Primitive camping in Denmark
Photo: Mads.bahrt, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons
Primitive camping in Denmark covers the subject of camping in Denmark for hikers, bicyclists and other non-motorized modes of travel. Due to the country's compact size and relatively dense population, Danes and visitors do not enjoy the right to access, which exists in the other Nordic countries. This means that it is generally illegal to pitch a tent outside the organized commercial camping grounds. The exceptions are covered in this article.
Commercial camping groundsCommercial campsites are the traditional place to camp but are not seen as attractive to some tourists travelling by foot, bicycle or the like, as the Danish campsites mostly cater to the caravan community.
Primitive camp sitesThe primitive camp sites are small designated areas where you may camp with a tent, provided you are not travelling by motorized means. The owner may choose to charge you up to 30 kr.
Areas with free campingA newer alternative is the areas with free camping. In Danish these are called "Frie teltningsområder" while the official English term is "free camp sites".
Sleeping on the beachYou may sleep on the beach in the sandy area between the water and where continuous vegetation is growing. However, you may not pitch a tent to do this, since this would put you within the legal definition of "camping".
Sleeping in public forestsYou may sleep anywhere in forests owned by the Danish Nature Agency provided you are only lying on the ground in a sleeping bag, in a hammock or under a poncho. If you want to pitch a tent the rules listed above applies.
Finding places to camp without speaking DanishThe map will now show the locations of the selected categories of camp sites. Click on the sites, then "Læs mere" to find detailed information (in Danish).
Sources and licences
- Guide text adapted from the Wikivoyage article "Primitive camping in Denmark" by its contributors, available under CC BY-SA 4.0. Read on Wikivoyage · Contributors · CC BY-SA 4.0
- Photo: Mads.bahrt, CC BY-SA 3.0 via Wikimedia Commons