Which is bigger, the North York Moors or the Yorkshire Dales?

The Yorkshire Dales is bigger, at 2,179 km2 since the 2016 boundary extension. The North York Moors covers 1,436 km2.

Which national park has the coast?

The North York Moors has 26 miles of coastline. The Yorkshire Dales has no coast.

Which has higher hills, the North York Moors or the Yorkshire Dales?

The Yorkshire Dales has higher hills. Whernside is 736 metres, the highest point in Yorkshire; the North York Moors' highest point is Urra Moor at 454 metres.

Choosing a national park

North York Moors or Yorkshire Dales?

By Jon Cosson · Updated 20 October 2026

Both are Yorkshire national parks with dark skies and market towns, but their landscapes are different. I've set out the facts here so you can choose which suits your trip.

The two national parks at a glance

North York Moors and Yorkshire Dales comparison
Feature	North York Moors	Yorkshire Dales
Designated	1952	1954
Area	1,436 km2	2,179 km2 (since the 2016 boundary extension)
Highest point	Urra Moor, 454 m	Whernside, 736 m, the highest point in Yorkshire
Landscape	Heather moorland, wooded dales and a stretch of coast	Limestone scars and pavements, drystone walls and field barns, caves and waterfalls
Coast	26 miles of coastline	None
Well-known places	Helmsley, Pickering, Goathland, Robin Hood's Bay, Staithes	Malham, Hawes, Wensleydale, Swaledale, Ribblehead Viaduct, Settle
Dark skies	International Dark Sky Reserve since December 2020	International Dark Sky Reserve since December 2020
Gateway towns	Helmsley and Pickering	Richmond

Choose the North York Moors if

You want coast and moor in one trip, heather in late summer, the steam railway or fishing villages. Start with Whitby and Robin Hood's Bay, the North Yorkshire Moors Railway and my guide to heather in bloom.

Choose the Yorkshire Dales if

You want limestone country, caves and waterfalls such as Aysgarth Falls and Hardraw Force, or the Three Peaks of Whernside, Ingleborough and Pen-y-ghent.

Frequently asked questions

Which is bigger, the North York Moors or the Yorkshire Dales?: The Yorkshire Dales is bigger, at 2,179 km2 since the 2016 boundary extension. The North York Moors covers 1,436 km2.
Which national park has the coast?: The North York Moors has 26 miles of coastline. The Yorkshire Dales has no coast.
Which has higher hills, the North York Moors or the Yorkshire Dales?: The Yorkshire Dales has higher hills. Whernside is 736 metres, the highest point in Yorkshire; the North York Moors' highest point is Urra Moor at 454 metres.

Sources: North York Moors National Park Authority facts and figures; Yorkshire Dales National Park Authority press factfile and boundary extension Q and A; National Parks UK; Yorkshire Dales dark sky announcement. Checked 20 October 2026.

Where to stay in the North York Moors

Self-catering cottages, village inns and farmhouse boltholes right across the moors, from the southern villages to the coast.

Browse places to stay