⛺ Tents and allemansretten: rules for wild camping
Allemannsretten is "everyone's right" to nature. It allows you to pitch a tent on uncultivated land, as long as you respect people, private property, and wildlife. Below are simple rules, scenarios, and ready-made blocks for the site: checklists, tables, and request templates.
📜 Allemannsretten in simple terms
Essence: short, trace-free camping on "wild" land without harming the landowner or nature. Basic terms:
● Utmark — uncultivated land: forests, mountains, wastelands, rocky shores. As a rule, you can pitch a tent here if you follow the rules.
● Innmark — cultivated land: fields, vegetable gardens, seasonal pastures, courtyards, school grounds, etc. You cannot camp here without the express permission of the owner.
● Proximity to dwellings — keep a distance of at least 150 m from residential buildings and huts (in a straight line).
● Parking period — usually up to 2 nights in one place. In remote mountains and places without economic activity — longer, if you do not disturb anyone (details below).
📏 Basic rules for wild camping
● Pitch your tent on uncultivated land and no closer than 150 metres to any residential building/hut.
● The norm is up to 2 nights in one place; longer stays are subject to agreement with the owner or only in truly remote areas.
● Do not pitch in courtyards, on arable land, hayfields, actively grazed pastures, school grounds, or areas with obvious commercial use.
● Respect fences and gates (close them behind you), do not damage fences.
● Special rules apply in protected natural areas: check the signs/boards with the rules on site.
● Keep dogs on a leash, especially during bird nesting and grazing seasons.
● Fire is restricted in summer (see the "Fire" section): use gas burners and only authorised areas.
● Arrived by car? Park only where permitted — a tent does not give you the right to drive off-road.
🧭 Quick check: Can I pitch my tent here?
🗺️ Where it is permitted and where it is not
Allowed: on wasteland, in forests, in mountains, on rocky shores and outside economic zones — provided that a distance of 150 m is maintained and the rules are followed.
Not allowed: in yards and gardens, on arable land and hayfields (even "out of season"), on closed pastures, school grounds, sports fields, in protected biotopes and places with clear "No camping" signs.
🧭 Quick check: Can I pitch my tent here?
🕒 How long can you stay and when do you need to contact the owner
● Up to 2 nights — the basic rule for utmark.
● Longer — only in remote mountains/wastelands where parking does not disturb anyone, there are no traces of economic activity, and nature is not damaged. If in doubt, ask the owner of the nearest plot or the manager.
● Groups and large camps require a separate agreement in any case.
🔥 Fire and cooking in nature
From 15 April to 15 September, there is a general ban on open fires in forests and natural areas, except in cases where it is obviously safe and does not conflict with local regulations. Wind, dry grass and peat bogs make campfires dangerous all year round. It is safer to cook on a gas burner and use equipped barbecue areas.
🚗 Tents, cars and campers: what you need to know
A tent is not a "pass" to enter anywhere. Only travel on roads and park your car/camper in official car parks or parking areas. Spending the night in your car outside of permitted areas may violate local regulations. For campers, look for places with permitted overnight stays and service points; do not drain water "into the fields".
| Format | Allowed | Not allowed |
|---|---|---|
| Tent (utmark) | Up to 2 nights, at least 150 m from houses, outside protected zones, leave no trace. | On fields/pastures, in gardens, in areas marked “No camping”. |
| Car | In official parking areas where overnight stay is permitted. | Off-road, on private land without consent, or on narrow road shoulders. |
| Campervan/RV | In campsites or designated service areas. | Dumping waste in nature, parking where signs prohibit it. |
💧 Water, toilets and "traces"
● Obtain water from reliable sources or filter/boil it.
● Toilet: away from trails and water; a hole at least 15–20 cm deep, take paper with you.
● Sorting: take everything you brought back with you; do not leave "hidden" bags under rocks.
● Kitchen: do not dispose of food scraps and grease in streams or under rocks; use a waste bag and wash dishes away from water.
🧭 Plan ahead
Bring maps/weather info, avoid fragile sites.
👣 Stay on trails
Don’t cut switchbacks, don’t widen paths.
🏕️ Camp with care
Use durable surfaces, keep stays short.
🗑️ Pack it out
Take all trash, food scraps and paper with you.
🔥 Be fire-wise
Cook on a stove, use established fire sites.
🐾 Respect wildlife
Keep distance, leash dogs.
🤝 Respect others
Quiet nights, privacy near homes, be courteous.
👥 Respect for private land and farms
If you are near fences, cowsheds, hayfields or drying nets, this is a working farm. Do not block driveways, touch equipment or get in the way of people and machinery. If you see the owner, say hello and briefly explain how many nights you will be staying. Friendliness solves most issues better than any "rights".
📨 Message to the Landowner
Hello! We are hiking and would like to pitch a small tent for one or two nights on the utmark near ____. We guarantee quiet, no open fire, and we will carry out all waste. If this causes inconvenience, could you suggest a better nearby spot? Thank you!
🧳 Pack List — Tick Items Off
FAQ
On uncultivated land (utmark): in forests, mountains, wastelands and on rocky shores, provided that you are at least 150 metres away from dwellings, respect the silence and stay for a short time.
This is the boundary of privacy. A tent closer than this may disturb residents, create noise and a feeling of intrusion. Keep a comfortable distance, even if it seems that you are not disturbing anyone.
Two nights is the basic rule. It is possible to stay longer in remote mountains and wastelands if you do not disturb anyone or cause any damage. If in doubt, ask the owner or move your camp.
No. Arable land, hayfields and pastures are considered cultivated land (innmark), even if the season has not started or the grass has been mowed. Look for a place on utmark.
From 15 April to 15 September, there is a general ban on open fires in natural areas, unless otherwise permitted by local regulations and obvious safety is ensured. In practice, use a gas burner and equipped areas.
No. The place for a car or camper must be official: car parks, campsites, authorised parking areas. Outside these areas, there is a risk of breaking the rules and disturbing local residents/services.
During bird nesting and livestock grazing seasons, restrictions apply: dogs must generally be kept on a leash. Please respect local signs and the general logic of wildlife conservation.
Move away from trails and water, dig a hole 15–20 cm deep, then bury it. Take paper and hygiene products with you; do not leave them "under rocks".
Yes. Sounds carry far at night: respect the sleep of people in nearby houses and other travellers, do not play loud music, do not slam car doors.
Thank them, explain that you are already packing up, or ask where you can park nearby. Politeness and open dialogue resolve situations faster than any references to rules.
