Camping in Tromso: The Best Campsites Above the Arctic Circle

How does Tromso fit into a Norway road trip? Think island city, ringed by fjords and jagged peaks, where grocery stops, gear shops, and cozy cafés sit a short drive from beaches, trails, and dark-sky viewpoints. Winter brings crisp nights and frequent clear-sky windows for the aurora, while summer stretches into golden “midnight” hours for lazy drives and long hikes.

That balance is what makes campsites in Tromso such a sweet spot: close to museums and harbors, but with big-sky waterfront pitches when you’re renting a motorhome in Norway and want a base that feels both handy and wild.

 

1. Tromsø Lodge & Camping (Tromsdalen – Closest to town)

Riverside and minutes from downtown, this is the go-to “first/last night” base with a robust winter setup. You’ll find year-round RV and tent camping with electricity, renovated service houses, a sauna, a communal kitchen, and proper grey-water and chemical disposal.

Cabins span multiple categories, handy if you want a mix of camping and lodge nights without moving the vehicle. Walking to the center takes about 30 minutes; by car it’s 5–10.

Tip for camping in Tromso: Book the city base early in peak weeks. Tromsø Lodge & Camping is the closest full-service option to downtown and fills first. It’s also the safest bet in winter.

2. Skittenelv Camping (25 km north of Tromsø)

Set on Grøtsundet, 25 km north of the city, Skittenelv blends fjord quiet with practical facilities. The camping area runs roughly mid-May to mid-September, while cabins with baths are available; check winter availability directly if you’re planning a deep-winter stay.

Expect about 80 powered spots for motorhomes and campers and 20 cabins total, plus a service building and seasonal outdoor pools. It’s a relaxed, dark-sky location for aurora if coastal clouds break.

3. Sommarøy Camping & Marina (Sommarøy – West of Tromsø)

On a postcard-pretty island with white-sand beaches and low light pollution, Sommarøy’s simple self-service site offers grass pitches for RVs and tents with electric hook-ups, a small kitchen, coin-operated showers, laundry, chemical and grey-water disposal, and a guest pier.

Check-in is via machine, and you’ll pay by card to get access codes, handy after late drives. Expect a more elemental feel than city camps, with ocean soundtracks and big skies for both aurora and midnight sun.

4. Grøtfjord Bygdelag (Community Beach Camping, Kvaløya)

If you want a simple, scenic overnight by one of Tromsø’s favorite sandy coves, the community-run area at Grøtfjord fits the bill. Expect a grass field by the beach with toilets, no fixed electricity or showers, and a short maximum stay (commonly 1–2 nights).

Barbecue huts and fire pits sit near the parking area, and fees are modest and posted on site. Go when the weather is friendly; the payoff is huge skies and that long-arc sunset glow.

Tip for camping in Tromso: Expect simpler facilities but A-grade views and low light at night in Sommarøy and Grøtfjord. Check conditions before committing to beachside stays.

5. Svensby Tursenter (Lyngenfjord – Via Ferry)

About an hour from Tromsø including the Breivikeidet–Svensby ferry, Svensby Tursenter gives you Lyngen Alps views with practical comforts. Beside the cabins you’ll find a campsite for tents, campers, and motorhomes with 16A power, plus a service building with kitchen, showers, toilets, sauna, and a BBQ area.

It’s a lovely inland-fjord alternative when you want more dramatic mountain backdrops and often clearer skies than on the coast.

6. Olderelv Camping (Skibotn – Dry-Climate Favorite)

Roughly 90 minutes from Tromsø on the E6, Skibotn sits in one of Norway’s drier microclimates, great when coastal clouds linger. Olderelv is a family-run site with decades of history and multiple quality awards, offering cabins plus touring pitches in a sheltered, pine-screened setting.

Expect clean sanitary blocks and a calm vibe that works well for longer aurora watches or as a staging point if you’re pushing farther east.

Tip for camping in Tromso: Chase clearer skies inland. When coastal clouds stick, places like Skibotn (Olderelv) or Lyngen (Svensby) often see drier weather.

7. Fjordbotn Camping (North Senja – Big Capacity)

If you’re pairing Tromsø with Senja, Fjordbotn is an easy northern entry with serious capacity: 55 motorhome spaces (most with electricity), good tent areas, and 16 cabins totaling around 60 beds.

Facilities include modern sanitary blocks, a grill house, and proper emptying systems for motorhomes and chemical toilets. The fjord setting is classic Senja yet you still get the conveniences needed on a longer road trip.

8. Skoghus Camping (Silsand/Finnsnes – Senja Gateway)

Just 4 km from the Finnsnes–Silsand bridge, Skoghus is a small, quiet camp with sea views. Useful if you’re arriving late to Senja or staging for daytime loops.

Campers get access to sanitary facilities, a guest kitchen, a cozy “wilderness hut” lounge, and paid washer/dryer. Beyond pitches, rooms with bathrooms are available if you want a warm reset night before pushing on.

9. Solbakken Camping (Bardu/Salangsdalen – All Year)

South of Tromsø along the E6 corridor, Solbakken is an all-year campsite in Salangsdalen with around 25 spots for motorhomes/campers, cabins, and trail access straight from the property.

It’s a practical pause-point if you’re linking Tromsø with Narvik or Polar Park, and it stays functional in winter when many smaller sites close.

10. Elvelund Camping (Sjøvegan/Lavangen – Fjordside, All Year)

At the mouth of the Salangselva in Sjøvegan, Elvelund mixes all-year camping with cozy cabins and rooms. It’s calm, fjord-view territory with a small on-site café in summer (June–September), making it a relaxed overnight if you’re pacing longer northern routes.

Expect standard pitches for tents, motorhomes, and campers. Check the seasonal “full service” window if you’re coming outside summer.

Ready to roll?

For reliable campsites in Tromso year-round, follow a simple loop: Base in town at Tromsø Lodge & Camping, go coastal (Sommarøy/Grøtfjord), chase dark skies (Skittenelv/Svensby/Olderelv), add Fjordbotn/Skoghus for Senja, and use Solbakken/Elvelund on the E6. Consider Motorhome Norway to secure a winter-ready vehicle and make the most of the Arctic road trip.