Plan your visit

Welcome to the Yorkshire Dales, an outstanding place to explore!

The Yorkshire Dales has many moods; it can be wild and windswept or quietly tranquil with valleys full of hay meadows, dry stone walls and barns.

There’s always something to do in the Dales. Whether you’re coming for the day or staying longer, there’s always lots going on.

To help plan your visit you can download a detailed map here.

Car Park Status

Check how busy our car parks are here

Information for new visitors

If you’re visiting the Yorkshire Dales National Park for the first time you’re very welcome! We’ve pulled together some really useful information and resources for you.

Things to do

• Discover our beautiful valleys and our delightful towns and villages.
• Find attractions, things to do with the kids and what to do in the great outdoors.
• Learn a new skill – from painting to butchery – or find a guide to take you on an outdoor adventure.
• Check out places to eat, drink fine local beers, or where to stay over in the Dales.
• Or just spend time taking in the view or admiring the host of stars in our dark skies. 

Be sure that you check ahead to make sure that the places we’ve listed are open and what they are offering following the lockdown. Remember that it is mandatory to wear face masks in shops and takeaways etc.

The Dales are famous for its wonderful scenery.  Deep valleys, known as dales, with roads meandering between drystone walls and a patchwork of hay meadows and field barns.  Up above is heather moorland and distinctive hills, such as the much loved Three Peaks. There is the Settle to Carlisle railway which cuts through the National Park using tunnels and viaducts, including the iconic Ribblehead.

Whilst here  most people will go for a short walk, or take to two wheels to go cycling or mountain biking. After working up an appetite, why not try some Wensleydale Cheese or go on a sampling tour at one of our breweries.

You can also get a local weather forecast, find the details of our National Park Centres and access information for those with limited mobility.

Please use your sat nav with caution!  Sat navs don’t always work in the Dales, so if you think you are being sent in the wrong direction, you probably are!

Short Walks

A walk in the Yorkshire Dales National Park is good for both your physical and mental wellbeing. There are around 60 short walk suggestions for people of all ages and ability on our short walks page. Each walk comes with a detailed map and some walks have an audio guide.

There are also some short walk suggestions leaving and returning to our National Park car parks.

There are also our miles without stiles walks. If you find walking a challenge or your group includes a wheelchair or buggy then have a look in our Access for all section

If you are planning to walk with your dog please visit Dogs and the Dales page for useful tips.

Wherever you walk, please take your litter home with you, strictly no BBQs, and always follow the Countryside Code.

The Countryside Code

While you’re out and about in the countryside it’s important to respect the Countryside Code, which has been updated for the summer of 2020. You can download a shortened easy to read copy of it here.

We’ve also prepared this useful infographic which also has useful ‘at a glance’ information on how to stay safe in the countryside, including social distancing advice. You can download a copy of it here.