Camping in Porthmadog

There are 38 camping stays published on BritStays in the Porthmadog area of Gwynedd. Most are listed under Porthmadog itself (33 of them), with a few elsewhere: two in Pwllheli and one each in Tremadog, Harlech and Nant Peris. Facilities vary a great deal from site to site, so it pays to decide what matters most to you before you start browsing.

What the facilities data tells you

Across the 38 sites, these are the most commonly listed facilities:

• Toilets: 20 sites
• Pet Friendly: 12
• EV Charging Nearby: 11
• Near a Train Station: 11
• WiFi: 9
• Parking: 9
• Picnic Area: 8
• Disabled Access: 8

The most important figure here is that only 20 sites list toilets. That doesn't necessarily mean the others have none, as some listings are simply less detailed. Still, if you need toilets, showers or accessible facilities, check each listing carefully and contact the site if anything is unclear. WiFi is listed at fewer than a quarter of sites, so don't assume you'll be able to stay connected.

Choosing a site for your kind of trip

Coast. If being near the sea is the point of your trip, Treheli Farm lists beach access, along with toilets and EV charging nearby. Black Rock Sands Camping & Touring and Glan y Mor Camping Park are also worth a look. Check each listing to see exactly what's on site.

Countryside and mountains. Snowdon is the big draw for walkers. If you're planning to head into the hills, the stay in Nant Peris and sites such as Gyrn Ddu (which lists a nearby bus stop) or Cwellyn Arms Campsite (restaurant, toilets and a picnic area) may suit you. Check the location on each listing against your plans, because 'Porthmadog' covers a fairly broad spread of sites.

Families. Look for sites that keep children busy and make life easier for parents:

• Tyn-y-Mur lists evening entertainment, takeaway food and a playground.
• Black Rock Sands Camping & Touring has a playground, toilets and disabled access.
• Cae Du Campsite lists baby changing alongside toilets and disabled access, which is useful if you have very young children.
• Shell Island has a swimming pool, a bar and a cafe, so there's plenty for everyone on rainy days.

Couples. If you'd like a few comforts, Dinas Farm Caravan Park and Camping lists a hot tub, a picnic area and WiFi. Parc Wernol in Pwllheli has a bar and a restaurant, and Cwellyn Arms Campsite also has a restaurant. Felin Uchaf and Glam Morfa Mawr are worth exploring too, but their listings don't detail facilities, so ask the sites directly.

Dog owners. Twelve of the 38 sites are listed as pet friendly, Glan y Mor Camping Park among them. That's roughly a third, so your choice will be narrower than for other campers. Filter for it first, and check any rules on numbers or breeds before you book.

Car-free or electric. Eleven sites are listed as near a train station, so arriving without a car is realistic here. Another eleven list EV charging nearby, including Macs Pebyll Hafod Y Llan, Dwyros and Treheli Farm.

What to do once you're there

On a dry day, you could tackle Snowdon, wander round Portmeirion or visit Castell Harlech. Plas yn Rhiw, cared for by the National Trust, makes a gentler outing. In Porthmadog itself, the Porthmadog Maritime Museum and Lasynys Fawr are good choices when the weather turns, and Bywyd Gwyllt Glaslyn Wildlife will appeal to anyone keen on nature.

Camping in Wales means planning for rain. Pack a list of indoor options, and choose a site with a cafe, bar or restaurant if you don't want to cook in a downpour.

When to book

Sites with the most facilities tend to be the first to fill, especially those with playgrounds, pools or entertainment. If you're tied to school holidays, book as early as you can. Dog owners and anyone needing disabled access should book early too, because only 12 and 8 sites respectively list those features.

If your dates are flexible, travelling outside the main holidays usually gives you a wider choice. Before you pay, check these points with the site:

• Toilet and shower arrangements
• Pet rules
• Parking
• Whether WiFi is actually needed for your trip