A camper’s guide to Sweden's national parks
Evelina Hjortskog
07.10.2025
∼ 8 min. read
Sweden was the first European country to establish National parks, and now, 100 years later, Sweden has 30 of them. The national parks showcase the vast and breathtaking variety of landscapes that this country has to offer, from lush green forests to serene alpine beauty. Sweden is also home to thriving coral reefs and smooth, lush sand dunes. Not only is it incredibly beautiful, but the national parks are always free and easily accessible, making it perfect to explore with a campervan! In this article, we will paint a picture of the beauty and variety of Sweden’s national parks, so you can easily choose which one to visit next on your campervan adventure.
Table of contents: A camper’s guide to Sweden's national parks
What Counts as a National Park?
There are many different ways to protect nature, and a National park is the highest level a natural area can receive. The label safeguards the diversity of ecosystems and represents the most valuable natural areas in Sweden. Sweden consists of 69% forest and the requirements for becoming a national park are high. There are also alternative ways to protect nature, such as nature reserves, beach protection, biosphere reserves, and World Heritage sites.
Sweden’s national parks comprise a beautiful mix of mountainous and arctic parks, forest and wilderness parks, as well as coastal and marine parks, all of which we will explore in this article. However, before we do so, we need to go through some practical considerations that are important to keep in mind before setting off on your campervan adventure in this beautiful country.
Know the Rules: What You Can and Can’t Do
With Sweden being home to Allemansrätten or “All mans right” translated (read more here), it makes it a perfect country to explore with a campervan. Although Allemansrätten covers a lot of unique rights in terms of where you’re allowed to walk, hike, park and sleep, some rules need to be followed, especially if you plan to visit national parks.
What’s Allowed:
When it comes to camping, you are allowed to wild camp if you are travelling on foot or by bike, as long as it’s away from homes or farmland, for one to two nights. However, this right doesn’t extend as much to vehicles. If you are travelling with a camper, you should look for official campsites or camper stops (ställplatser). You will find that many towns and tourist areas have designated parking for motorhomes, often with basic amenities.
Other things to consider when deciding where to park are that some national parks, such as Abisko or Fulufjället, have official parking areas where overnighting may be tolerated. However, to be on the safe side, it is always advisable to check signs or ask locals.
Once you have parked and are out exploring, you are free to walk or hike freely in forests, fields, and along coastlines. You are also allowed to pick berries and mushrooms for personal use, but make sure you know they are safe to eat.
This map, designed by SEPA, illustrates where the Swedish national parks are located ©SEPA.
What’s Not Allowed with a Campervan:
It’s just as important to know what you are not allowed to do as it is to know what you can do. In national parks, you are not allowed to park unless it’s in a designated area or a campsite. Neither are you allowed to park or stay in your van overnight in off-road areas (such as grasslands, forests, fields, or near lakes) without permission.
The most important part is to look for signs that say “Camping förbjuden” (camping forbidden) or “Ej övernattning” (no overnight stay) to ensure that you are not breaking any laws or rules.
Best Time to Visit Sweden’s National Parks
Before planning your campervan adventure to Sweden’s national parks, it is important to consider what time to go. Generally, spring, summer and autumn are the best times to visit the national parks, which is when the nature is not fully covered in snow and the weather (hopefully) remains pleasant. However, the further south you go, the milder the winters will be. As soon as you have decided on what time to go, it is now time to decide which national parks to visit. We have listed them all below so that you can choose the ones that intrigue you the most.
.jpg)
Credits: Anders Ekholm/Folio/imagebank.sweden.se
Sweden's 30 national parks
Mountain & Arctic Wilderness Parks
The mountain ranges in Sweden are located in the northern part of the country, where these parks are situated. They are often above the Arctic Circle, and the common denominator between these parks is that they feature alpine landscapes, tundra, glaciers, and Sámi culture. They're often remote and recommended for more seasoned hikers and adventure travellers.
Credits: Photo by Casper van Battum on Unsplash
Abisko
One of the most famous national parks in this category is Abisko. It is famous for its stunning views of the Northern Lights, and it also serves as the starting point of the Kungsleden hiking trail. In Abisko, you can expect stunning mountain views and beautiful green nature.
Credits: Jesper Rönnholm - Eget arbete, CC BY-SA 4.0
Vadvetjåkka
Vadvetjåkka is not only Sweden's northernmost national park, but also its most inaccessible, with over 10 km to the nearest road. So, if you’re looking for pure serenity and remoteness, this is the park to visit. The park covers both wetlands and mountain views as well as caves.
Forest, Lake & Inland Wilderness Parks
These parks are scattered throughout the country and cover old forests, bogs, and lakes. They are more accessible than the previously mentioned national parks and are therefore more suitable for families, casual hikers, or anyone seeking a serene Swedish forest experience.
.jpg)
Credits: Nicklas Wijkmark
Tyresta
This national park proves that in Sweden, stunning forest and nature are never far away, even from the capital city. Tyresta is located just outside Stockholm, and it covers old-growth forests and carved landscapes that date back to the time when it was part of the archipelago.
Coastal, Archipelago & Marine Parks
After having explored mountainous and forest-filled national parks, it is time to make our way out to the coasts of Sweden. These parks offer unique coastal, island, or marine environments. They are ideal for kayaking, birdwatching, beach hiking, or simply experiencing Sweden’s archipelago culture.
Credits: https://oskarshamn.com/
Blå Jungfrun
An isolated and mysterious island in the Baltic Sea, deeply connected to Swedish folklore. The nature showcases dramatic rock formations and dense forest.
Tips for Planning Your Route Between Parks
Since this list covers national parks all over Sweden, many more can be explored if you group them by region to minimise driving. Sweden is vast, and distances between parks can be long.
For example, you can combine Abisko, Stora Sjöfallet, Padjelanta, Sarek, and Muddus in a Lapland route.
Or if you prefer to travel in the south, you can pair Stenshuvud, Åsnen, Söderåsen and Store Mosse for a coastal and forest loop.
This article covers the 30 different national parks that stretch over this beautiful country. We hope that you can use this list to create an itinerary that allows you to explore the wide variety that Sweden has to offer. The best way to explore these parks is with a camper, so make sure to book yours today and start your adventure!
_edited.png)
