If you are wondering how to park your motorhome for free when travelling in Norway, this article offers all the answers you are looking for.
When you think of Norway, the first images that come to mind are the raw, untouched beauty of its wondrous forests, grand creeks, beautiful landscapes, and spectacular northern lights. Travelling in your motorhome gives you the freedom to enjoy these beautiful sights at your own pace.
We spent 31 days exploring Norway having entered via Sweden into Oslo and eventually winding along the western coast and reach Nordkapp (at the time of writing we’re now in Santa Claus Village, Lapland!).
Hence if you are travelling across Norway in your motorhome, you can have the adventure of a lifetime while relishing the comfort of your home away from home.
Whether you are used to travelling in your motorhome or planning to cruise through Norway for the first time in your motorised vehicle, you may be wondering about some of the basic aspects associated with travelling.
One of these concerns is finding a parking place so that you have a comfortable and safe place to rest after a long and tiring day of driving and exploring. Free parking places can be useful in such cases, particularly if you are traveling on a budget and trying to curtail your expenses.
Can I Camp In The Wild In Norway?
Motorhomes offer the unique advantage of being able to travel anywhere, anytime you want. If you are on the road, you may need to park somewhere in the wild. In Norway, you can camp or stay anywhere in the wild, but this does not apply to motorised vehicles like camper vans or motorhomes.
The right to camp anywhere is based on the Norwegian Allemannsretten, the Everyman’s Right, which gives every individual the right to enjoy nature and the benefits of the land regardless of who owns the land. It was drafted under the Outdoor Recreation Act of 28th June 1957 on Outdoor Leisure activities.
However, it is important to note that this right applies to uncultivated land only and is not fenced in. The uncultivated land includes fields, gardens, or parking lots without fencing. If you want to camp next to a hut or a house, you must maintain a distance of at least 150 metres.
Moreover, you can camp on that land for a maximum of two days without permission, and if you want to put it up for a longer duration, you must seek the landowner’s permission. On the other hand, if you happen to be in a remote or mountainous area, you can stay as long as you like.
As suggested earlier, the Norwegian Allemannsretten is only for non-motorised travellers. You will need to park your motorhome on the roadside or pitches so they do not cause harm to nature and refrain from parking your vehicle where it might ruin the fields.
Finding Campsites In Norway
Norway has numerous lakes, forests, mountains, creeks, and waterfalls where you can park your motorhome and enjoy the beauty of nature. However, if you need assistance finding a safe but nice place to camp, you may find the park4night helpful. It can be useful in terms of finding good spots near you.
In Norway you may see motorhome parked around fuel and service stations, while these may be free it’s always courteous to at least use the shop for some fuel or to grab yourself a drink and snack. It’s also a chance to say hello and let the staff know who you are.
If you are travelling around a bigger city or municipality, please remember that they have restricted sites for motorhome parking, and you may have to find an unrestricted space.
That said, here are a few recommended spots around Norway where you can park your motorhome when travelling.
The Hardangerfjord has a summer ski centre. The mountain plateau has various rest areas. You can ski during the day, take a dip in the water, and rest well in your motorhome when you get tired at night.
Kinn is a beautiful town with a gorgeous beach, the Refviksanden. The area has various fishing spots and hiking trails. There is also a great photography spot, the Kannesteinen, a stone shaped by ice and water.
Øygarden is a town in Vestland County, located in the west of Bergen. It is a great spot if you are fond of the ocean or want to indulge in water sports. You can do free diving and paddling or simply lounge at the beach. There is also a small fishing village in the vicinity. You can do windsurfing or drive around to explore the area.
The Jotunheimen Mountains are a great place to take your motorhome if you are fond of hiking. You can explore the area in the daytime and use your motorhome as a base.
Alternatively, if you are looking for more recommendations for free parking in Norway, you can use campercontact. It can provide you with a list of various motorhome stopovers across Norway from which you can pick according to your travel itinerary.
