6 fantastic winter campsites in Norway
Time for winter camping in Norway! Wait a minute, winter camping in the north, in the middle of the winter? Yup, you read that right! It will be cold, yes, but I promise you that it is also incredibly beautiful. The Norwegian breathtaking nature, with its mountains, lakes, fjords, and beaches covered in meter-high layers of snow in winter are truly special sights.
As if these parts were not enough, you also have great chances to discover something absolutely magical: the Aurora Borealis, also known as the northern lights. Lying in the RV watching the dancing lights in the sky is incomparable. With that said, in this article, we present the six best winter camping spots in Norway.
1. Lillehammer Camping
Lillehammer
Lillehammer is about a two-hour drive north of Oslo and is known as one of the best ski resorts in Norway. No wonder, since the town hosted the 1994 Winter Olympics. Five of the country’s most popular ski areas are also only an hour away from the city. So, time for a sporty holiday in the RV in Norway? Then I have the right campsite for you.
Information about Lillehammer Camping
| Address | Lillehammer Camping Dampsagveien 47 2609 Lillehammer |
| Telephone (with area code) | +47 61 25 33 33 |
| resepsjon@lillehammer.camp | |
| Website | Lillehammer Camping |
| Open | Year-round |
| Price per vehicle & person | From about 20 EUR |
| Toilet/shower | Yes |
| Washing machine | Yes |
| Emptying gray water and chemical toilet | Yes |
| Electricity | Yes |
| Foodservice | No |
| Dogs allowed? | Yes |
| Reservation | Possible, but only from May – September |
| Wifi | Free |
| Specialties | Located just a few minutes walk from the center of Lillehammer |
At Lillehammer Camping, approximately 300 pitches await you, all of which have electricity, so during the winter you will undoubtedly find a spot that suits you and your camper. In winter, there is a special atmosphere here – you are not alone, as it is a popular winter campsite, but it is still kind of calm. If you are looking for beautiful nature and good skiing opportunities and at the same time want to be close to a city, then you will definitely enjoy it here.
Sanitary facilities, free internet, and a fantastic view of Norway’s largest lake – Mjøsa – are just some of the aspects that mean that you will most likely have a great camping holiday here. It may be good to know that although Lillehammer Camping is a campsite that is open all year round, self-service is standard during the winter months. However, should you need further assistance, you can still get help from the campsite staff, as they are just a phone call away.
Excursion tips:
Skiing, both downhill and cross-country, as well as other winter sports, take center stage in Lillehammer. You can clearly see that the city takes pride in having hosted the Olympic Games. Want to know more about this? Then I recommend you to visit Norway’s Olympic Museum.
If you are visiting Lillehammer at Christmas time and want to immerse yourself in the Norwegian Christmas tradition, you should not miss the famous Christmas market. It is a real adventure, and not just from a culinary point of view.
Are you looking for a motorhome or caravan for you and your family when you head up north? You can conveniently rent a suitable vehicle via MyCamper.
2. Tromsø Lodge & Camping
Tromsdalen
If you choose to go on a camping holiday in Norway between November and March, then you have to love winter. For many of us who like this season, the arctic winter is probably one of the most beautiful. Northern lights, biting cold, dog sledding – and everything else that belongs to the arctic Norwegian lifestyle, all while camping. If that’s exactly what you’re looking for, then Tromsø Lodge & Camping is a great place to head.
Information about Tromsø Lodge & Camping
| Address | Tromsø Lodge & Camping Arthur Arntzensveg 10 9020 Tromsdalen |
| Telephone (with area code) | +47 77 63 80 37 |
| post@tromsocamping.no | |
| Website | Tromsø Lodge & Camping |
| Open | Year-round |
| Price per vehicle & person | From about 30 EUR |
| Toilet/shower | Yes |
| Washing machine | Yes |
| Emptying gray water and chemical toilet | Yes |
| Electricity | Yes |
| Foodservice | Restaurant, bar, and shop |
| Dogs allowed? | Yes |
| Reservation | Possible |
| Wifi | Free |
| Specialties | Various excursions can be booked at the reception |
At Tromsø Lodge & Camping, there are 54 pitches for motorhomes and caravans, which are available all year round. The sites are all paved and easily accessible. You also have your own electricity connection and the internet is available free of charge. Toilets, showers, washing machines, and a shared kitchen are of course also part of the campsite. There is even a sauna that you can use – a welcome and, above all, a warm and pleasant feature of a winter camping holiday.
Another appreciated part here is that the campsite’s restaurant serves a delicious breakfast every day. You can also go here for lunch or dinner and then enjoy the Norwegian cuisine. If you prefer to eat comfortably in your motorhome, the small shop at the reception has everything you need, or you can shop for food in the nearby Tromsdalen. You can get there either with your motorhome in ten minutes or you can take the bus that stops directly at the campsite. By the way, be sure to ask the reception about possible excursions. Not only are the staff here extremely nice and helpful, but they also have tons of great adventures in store for you.
Excursion tips:
Aurora Borealis – hardly any of nature’s spectacles fascinates me this much. The moment when the sky lights up these green rays and the light begins to dance with such beauty, which can hardly be expressed in words, is indescribable.
Even the locals feel exactly this way. One of the campsite’s employees told me that ‘(we) grew up here in the far north and the ‘Green Lady’, as we call it, has left us speechless countless times. And continues to do so, again and again.’ If you want to know more and get insider tips on the best places in nature to see the northern lights, you can ask the staff.
Do you want more tips on good campsites in northern Norway? Then you can check out our article about the 6 best campsites in Northern Norway.
3. Beitostølen Hytter & Camping
Beitostølen
Beitostølen Hytter & Camping (‘hytter’ is Norwegian for ‘cottages’) is a 4-star campsite, not far from Jotunheimen National Park. This campsite, which is also very popular among families and long-term campers in summer, has a lot to offer, even in winter. The nearby ski and cross-country ski areas attract both locals and international tourists – but without being overcrowded.
Information about Beitostølen Hytter & Camping
| Address | Beitostølen Hytter & Camping Finntøppvegen 2A Beitostølen 2953 |
| Telephone (with area code) | +47 48 10 70 54 |
| info@beitocamp.no | |
| Website | Beitostølen Cottages & Camping |
| Open | Year-round |
| Price per vehicle & person | From about 30 EUR |
| Toilet/shower | Yes |
| Washing machine | Yes |
| Emptying gray water and chemical toilet | Yes |
| Electricity | Yes |
| Foodservice | Restaurant |
| Dogs allowed? | No |
| Reservation | Possible |
| Wifi | Free |
| Specialties | Many long-term campers |
The majority of pitches at Beitostølen Hytter & Camping are reserved for long-term campers, and essentially, this is a good sign as it means you can feel at home here. The almost 40 pitches available at the campsite have electricity and access to sanitation.
The restaurant located in the area is well-known and popular far outside the campsite. Hytta Mat og Vinhus, as it is called, is committed to offering taste experiences at reasonable prices. Not least, the kitchen specializes in local specialties. Regulars are particularly fond of the wild meat, which of course has been hunted in the region. Speaking of the region, the surrounding area offers much more than just good food. Here, you can take part in everything from hiking and fishing to downhill skiing and cross-country skiing. In other words, you will not sit still if you have Beitostølen Hytter & Camping as your base during your camping trip.
Excursion tips:
If you like animals, I have some tips for you in Beitostølen. First of all, Beito Husky Tours is an adventure if you fancy a dog sled. You can travel with the huskies for hours or days and experience the Norwegian landscape in a completely unique way. If you like horses, a similar adventure is offered with Fjellrittet (Norwegian for something similar to ‘riding in the mountains’). Here you can either let yourself be pulled on the sled or get up in the saddle yourself. Imagine pulsating through the snow on horseback – as a horse lover, you could hardly wish for anything more.
4. Fjordbotn Camping
Bothamn
Fjordbotn Camping is located on the island of Senja. This island stretches between Tromsø in the north and Harstad in the south and is often called ‘Norway in miniature’ because here, all the beauty of the country is gathered on one island. Chalky white beaches, steep cliffs and deep fjords, the sun sinking into the sea and the northern lights dancing in the sky – nature’s spectacle differs depending on the season, but it is always breathtakingly beautiful.
Information about Fjordbotn Camping
| Address | Fjordbotn Camping Stønesbotnveien 401 9373 Botnhamn |
| Telephone (with area code) | +47 77 84 93 10 |
| post@fjordbotn.no | |
| Website | Fjordbotn Camping |
| Open | Year-round |
| Price per vehicle & person | From about 30 EUR |
| Toilet/shower | Yes |
| Washing machine | Yes |
| Emptying gray water and chemical toilet | Yes |
| Electricity | Yes |
| Foodservice | Cafeteria |
| Dogs allowed? | Yes |
| Reservation | Possible |
| Wifi | Free |
| Specialties | On the island of Senja |
Fjordbotn Camping is a campsite that dates generations back and today, it is run by Ernst Hugos and Stein Gunnar Eriksen, whose parents opened the campsite back in 1992. The campsite is idyllically located by the Stønesbotn Fjord and impresses with good hospitality and 55 pitches for motorhomes and caravans, of which 40 have their own electricity connections. Modern sanitary facilities, a spacious communal kitchen with a dining room, and cozy huts with barbecue areas complete the offer. There is also free internet everywhere on the site.
The campsite is open all year round and the range of excursions is wide. Cycling, hiking tours, SUP, boat rental, and fishing belong to the summer, while skiing, hiking, and northern lights tours are part of the winter offer. I can especially recommend going out in snowshoes, which the campsite rents out while also organizing tours. It is a memorable experience to walk through the tranquil, snow-covered winter forest and experience the mysterious landscape and wonderful nature in the far north.
Excursion tips:
Various operators organize whale watching from Tromsø. From October to January, you have the chance to see humpback whales, killer whales, and porpoises. A truly unique experience, but keep in mind that although some operators claim to guarantee whale sightings, it doesn’t work that way. After all, the whales are observed in the wild and decide themselves where and when to appear – and that’s a good thing.
Do you like Norway and want to know more about how to get there? Take a look at our article about traveling to Norway with your motorhome.
5. Torghatten Camping
Brønnøysund
Torghatten Camping is located at the foot of the mountain Torghatten, one of the most famous mountains in Norway. This is not because of its height, but because of its special hat shape and the huge hole gaping in it: 35 meters high, 20 meters wide, and 160 meters deep. After all, Norway would not be Norway without all its mythical stories and legends – and of course, there is one about Torghatten. More about this in the excursion tip.
Information about Torghatten Camping
| Address | Torghatten Camping Torghattenveien 16 8909 Brønnøysund |
| Telephone (with area code) | +47 75 02 54 95 |
| post@torghatten.net | |
| Website | Torghatten Camping |
| Open | Year-round |
| Price per vehicle & person | From about 30 EUR |
| Toilet/shower | Yes |
| Washing machine | Yes |
| Emptying gray water and chemical toilet | Yes |
| Electricity | Yes |
| Foodservice | Restaurant |
| Dogs allowed? | No |
| Reservation | Possible |
| Wifi | Free |
| Specialties | Gourmet restaurant |
Torghatten Camping is a very popular campsite, thanks in large part to its fantastic location. Here, you can park your RV directly by the water and enjoy the fresh air. The campsite is open all year round, and no reservation is needed. You can simply just drop by, get all the necessary information about your stay at reception, and experience a pure nature camping adventure. By the way, the place revolves around something of an all-inclusive scheme. You only pay a one-time price for your stay, which includes everything: electricity, internet, hot water, washing machine…
One of the absolute highlights of the campsite is its restaurant. Some even claim that it is one of the best restaurants in Norway. Local products are the centerpiece, such as fish from Torgfjorden and the Helgeland region. The team serves a 6-course menu that is a memorable experience for your eyes and tastebuds alike. In contrast to your pitch, I recommend that you make a reservation here, not least to check if the restaurant is open during the low season.
Excursion tips:
For once, we are not giving you a classic journey tip, but a journey into a true Norwegian legend. As already mentioned, there is a legend surrounding the hole in the rock, namely the following:
Once upon a time, there were two troll kings who lived on one side of Vestfjorden. One had seven untamable daughters, the other a disobedient son. One day the king sent his daughters to the maiden Lekamøya. This would have made her come to her senses. But the Horseman had fallen madly in love with this particular maiden. In full armor, he rushed his horse across the Vestfjorden. The sisters and the maiden fled and the Horseman, blinded by anger that his beloved did not want him, shot an arrow at Lekamøya. The king of Sømnaberge observed this and threw his hat to catch the arrow. The hat was shot and at the very same moment, the sun rose and everyone turned to stone wherever they sat or stood: the hat as Torghatten, the seven sisters at Sandnessjøen, and Lekamøya on the island of Leka, where she sought refuge.
6. Storviksanden Camping
Storvik
According to National Geographic, Kystriksveien, which leads to Storviksanden Camping, is considered one of the 101 most scenic roads in the world. From Steinkjer, the road runs along the beautiful coast up to Bodø. You can experience 650 fantastic kilometers of Norway, as you pass authentic fishing villages, white beaches, and mighty mountains. In other words, this is a top-notch road trip. Along the route, you will also find Camping Torghatten, which we just presented, while Storviksanden Camping awaits you at the end of the road.
Information about Storviksanden Camping
| Address | Storviksanden Camping Strandvägen 1 8145 Storvik |
| Telephone (with area code) | +47 75 75 75 00 |
| post@storviksanden.no | |
| Website | Storviksanden Camping |
| Open | Year-round |
| Price per vehicle & person | From about 35 EUR |
| Toilet/shower | Yes |
| Washing machine | Yes |
| Emptying gray water and chemical toilet | Yes |
| Electricity | Yes |
| Foodservice | No |
| Dogs allowed? | Yes |
| Reservation | Possible |
| Wifi | Free |
| Specialties | Along the scenic way Kystriksveien |
Storviksanden Camping opened as late as May 2021 and is therefore modern and well maintained. All 60 places have their power outlet and the top-equipped service buildings are close by. In the service buildings, you will find two kitchens and dining areas as well as five showers and toilets. Washing machines and dryers are also available for free use. In addition, internet is available free of charge throughout the facility, as well as an emptying station.
The campsite is located right by the sea, wonderfully surrounded by nature. Here, there is not doubt that you can unwind. The hospitality of the staff also stands out. Since the opening, they have worked hard to constantly improve the campsite and new offers are added all the time. Thus, it is no wonder that guests praise Storviksanden Camping, meaning that it is excellent, wonderful, and unique.
Excursion tips:
Just a few minutes from Storviksanden Camping, you will find one of the most beautiful resting places on the coastal road: Uredd Memorial. It has been praised worldwide and dubbed as ‘probably the most beautiful toilet in the world’. ‘Ureddplassen’ is Norwegian and translated into something like ’the place of the fearless’, which in turn is due to the memorial that is also located here. These are commemorating the men who lost their lives here during World War II when the Norwegian submarine Uredd sank off the coast. The rest area offers wonderful views of the open sea, the island of Fugleøya, and the Lofoten Islands, which can be seen in the distance on a clear day. During the winter months, you can also see the majestic northern lights here.
7. Summary
As you can see, Norway is truly worth visiting in the winter months. The Norwegians are welcoming and offer outstanding campsites, to which you probably want to return, winter after winter.
Your ride to adventure. Rent it.