The big news of the spring for all free campers!
It is May, the sun is starting to warm up the asphalt, and the gravel roads have finally dried after the spring floods. For many of us, the gas foot is itching. Perhaps you have already had the first night of the year in the roof tent, or maybe the motorhome is freshly polished and ready in the yard. No matter what kind of rolling home you prefer, we at Fricamp have news that will make this year's season infinitely bigger.
We have opened the app for Sweden!
Yes, you read that right. You can now drag the map across the border to "Söta bror" and start hunting for the deep forests, the mirror-like lakes, and the endless gravel roads that make Sweden an absolute mecca for those of us who love to camp off the beaten track.
My first Swedish forest adventure
I remember well my own awakening when it came to Swedish free camping. We had just bought our first proper campervan, and even though Norway is beautiful with its fjords and mountains, it can sometimes be difficult to find total solitude. The mountainsides are steep, and the pockets along the road are often full of other tourists.
So we crossed the border at Ørje and aimed for Dalsland. It took no more than an hour before we found ourselves on a network of gravel roads that seemed to never end. After winding our way through dense pine forest, a small, crystal-clear lake revealed itself. There, right down by the water's edge, we found an open grassy plain. No prohibition signs. No barriers. Just us, the sound of the wind in the trees, and a lone loon calling out on the water.
Whether you pitch a camp-let, flip up the roof tent on the station wagon, or back a large motorhome into place, Sweden is incredibly forgiving. The flat, accessible landscape means you do not have to worry as much about parking crookedly, and there is an abundance of spots for all types of rigs.
How the new functionality works
For you as a user, the transition is seamless. There is no new app to download, you just need to make sure you have the latest update of Fricamp installed. When you open the map, you can now pan freely across the Swedish border, and the functionality is exactly the same as at home in Norway.
But here is an important detail from us in the editorial team: This is completely fresh! That means the Swedish map will be a bit sparse right at the start. And this is where the strength of the Fricamp community comes in. The app is built by free campers, for free campers. Now that we have opened up the neighboring country, we encourage you all to add your Swedish favorite spots. Did you find a lovely rest area in Värmland? Add it! Do you know of a perfect, hidden beach in Skåne where it is allowed to park the campervan overnight? Share it with the community!
More countries in our sights? (Oh yes!)
That we have now opened for Sweden is a huge milestone for Fricamp, but we can already reveal that we do not intend to stop at Kjølen. The app's new infrastructure is built to handle the world outside Scandinavia as well.
Our developers are continuously working on preparing the system for more countries, and we are already looking into the possibilities of including countries like Denmark, Finland, and perhaps eventually Germany and the rest of Europe. Our goal is for Fricamp to be the only app you need, no matter where in Europe you choose to let the wheels roll. So keep your eyes peeled, because there will be more exciting updates ahead!
The Swedish Allemansrätten and "Enskild väg"
Before you pack the car and head east in the May heat, it is good to have a quick refresher on the Swedish rules. The Swedish right of public access is quite similar to the Norwegian one, but with a few small, important nuances for us with vehicles.
- Allemansrätten: The basic idea in Sweden is "Inte störa, inte förstöra". You can roam freely in nature, but the right of public access basically applies to pedestrians, cyclists, and paddlers – not to motor vehicles. This means that you cannot drive off-road.
- Terrängkörningslagen: It is strictly forbidden to drive off-road in Sweden (even over a short grassy plain to get closer to the water), unless it is clearly developed for parking. The car or camp-let must be parked in connection to the road.
- Enskild väg: This is perhaps the most important thing you need to know! Many gravel roads in Sweden are private (enskilda). Usually, you can drive on these and park along them, as long as you do not obstruct traffic (especially logging trucks!) or park too close to residential houses. However, the landowner has the right to prohibit car traffic. Look for yellow and red signs with a red ring – then entry is prohibited. If there is only a sign with the name of the road, it is usually free to proceed.
3 quick tips for the Sweden trip in May
1. Be prepared for mosquitoes
May can offer warm days, and by the Swedish lakes, the mosquitoes wake up early. Whether you sleep safely behind the mosquito net in a roof tent or have all the windows open in the motorhome: Bring mosquito repellent and preferably a Thermacell. You will thank me when you sit outside and enjoy the evening sun.
2. Download offline maps
Even though Fricamp is your best friend on the trip, mobile coverage in the deepest Swedish forests can be spotty. Remember that you can plan a little in advance while you still have 4G, or make use of the options to save routes.
3. Support the locals
When we camp for free, it is good style to leave a few kroner in the local community. Buy your groceries at the local ICA store, buy fresh bread at a small "bageri", or fill up with fuel at the local station in the village. This builds goodwill for us free campers.
So what are you waiting for? Find your passport (or at least your driver's license), fill up the water tank, pack your lunch, and update the Fricamp app. Sweden is waiting for us, and the map must be filled!
See you along a Swedish gravel road in May!