Wild Camping

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Unfortunately, Denmark does not have a Swedish-style ‘right to roam’ law that permits wild camping. The country is more densely populated than its Nordic neighbours, and there’s a lot of privately owned land that is strictly off limits to would-be campers.

However, if you’re determined to wake up in the wild on your Danish camping adventure, there are a few different options available

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‘Primitive’ campsites

There a more than a thousand ‘primitive’ campsites strewn throughout Denmark’s public forests. Some of these remote spots have running water and about a third of them are equipped with basic wooden shelters to sleep under.

These shelters are a good option if you want rough it and go without a tent, but we’d only recommend trying that during the summertime, unless you’re very good with the cold and have a really top-notch sleeping bag.

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There’s a handy map showing the forests where camping is permitted on the Naturstyrelsen website.

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The golden rules for camping wild in Denmark

 

Whether you choose to pitch up in the forest or spend the night at one of the primitive camping spots, it’s worth keeping these general rules in mind.

• Only spend one night in the same spot – pack your bags and move on in the morning, even if it’s just a kilometre away from your original camp.

• Don’t pitch more than two tents at a time, or you may get unwanted attention.

• One-, two- and three-person tents are okay, but anything bigger is forbidden.

• Don’t pitch a tent within sight of any buildings or roads.

• Open fires are only permitted in designated areas (a sign will usually make this clear) and only camping stoves with enclosed gas burners are allowed.

• Take your litter with you.

• If nature calls, do your business away from any walking trails and at least 50 metres away from the nearest water source. Dig a hole for your number twos, or at very least cover them (along with any corresponding paperwork) using sticks, dirt, stones or leaves.