High Force Parking Guide
High Force is one of the most famous waterfalls in England, but knowing where to park can make a big difference to your visit.
There are several options nearby, including the official paid car park near High Force Hotel, donation based parking at Bowlees Visitor Centre and a small number of free roadside laybys near Bowlees.
This guide explains the main High Force parking options, how much they cost, where to start if you want to walk from Bowlees, and which option gives the best overall experience.
It is based on real visits to High Force, Bowlees Visitor Centre and the surrounding paths through Upper Teesdale.
Many visitors search for High Force parking prices, free parking near High Force or the best place to park for the High Force walk.
Quick Answer
The closest place to park for High Force is the paid car park beside High Force Hotel.
The best overall option for walkers is Bowlees Visitor Centre, where parking is donation based and you can walk to High Force via Low Force and Wynch Bridge.
There are also two small free laybys on the B6277 just outside Bowlees Visitor Centre, but spaces are limited and they fill quickly.
Best Parking Options for High Force
Closest parking option: High Force Hotel car park
Best walking route: Bowlees Visitor Centre to High Force via Low Force and Wynch Bridge
Cheapest parking option: Free laybys near Bowlees Visitor Centre
High Force car park postcode: DL12 0XH
Bowlees Visitor Centre postcode: DL12 0XE
Paid Parking at
High Force Hotel
The main High Force car park is located beside High Force Hotel.
This is the closest parking option for High Force Waterfall and is the quickest choice if you only want a short visit to the official viewpoint.
Parking charges shown by High Force are:
4 hours: £4
6 hours: £6
24 hours: £12
The car park is open 24 hours and is managed by an external company.
There is also a separate admission fee to access the official High Force waterfall path and viewpoint.
Admission prices shown by High Force are:
Adults aged 16 and over: £4
Children aged 4 to 15: £2.50
Under 4s: Free
Family saver ticket: £10 online or £12 onsite
This option is convenient if you want the shortest walk to the waterfall, but it is not the cheapest way to visit High Force.
Bowlees Visitor Centre Car Park
Bowlees Visitor Centre is one of the best alternatives if you want to visit High Force as part of a proper Teesdale walk.
The car park is donation based rather than fixed price.
Suggested donations shown at Bowlees are:
Up to 3 hours: £2 to £3
3 hours or more: £3 to £4
Bowlees also has toilets, a café, visitor information and access to several walks and waterfalls.
From Bowlees, you can walk to High Force along the River Tees, passing Low Force and Wynch Bridge before continuing upstream.
This option gives you a much better feel for the landscape, rather than simply parking beside the attraction and walking straight to the viewpoint.
Bowlees also gives you access to quieter riverside walks, woodland paths and several waterfalls within easy reach of the visitor centre.
Bowlees is also a good base for exploring the wider Bowlees area, including Summerhill Force & Gibson's cave, Low Force and the Bowlees woodland walks.
Free Parking Near Bowlees
There are two small free laybys on the B6277 just outside Bowlees Visitor Centre.
There is one layby on each side of the road, close to the visitor centre entrance.
These are useful if you want completely free parking for High Force, but spaces are limited and they can fill quickly, especially during weekends, school holidays and good weather.
If you use the laybys, take extra care crossing or walking beside the B6277, as it is the main road through this part of Upper Teesdale.
From the laybys, it is only a short walk to Bowlees Visitor Centre and the riverside route towards High Force.
Walking from Bowlees to High Force
Walking from Bowlees to High Force is one of the best ways to experience this part of Teesdale.
Distance: Around 4.2 miles return
Time: Around 1 hour 20 minutes each way
Route type: Out and back
Start point: Bowlees Visitor Centre DL12 0XE
Parking: Bowlees Visitor Centre or nearby laybys
Terrain: Fields, woodland and rocky riverside paths
Difficulty: Moderate but family friendly with care
Dog friendly: Yes, on a lead
Child friendly: Yes, with supervision near the river
Toilets and café: Available at Bowlees Visitor Centre
The route follows the River Tees upstream, passing Low Force and Wynch Bridge before reaching High Force. It gradually builds towards the main waterfall, which makes the walk feel much more rewarding than simply arriving by car.
Planning to walk in from Bowlees? Follow our full High Force walk guide here.
Can You Visit High Force for Free?
Yes, you can visit the High Force area without paying for parking by starting from the free laybys near Bowlees.
You can also use Bowlees Visitor Centre car park for a small suggested donation.
The official High Force viewpoint has an admission fee, but walking from Bowlees gives you a popular way to experience the River Tees, Low Force, Wynch Bridge and the wider High Force landscape without needing to pay for the official access path.
For many walkers, this is the more natural and enjoyable way to visit.
Do You Have to Pay to See High Force?
You have to pay if you want to use the official High Force waterfall entrance and viewpoint.
You do not have to pay to walk the wider public riverside routes from Bowlees.
This is why many people choose to park at Bowlees and approach High Force as part of a longer walk through Upper Teesdale.
Bowlees Parking
Donation based parking with toilets, café facilities and direct access to the riverside walk towards Low Force, Wynch Bridge and High Force.
High Force Viewpoint
High Force seen from the official viewpoint on the Bowlees to High Force walk, where the River Tees drops into the deep rocky gorge below.
High Force from Above
An aerial view of High Force and the River Tees, showing the dramatic gorge and the riverside paths leading through Upper Teesdale.
Where Is the Best Place to Park for High Force?
If you want the shortest possible visit, the High Force Hotel car park is the closest option.
If you want the best overall experience, Bowlees Visitor Centre is the better starting point.
You get donation based parking, toilets, a café and a proper riverside walk that includes Low Force, Wynch Bridge and High Force in one route.
If you want completely free parking, try the small laybys near Bowlees, but arrive early and have a backup plan in case they are full.
How Far Is High Force from Bowlees?
High Force is around 2.1 miles from Bowlees Visitor Centre on foot, making the full return walk approximately 4.2 miles.
While the walk itself can be completed in around 1 hour 20 minutes, most people spend much longer exploring the route. With stops at Low Force, Wynch Bridge and the riverside viewpoints, it easily becomes a relaxed morning or afternoon walk through Upper Teesdale.
Is High Force Worth Visiting?
Yes, High Force is absolutely worth visiting, especially if you approach it as part of a walk through Upper Teesdale.
The waterfall is impressive, but the wider landscape is just as important.
Starting from Bowlees gives you a better sense of the River Tees, with Low Force, Wynch Bridge, woodland paths and open riverside views all adding to the experience.
A Better Way to Visit High Force
For a quick stop, the official High Force car park is the simplest choice.
For a more memorable visit, start from Bowlees.
Walking in from Bowlees turns High Force into a proper Teesdale experience. You see more of the river, avoid the busiest arrival point, and get to enjoy one of the best short waterfall walks in the North Pennines.
It is slower, calmer and much more rewarding.
Explore More from Bowlees
Bowlees Visitor Centre is one of the best starting points in Upper Teesdale.
From here you can explore Low Force, Wynch Bridge, High Force, Summerhill Force, Gibson’s Cave, Bleabeck Force, woodland paths, hidden waterfalls and local history.
Explore the full Bowlees area here: Walks and Places to Visit from Bowlees Visitor Centre
This guide is based on real visits to High Force, Bowlees Visitor Centre and the surrounding walking routes. Parking charges and access details can change, so always check signs when you arrive.
High Force Parking Tips
Arrive early during weekends, school holidays and sunny weather, as both the official High Force car park and the free laybys near Bowlees can fill quickly.
Bowlees is usually the better choice if you plan to spend several hours exploring the waterfalls and riverside walks of Upper Teesdale.
Last updated May 2026