Wild camping in Finland: is it allowed? (2026)
Finland's 'jokamiehenoikeus' (everyman's right) lets you camp briefly almost anywhere in nature, as long as you disturb no one and cause no damage.
What's allowed
- Pitching a small tent for one or two nights in the open countryside
- Roaming freely and picking berries and mushrooms
- Spending the night out of sight of homes and fields
- Making a fire at designated fire pits (when there is no fire ban)
What's not allowed
- Camping in gardens, farmyards or close to homes
- Making an open fire on your own initiative or during a fire ban (metsäpalovaroitus)
- Staying in nature reserves or protected zones without permission
- Damaging fields, crops or young plantings
Finland lives by jokamiehenoikeus — literally ‘everyman’s right’. As in Sweden, anyone may roam freely through nature, pick berries and sleep in the open, as long as you damage nothing and disturb no one. With its endless forests and thousands of lakes, Finland is a dream destination for wild campers.
Where it’s allowed
You may pitch a small tent for a short stay (usually one or two nights), out of sight and earshot of homes and away from cultivated fields. Move freely through forests and across undeveloped ground. If you want to stay longer in the same place, ask the landowner for permission.
Off limits are: farmyards and gardens, crops and forest plantings, nature reserves, and military or restricted zones. Within national parks, separate camping rules often apply — there camping is usually only allowed at designated spots.
Open fire
Here Finland is strict. Lighting an open fire on your own initiative is not allowed under jokamiehenoikeus — you need the landowner’s permission, or you use an official fire site (nuotiopaikka). During a metsäpalovaroitus (forest-fire warning) any open fire is forbidden, even at fire sites. A gas stove is always allowed.
Practical tips
- Use the free wilderness campsites and huts run by Metsähallitus (luontoon.fi) — often with a dry toilet and fire pit.
- Take all your rubbish with you and leave the spot untouched.
- Respect nesting birds and wildlife, especially in spring.
- The everyman’s right doesn’t apply to motorhomes: use official parking and motorhome sites.
- Arrive late, leave early, and be discreet.