Wild Camping on Dartmoor With My Teenager: And Why You Should Try It Too

Wild camping might not be the first idea that comes to mind when trying to connect with your teenager. It can sound like a hard sell: carrying all your gear, living without bathroom facilities, and the distinct lack of electricity to charge that ever-present mobile phone.

But, undeterred and determined to find a new way to connect, I booked a wild space on Dartmoor through Camp Wild for myself and my teenage daughter. We packed the car and headed out into the unknown, where a few surprises awaited us.

For this trip (we’d previously camped in a more accessible camp spot as a family in Somerset) we picked a wild camp that required a walk-in. That meant making decisions about the kit we took with us, adding an extra layer of remoteness.

Exploring Haytor and Hound Tor

After arriving in Dartmoor, we headed first for Haytor Rocks, following advice from the friendly folks at the National Park Visitor Centre. Despite Haytor’s popularity, we didn’t encounter too many people as we enjoyed a glorious walk through the unusual landscape of Haytor Quarry and the magnificent expanse of Haytor Down. We followed the remains of a granite tramway, through woodland and over Becka Brook, before climbing the opposite side of the valley.

On the way, we paused at the remains of Houndtor medieval settlement, trying to picture life in the 13th century and wondering how the landscape had changed over the centuries. After climbing through bracken, we arrived at the spectacular sight of Hound Tor Rocks. Hound Tor commands views across Dartmoor, and the rocks themselves take centre stage. These fascinating formations, created about 400 million years ago and sculpted ever since by the elements, now form a natural playground. My daughter, who had been complaining of tiredness just moments earlier, suddenly found the energy to climb, jump, and explore. We

watched climbers tackling the steeper faces, while we explored the gentler slopes before settling down to relax and enjoy the views.

Setting Up Camp With a View

A few hours before sunset, we drove a short distance to a small car park near our chosen camp spot. As the site was on Dartmoor itself, just off a footpath, we set out late in the day to find it. And what a spot it was: sweeping views across the moor and surrounding tors, wild ponies passing below, and two large rock outcrops sheltering our tent.

From one side of our little dome tent we could watch the sun set, and from the other side we would later watch the sunrise. There was the usual faffing about with inflating mattresses, unpacking sleeping bags, and boiling water for dinner. Once the jobs were done, we wandered over to the nearby tor, settling in with warm drinks and a blanket to watch the sky.

Sunset, Calm, and Conversation

As the sun sank, painting the sky with soft shades of peach and lilac, a deep sense of calm settled over us. Against the vastness of the moor, we felt both tiny and connected — a reminder of how small daily worries really are. We talked for hours. I don’t remember the details of what we said, but I’ll never forget the feeling of connection that lasted long after nature’s light show faded.

After a blissful and surprisingly quiet night’s sleep, we awoke to a peaceful dawn. A thin blanket of mist softened the landscape, while the rising sun slowly painted the colours back into the world. We packed up quietly and returned to the car, carrying with us a little of that peace. A little closer. A little calmer. A little more connected to each other and the land.

That magic stayed with us. We’ve since returned to a nearby, equally wonderful spot, and hope to make this an annual mother–daughter tradition. Camp Wild has made this possible. It has removed the barriers of worry and made wild camping accessible, even for those without much experience.

Could we have spent the night in a campsite? Of course. But I don’t think we’d have found the same level of connection.

When I asked my daughter why she loved our trip, she simply said: “Well, it’s just really good fun.”

The Benefits of Wild Camping with your teenager

Of course, fun is important, but I’ve noticed a few other benefits too.

1. Time together: Walking and sitting side by side, uninterrupted, gives the rare gift of extended time together. It allows space to move beyond surface-level chatter and into the deeper stuff.

2. Confidence: Wild camping has boosted both our confidence. I now share the

   apprehension I feel before trying something new, so she can see that resilience is built by being a beginner and pushing yourself gently out of your comfort zone.

3. Connection to nature: By spending time in these beautiful places, my daughter has developed a wish to protect them. She even wrote about our experience for a competition and was overjoyed when Dartmoor’s right to roam was upheld earlier this year.

Perhaps the most important lesson wild camping has taught us is that slowing down and immersing yourself in nature creates space for anxieties to melt away.

Even if only for a little while.

So, if you’ve been on the fence about taking your teenager wild camping with Camp Wild, I’d urge you to give it a go. See what opens up. We have a guide to getting started with family wild camping over on our blog at www.nearandfarexplorers.com.

We’re always up for new ideas, so please reach out on the blog or via Instagram with suggestions for new adventures.