The Most Scenic Camping Sites In Finland

Truly the best way to experience the Finnish wilderness and enjoy hiking, cycling, bird-watching, or any number of other nature activities is to rent a tent or campervan and stay at campsites. Thankfully, there are plenty of them throughout Finland and right of access means you can pitch your tent anywhere except private property, so long as you leave the site in the condition you found it in. These are some of the most highly recommended and beautiful places for camping in Finland.

1. Archipelago National Park

Park

A small pier lowers into a calm, blue Finnish lake

One of the most popular places for camping in Finland. The archipelago off Finland’s west coast has literally thousands of islands, many of them uninhabited, and almost all the main islands in the chain contain campsites. Some of the best are Prästö on the Åland Islands where you can see the Bomarsund Fortress or the peaceful Mossala Island.

2. Hanko

Natural Feature

A beach at Hanko with modern houses in the background

Close by the archipelago on the southwestern tip of Finland is the charming town of Hanko. The lovely sunsets over the Baltic Sea make it especially popular with holidaymakers. Silversand Camping is a recommended campsite for staying in Hanko due to its hospitable staff, clean facilities, and many amenities available.

3. Petkeljärvi National Park

Natural Feature, Park

A scenic national park full of lakes, culture, and history. The campsites are good value and managed by the Finnish Forestry Authority. Amongst the pines are modern amenities including saunas, washing machines, and a nearby supermarket, as well as rustic campfire hearths.

5. Martinselkosen Eräkeskus

Natural Feature, Park

Two brown bears looking towards the camera at Kainuu

If you’re interested in going bear watching, this wilderness centre in Kainuu is one of the best places to try it. The trips are run by experienced tour guides and include campfire cooking and a traditional smoke sauna. As well as rental cottages, there is also a campsite, which is also open to those who aren’t going on the bear watching trips, and includes free wi-fi, saunas, and power supply.

6. Oulanka National Park

Park

Oulanka is one of Finland’s most beautiful national parks with hanging bridges, clifftop views, and stunning waterfalls. It is worth camping for at least a few days to take it all in. The campsite and visitor centre are of a high standard and are welcoming and helpful for visitors with clean shower facilities, a kiosk, and wi-fi. The trails are all well marked out to take you to the most attractive spots and, along the way, you can see rare and wonderful flora and wildlife.

7. Camping-Hostel Jokitörmä

Resort, Hostel

Further north in Lapland is this family-run holiday village in the Kaamanen village close to Inari. It makes for a good central location for exploring Northern Lapland, and is close enough for day trips into Norway. The site is made up of a camping area and log cabins and includes a fireplace, Lappish kota (a sort of dining hut), sauna, and children’s playground. In the area, you can go fishing, hiking, berry picking, or birdwatching.

8. Matkatupa Lomamökit-Camping

Camping

Another site highly recommended by camping enthusiasts, this one is situated on a lakeside farm near the Arctic Circle and run by friendly owners who also operate the camp site’s café. As well as taking in the lovely lakeside setting, you can also go berry picking or boating on the visitor rowing boat. The facilities are again basic but clean and well maintained and include free wi-fi.

9. Liminka Bay

Natural Feature

Liminka Bay Nature Centre, a tall and modern building in the mist, with a forest behind

One of Finland’s best birdwatching spots, Liminka Bay on the western coast is visited by millions of migratory birds every year. The visitor centre has a campsite located next to farmland which is only a short walk away from the main birdwatching tower and there are many guides for visitors to use.

Since you are here, we would like to share our vision for the future of travel - and the direction Culture Trip is moving in.

Culture Trip launched in 2011 with a simple yet passionate mission: to inspire people to go beyond their boundaries and experience what makes a place, its people and its culture special and meaningful — and this is still in our DNA today. We are proud that, for more than a decade, millions like you have trusted our award-winning recommendations by people who deeply understand what makes certain places and communities so special.

Increasingly we believe the world needs more meaningful, real-life connections between curious travellers keen to explore the world in a more responsible way. That is why we have intensively curated a collection of premium small-group trips as an invitation to meet and connect with new, like-minded people for once-in-a-lifetime experiences in three categories: Culture Trips, Rail Trips and Private Trips. Our Trips are suitable for both solo travelers, couples and friends who want to explore the world together.

Culture Trips are deeply immersive 5 to 16 days itineraries, that combine authentic local experiences, exciting activities and 4-5* accommodation to look forward to at the end of each day. Our Rail Trips are our most planet-friendly itineraries that invite you to take the scenic route, relax whilst getting under the skin of a destination. Our Private Trips are fully tailored itineraries, curated by our Travel Experts specifically for you, your friends or your family.

We know that many of you worry about the environmental impact of travel and are looking for ways of expanding horizons in ways that do minimal harm - and may even bring benefits. We are committed to go as far as possible in curating our trips with care for the planet. That is why all of our trips are flightless in destination, fully carbon offset - and we have ambitious plans to be net zero in the very near future.