Wild camping and the right to roam
What’s allowed in Norway, Sweden and Finland, and why not in Denmark and Iceland
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Camping guide
Wild camping and the right to roam
Pitching your tent by a quiet lake, with no campsite nearby: in Norway, Sweden and Finland you can, thanks to the right to roam. But it comes with clear rules, and they differ from country to country. Here they are, with the official source.
Researched by Arjan from Zuidlaren, so you don’t have to · Sources: Miljødirektoratet, Miljødirektoratet, Lovdata · updated 24 October 2026 · About this page
- Norway: max. 2 nights, ≥150 m from houses
- Sweden: “ett eller några dygn”
- Iceland: not in a motorhome or car outside campsites
Rules
📜 The right to roam by country
| Norway | A tent in open country (utmark): no more than 2 nights in the same spot, at least 150 metres from inhabited houses or cabins. Open fires in or near woods and countryside are banned from 15 April to 15 September. (source: Miljødirektoratet, Miljødirektoratet) |
|---|---|
| Sweden | A tent may stay up “ett eller några dygn” (a day or a few), not too close to houses. Whether you may light a fire is decided by the länsstyrelse or the municipality; watch out for an eldningsförbud (fire ban). (source: Naturvårdsverket, Naturvårdsverket) |
| Finland | Camping is allowed temporarily at a reasonable distance from houses. Lighting a fire on someone else’s land is not allowed without permission, and nor is off-road driving. (source: Luontoon.fi (Metsähallitus)) |
| Denmark | There’s no right to roam like in Norway and Sweden. In state forests marked “fri teltning” you may pitch a tent for one night in the same spot, with at most two tents of up to three people. Otherwise: campsites, shelters and basic overnight spots. (source: Naturstyrelsen, Naturstyrelsen) |
| Iceland | Spending the night in a motorhome, campervan or car outside campsites is not allowed. (source: Umhverfisstofnun (Environment Agency of Iceland)) |
The complete overview with all the exceptions is in our right-to-roam guide.
Lighting fires
🔥 Lighting fires
In Norway, open fires in or near woods and countryside are banned from 15 April to 15 September. (source: Miljødirektoratet, Lovdata) In Sweden it depends on the current fire risk; check with the länsstyrelse or the municipality. (source: Naturvårdsverket) In Finland you may not light a fire on someone else’s land without permission. (source: Luontoon.fi (Metsähallitus))
More on cooking: cooking and campfires.
Leaving
♻️ Leave nothing behind
Take all your rubbish home with you, go to the loo well away from water and paths, and leave the spot as you found it. That way the right to roam stays in place for everyone.
Quick to sort
✅ Sorted before you leave
Handy to sort out or look at straight away:
FAQ
Frequently asked questions
How long can I wild camp in Norway?
No more than 2 nights in the same spot in open country, at least 150 metres from inhabited houses (Miljødirektoratet).
Can I wild camp in Denmark?
There’s no right to roam like in Norway and Sweden. In state forests marked “fri teltning” you may pitch a tent for one night (max. two tents of up to three people); otherwise you camp on campsites, in shelters or at basic overnight spots (Naturstyrelsen).
Can I wild camp in a motorhome in Iceland?
No, spending the night in a motorhome, campervan or car outside campsites is not allowed (Umhverfisstofnun).
Accountability
📚 Sources
Every number and every rule on this page comes from a source. Here they all are in one place, checked on 24 October 2026. We only mention prices if the provider publishes them itself; otherwise we refer you to the official website.
View 12 sources
- miljodirektoratet.no: Miljødirektoratet: tents and hammocks
- miljodirektoratet.no: Miljødirektoratet: lighting fires
- lovdata.no: Lovdata: friluftsloven (Outdoor Recreation Act)
- lovdata.no: Lovdata: forskrift om brannforebygging (fire prevention regulations)
- naturvardsverket.se: Naturvårdsverket: right of public access (allemansrätten)
- naturvardsverket.se: Naturvårdsverket: fires (eldning)
- naturvardsverket.se: Naturvårdsverket: husvagn, husbil och tältning
- luontoon.fi: Luontoon.fi (Metsähallitus): everyman’s rights
- ym.fi: Finnish government (ym.fi): everyman’s rights
- naturstyrelsen.dk: Naturstyrelsen: fri teltning (free tent camping)
- naturstyrelsen.dk: Naturstyrelsen: basic overnight spots and shelters
- ust.is: Umhverfisstofnun (Environment Agency of Iceland)
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