🏕️ Top campsites in Lofoten for tents
Lofoten is known for its dramatic beaches, sheltered bays and rapidly changing weather. When camping here, it is especially important to combine the beauty of the location with practicality: protection from the wind, access to a warm shower and kitchen, clear quiet hours rules, and in summer, arriving early enough to secure a spot. Below is a handy interactive map with filters, price and booking guidelines, and seasonal tips.
🧭 How to choose a campsite for a tent in Lofoten
● Wind and exposure. Beaches offer open beauty, but also gusty breezes; sheltered fjords are calmer at night. Make sure the tent site is protected by the terrain.
● Kitchen/bathrooms. Ideally, there should be a guest kitchen, a warm family shower, a drying room (tørkerom) and a laundry room — especially if you are travelling with children.
● Access/parking. Check whether you can park close to the tent area for unloading.
● Quiet rules. Sound travels far at sea — look for campsites with quiet areas away from the kitchen and entrance.
● Booking. Tents in Lofoten are often allocated on a first come, first served basis; some accept online bookings. In summer, arrive between 3pm and 5pm.
● Seasonality. Most campsites are open from May to September, with the peak season being July and August; some sites and services are closed in winter.
🗺️ Interactive map and selection of campsites (tents)
💸 How much does a tent cost in Lofoten
Use the following as a guide: basic rate for a tent/night + fee per person + shower/laundry (coins or cards). Prices are higher on beaches and during "peak weeks". It is often cheaper in sheltered bays and outside of July.
Approximate ranges: a tent is usually charged at 200–400 NOK/night, an adult — 0–80 NOK/night, a shower — 10–20 NOK for 3–6 minutes, laundry/drying — 30–60 NOK.
🧮 Tent holiday budget calculator
📆 Booking and rules on site
● Drop-in vs online. For tents, it is often enough to just show up, but on the most popular beaches and on weekends, it is better to check the payment and check-in format.
● Check-in/out. The reception desk will indicate quiet hours, sorting rules, and kitchen/shower hours. Sometimes the tent area is closed in strong winds — have a plan B (a bay/campsite in the rear).
● Payment. Cash, cards or machines; showers and laundry — coins/tokens/codes.
● Cars and parking. Do not park your car on the grass without permission; unload and move your car to the designated parking area if this is the campsite rule.
🌤️ Seasonality and weather
● May–September is tent season; July–August is peak season in terms of people and prices.
● Polar day in Lofoten is from late May to mid-July: convenient for late walks and beach sunsets "at midnight".
● Rain/wind. Gusts are stronger on open beaches; it is calmer and drier in bays. Always have wind protection and pegs for your tent.
● Winter. Many campsites are open for cabins/cabins, but tent fields are closed; if there are exceptions, they are for prepared tourists and only in sheltered areas.
🧰 What is important for a tent at the seaside
● Spear pegs and spare guy ropes, bags for sand/stones.
● Wind and moisture protection: awning, skirt, low-profile guy ropes.
● Drying: clothesline and pegs; tørkerom (drying room) at the campsite — a bonus.
● Kitchen: your own set + cleanliness in the guest kitchen; do not cook over an open fire on grass/peat; use gas on stone/concrete or in the grill area.
● Silence and light: sleep masks, earplugs — at night by the sea, you can hear "everything".
📨 Template message to the campsite administrator
📨 Inquiry about tent area
Hello! We are planning to camp from __ to __, with __ people. 1) Is the tent area open on these dates, and are there sheltered spots from the wind? 2) What is the payment method: on arrival or online? Showers/laundry — by tokens/cards? 3) Are there a kitchen/tables and quiet hours? Can we choose a “quiet” zone further from the entrance? 4) Is parking next to the tents or in a separate lot? 5) In case of strong wind — what are the rules/restrictions and the nearest “quiet” alternative? Thank you!
❓ FAQ
Often not — the drop-in principle applies. But on popular beaches and at weekends, it is better to arrive early (during the day) and have a backup option in a sheltered bay. Some campsites accept online payment for pitches and showers/laundry facilities.
Look for sheltered fjords and bays (less gusts and spray). The views are more epic on beaches, but the wind is stronger; choose spots behind natural screens (rocks, boulders) and pitch your tent with the "nose" into the wind.
Mostly yes, but the quality and facilities vary. Check whether there are family cubicles, hot water, a drying room, a stove/microwave and crockery in the guest kitchen.
Usually at night; check with reception for exact times. At the seaside, sound travels far — even a quiet conversation by the water can disturb your neighbours.
In summer, there is a general ban on open fires in the natural environment; use the equipped barbecue areas or gas stoves on stone/concrete and only when there is no wind and no local restrictions.
People usually unload at the clearing and park their cars in a separate car park. Do not block driveways or park your car on the grass without permission.
A quiet area, a kitchen nearby, family showers, a dryer, a playground within sight, a safe descent to the water, and lighting on the paths. Bring sleep masks and earplugs.
For adults/children, showers and sometimes laundry/drying. Popular beaches may have paid parking and a separate fee for using the kitchen.
Choose sheltered bays and campsites with covered areas (kitchen/recreation room/dryer). Plan short "windows" for the evening — that's often when the best light is available.
It depends on the campsite and the operator. It is more stable near towns. Keep a mobile backup and offline maps, especially on the northern side of the archipelago.
