Camping in Sweden – find your perfect match

Nature camping

With some 70 per cent of the country consisting of forestry, Sweden is ideal for camping, and it means that the majority of campsites in Sweden are in close contact with nature, many offering views to take your breath away. Even so, some are more “close to nature” than others. Here are three tips:

• Rafting, kayaking and husky trekking are just three of the many options you can choose to enjoy at Granö Beckasin, located on the picturesque Ume River’s edge in Västerbotten.
• If it’s being at one with nature, lake and mountain views to die for and all manner of outdoor activities you’re after, Kallsedets Fjällcenter in Jämtland is hard to beat.
• Set deep in the Värmland forest, when you pitch up at Glaskogen, not only are you guaranteed solitude and serenity, but your fee is used to help local conservation too.

Camping sites near water

When famed English poet Samuel Taylor Coleridge wrote “Water, water, everywhere” he could have been describing Sweden. With its numerous lakes and a coastline of some 3,200 kilometres, the country is studded with campsites to make the most of it. If your top priorities involve somewhere to swim or magnificent sea views, these three tips are hard to better.

• Lagunen in Bohuslän is a paradise for those who love to be beside the sea. Its wide range of accommodation options is matched by the extensive list of activities including hiking, kayaking, cycling, and of course, fishing.
• With a campsite, hotel, beautiful sandy beaches, small-town charm and two restaurants on the doorstep, Apelviken in Varberg, a 5-star site in Halland, offers a seaside destination to satisfy every taste.
• With room for cottages, camper vans and tents, some 30 kilometres north of Skellefteå and next to the river Byskeälven, Byske Havsbad has got you covered if you’re after fishing adventures, BMX trails or simply relaxing on the beach.

Family-friendly campsites

Always a popular holiday option, these days, family-friendly camping is better than ever. Many modernised campsites in Sweden have become full-blown resorts, some directly connected to water and adventure parks. Often easily accessible for those with prams, sites offer everything from gyms and restaurants to kids’ activities and watersports. Here are three good choices:

• Located on its own island in the heart of Blekinge’s archipelago, Dragsö Camping offers a wealth of activities for parents and kids alike, from mini golf and sport fishing to horse riding and even Pit Pat table golf.
• Daftö Resort in Bohuslän offers a pirate-themed holiday to remember for active types of all ages, with an adventure park, treasure hunts, pool parties and crab fishing to name just a few options.
• Forever associated with legendary author Astrid Lindgren, Vimmerby holds a special place in the hearts of Swedish children of all ages. Just a 10-minute drive from Astrid Lindgren’s World, onsite at Vimmerby Camping you’ll also find a pizza restaurant, and can hire kayaks, pedal boats, Stand Up Paddleboards (SUPs) and rowing boats.

Activity-specific campsites

Sweden’s size and nature means that those looking for a specific pastime during their camping holiday are well catered for. From niche activities such as diving and kitesurfing to more traditional hobbies like cycling and hiking, it’s not hard to find suitable campsites in Sweden to meet your expectations. Here are three examples:

• Adventurers of all ages have long been drawn to Borstahusen in Skåne, with its wide array of activities on land or in the water to choose from, including hiking, cycling and paddleboarding.
• For those who love being out on the water, the boutique Yxningens Camping site in Östergötland sits in a wonderful position on the shores of the lake, offering serenity when you want it and activities such as boat hire, canoeing and fishing.
• Överhörnäs Camping is an intimate 47-pitch, 9-cabin campsite on the river Moälven, near Örnsköldsvik, which makes it a perfect base for exploring the High Coast or enjoying its rowing, swimming and fishing opportunities.
  
  

A different kind of luxury camping

Tents and larger resort-type campsites in Sweden aren’t to everyone’s taste, but fortunately there are many other options available for camping in Sweden. “Vanlife”, where holidaymakers refit their vehicles to give them a little extra freedom, comfort and independence is a growing trend on the camping Sweden map.

If you prefer sites with just a few pitches, Acamp is worth checking out. As well as suggesting hidden gems, they also highlight sites tailored to people’s interests, ranging from craft beers to gourmet food and more.

• If fly fishing and seeing wild salmon jumping are on your camping holiday wish list, Brålands gård, a farm set on the bank of the river Örekil in Bohuslän, will probably fit your idea of paradise.
• Children love Väddö Gårdsmejeri At this ecological dairy farm, some 100 kilometres north of Stockholm, kids can pet the animals and see firsthand how the farmers milk the cows to make the delicious locally produced cheese and ice cream.
• With unparalleled views and nature’s serenity on your doorstep, Borgagården in Swedish Lapland encapsulates the beauty of camping in Sweden. Not to mention activities such as hiking, boating and even diving.

Wild camping/tent camping

Many, but not all, campsites in Sweden have pitches for tents. In contrast to other countries, Swedes often tend to associate camping in a tent to be something you do out in the nature rather than at an organised site. So, check in advance if you are travelling with your own tent.

Thanks to Sweden's Right of Public Access (Allemansrätten), you’re allowed to pitch your tent for a night or two in the countryside as long as you don’t disturb the landowner or damage the surrounding nature. But make sure you are aware of the rules that do exist before setting off or pitching your tent – nature reserves and national parks for example, usually need special camping permission. You’re not allowed to camp right at the water’s edge, and you must respect your surroundings at all times.

Winter camping

Camping may not be the first thing you’d associate with Sweden in the winter. However, it is becoming more and more popular. While the adventurous types like to brave it out in a tent, there are also plenty of other options, such as caravans, motorhomes and huts. Some 160 campsites in Sweden are open all year round. Many of them are located near ski resorts, including Kläppen Camping in Sälen and Bjursås Stugby Camping near Falun. For a full list of winter campsites, visit the SCR Swedish Camping or First Camp websites.

Campsites by region

If you have decided on a specific region where you would like to camp, you will find there is plenty of information and tips available. Here is a selection of regions, north to south, that have gathered together extensive camping options.

• Jämtland Härjedalen
• Dalarna
• Värmland
• West Sweden
• Småland
• Blekinge
• Skåne

With a huge number of campsites in Sweden to choose from, and the generous Right of Public Access to enhance your sense of freedom, wherever you are in the country, you will find somewhere to suit your needs.