Camping in Norway with a motorhome: rules for parking in the wild
orland is one of the most popular destinations for European motorhome travellers. Endless fjords, mountain roads, waterfalls and wildlife create the perfect backdrop for travelling without a fixed plan. So many people ask: is it possible to go wild camping in Norway?
The short answer is: yes - but with a few rules.
Allemannsretten: the right to freedom of movement
In Norway, there is a traditional law called allemannsretten, the right of everyone to move freely in nature. This principle allows people to walk through the countryside, to pick berries and also to spend short periods of time in nature.
This makes Norway one of the most open countries for camping enthusiasts.
However, it is important to know that originally this right applied mainly to hikers and tent campers. There are a few practical restrictions on caravans and motorhomes.
How about a motorhome
You can often sleep outside a traditional campsite in Norway with a campervan, as long as you follow the basic rules:
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only park in places where there is no ban on parking or overnight stays.
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stay at least 150 metres from the nearest house or hut
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do not park on farmland or private meadows
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respect protected areas and national parks
In practice, this means that many car parks near fjords, viewpoints or hiking trails allow short overnight stays.
One night is usually fine
If you park somewhere in the evening and move on in the morning, this is usually tolerated in most cases. Longer stays in one place may require the landowner's consent or the use of an official parking space.
Norwegians are very particular about being considerate in the countryside. The basic rule is simple: leave no footprints.
Stellplatz the Norwegian way
In addition to the classic campsites, there are also many simple RV sites in Norway. They are often referred to as stellplass.
These are usually parking lots with several services:
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water refill.
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a chemical toilet sink
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sometimes electricity
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often a beautiful location by a fjord or harbour
The price tends to be significantly lower than camping and for many travellers it is the ideal compromise between comfort and freedom.
Beware of regulations in tourist areas
In recent years, some very popular wild camping areas have begun to regulate wild camping. A typical example is Lofoten, where the large number of visitors has caused problems with parking and waste.
Therefore, in some places you may come across signs such as:
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No camping
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No overnight parking
In this case, the ban must be respected.
Why Norway is ideal for travelling by motorhome
One of the reasons why so many people head to Norway with a motorhome is the combination of freedom and infrastructure. You can spend the night by the fjord, continue along the mountain road in the morning and park in another quiet spot in the countryside in the evening.
This is what makes for moments that are hard to plan for - like parking in a snowy landscape and seeing the Northern Lights light up above you.
And that's exactly the kind of moment motorhomes are made for.
