Wild camping in Lithuania: is it allowed? (2026)
Wild camping isn't banned in Lithuania: you may roam freely through the forests, but camp preferably at designated spots and stay away from protected areas and the coast.
What's allowed
- Walking and staying overnight in public and private forests (where no sign forbids it)
- Camping at spots with a tent symbol or at a campsite
- Picking berries and mushrooms in the open countryside
- Lighting fires at the designated, marked spots
What's not allowed
- Camping in national parks, reserves and on beaches or dunes
- Pitching your tent closer than 25 m to water or right next to dwellings
- Lighting open fires outside designated spots; felling trees for firewood
- Staying in the border zone or in military/special areas
In Lithuania, wild camping isn’t banned, though it’s regulated a little more tightly than among its northern neighbours. You may roam and stay overnight freely in both public and private forests, unless signs indicate otherwise. The rules do steer you towards designated camping spots.
Where it’s allowed
You may pitch a tent at a campsite or at a spot with a tent symbol, but free camping in forest is in practice permitted as long as you:
- don’t stay on farmland or right next to dwellings;
- pitch your tent at least 25 metres from the water if you want a view of a lake or river;
- ask the owner’s permission before spending the night on private land.
You may visit all forests except those in nature reserves, in national and regional parks, ornithological reserves (access banned from 1 April to 1 September), the border zone, and military or special areas. Camping on the Baltic beaches and dunes is banned.
Open fires
Fires may be lit only at the marked spots intended for it — campsites and built fire places. Don’t fell trees for your fire; use only dry, fallen branches. During drought, a fire ban applies.
Fines
Anyone who ignores the rules — camping in a reserve, fire in the wrong place, staying on the beach — risks a fine of up to a few hundred euros. Protected areas are actively monitored.
Practical tips
- Unsure about a nature area? Check with the park management in advance.
- Take all your litter with you and leave no trace.
- This doesn’t simply cover campers — use official car parks and motorhome stopovers.
- Arrive late, leave early and stay discreet.