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TRAVEL Hints and Tips Post your TIPS to travellers - all the interesting little tidbits you learned on the road about packing, where to get stuff, and how to cope with problems. Please make sure the subject describes the tip clearly!
Photo by Daniel Rintz, Himba children, Namibia

The only impossible journey
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Photo by Daniel Rintz,
Himba children, Namibia



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  #1  
Old 26 Feb 2010
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Countries that allow free camping. Add those you know or search to find out!

I thought I would start a thread that would not ask a question, but rather invite members to add their knowledge.

Mods, or other users may have suggestions or ideas on how this might be organised but for thye meantime I will start off the thread:

Estonia - Free camping permitted:

Allows wild camping. As far as I know only on State land or in State forests (Riigimets). The Forestry Comission (RMK) also has free, decent campsites dotted around: usually with an "outhouse", some fire wood and perhaps even a grill. Usually in nice spots.

All land 6 metres from the sea is also legal public access. In other words I believe you can camp in a beach with in 6 metres of the Baltic (it's not tidal) even if some has a house right behind you. Although given the population and the amount of coast why would you want to?!?

Use tick repellent in prevalent months


Sweden - Free camping permitted:

You can camp anywhere as long as you don't camp within 30 metres of a house. Check the duration you are allowed to stay: if it's on private property I think you have to move on within a couple of days.

Use tick repellent in prevalent months.


Norway - Free camping permitted:

Same principles as Sweden, but check the particulars

Over to you: add those you know.
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  #2  
Old 28 Feb 2010
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What a brilliant thread!
I'm sorry I can't add to it but such a good idea.

Andy
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  #3  
Old 28 Feb 2010
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I think its better to point out the countries that DONT ALLOW camping.
Cause most of them allows it in this part of the world
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  #4  
Old 28 Feb 2010
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Denmark does not generally allow free camping.

However if you search the net for Freecamping in Denmark. You will find designated places that you are allowed to camp for free.

These places have been put forward by private individuals or in some cases councils who have provided places for free camping.

You cannot just put up a tent in a place that looks nice.

Steve
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  #5  
Old 1 Mar 2010
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In the USA you can legally free camp on Federal government land, (National Forest, Bureau of Land Management) of which there is quite a lot, as long as you are 100 meters or more from a road. Leaves the problem of where to put the bike, as it is illegal to leave the roads with a motor vehicle. In practice, it's easy to do in the mountain and desert areas of the west, less easy east of there.

This does not apply to National Parks, where you are legally required to use designated campgrounds. Yes, it's confusing. In practice, foreigners ignorant of the rules usually get the benefit of the doubt.

Texas, where I live, on the other hand, is one of the largest states yet has almost no public land.
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Old 1 Mar 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Warthog View Post
Estonia - Free camping permitted:

Allows wild camping. As far as I know only on State land or in State forests (Riigimets). The Forestry Comission (RMK) also has free, decent campsites dotted around: usually with an "outhouse", some fire wood and perhaps even a grill. Usually in nice spots.

All land 6 metres from the sea is also legal public access. In other words I believe you can camp in a beach with in 6 metres of the Baltic (it's not tidal) even if some has a house right behind you. Although given the population and the amount of coast why would you want to?!?

Use tick repellent in prevalent months

Anybody knows about the Rest of the Baltics, i.e. Latvia, Lithuania and maybe Kaliningrad?
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  #7  
Old 1 Mar 2010
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Russia
Free camping anywhere.

Everyone says it is OK and it happens. I am unclear if there is a positive rule allowing this or it is by default of there being no prohibition.

Kaliningrad is Russia. Nothing is different there from the rest of Russia - except it is not 'joined-up'. (Like Alaska to USA - or the Isle of Wight and Northern Ireland to Great Britain)

Update:
Only positive prohibition is on Church land, private gardens, etc and in water collection/reservoir areas for towns. These reservoir areas are usually sign posted.

For security purposes best not to be within sight of roads. Bears are another matter!

Last edited by Tony P; 1 Mar 2010 at 11:32. Reason: Update:
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Old 1 Mar 2010
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Warthog this is a brilliant idea!

Scotland
- free camping permitted
Make sure not to camp on private property without asking for permission.
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  #9  
Old 13 Apr 2010
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Anyone know if free camping is permitted in:
France
Holland
Germany
Poland
Cech (sp) Repulic
Ukraine
Austria
???

ta

p.s.
England and Wales is not good for free camping, but its always worth asking the farmer if you find a nice field - at worst they'll say no.
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Old 13 Apr 2010
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Originally Posted by riti View Post
Anyone know if free camping is permitted in:
Germany
Yes I know and the answer is no, it's not.

Unfortunatly...
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Old 13 Apr 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by buebo View Post
Yes I know and the answer is no, it's not.

Unfortunatly...
dammit - and thanks
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  #12  
Old 18 Apr 2010
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In france, a difference is made between "bivouac" (light camping for a night or something) and camping (heavy thing, with twenty of your friends, drinking around a barbecue with a mobile home...). The latter is forbiden, not the former.
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Old 19 Apr 2010
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(Free) Camping

Japan

Lots of camp-sites available. Fees range from free to something like $30 a night!

Very clean, shower, laundry etc. in general available. Cheapest camp grounds so far on Hokkaido (free or $2 to $5).
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  #14  
Old 19 Apr 2010
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Free camping in scotland is not really permitted, its more of a case of not getting found.
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  #15  
Old 24 Apr 2010
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Quote:
Originally Posted by klaus View Post
Japan

Lots of camp-sites available. Fees range from free to something like $30 a night!

Very clean, shower, laundry etc. in general available. Cheapest camp grounds so far on Hokkaido (free or $2 to $5).
Hi Klaus,
'
Thanks for the input on this thread. However, can you also advise members if "free" or "wild" camping is permitted in Japan?

Thanks!
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