Days Out NI
Nature & wildlife Camlough

Camlough Lake

A free glacial lake in the Ring of Gullion for swims, walks and pike fishing

4 photos
OpenOpen access all year, no set hours
FreeNo ticket needed
CamloughNature & wildlife
Get directionsOfficial website
2 hoursHow long
FreeEntry
School-age and…Best for
On leadsDogs
NearbyParking

Camlough Lake — A free glacial lake in the Ring of Gullion for swims, walks and pike fishing.

  • What you'll see: Glacial lake, herons and water birds, open water swimmers, kayaks and sailing dinghies; fish include pike, bream, roach and perch.
  • Season: Open access all year, no set hours.
  • Dogs: No farm livestock here, so dogs are generally fine on the shoreline walk on a lead; clean up after them and check before you go.
  • Parking: Roadside / informal parking near the slipway; enhanced parking is part of the approved hub plans.
  • Food: None on site; bring a picnic. Cafés and shops in Camlough village and Newry.
  • Toilets: None on site at present; go before you arrive (new changing facilities approved for the future hub).
Plan your visit

Watch the water come alive

The lake is the draw. Off the slipway on the Crossmaglen road there's a buoyed 750m swimming loop used by Newry Triathlon Club, with extra buoys marking shorter distances, so on a decent day you'll usually see open water swimmers, kayaks and the odd sailing dinghy out on the water. Herons perch on an old pontoon to the right, and the calm, sheltered conditions bring in water birds for kids to spot. Anglers fish the shore for pike, bream, roach and perch (a rod licence applies, and boat fishing needs a council permit). It's open water with no lifeguard, so keep little ones beside you at the edge.

Free Open all year Open water swimming Fishing for pike & perch Shoreline walk Ring of Gullion scenery
Good to know before you go:

Camlough Lake hosts water-based activity through the warmer months, including triathlon and open water swimming events run by Newry Triathlon Club and the long-running Camlough Water Festival with races, kayaking and water polo. Dates change year to year, so check locally before you travel.

Before you set off

What to bring

  • 🔭BinocularsHalf the fun is spotting the birds, seals or deer before they spot you.
  • 👟Walking shoes or welliesPaths can be soft, grassy or muddy after rain — comfy waterproof feet win.
  • 🧥A coatOut in the open the weather changes fast; dress for it and enjoy the fresh air.
  • 💧Water and a snackReserves are quiet places — few have a café, so pack a little something.
Good to know

Everything before you go

Cost
Free
Opening / season
Open access all year, no set hours
Best for ages
School-age and up; under-5s need close supervision at the open water
What you'll see
Glacial lake, herons and water birds, open water swimmers, kayaks and sailing dinghies; fish include pike, bream, roach and perch
Food
None on site; bring a picnic. Cafés and shops in Camlough village and Newry
Toilets
None on site at present; go before you arrive (new changing facilities approved for the future hub)
Parking
Roadside / informal parking near the slipway; enhanced parking is part of the approved hub plans
Dogs
No farm livestock here, so dogs are generally fine on the shoreline walk on a lead; clean up after them and check before you go
Accessibility
Open natural shoreline and an unsurfaced path round the lake; not suitable for wheelchairs or buggies in places. Improved access is planned with the new hub
How long to allow
1 to 2 hours for a walk and a look around; longer if you swim, fish or paddle
Address
Newtown Road, Camlough, Co Armagh, BT35 7JJ
Questions

Before you go

Is it free?
Free
What will we see?
Glacial lake, herons and water birds, open water swimmers, kayaks and sailing dinghies; fish include pike, bream, roach and perch
When is the best time to go?
Open access all year, no set hours
Can I bring the dog?
No farm livestock here, so dogs are generally fine on the shoreline walk on a lead; clean up after them and check before you go
Where do I park?
Roadside / informal parking near the slipway; enhanced parking is part of the approved hub plans
Getting there

Camlough Lake is at Newtown Road, Camlough, Co Armagh, BT35 7JJ. Roadside / informal parking near the slipway; enhanced parking is part of the approved hub plans. Tap below for directions.

Directions on Google MapsOfficial website See it on our map
Nearby

Make more of the day

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The story

About the place

Camlough Lake is a roughly 90-acre glacial lake about five kilometres west of Newry, sitting at the heart of the Ring of Gullion in South Armagh. A former reservoir, it's long been one of the area's main spots for fishing, sailing, kayaking and open water swimming, with a slipway off the Crossmaglen road giving easy access to the water.

The lake made headlines in 2009 when more than 300 swimmers set a Guinness World Record for the longest relay swim here, and it continues to host the Camlough Water Festival and triathlon events each year.

In February 2026, Newry, Mourne and Down District Council secured planning approval for a £4.6m recreational hub on the shore, part-funded by the UK Government's Levelling Up Fund. The plans include a single-storey multi-use building, changing facilities and external showers, a new slipway and floating pontoon, kayak storage, picnic areas and expanded parking, to be delivered in phases.