Overnight camping with a campervan in Norway – Rules, tips and apps
Campervan by a Norwegian fjord
Photo: Simo Räsänen / Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA 4.0
One of the most common questions from first-time campervan renters is: 'Where can we actually stay overnight?' The answer is: lots of places! In Norway there is a unique tradition of outdoor life and the right to roam that makes it possible to camp in nature. There are, however, some rules you should know.
The right to roam – your right to camp in nature
In Norway, everyone has the right to travel and camp in nature, thanks to the right to roam (allemannsretten). This right applies in uncultivated land – meaning nature that is not cultivated fields. Cultivated fields, gardens, farmyards and similar are excluded.
You can pitch a tent or park your campervan in uncultivated land, but there are some important rules:
- Keep at least 150 metres from the nearest inhabited house or cabin.
- You can stay up to two nights in the same spot without asking the landowner – longer stays require permission. However, this does not apply if you are far from settlements or in the high mountains, where you can stay for several nights without the landowner's permission.
- Leave the spot better than you found it. Don't leave rubbish, fire remains or traces.
- Stay on the road – it is not permitted to drive off-road.
- Respect nature, wildlife and other people using the area.
Free camping vs. campsites
Free camping (free-standing overnight stays in nature) is free and gives you the freedom to stay where the view is best. But campsites also have their advantages:
- Access to toilets, showers and shore power.
- Facilities for filling fresh water and emptying grey water.
- Often nice communal areas, playgrounds and access to washing machines.
- Safer parking, especially in towns and cities.
Motorhome parking and rest stops
Many municipalities in Norway have dedicated motorhome parking areas with facilities such as dump stations and power outlets. These are often affordable and centrally located.
Rest stops along the road are great for a break. Overnight stays are often allowed as well, but should be brief – for example from one evening to the next morning. There may also be signs indicating time-limited parking, in which case those rules apply.
Campervan apps
Park4Night is an app where users share overnight spots with photos, descriptions and reviews. You can find everything from free spots by the sea to campsites with full facilities. The website Bobilplassen.no also has an app you can download. Both rely on contributions from other users.
- Download offline maps for areas without mobile coverage.
- Read the reviews – they're up-to-date and honest.
- Contribute by adding spots and sharing your own experience.
Good etiquette when camping overnight
Wherever you stay overnight, there are some unwritten rules that make the experience better for everyone:
- Don't play loud music or light up the area with strong lights after 10 pm.
- Park so you don't block the road or other people's views.
- Take all your rubbish with you – leave nature as it was.
- Use toilet facilities at campsites or petrol stations.