Overlander's Guide to Sweden
Camping in Sweden
Camping
Large campgrounds are common. These generally have toilets, showers, laundry facilities, and often food for purchase. Many have cabins for rental. Unfortunately many of these campgrounds are unaccustomed to overlanders and therefore you may have to explain your needs to them.
Roadside camping is allowed at roadside parking places outside city limits. If you sleep in your vehicle. Roadside camping is fairly common, but also not recommended. It is not unheard of that thieves prey from campers, mainly along the bigger roads.
You are not allowed to drive your vehicle off the road to camp. However you are allowed to short term camp with a tent in the forest in most areas and on non cultivated land, but your vehicle has to stay on the road.
Road Signs
Camping Road Signs
Sweden provides roadsigns to assist you in finding a place to stay overnight or camp.
The information regarding the road signs is provided as a national guideline. Local authorities may impose further restrictions as to services covered.
Camping Spot
This sign indicates a facility that provides places for tents as well as vehicles with living space.
This is a general sign that covers all forms of camping. The facility may or may not provide camping for all types of camping.
A red line or cross over the sign prohibits all forms of camping.
A black line or cross over the sign means that the facility is temporarily or permanently closed.
Vehicle Camping Spot
This sign indicates a facility that only provides places for vehicles with living space.
Vehicles with living space includes all forms of vehicle camping, caravans, camper trailers, recreational vehicles (RVs), camper vans, mobile homes, and overlanders in all their various forms including roof top tents.
A red line or cross over the sign prohibits all forms of vehicle camping.
A black line or cross over the sign means that the facility is temporarily or permanently closed.
Car Camping Spot
This sign indicates a facility that only provides spaces for cars with living space.
Cars with living space includes all forms of single vehicle camping, recreational vehicles (RVs), camper vans, mobile homes, and overlanders in all their various forms including roof top tents.
A red line or cross over the sign prohibits all forms of car camping.
A black line or cross over the sign means that the facility is temporarily or permanently closed.
Drinking Water
Water
Tap water in Sweden is safe to drink. Bottled water is usually available in food stores.
Refer to local authorities or travel centers as to the water quality in local creeks and other waters.
Gray and Black Water, Trash & Recycling
Grey and Black Water Emptying
To empty your grey and / or black water tanks, you will most likely need to book a stay at a campground that provides facilities for emptying your tanks.
There are a few places outside of staying at a campground that provide the emptying of grey and black water, but they are far between. We recommend that you plan your trip with occasional stays at a campground with services and take advantage of the other services that they offer, such as showers and laundry.
Trash Emptying
To empty your grey and / or black water tanks, you will most likely need to book a stay at a campground that provides facilities for emptying your tanks.
There are a few places outside of staying at a campground that provide the emptying of grey and black water, but they are far between. We recommend that you plan your trip with occasional stays at a campground with services and take advantage of the other services that they offer, such as showers and laundry.
Recycling
Swedes pride themselves on their extensive recycling. All major and minor cities and most villages provide unmanned recycling facilities free of charge.
Recycling categories include:
- Clear glass
- No lids or bottle caps
- Colored glass
- No lids or bottle caps
- Paper*
-
newspapers of all kinds, even weeklies with glossy covers
-
catalogs
-
flyers,
-
brochures and other printed matter
-
writing and drawing paper
-
pocket books
-
- Metal
- All forms of metal
- Cardboard
- Thicker paper that doesn't go in paper
- Plastic
- All items plastic.
* Envelopes and sticker notes are sorted as trash.
Larger cities provide more extensive manned recycling centers which accept more extensive sorting. Note that you are not allowed to throw batteries and light bulbs in general trash as they are considered hazardous waste. Many campgrounds also provide recycling facilities.
Pant - Deposit on bottles and cans
Swedish stores charge a deposit, known as "Pant" on many bottles and cans, especially drinking bottles and cans. They can be returned for a deposit at most grocery stores.