Frequently Asked Questions

Q. Can I go anywhere in the National Park?

A. No. Most of the land in the National Park is privately owned. You can explore almost everywhere by using the vast network of rights of way. You can also explore large areas of upland and uncultivated areas on foot, using the open access rights. The Countryside Code website provides advice to visitors and landowners on how to respect, protect and enjoy the countryside.

Q. What time does the Park open and what does it cost to get in?

A. Snowdonia National Park is open all the time and costs nothing to get in.

Q. Where can I take my dog in the National Park and does it need to be on a lead?

A. The countryside is a great place to exercise dogs, but it’s every owner’s duty to make sure their dog is not a danger or nuisance to farm animals, wildlife or other people.

By law, you must control your dog so that it does not disturb or scare farm animals or wildlife. You must keep your dog on a short lead on most areas of open country and common land between 1 March and 31 July, and at all times near farm animals.

> You do not have to put your dog on a lead on public paths as long as it is under close control. But as a general rule, keep your dog on a lead if you cannot rely on its obedience. By law, farmers are entitled to destroy a dog that injures or worries their animals.
> If a farm animal chases you and your dog, it is safer to let your dog off the lead – don’t risk getting hurt by trying to protect it.
> Take particular care that your dog doesn’t scare sheep and lambs or wander where it might disturb birds that nest on the ground and other wildlife – eggs and young will soon die without protection from their parents.
> Everyone knows how unpleasant dog mess is and it can cause infections – so always clean up after your dog and get rid of the mess responsibly. Also make sure your dog is wormed regularly to protect it, other animals and people.
> At certain times dogs may not be allowed on some areas of open land or may need to be kept on a lead. Please follow any signs.

Q. Do I have to pay for car parking in the Park?

A. There are a huge variety of car parks in the National Park ranging from local authority maintained car parks to those operated by public land managers such as RSPB and the Forestry Commission and to private land managers and individual estates. The majority of car parks are pay-and-display car parks.

Can I camp anywhere in the National Park or do I need permission?

A. Although camping should be confined to authorised sites, the Snowdonia National Park Authority accepts that wild camping on un-enclosed fell land, remote from the roads, is generally accepted if undertaken responsibly by small numbers of people.

If you wish to camp on un-enclosed fell land you must:
> seek the permission of the landowner
> be out of sight of any road or dwelling
> not leave any litter
> not light any fires

As most of the land suitable for wild camping is not owned by the Snowdonia National Park Authority, we are not therefore in a position to directly permit wild camping. We advice everyone who wishes to go wild camping to have landowners’ consent.

It is worth noting also that there is a difference between true wild camping – which should leave no trace and by definition therefore pose no problem – and organised groups visiting popular sites, which can, and does, result in litter, pollution and loss of amenity and sense of place. This is a problem in some very popular “honey pot” areas, particularly in the north of the Park.

Q. How can I find a caravan or camp site in the Park?

A. Snowdonia has many caravanning and camping facilities to offer from small campsites to larger sites catering for caravans as well as tents, suited for the whole family. Visit our Tourist Information Centres for further information or go to Snowdonia Mountains and Coast’s website.

Q. Can I take my canoe / kayak / raft / windsurfer onto rivers and lakes in the Park?

A. Legally the water itself is not owned, whoever owns the land along the river's edge (the riparian owner) also owns the property rights to the river bed. Under the Countryside and Rights of Way Act 2000, anyone on that water without permission from the riparian owner is trespassing. There are access rights to some rivers and lakes within Snowdonia. For further information, contact the Welsh Canoeing Association.

Q. What are the rules regarding fishing in the National Park?

A. The Snowdonia National Park offers some of the best fishing in the UK. But before fishing please ensure that you have a valid Environment Agency rod licence which you can buy from all Post Offices or by visiting the Environment Agency website, and that you also have a valid permit from the appropriate association or owner which you can buy from fisheries, fishing tackle shops or Tourist Information Centres.

Q. Can I spread cremated ashes in the National Park?

A. The National Park Authority owns very little land in the National Park and so the answer must be that you must get the permission of the landowner first. We appreciate that people can develop a great attachment for particular places and so the Authority has no objection but as the vast majority of the land is privately owned it is courteous to ask for permission.

Q. Will the spreading of ashes affect the natural life of the area?

A. Like everything it’s a question of degree and the Authority would not be in favour of anything which changes the natural ecosystem in areas of conservation interest.  Approx. 29% of Snowdonia is designated for its special scientific significance and within SSSI and NNR sites, such requests would require consultation.

Q. Can I spread ashes on the summit of Snowdon?

A. The Authority leases an area of land on the summit of Snowdon from the Welsh Assembly Government. However, the summit is a very popular spot and can be very windy and so there can be a distinct lack of privacy for what can be an emotional act and it can inconvenience others. Other peaks are less busy and provide more privacy and may be used with the landowners' permission, of course. The cautionary note regarding areas of conservation interest still applies.

Q. Can I erect a memorial stone or provide a bench in memory of a loved one?

A. The Authority is not in favour of stones or benches on the mountain as they detract from the feeling of wildness that many people come to enjoy. Certain formally managed sites may be suitable however and while we do not have any suitable areas the National Trust or the Forestry Commission may be able to assist. However, the Authority can accept donations specifically to help with the upkeep of such areas.