Tips for Wild Camping/Bush Camping in Finland and Europe

Not feeling the vibe of hanging out at a campsite on your van life trip, but unsure where to stay instead?

Wild camping (or "bush camping") is a great alternative! In the wild, you get peace and privacy without worrying about noisy neighbors or check-in times.

Another perk of wild camping is that it's free—though, of course, it comes without amenities like electricity or showers. But often, the views and tranquility more than make up for the lack of infrastructure. And you can always find a nearby lake for a refreshing dip, and if your fridge starts to defrost, why not have a big feast for the evening?

Where can you find good wild camping spots? Is the experience the same in Finland and the rest of Europe? What should you consider when wild camping? This guide covers the ABCs of wild camping.

What Is Wild Camping?

Wild camping essentially refers to any overnight parking spot that is not an official campsite or RV park. These spots can be roadside laybys, lake shores, forest roads, hiking trail parking lots, or even national park car parks.

Why Wild Camp?

Wild camping is easy, practical, and often quieter than a crowded campsite. Instead of noisy neighbors in Crocs singing karaoke, you get nature’s insects as your only company.

In over a decade of van life, we've stayed at campsites so few times that we could count them on two hands. So yes—wild camping is the go-to choice for all introverted nature lovers!

Finding Good Wild Camping Spots

When we started our van life journey, we initially traveled with a van-and-trailer combo, which was the most challenging setup for wild camping due to its size and lack of maneuverability. Back then, over 10 years ago, GPS navigation wasn't as advanced, so we mostly relied on paper maps to plan our routes.

We often found great spots by chance or intuition, usually by water: beaches, small lakesides, harbor areas, guest marinas, and boat ramps were reliable options.

Sports field parking lots were also common overnight stops, as well as hiking areas and national park car parks—perfect for waking up and heading straight onto the trails!

A general rule of thumb: the larger the lake, the more developed the shoreline. Smaller bodies of water often offered better chances for finding a quiet, hidden spot.

Since then, we've traveled with a motorhome and now with a camper van. When setting off without a fixed plan, we usually try our luck at beaches, boat ramps, and river rapids. A camper van is compact enough to fit almost anywhere.

Rules and Considerations for Wild Camping

Over the years, more "no camping" signs have popped up at popular beach parking lots. If a place explicitly prohibits overnight stays, it's best to respect the rules. However, plenty of fantastic spots are still available—some even offer amenities like outhouses and fire pits!

Pro tip: If you're struggling to find a spot, try looking near churches or cemeteries. There's almost always a quiet parking area, and the company is guaranteed to be peaceful!

If you're not keen on searching for a spot blindly, the Park4Night app is a helpful tool. You can download it for free, and by signing up, you gain access to even more camping locations. The basic version has worked well for us so far!

The app works both with and without location services. You can search for user-recommended wild camping and campsite spots near your current location or focus on a specific area or city.

While we haven't used Park4Night much in Finland, we relied heavily on it during our summer 2024 European road trip.

In countries like Germany, Italy, Sweden, and Switzerland, the same rules applied: the best wild camping spots were often near water, sports fields, jogging trails, or rest areas. We never felt unsafe anywhere, though we always chose locations away from busy areas. In short: wild camping is absolutely possible beyond Finland!

Best and Worst Places for Wild Camping

Norway: Hands down the easiest place to find wild camping spots! Maybe we were just lucky, or maybe the stunning landscapes made us less picky—but Norway is definitely a wild camping paradise.

Hanko, Finland: Surprisingly, one of the most difficult places for us to find a spot. We've always ended up relying on tips from fellow campers since previous spots quickly get discovered by others.

Wild Camping Etiquette: Leave No Trace!

One of the biggest downsides of wild camping is finding trash left behind by previous visitors. In some places, camping has been banned due to littering, which is incredibly frustrating.

• If you can carry stuff into nature, you can carry it back out!
• Consider cleaning up after others to keep spots accessible for future campers.
• Avoid parking too close to private properties or homes.
• Observe the atmosphere: does the spot feel safe? Is it peaceful or noisy? Do cars race around at night? Trust your gut feeling.
• Never empty grey water tanks into nature. Take trash to designated waste disposal points.
• Do not leave toilet paper in the wild—pack it out properly.
• Respect local wildlife, nesting birds, and protected areas.
• Follow fire restrictions and avoid making fires during dry seasons.

Got questions about wild camping? Ask away, and we’ll be happy to help!