It secured fourth place in new rankings by outdoor experts at Blacks, who analysed article mentions, online search interest, and average seasonal rainfall to determine the best spots for wild campers.
The Lake District earned a score of 7.49 out of 10, appearing in 23 ‘best spots’ articles and attracting 32,600 annual searches for wild camping.
It was beaten to the top spot by Dartmoor, the Peak District, and the Brecon Beacons.
Ethan Moreland, author and wild camping enthusiast at Blacks, said: “Wild camping is one of the most rewarding ways to experience the outdoors, but in autumn and winter months it should only be attempted by experienced campers.
“When heading out, remember one of the most important rules of wild camping is to leave no trace.
“Find a remote area well above the highest fell wall, set up your tent at dusk and leave early in the morning to avoid disrupting others and local wildlife.
“Stick to camping by yourself or in a small group and keep all noise to a minimum.
“To protect the environment, take all rubbish with you and never light an open fire.”
Mr Moreland also shared advice on preparing for colder weather.
He said: “Packing the right kit is essential for a safe camp in the colder weather.
“A reliable tent, a three or four-season sleeping bag, a roll mat with a R-value of 3 or above, a waterproof and insulated jacket, a fleece, a headtorch, a sturdy pair of walking boots, a first aid kit, and a powerbank are essentials all wild campers should bring.”
Dartmoor took the top spot with a score of 9.95 out of 10.
It recorded more than 54,000 annual searches and 24 mentions in ‘best spots’ lists.
It also benefits from relatively mild autumn rainfall at 91mm between October and December.
Other highly ranked locations include Northumberland, Exmoor, the Scottish Highlands, Snowdonia, the Surrey Hills, Loch Lomond and The Trossachs, and the Cairngorms.
