Alone by the water, surrounded by beautiful nature and beautiful views. It is the ultimate tent camping site according to many. But how to find it? Here I share my best tips on how to find a really good roof tent site to camp on - both for fricamping and regular campsites.
One of my biggest fears when I bought my first roof tent was that my dreams of epic campsites with grand views from the top of the tent on the roof of the car would in reality more often than not be a tarmac road pocket along a heavily trafficked European road. Fortunately, it turned out quite quickly that my fears were not true. Most of the time we find beautiful places to stand - if not, the evening can be saved with a campsite or rest area.But as you may have understood, I like to freecamp most of all, that is, to set up in a place that is not prepared with the aim of being able to spend the night with, for example, a mobile home.
1. Put on the roof tent goggles
I usually say that I always travel with roof tent glasses on. If I'm out driving and see a small road that looks exciting, I often look up where it leads. Driving around looking for that perfect campsite also becomes part of the fun of the trip for me. Excitement in what awaits around the next bend or at the end of that little detour. But it IS NOT ALWAYS COMPLETELY EASY. Since I started roof tenting, I have realized how difficult it can be to find small roads that are not lined with holiday homes or summer cottages or blocked with a road barrier.2. Google Maps is your best friend
My best tip is to use Google Maps or another map service and scan the area you plan to camp in overnight. Select satellite view and you can easily see if there are houses nearby (which I usually want to avoid) and if the location in question looks like parking. If you go fishing, it's rarely far to a commercial campsite, regardless of where you are. There are also plenty of beautiful rest areas and parking spaces for motorhomes that can work if you don't absolutely have to be completely alone.3. Apps like Park4Night
Park4Night is the most loved app among roof tenters, vanlifers and motorhome owners and the savior for me several times when I've gone hunting on my own. The Park4Night app lists places where you can park overnight. A good thing is that it is possible to filter by type of campsite - for example fricamping ("Surroned by nature"), pitch, rest area, campsite. You can of course also contribute yourself and add places you find. The app is free and available for both iPhone and Android.
Other app tips for finding rooftop tent sites are, for example, "Ställplatser" and "Freecamping"
4. Camp
A new service where both private individuals and companies can offer campers to rent a place with them. Booking and payment takes place directly in Acamp's app or on their website . Perhaps not regular fricamping - but there will be opportunities to book places where only a few guests can stay at a time. The funny thing is that they seem to invest in connecting with landowners who have something fun to show off such as a distillery, a restaurant out on the slopes and organic farms. A fun opportunity to have a unique experience and at the same time avoid the crowds at regular campsites! Will definitely try this summer.5. Ask other roof tenters, outdoorsmen and locals
My experience is that people are almost always generous with tips, so join groups for the city/landscape/place you're visiting and/or outdoor/camping groups on Facebook and ask for tips. Two good groups: Vi som fricampar and Taktält Sverige .
Also ask relatives/friends/acquaintances who live or have lived in the area. The local tourist stations can also have good tips.
