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.

What a brilliant thread!
I'm sorry I can't add to it but such a good idea.

Andy

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:cool4:

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

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.

Anybody knows about the Rest of the Baltics, i.e. Latvia, Lithuania and maybe Kaliningrad?

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!

Warthog this is a brilliant idea!

Scotland - free camping permitted
Make sure not to camp on private property without asking for permission.

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.

Yes I know and the answer is no, it's not.

Unfortunatly...

dammit - and thanks

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 beer around a barbecue with a mobile home...). The latter is forbiden, not the former.

(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).

Free camping in scotland is not really permitted, its more of a case of not getting found.

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!:thumbup1:

POLAND:

NO free camping, or at least according to one source, the land owner's permission is needed, which effectively means the same thing, unless you are staring at a farmer's field and you know where the farmhouse is...

However, plenty to choose from for average € rates:

Regular Campsites

Pseudo-wild camping

'Stans
 

We free camped in:

Kazakhstan
Tajikistan
Kyrgyzstan

Also in

Romania

In all these places use common sense, don't camp in someones garden, and if you see locals near by ask them. They will more than likely bring you out some tea and bread in the 'Stans. In fact in the 'Stans free camping is more or less encouraged!

The little corner of China (KKH) we visited free camping was positively discouraged, either being told it was not possible, or someone from somewhere appearing to charge you!

In Iran the situation is not 100% clear, but the Iranians camp anywhere, including city centers, in the centre of main roads etc. We were told in Tabriz, by the government sponsored, yet friendly tourist agent (You will find his name in the lonely planet) that free camping is fine, and we did plenty, but it is such a place of contradictions that it is worth being extra sensible.

Hi Oliver,

We can add the following to the countries we free camped:

Russia, we were moved on just once in a very gentle fashion by a 15 tonne hydraulic excavator though, he happened to need to dig a hole just where we were camped for the evening, he did allow us to finish breakfast so was not too difficult,
Uzbekistan,
South Korea.

Scotland is another with the usual rules.

Australia / Timor
 

East Coast of Australia is good for free Camps and across to Darwin. There is a book available called Camps Australia great for free camps info and charges / costs in ones you have to pay for. But they have very little information on capitol cities camping or parks .. I have found so far Timor is free I just ask and often the people will even feed you !!! very relaxed:thumbup1:

Hard to say really. I wouldn't say that it's legally permitted BUT I wouldn't worry. Go for it - just watch that you're not in somebody's private field. Other than that I don't think the police or anybody else for that matter would bother you - unless as I mentioned above somebody phoned for them because you're on their land. Also don't pitch your tent in the middle of a public park in city centre and you'll be fine:)

To sum up - in my opinion it's easy to free camp in Poland with no adverse result as long as you do it with some sense.

Nice Thread!
Stay safe and if you have any questions about riding / camping in Poland give us a shout!
Andy

Belgium not permited - just don't get caught.....

Hi all
from uk to india we have free camped every where with no problems. We free camp until somebody says no. Being friendly combined with comon sense has worked wonders for us. More often than not when it has been on private land we have been invited by the owners in for tea and to meet the family resulting in some fantatic experieces.

Im usually more concerned with saftey and and the best view rather than somebody kicking us off. I ow of one van that was swept away by flash floods this year! If they ask us to leave we leave the same as in the uk. Not always easy to find the land owner but if their unhappy for you to be there,they'll find you and tell you so.

I think the hardest thing about this style of travelling is to try and relax and get the notion that somebody is not always after something or has a problem with what you are doing, most of thew time they are just intrigued.
all the best Mark:biggrin3:

In Malaysia, there are no such specific camping sites designate for campers though much of the tourist areas such as beaches and parks do have spaces for camping. So long you dont pitch up camping in somebody private compound I think you are OK. There are cases where bikers pitch up camp at the end most secondary road isolated; nobody care a hood! The best bet is to camp in a Police station and perhaps temples and mosque compounds. Yes, they will say this and that, with abit of sad faces they eventually allow. The trick is, show your best sad face and most Malaysian will get soft.

In Syria the immigration official told me 'Syria is a giant campsite' and he was right.

Kazakhstan, very easy and people bring food out.

Turkey, not sure if its legal, but any local will let you can and feed you.

Turkmenistan, 100% no problem, the easiest camping country.

I'll let you camp in my mama's garden for free in Denmark! She's a tough viking and she'll let you borrow the bathroom for sure. Plan on drinking beer and red wine with her - she's drinks like a fishbeerchug

In New Zealand a general rule is its legally ok unless there's a sign saying you can't. Some local government rules are different, (eg. West Coast, South Island allow free camping if it's more than 5km from an offical camping ground) mostly due to the thousands of bacpackers in old vans shitting on the beaches and behind the bushes. There's a volunteers group near Queenstown, one of the most popular places for tourists, that goes out every day to shovel up what the dirty bastards leave behind. USE A PLASTIC BAG! That's what I do. It works well, you can easily crap into the bag in your tent. If it's good enough for me when the dog takes a dump, it's good enough for a person, right?

Cheers

Nigel in NZ

Free camping in scotland is permitted, im positive. I read that they had brought in a law that you can camp for free. Search 'wild camping in scotland'.

France im not sure but, really, in france no one will bother you unless your on the side of the road or in some ones garden. In france your legally allowed to camp on the river side. But im not sure if its legal elsewhere.

in England it is not legal to wild camp.

Indonesia
 

I have now traveled most of Indonesia and free camping is fine if you can find somewhere where there are no people Flores Lombok and Sulawesi great but forget Bali Java. I am about to find out about Sumatra.:rain:

Romania - Free camping on every side exept for the private properties

:offtopic: With all those gun toutting cowboys would anyone really want to risk camping on private land in Texas, if nothing but for the fear of being shot.

:funmeterno: Same goes for asking for help, you're better of not going onto private land unless you have a bullet-proof vest or a death wish.

Hungary: Wild camping is allowed. Easiest thing is to ask locals to pitch in their gardens.. most of them are really helpful. Sometimes you will be offered a spare bed too, especially when it's cold outside or raining.

We just did a three week trip around Europe with a landcruiser and roof tent. Tried to freecamp as much as poss-harder than it sounds!
France- easy to freecamp at the Aires on the toll motorways - we did this twice, no probs.
Switzerland- freecamped near Feischalp, there are houses everywhere, hard to get away.

Italy - free camped in a car park with some Mohos, and another time in a quarry or something beside a dam (hidden from the road on a Forest road), oh and another time in the dolomites in this huge carpark up a side valley - we put our tent up during the day to dry it and no-one battered an eyelid, so we stayed the night.

Slovenia-not as easy as we thought it would be - there are quite a few signs etc. We camped high up the side of a valley above Bovec, amazing view!! There was even a Porto-a-loo. Didn't try anywhere else.

We are heading down through Middle east and then east coast of Africa next year so def keen to hear about free camping on the way, particularly gps co-ords!!

Great thread, thanks!!

India Have camped in the great thar desert and other national parks (make sure they're not tiger sanctuarys )
Don't know if its allowed, even if it was, you would probably still get fined (baksheesh )

Anyone knows about freecamping in Portugal and Spain?
And how about Andorra?

Niklas

Spain is a no go free camping thing

The Netherlands is definately a no go for free camping. Police will sure find you and fine you.........:nono:

Lots of places to "Camp Free in BC" (in fact a book by that "title") ...Terrific twisties too !

Just to clarify, wild camping in Scotland has been legal since 2003 (and was generally tolerated before that).

From the Scottish Outdoor Access Code

Unfortunately I can also confirm it is illegal in the rest of the United Kingdom. As mentioned before it is generally accepted in upland and mountain regions but this usually means well away from the beaten track (not helpfull if on a bike).

In England and Wales there are a number of unsurfaced roads, shown on Ordnance Survey Maps and known as Byways, or more correctly Byways Open to All Traffic (usually abreviated to BOAT) as well as Unclassified County Roads (Usually marked on OS Maps as ORPA - Other Route with Public Access) these do open up the potential for camping away from civilisation but at the "road side", so quite legal to arrive by motor vehicle.

These routes can be found on TrailWise - The National Catalogue of Rights of Way with additional access information.

As mentioned this is not legal but if you stick to a policy of "arrive late, leave early" and avoid camping near properties you are usually OK. Just don't tell anyone I told you it was OK :whistling:

It's a policy I have used several times sleeping in my Land Rover (OK a lot more "covert" than pitching a tent) but it is an option.

Hope that helps.

Oh yes I forgot to mention the standard "excuse"

"i'm sorry I had to pitch my tent here but I broke down yesterday and it got too dark to fix the bike"

Then fiddle with the electrics under the seat (or bonnet/hood) for a couple of minutes and then pronouce the problem solved, pack up and get on your way.

It does work... honest! :innocent:

Anyone know about Serbia, Montenegro, Bosnia and Croatia?

IRELAND:

Most land is privately or government owned -what else is there?

Camping on private land is not allowed, but if you ask permission you will probably get it -if you can find the owner.

Camping on public land/forests is not usually allowed but the chances of being caught are small as long as you are only staying a night (or two).

In less popular areas you will be OK, but generally if there are tents, you're OK, if there aren't use your judgement.

As a foreigner, pleading ignorance should work!

Maybe this should be a new thread..

n48.43740 w001.32.16

This is an excellent free campsite, along the A84 TOWARDS Caen.

I have started to list some of my spots, but as i know where they are it did not seem necessary..

the rule, be innocuous and remove all your litter to the bins.

would be nice to have a list of campsites and their approximate positions.

Thailand and Malaysia
 

Malaysia is easy places everywhere to camp and no hassles, Northern Thailand was easy but suggest the border areas you ask at the Army checkpoints as they have toilet facilities and they enjoy the company very hospitable and friendly guys ..... they must be bored to death just sitting all the time.
:welcome::scooter:

Can't speak about The Netherlands but Spain is definitely OK for free camping - despite considerble differences of opinion - already in evidence on this great thread!

Free camping is essentailly legal in Spain, as long as it's for one night, i.e. you pitch in the evening and you move on in the morning - it should really be in the sense or spirit of 'bivouac' as mentioned earlier. But this is subject to numerous local restrictions, which is one reason for the controversy I guess.

Another reason is that the various police forces do check up on people free camping for various reason, mainly security of rural properties and in the case of the Basque Country and Navarre where security is tight due to the (ongoing) ETA terrost issue. Nobody likes to be woken up at the end of a Guardia Civil gun barrel, like we used to hear about during the Franco period (1939-75 - a bit before my time, but only a little bit!), but I can't imagine that happening now.

I've long wondered that part of the misunderstanding is if the police use the term "mañana por la mañana" as mañana means both 'tomorrow' and 'morning', so people who don't speak more than rudementary Spanish will misinterpret the strength of the emphasis.

The issue is complicated - so much so that I've devoted a specific page to it on my Spain blog/guide!

Can't speak for Andorra though, it's never occured to me before, but I'll find out next time I'm there - I live about 70k away - aren't I lucky!

Enjoy

Simon

:Beach:

POLAND: you can camp wherewer you want (but polish people never do that, they will think you are little odd) except private grounds, like farmer's field. Any marked parking site by the road you can use as campsite if you want (i'm from poland and personally i don't think it's a very safe option to camp wild in remote places)
And remember: it's not allowed to drive in the forests, except the marked road to the village or town. generally dont drive forest roads - you will pay fine.

I never realised that was possible in Poland. Maybe it isn't common but it is quite nice to know that there is the possibility.

Hi,

We did wildcamping all the way down from Croatia to Greece. Dont know if it was legal but it was no problem:

Motorradtour durch Slowenien, Kroatien, Bosnien, Montenegro und Albanien nach Griechenland

and all up the afircan westcoast from south africa to marokko as well but in some places its saver if you ask the oldest man in a local village if you are allowed to pich your tent beside his house. Then you are his guest and nobody will bother you...

Riding the rough west coast through Africa part 3


In germany i see a lot of polish people sleep in there PL cars while they are here to work during summer. I would have done the same...

LG, Tobi

What ever has been said before about camping in Scotland and how it is tolerated and you have free access to go camping, if you do not get the permission of the landowner to camp you are committing an offence under the Trespass Scotland Act of 1865 (yes it is still used), Sec 3 states;

3 Parties lodging in premises or encamping on land, without permission, guilty of an offence.Every person who lodges in any premises, or occupies or encamps on any land, being private property, without the consent and permission of the owner or legal occupier of such premises or land, and every person who encamps or lights a fire on or near any . . . F3 road or enclosed or cultivated land, or in or near any plantation, without the consent and permission of the owner or legal occupier of such road, land, or plantation . . . shall be guilty of an offence punishable as herein-after provided.

Decent campers are asked to move on, drunk idiots with a disposable BBQ burning holes in the grass and leaving litter can be arrested.

So it is best to ask first. Many areas have clamped down such as round Loch Lomond because of the amount of litter and damage done. I would not recommend it in either of the National Parks, though in the Cairngorms, like much of the Highlands you are unlikely to be found if you are sensible.

I have never had any issues camping in Scotland. If possible I have asked and have yet to be turned down. I have been moved on once, but was given a recommendation of somewhere else to go, which we did and had no problems. Once we had a huge spotlight shone on us and then the farmer disappeared. The next day we saw him heading back with his 4x4 with its big spotlight on the roof. He will have found the site totally undisturbed as we even put a broken down gate back in its imprint in the grass when we left.

Oman
 

Oman
No problems camping anywhere out of town/countryside.

Not sure it would go down pitching a tent in the middle of the city.... only recently have protesters dared to this.

You will not camp here (unless up in the mountains) from Apr-Sep - unless 30c+ nighttime heat is your idea of comfortable weather.

Desert/Rough tracks places are the best. Expect locals to show up and either invite you over to tea, or to try some of your food.

What about the netherlands? Or did I skip it on this thread? Want to camp at a lonesome beach in the netherlands, but don't know if this is legal.

Bush camp The Netherlands
 

Hey Marco,

It's not allowed to do any bush camp in The Netherlands. The fins are pretty high and you have to move immediately, even in the middle of the night.

Cheers

Jordan.

Towns and cities are an absolute no no, The Police will NOT permit tents at sensitive points, looks far to political and gives reminders of Tahrir square in Egypt. Why would you want to as well?

However, this is the home of the Bedouin and they camp all over the country.

We wild camp in the desert with no problems, keep low key and stay out of sight.

It is quite likely that you will be checked out by the locals. It may look like wilderness but ALL the desert is owned by one tribe or another and if approached be very polite, keep smiling and leave the next day.

People wild camp when backpacking across the wadi's as well.

Water is very precious here and all dams etc are fenced off and camping any where near them is not allowed.

You cannot camp in any of the national reserves except at designated camp sites.

I have seen some people wild camping at the dead sea shore, but I would suggest moving well away from the North End to as remote a spot as you can find, if not you will be constantly pestered by quite aggressive sellers.

Alan L.

Well, I did ask about camping in Andorra back in July, but forgot all about in during the following four weeks touring the whole north of Spain!

Accordimg to the friendly guy in BMWMotorrad Andorra camoing is prohibited in forests and above 2,000 meters. And as alll the rest of Andorra is made up of supermarkets that effectively rules out free camping there.

Note also that the mountain passes into Spain are intensively patrolled by the Aduanos (Customs) branch of Guardia Civil. I guess this applies to the French pases too.

On the whole Andorra is a waste of time for biking. OK the shops are great - if you're not looking for anything specific you can pick up some amazing bargains, especially off-road clothing. But remeber to factor in long queus at the fronteers, at least on the Spanish side, where every car is stopped and at least cursorily examined!

Great thread!

Simon

Scotland
 

Walking Scotland - Wild Camping in Scotland, UK

Official Scottish Tourist Site. Common sense is what is required.

BULGARIA
wild camping is ok, just keep an eye on you belongings if you are close to a village (gypsies are ruthless here)

Germany??
 

I've been to the Nurburgring many times around various events and people camp wherever they feel like it, edge off the woods, grass verges, all seems fair game, and the authorities don't seem bothered.

The Netherlands really sucks for camping. I tried it a couple of times and got away with it, but had to sleep in way more of aa public place then I wanted.

Greece free camping....
 

GREECE.

You can camping free in Greece...

:palm:Beach camping its ok!

In private properties you may ask the owner for a permission....

Police dont give any attention in free camping....(this is a job of the Tourist Police in Greece and they dont count a lot of officers,they are only a few....).
So you CAN camping in the most beautiful beaches:Beach: of the world and enjoy magic and romantic sunsets for FREE....:thumbup1:

Free camping is permitted in Scotland. England and Wales its illegal but I have camped wild in England and I guess if you don't get caught your all right. Or just ask the land owner.
See link : http://www.mcofs.org.uk/assets/pdfs/wildcamping.pdf
Campsite-Wildcamping

Part of my family have lived in France for 20 years and they have always said when I ask them about wild camping in France, "no one will bother you".
Not sure on the law but I have done wild camping there and no one bothered me.
They said also you have a right to free camp next to any river side.
I've done this also. No problems.

Thing is if you pick your spot right, don't scream like a baboon on mad dog, pitch at dusk and put away at dawn your most likey will be ok.

Morocco, Mexico and Guatemala
 

You can camp pretty much anywhere in Morocco outside of the cities. Camped on beaches etc. and nobody ever said a word.
Mexico is pretty easy to camp where ever you like. If the police come, and they might, and they ask what you are doing......just say sleeping. Never a problem from them with this reply. Stayed one time in a campsite in the middle of Mexico City, though I doubt it still exists.
Guatemala is pretty open, never had a problem from anybody there.
Of course there are wild animals in Central America, so be careful.
David in Santa Monica

Wild camping is free and allowed on public land in Bosnia, Serbia and Montenegro (I am from Bosnia). Police may get curious about you if they see you and just come to check your papers, but they won't make problems.

Croatia has explicit forbid policy on wild camping and officials can be a real pain in the a**. Tourism is a major economics branch in Croatia and they feel like you robbed them if you do wild camping. Also, in the southern part, they are very afraid of bushfires started by irresponsible campers or backpackers, so open flame in a forest is strictly forbidden.

Having said all that, if you are citizen of western europe and behave nicely, police will be more lenient with you, because Croatia is trying to become part of EU, so they shut one eye for offences commited by tourists from EU :) .

If any of you travel to Bosnia or Serbia, feel free to contact me if you need any help. My email is:

I beeg to differ there are LOADS of free camp spaces, if camping wild, just ask a farmer if you can spend a night in a corner of his olive grove, never been refused yet, or just head for a forest and camp. as long as you dont light fires your OK, FIRES are a NO NO.unless there are specific fire pits, and never from may to september usually

Germany
 

I know that Germany has the most laws on the planet but I have found that the smaller the village the fewer police and enforcement. I spent a few years there in the military. I was flat broke 90% of the time an camping was one of the things we did for entertainment. If you just throw up a tent someplace that looks like no where you are sure to have someone hassle you. If you ride into a small village and ask a farmer to camp chances are pretty good that he will let you. Keep in mind that Germans are very proud people and saying that you thought he had an amazing view of the world from his beautiful farm and wondered if you might be able to enjoy the view for an evening goes a long way. If you pull up on a $20k bike with no muffler and say "Hey Gramps I wanna pitch a tent on your cow pile" You will most likely find that he has a 12 gauge and his first cousin is the Chief of Police. I think it is all about attitude. I wish I spoke more French because they same to be the same way at least all around the Strassbourg area. Thankfully most speak a bit of English or German.

does anyone know if Finland is Ok for free camping? especially in the north?

Hi Svestenik...what about the leftovers of the war in Bosnia, Croatia etc. I will be going through these countries on my way back from Turkey and wonder if it is safe to camp just anywhere in the wild (landmines etc). Cheers, Rob.

Y´all, here´s a stupid question:
Approaching the farmer to ask to stay on his ground for a night - o.k.
But what do you tell the farmer if he asks you where you transport your portable toilet on the bike? I´d imagine farmers hate folks relieving themselves (even using a shovel) on their ground, don´t they?

Another comment on free camping in Germany: Whilst it is illegal, there´s IMHO no substantial risk if you stay out of sight - there´s still lots of next-to-none populated area left in Germany and the cops have other things to do then to check for a couple of bikers who don´t throw litter around and don´t burn a hole in the ground with their instant bbq. In any case I would not expect to be fined (or just a nominal fine, if all goes wrong such as e.g. 20 Euros, not like half your salary in the Netherlands ;-) Pain in the back are probably the dog owners only. One can´t go anywhere in Germany without having a "Come doggy doggy sweet doggy doggy nice poop doggy doggy" drive up with his SUV and walk his dogs at 6 a.m..

Thanks, cheers
Chris

I think you can make a list of countries where free camping is allowed or not but...
...as long as you're not getting caught or seen it really doesn't matter
...as long as the police that checks you out is corrupted it really doesn't matter
...as long as you attract the wrong people it really doesn't matter

But a list is nice to give you some peace of mind...maybe.
If you have the guts do it and always clean up afterwards.

Canada
 

As you would expect Canada has so much land that it wouldn't be hard to camp on crown land without being notice. Two warnings, be aware of when hunting seasons are and never camp on native (North American Indian) land unless you have asked permission first.

Chile: We camped a lot there. Never asked if it was ok and not had any problem. The Route 5 north of Santiago all the way to Peru is pretty quiet so find a side road and a quite place and you are good.
We also camped in 2 organised camping.
1 luxurious one were we paid something like £40 for 2 people for 1 night.
1 basic one in a national reserve and no 1 person there. So we stayed the night and left and it was free. yeah!!!

Peru: Camped a few times and it was no problem either. Again, we did not ask. Just found a quiet spot and stayed.

Bolivia: A bit harder to find a quite spot so we struggled a little more to camp

Argentina: All the land seem to be cultivated. Think Europe. So with all the lands being private and fenced, we didn't manage to camp much. Was a bit frustrating.

:offtopic: Just had a very stupid or very bright idea:

Would you place some sort of pole with a white flag (maybe just a tee-shirt) attached to it to show that you are here "in peace"?

Could it be useful or over the top?

Anyone tried that before?

Sweden (I'm told by my mate who lives there) by law allows you to camp anywhere - something like not in somebodies driveway and something like 150 metres away from houses if possible etc

Sorry for late answer, but better late than never... Haven't seen the question.

Depends on the route you will be taking. There are still some rural and remote areas that have active minefields. Best if you ask locals at the location that you will be sleeping. Or, send me your e-mail, I can send you UN minefield map.

Austria
 

Hey, anyone know if your allowed to free camp in Austria?

Heading out there next month and was manly looking at staying on camp sites but handy to know if you can free camp when travelling around.

3 months free camping
 

Hi all. Wife and I just back after 3 months trip all around Europe (slovenia, croacia incl.) and camped for free every night. Never had a single problem. Find your spot when its getting dark and dont hang around when entering. Just enter woods, field, path quickly and pitch. As far away from cities, towns , villages....People... as possible, and dont get paranoia went it starts getting dark. loads of noises from all kinds off inofensive animals. Enjoy (PS we always have a baseball bat close by cause sometimes the noises stir your imagination no matter how you try to be a rationally thinking, experienced traveller.A dozen beers calm you down but ends up very expensive. cheers, Burro and Lola

I suppose free legal camping in n Ireland is very limited but if anybody wants free camping near Bangor n Ireland you can on my three acres..definitely no charge provided I can join at least one piss up

Holland
 

No :nono:

Almost everything is forbidden here...

Australia: Camp almost anywhere!
 

Australia: Camp almost anywhere!

Once upon a time a friend and I drove across the Barkley Hwy from Darwin to Brisbane we had managed some 1400 K's on the day in a nice old Datsun 1600. Exhausted we pulled up in a small town called Camooweal to camp the night. There was a camping ground we pulled in and the fee was $2, the attendant said, just find a piece of grass no worries. Circling in the dark we found some grass, pitched the tend and promptly crashed out. During the night the I kept being woken by trucks passing, though nothing of it. Daybreak I stuck my head out of the tent and to my horror, we had diven round and round looking for grass, the camping ground had not a single blade but the median strip was lush!

I lived in a tent for a period of a year or so and doing as you describe, I once woke up because a cow was tearing apart my humble "home".
:oops2:

So check out the area you choose first. Also make sure you're not on a peninsula waking up seperated from land caused by tide as I also experienced once.
:rofl:

Ive been wild camping/working in Brisbane City Australia in a clapped out campervan for the last 8 months.
Just being sensible dont leave any mess or party to hard,

but I was at my favorite spot on Good Friday an had a knock on the door at 11pm apparently its illegal!!! the council said they could issue a 500$ fine but just asked me to go to Ipswich borough 20mins down the road haha they could of told me 8 months ago haha

I just camp in the back of my ute pretty much anywhere off a busy/rarely frequented road, not too hard to find at all in Australia. Once I even slept in the back of my ute outside a small town police station :)

Camping in Bosnia
 

We camped in Bosnia many times on the river banks, with no problem.
Don't camp in somebody's garden or field without permission. Use common sense, if you see someone, ask. Police isn't about to bother you.

Camping in Bosnia
 

For sure, best way is to ask locals. Mine fields are usually marked but there's no rule. There's plenty of safe and beautiful land here.

This subject seems to arise quite frequently, especially during the "riding season" for Europe.
There is a thread linked below that gives a good review of the issues associated with landmines in that part of the planet:-
http://www.horizonsunlimited.com/hub...-croatia-69589


Regarding the general theme of this thread, I find it confusing - the title is for a list of countries that permit "free camping"; for some this means permitted by law, local or national; for others it probably means tent-camping with the permission of the land owner, gratis; for others it means "sneaking" into a camp location at last light and getting out of there in the morning before being spotted, or causing a runction with the local population. For yet others, it means parking up a vehicle on the side of the highway, or off the highway or somewhere in between such defined land spaces (legal definitions of highways, surprise, surprise, vary around the world).

Norway
 

Without seeking consent, in Norway you can pitch a tent for two consequtive days (longer in the boonies away from populations) anywhere (both private and public property) as long as:

• You are more than 150 meters away from an occupied house/cabin
• You are not a nuiance to the property owner or other people that use it
• It is not a camp site (business)
• In areas and times where hunting of wild deer is going on
• Not in courtyards, driveways, etc
• Not in gardens/house properties - the area arround the house that would disturb privacy
• Not in farmed fields and other fields used for farming
• Not in planted forrest plots
• Not in industrial areas, public areas, or other areas where you will be a pain in the ass
• Not in smaller fenced in plots or smaller plots within farmed fields

Just use common sense... and leave it as you found it, preferably better. Take more trash with you when you leave than you brought in is a nice gesture.

In Oz we have this Public Service promo which says "Stop, Revive, Survive".

We even have Driver Reviver stations along major highways where you can get a free coffee and cake from a Rotary (or other charity) caravan.

So - after you have selected a nice, quiet, off road spot, IF the council ranger or police come along and tell you to move, just say to them that you are dead tired, feeling sick and have ridden 10 hours that day, and promise to be gone first thing in the morning... and they usually let you stay.
If you have been drinking alcohol, they can't force you to ride/drive jeiger bier

Another alternative in small country towns is to find out from the local publican who is responsible for the Community Hall, and can he ask them if you could camp one night in the grounds. I've only even been refused once - and most times the caretaker will unlock the outside dunny for me.

Great post
 

Thanks for starting this post.

Honduras and Nicaragua camping cost around $3 to $6 in National parks.

Moaref

Mexoco, CA, SA
 

What about Mexico, CA, SA

In the real world - the driver reviver stations only operate during major holiday exodus days.
Some shire council areas DO have blanket bans on any form of free camping anywhere within shire boundaries and some DO enforce it.
A ranger can't force you to move whether drunk or just pretending or stubborn, BUT he can and will issue a ticket which in some places reach 500 dollars. Being pissed or tired is your problem, issuing tickets to undesirables is his. However, on the RV forums the question is occasionally asked whether anyone has reports of actual fines being issued and I think the answer has so far always been 'no'. Backpackers in old whizzzzzBANGs and wicked vans are a real problem in some of the more iconic areas and they are the direct reason for more and more areas being closed to responsible self-contained free-campers (or should that be free-loaders?). On the other side of the argument there are RV groups making a lot of headway in getting towns to recognise that RVers can contribute a lot to the economy of their area - but the resulting overnight stay areas are generally for self contained vehicles.

That said, we have overnighted in more than 20 countries, including in the middle of big cities over a period of 7 years full-timing and in countries where is is said to be totally banned and only twice been moved on - from a fishing reserve in Montana by a ranger doing his job in response to a complaint by a nosey local and a carpark in Morocco by a trio of freelance police working for the local RV park.

There are too many variables, both in attitudes of the governments, police, council rangers, locals AND the traveller for a list such as this to be of much use.

Does his still hold true? I'm planning on going next Summer and it would be useful to know.

In Lithuania there is places where you can stay without paying money. (But there are no guarantee for motorcycles, that's the main point)

campinmygarden
 

Hi all,

Not sure whether this has been suggested before, but it's possible to camp for (almost) free using campinmygarden. A sort of couchsurfing in someone's garden with lots of members in Western Europe.

http://www.geehurkmans.com/blogs/cimg.jpg

Anyway, you're more than welcome to put up your tent in mine.

Happy travels,

Gee

There was a free booklet pdf on live with that on for Scotland
but found this may be of use for some although if every one goes to these spots hardly wild!
Wild camping spots in Scotland | The List

Family Safari
 

I love this thread.It is very helpful for me.I am going for a safari tour in kenya.So I want to know that free camping in kenya is allowed or not.

South Korea

just rode round the whole of south korea, wild camp literally anywhere, but best places are beaches, by lakes and rivers is known as free camping and accepted by everyone, in national parks i was paying $2 which included showers (cold)...

Actually same for Finland (I think this goes to Scandinavia in generally).

juhhyto, do you live in Finland? I just wondered if your info was from the horses mouth, or whether you'd heard it from someone. I'm travelling to Norway, Sweden and Finland next Summer. I'm clear on the rules for Norway and Sweden, but not so much with Finland.

Anyone else know?

Maybe it was posted here before...we found lots of nice free campsites and boondocks in the US and Kanada here: www.freecampsites.net

Camping in Croatia
 

No camping allowed in Croatia, except official camp sites.
It's even forbiden to camp on your own land :thumbdown:

Im a Brit living in the south of Portugal and I go off for long weekends in Portugal and Spain and wild camp every time. Portugal (especially the south) has 1000's of miles of off road tracks and not a lot of fenced land so it makes it very easy. Spain I find a bit harder to find that ideal quiet spot due to more fenced land but still easy to do.
Like most people have been saying on this thread, basically don't make loads of noise, don't leave litter about, try and dig a hole for your turds or at least pick a sensible spot and a big no no is fires. We have a lot of dry land that can go up in flames with just 1 spark.

That's sound advice about wild camping in this climate and a good observation about southern Spain.

In most of Spain, however, it's quite rare to find land fenced in apart from meadows and gardens near villages. In Extremadura especially there are large tracts of dehesa that are fenced off in to big estates where they rear the wonderful Iberian semi-wild pigs that live off the acorns. And with a ham starting at €400 each it's no surprise that the owners are touchy about their welfare! :)

Simon