Camping and everyone’s rights
Short-term camping and other nature stays are part of everyone’s rights. When staying in nature areas near cities, be respectful of nature and consider other hikers. Do not disturb landowners or nature. For example, if you sleep in a hammock, protect tree trunks with a so-called tree hugger.
Everyone’s rights do not give you the right to camp, for example, in nature reserves or on beaches. Camping in other nature sites can also be restricted so that it does not exhaust nature or disturb other people.
Read more about everyone’s rights(Link leads to external service)
Frequently asked questions about camping
In recreational areas, it is allowed to camp with everyone’s right for a short time as long as you do not disturb nature and other hikers. You are not allowed to camp in the immediate vicinity of lean-tos and campfire sites. This is to ensure that everyone who wants to take advantage of the rest stops is able to do so. When camping in recreational areas, keep in mind that there are no facilities to support your overnight stay. It is important to make sure you do not leave litter or other traces in nature after your stay. Please note that open fires are not everyone’s right.
Kaunissaari and Pihlajasaari are recreational islands where camping is subject to a fee. They are also official campgrounds, where camping is directed to areas that provide campers with a variety of services, such as outhouses, waste bins and firewood. These islands have dedicated areas for camping. Outside the high season, generally from 15 September to 1 May, services on these islands will be on winter break and camping will be free of charge.
Short-term camping is allowed, but it must not bother other hikers, islanders or nature. Please note that making a fire is only allowed in cooking shelters built for this purpose, which means you must bring your firewood with you. Cooking with your own camping stove is often the easiest solution. If no waste collection has been arranged, you must bring your garbage with you to the mainland.
Dogs or other pets must not be released into the wild, and you must not disturb nesting birds. Also respect the yard areas of any cottages or villas. You are always moving at your own risk on any City of Helsinki islands and recreational areas. Proper equipment, diligence and common sense are the best companions on a trip to the sea
Delivering firewood to the archipelago is very expensive. Unfortunately, firewood is also stolen, and therefore its sufficiency cannot be guaranteed, as firewood that was just replenished can be gone the next day. Pihlajasaari, Kaunissaari and Pikku Leikosaari have firewood, the consumption of which is monitored by the person responsible for the maintenance of the island.
According to the general interpretation, it is camping that lasts for one or two nights.