Where Free Camping Is Definitively Forbidden
What Is Tolerated - and Under What Conditions
StayFree: Finding Spots in Switzerland
Microcamping: The Best Solution for Switzerland
Final Thought
FAQ
Is free camping allowed in Switzerland?
There is no unified federal law. Wild camping is not fundamentally prohibited, but cantonal and municipal rules vary significantly. Definitively forbidden is overnight camping in national parks, nature reserves, hunting ban areas and wildlife rest zones. On public car parks without a prohibition sign, one night is often tolerated - but only without camping behaviour: no awning, no chairs, no tarp.
Where is free camping in Switzerland definitely not allowed?
Definitively forbidden: national parks (including Engadin National Park), all nature reserves, federal hunting ban areas, wildlife rest zones, and forest roads. Add to that the tourist hotspots where enforcement is high and tolerance low - lake shores near Lucerne, Interlaken, the Lake Zurich area, and well-known mountain passes in summer.
What is the best alternative to free camping in Switzerland?
Microcamping on private property. Overnight stays on private land with the landowner's permission are legal - and that's exactly what you can find in StayFree. The spots are often cheaper than classic campgrounds, set in more idyllic locations, and give both traveler and host a clear legal footing. For Switzerland specifically, microcamping isn't just the safer option - it's usually the better one.
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