The Best Camping Spots in and Around Trondheim

If the idea of getting back to nature appeals but you don’t fancy roughing it, the fantastic facilities at Storsand are ideal. Just 17km (10.5mi) northeast of Trondheim off the E6 highway, the site has space for caravans or tents, and also has cabins of various sizes available – some even have their own bathroom and kitchen. Great for families and large groups who want to keep busy together, the site is right on the Trondheimsfjord with a fantastic sandy beach, a large children’s playground, a football field, boat rental, good communal bathrooms and a grocery shop. No need to feel out of touch either, as large areas of the site even have wifi.

Tucked away in the municipality of Inderøy around 100km (62mi) from Trondheim, Koa Camping takes only an hour and a half to drive to on the E6, but feels like the middle of nowhere. The site has decent washing facilities and its own beach, and all 60 pitches for caravans or camping face the sun and have panoramic sea views. “What guests are most fascinated about is the fjord view from our campsite,” says site owner Geir A. Kalseth. “It’s the longest open fjord view in Norway. The district is also beautiful, often referred to as the ‘northern’ Tuscany.” Perfectly situated for bird watching, cycling and horse riding, Koa is ideal for nature lovers wanting time out of the city. “There are many hikes in this district,” Geir says, “and a Viking museum in Verdal. Of course, we also have guests who like to fish, so we have fishing boats and a guide.”

Foodies and history buffs will love camping in Hauganfjära, located at the far end of the Frosta Peninsula an hour’s drive from Trondheim. Close to dense forest but on the very edge of the fjord, the area is known as ‘Trondheim’s kitchen garden’, as the vegetables and berries are said to be the best in the world. Campers can also visit Norway’s oldest court, the Frostating, along with the medieval church of Loftun and the ruins of the Tautra Monastery from 1207. The site itself is run by potato farmer Torleif, following in the footsteps of his father who first camped here 50 years ago. There are plenty of flat, spacious sites for tents next to the sea, caravan spaces and apartments, plus mini-golf, play areas and good washing facilities.

If you want to put on your rucksack and get back to nature, Vikhammer is perfectly situated off the Gamle E6 in the village of Vikhammer. There is a bus stop right outside the campsite, though it can be hiked in around three hours from Trondheim or even used as a base for visiting the city. A small peaceful site, there are both paved and grassy pitches, and the campsite is open all year round for those hoping to spot the Northern Lights. “The campsite has a small playground, there is free wifi, a sanitary building with a number of family bathrooms, a kitchen, washing machine and dryer,” says Marcel Mol of Norwegian camping review site Mol Travel. “There is a nice beach nearby, and there are good fishing opportunities.”

Tråsåvika is a little too far from Trondheim to use as a base for exploring the city, but great for a relaxing break, family holiday or stopping point on a hike towards Alesund or Molde. A bus from Nidaros Cathedral takes 40 minutes and stops right outside the cosy campsite, which is close to one of the best salmon fishing rivers in Norway. “The 30 touring pitches with fjord views (some slightly sloping), all with electricity connections, are on an open grassy field at the top of the site, or on a series of terraces below. These run down to the small sandy beach, easily accessed via a well-designed gravel service road,” says Rob Fearn, editor of the Alan Rogers Guides. It also has a small café open in the summer, a shop, washing facilities and a picture-perfect beach for swimming and fishing.

Hike along the spectacular coastline for three hours to reach this idyllic campsite, just 11km (7mi) west of Trondheim but with sweeping fjord views dotted with cruise ships sailing by. Only open between May and September, it’s a great spot for hikers and cyclists, with a simple kitchen, free showers and some basic groceries for sale at reception. There is also access to a pebble beach for fishing, while the region’s nearest golf course is close by. The nearest grocery store is in the village of Rye, 4km (2.5mi) from the site.

Perfectly placed for a stop-off if you’re driving from Oslo to Trondheim, Støren is a small site on the Gaula River, once voted the best salmon river in Norway. Popular with anglers but also those looking to walk or cycle while camping, it’s also close to Støren itself with its supermarkets, train station and restaurant. “The campsite has a small number of cabins, simple but well-maintained sanitary facilities, free wifi, a small playground and is an excellent place for the annually returning anglers,” says Marcel.

A little over an hour’s drive from Trondheim, this year-round site is close to Levanger city centre, so it has plenty to keep the whole family busy. The site has space for 90 pitches, several two-bedroom cabins, showers and a kitchen plus tennis courts, a skate park, mini-golf and fjord fishing. The historic town of Levanger has plenty of restaurants and holds one of the oldest markets in the country. The market hosts special festive events in December and during the month of August. It’s also a great spot for keen hikers, with several trails detailed on the information board at the Stadion park.