Wild camping rules by country: where you can sleep on a bike trip

Wild camping rules by country: where can you camp legally?

Wild camping rules by country fall into three groups: a public right to camp, camping with the landowner's permission, and regional bans. Public land in North America, Australia and New Zealand has its own stay limits. This guide expands the where-to-sleep section of our bikepacking for beginners guide.

The table summarises each official body's page as of October 2026. It is a summary, not legal advice. Local rules, fire bans and landowners' wishes override it.

What does "allowed with conditions" usually mean?

A small tent, a night or two, out of sight of homes, off farmland and without a fire. The details differ:

• Distance: Norway sets 150 m (490 ft) from homes. Sweden says neighbours shouldn't see or hear you.
• Group size: Sweden's right covers two or three tents; more need permission.
• Protected areas: national parks and nature reserves often ban tents outside set sites, in Sweden, Finland and Bavaria alike.

Want this for your own route? Windline shows the wind for every stretch, timed to your pace. Free. Make a free ride page →

Where do you need the landowner's permission?

In England, Wales, France and parts of Germany. Spain and Italy set rules by region; both regions we checked ban it.

England and Wales: GOV.UK lists camping among the things you can't do on open access land, and Eryri says wild camping needs the landowner's permission. Dartmoor is the exception: in May 2025 the UK Supreme Court ruled that public access to the Dartmoor Commons includes wild camping. The park frames it as backpack camping on a walking trip, so check its map before planning a bike trip around it.

France: camping is free off public roads with the consent of whoever uses the land. Mayors can ban it locally by posting notices.

Germany: federal law leaves forests and the details to the 16 states. Brandenburg lets walkers, cyclists, riders and paddlers pitch a tent for one night in open countryside.

How does camping on public land work elsewhere?

Often freely, with stay limits set by each land manager.

The Bureau of Land Management says that after the limit you move, often at least 40–48 km (25–30 miles). US national forests differ: Mt. Hood in Oregon allows 14 consecutive days, Fishlake in Utah 16. Most non-residents of Canada need a permit for Ontario's Crown land north of the French and Mattawa Rivers. Victoria's state forests allow up to 28 consecutive nights.

How do you leave no trace?

Follow the seven Leave No Trace principles published by the US National Park Service: plan ahead, camp on durable surfaces, dispose of waste properly, leave what you find, minimise campfire impacts, respect wildlife and be considerate of others.

The NPS asks you to camp at least 60 m (200 ft) from lakes and streams and to dig catholes 15–20 cm (6–8 in) deep. Sweden asks you to take food scraps home. Our bikepacking gear list includes a rubbish bag.

What are the legal alternatives to wild camping?

Campsites, hiker-biker pitches, shelters, hosts and rooms.

• Hiker-biker sites: Oregon State Parks has them at nearly every coastal park, first come, first served, along the Pacific Coast bike route.
• Shelters: Munda Biddi Trail shelters in Western Australia can't be booked, so the foundation advises a tent.
• Hosts: Warmshowers is a hospitality network for touring cyclists.

Fixing where each night falls fixes your daily distance too; see how to plan a multi-day cycling tour.

How do you check the rules before you go?

Read the land manager's own page for every place you plan to sleep, close to departure. Rules change: Dartmoor's right was in court until May 2025.

Check local signs, fire bans and seasonal closures, and have a backup site for every night. Read the forecast for the night as well as the ride: see bikepacking weather and our too-windy table.