Sleeping outdoors in Denmark — shelters, tent sites and free camping

Denmark has no general right to camp anywhere, but it has something almost as good: a dense network of free shelters and primitive tent sites, and 275 state forests where you may pitch a tent for one night without asking. Here is what is allowed where.

Shelters and primitive tent sites

The Danish Nature Agency (Naturstyrelsen) runs many primitive overnatningspladser — simple sites where you may pitch a tent, often with a fire pit and sometimes a water tap. Many also have shelters (open wooden lean-tos).

They are free to use, both for sleeping and for the fire pit.
You may stay up to two nights in a row.
Many shelters can be booked up to 3 months ahead on book.naturstyrelsen.dk. Confirm the booking no later than 6 days before you arrive, or it is cancelled automatically — and if you haven't arrived by 20:00 the shelter is free for others.
They are meant for individuals, families and small groups; larger groups use separate *lejrpladser* (group camp sites).
Dogs are welcome on a lead. Take your rubbish home.

Municipalities, associations and private landowners run shelters too — their rules and prices vary, so check the individual site. You can browse the shelters and tent sites along our routes on the shelter map.

Free camping in 275 state forests (the 1-2-3 rule)

In the state forests marked for fri teltning, you may put up a tent for the night without asking — on these conditions:

1-2-3: at most one night in the same place, at most two tents, each for at most three people.
Only in the wooded parts of the forest.
The tent must not be visible from paths, roads or buildings — and never on beaches, dunes, meadows, heaths, fields or clearings without trees.
Open fire only at the marked fire sites; a closed stove (e.g. a trangia) is fine elsewhere.
No motor vehicles in state forests. Dogs on a lead.

Sleeping without a tent

On Naturstyrelsen's land you may sleep under the open sky — in a sleeping bag on the forest floor or in a hammock (take care not to damage the bark). A tarp counts as a tent, so a tarp over your hammock is only allowed in a free-camping forest.

Beaches

You may sleep on a beach under the open sky, more than 50 metres from houses, but tents and bivouacs are not allowed there.

Private forests and open land

Private forests are open on foot and by bike from 06:00 to sunset, on roads and paths only — sleeping there is not allowed without the owner's permission. Rules for open, uncultivated land differ, so when in doubt: use a shelter or tent site, or ask the landowner.

FAQ

Is it free to sleep in a Danish shelter?

Naturstyrelsen's shelters and primitive tent sites are free. Shelters run by municipalities or private owners may charge — check the individual site.

Can I wild camp anywhere in Denmark?

No. Pitch your tent at a tent site, a shelter site, or in one of the 275 state forests with free camping — for one night, following the 1-2-3 rule.

Do I need to book a shelter?

Not always. Many are first come, first served; some can be booked on book.naturstyrelsen.dk. A booked shelter you haven't reached by 20:00 goes to whoever is there.

Can I light a fire?

Only at the marked fire sites. Elsewhere a closed stove is fine. Always check for local fire bans in dry weather.

Sources

Rules checked 25 September 2026 — they can change, so always check the sign at the site.