigshields .

It's Hardrock Challenge @ Dalbeattie this weekend.

Excellent news. Dalbeatie car park it is then. Just checked on the 7 Staines website and all trails at Malbie are open.

Was just going to add; http://www.caerlaverockestate.co.uk/caravans-caerlaverock.php

Jemma should be back from her hols and Brambles cafe open again from Thurs.

Park up at the toilet block end.
You can get a shower @ Ae if required.
Could be a few folk out night riding, Ae on a Tues, Mabie on a Thurs and there is a Wed group from D'beattie/CD who ride at various venues.

If you want a bit of adventure, and the tides are right, Rough Island: park in Kippford, pint at the anchor, walk dry shod accross the causeway, choose a secluded spot so lights are not visible from the shore - I've not done this, mind, but always fancied it.
Between Southerness and Carsethorn is the Thirlstane at Powillimont; a good bivvi spot with bouldering and swimming to hand. Leave early, leave no trace....

Thanks for all the replies. Currantly sat in the van at Dalbeatie. Having a brew now!
Some guys have gone off night riding already. I do night ride, but not so keen on night riding places I've never ridden before. Maybe next time!

Wondered if it was you @ Ae earlier, nice VW and Guy having a brew etc 🙂
Night riding can include riding stuff the wrong way, local stuff etc. Dalbeattie may not he much elevation but there is a fair bit of techy local stuff, some you'll spot, some you'll not 😉

If you have a map you could extend your ride(assuming you are riding tomorrow?)by taking in some of the coastal path.
Pop out of the forest @ Colvend(shop & cafe). Ride down the main road to Portling(junction/signposted to your right)then pick up the path to your right over a dyke followed by a wee hike. Follow the trail to first Rockcliffe and then Kipford.
At Rockcliffe you can turn right back to Colvend and rejoin the Stanes trail where you left it.
If going on towards Kipford follow the road back to the main road. Turn left, then after a few hundred yards there is a lane up into the forest marked by a walking post(brown?)on your right @ Barnbaroch. You come to a gate and can go either way to pick up trail. Going left, uphill and you are looking for the blue/red trail on your right. Go right uphill and then miss next junction to right and you will come to "road to nowhere" on your right .

http://s95.photobucket.com/user/bigjohnskona/slideshow/Dalbeattie

Sorry that wasn't me! Did Dalbeatie yesterday Mabie today and Ae tomorrow, then upto Glentresd on Friday. Just sat in Tescos car park looking for somewhere to stop over tonight. Been to Ae for a shower earlier and car park is pretty small and surrounded by buildings. Like the idea of going a little bit more off grid but my van is lowered so I'm limited to where I can go!

Big viaduct of fleet.

I also like Bruce's stone at Glen trool

Could go down Nunholm, car park by the river under the bypass.
To find it search for Dumfries sports club.
Glencaple quay end, lots of campers overnight there now
Out towards Ae you could go up to Loch Ettrick, a few forest gateways you could park in or by the Loch side?
There is another forest gateway on the back road to Ae. Turn left at the Locharbriggs hall(just past Curries freight)
Couple of places where truck park on Heathhall airfield(next to football pitch)just after the tractor/4x4 garage.
Mabie car park?
There is another car park at Ae but it is along the forest road behind the offices(trails out/in)which was the original trailhead. However there are 2 cattle grids.....

"Been to Ae for a shower earlier and car park is pretty small and surrounded by buildings. Like the idea of going a little bit more off grid but my van is lowered so I'm limited to where I can go!"

Drive further down the access road from that car park, turn left, head towards the trail head, and park in the car park there. Thats what I do- its secluded.

Sorry, Trekster responded before I did.

Drive further down the access road from that car park, turn left, head towards the trail head, and park in the car park there. Thats what I do- its secluded.

P beside the downhill orange box;

Loch Ettrick is the wee loch to the left on this map;