Snowdonia officials report rise in ‘anti-social camping’ since lockdown restrictions lifted

Officials in Snowdonia National Park have reported a rise in “anti-social camping” since coronavirus travel restrictions were lifted.

Visitors have returned to North Wales in their droves over the last few weekends, leading to a debate over whether mass tourism causes more harm than good.

In a post on Facebook, the park authority said there had been an increase in people parking their camper vans in lay bys, as well as pitching up tents.

In some cases it has seen visitors using the countryside as a public toilet, leaving litter behind or causing a danger by starting campfires.

Officials are asking for people to respect the national park and use official campsites.

They said: “Since travelling restrictions were lifted in Wales we have seen a significant increase in anti-social camping in tents, campervans and motorhomes in our laybys, on roadsides and open spaces.

“Anti-social camping often means no toilet facilities which poses a threat to public health.

“Anti-social camping in undesignated areas impairs other people’s quiet enjoyment of the national park.