A campfire gives us safety, warmth and companionship. We can use it to cook our meals, stay warm and spend time together in nature. But in order for us to be able to enjoy this experience together, we need to make sure we put some thought into protecting nature so we don’t damage the land or plant and animal life.

Where can I light a campfire?

If possible, choose a place that has been built specifically for campfires. Never light a fire directly on rocky surfaces as the heat may cause the rock to crack, and never light a fire if there is the risk of a forest fire. National parks and nature reserves usually have specific rules for lighting fires so make sure you know what they are.

How do I put a campfire out?

To make sure that a fire can’t spread, it is very important that it has been fully extinguished before you leave. Use a bucket and water to be sure.

What fuel can I use?

Take wood with you for your campfire. Some wind shelters and cottages or huts will have a supply of wood that you can use. You can also collect loose branches and twigs from the ground, but never break these off trees or bushes.

Fire bans

If there is a risk of fires spreading, emergency services will put a fire ban in place, and information will be posted on their websites. This information will also be posted on the website and social media sites of the High Coast Tourism Service when a ban is put in place. Make sure you know what applies before setting off.

In Sweden, you can find the perfect place to pitch your tent out in the middle of nature, but there are a few things you need to think about first.

• Never pitch your tent on grazing land, farmland or cropland
• If there are many of you in your group, or if you are close to a private house, you need to ask the landowner for permission to camp
• Make sure you are aware of the specific rules inside national parks and nature reserves.

The forest is a well-stocked larder filled with wild plants, berries and mushrooms – all of which add extra flavor to the meals you cook outdoors. You can forage for wild plants, mushrooms and berries but make sure none of them are protected. Find out which species are protected on naturvårdsverket.se – the Swedish Environmental Protection Agency’s website.

What can I take?

You can pick wild berries, flowers and mushrooms, and you can collect fallen branches and dry twigs that are on the ground. Some plants and mushrooms are protected and must not be picked.

What can’t I take?

You can’t take branches, twigs, bark, leaves, acorns, nuts or gum/sap from living trees and bushes.

Nuts

Hazelnuts and other nuts are not included in the Right of Public Access like berries and mushrooms are, so they should not be picked.

Mushrooms

You may pick most mushrooms but not truffles or protected species. Please be aware that there are many poisonous mushroom species in Sweden so make sure you can identify anything you find.

Remember to:

• Never pick protected plants and mushrooms
• Never take anything from living trees and bushes, except for berries and fruit
• Never take anything from cropland or private gardens.
• Never take fallen trees or bushes home with you.

Skuleskogen National Park is a unique place in the High Coast World Heritage Site. This is where you can find the remaining coastal forests in the region, beautiful red Nordingrå granite coastlines and forests in the transitional zones between the south and the north – these are all typical of the national park. Skuleskogen is here to be visited, experienced and enjoyed by everyone – both now and in the future. Therefore, it is important that you are aware of the specific rules and regulations that apply to all visitors to the national park.

• You may only light fires in specifically prepared places during the period May 1 – September 30. You can only use wood that is supplied or that you have carried in with you.
• You can only camp in specified areas and you can only spend a maximum of three nights in the same place during the period May 1 – Sept 30. If you want to spend more than three nights in the same place, you need special permission from the County Administrative Board.
• You may not use motorized vehicles in the park. Snowmobiles, however, can be driven on the sea ice for transportation to a coastal destination or to a fishing site on the sea ice.
• You may not destroy or damage any fixed natural objects or surfaces.
• You may not fish in lakes, tarns, rivers or streams.
• You may not climb in nesting trees, collect insects or disturb or damage animal life in any way.
• You may bring a dog with you if it is on a leash at all times.
• You may not cycle in the national park, with the exception of the coastal track between the north and south entrances.
• You may not dig up plants or pick mosses, lichens, or wood-decay fungi.
• You may not cut down or in any way damage living or dead trees or bushes.

Here is a map of Skuleskogen National Park that shows specified campsites and shelters

Here is a link with up-to-date news for Skuleskogen National Park.