Everyman's Rights

Everyman's Rights

What Finland's 'Everyman's Rights' allow in the wilderness, including the rules for lighting campfires in Lapland.

Finland's 'Everyman's Rights' give visitors broad freedom to roam, but there are clear rules to follow in the terrain around Enontekiö – especially when it comes to lighting fires.

  • Campfires are allowed in the terrain in Lapland unless a forest fire warning is in effect
  • Only fallen dry branches, twigs and small stumps may be used as firewood
  • A separate permit (€4.25 per cubic metre) is needed to use fallen trees; felling trees is strictly forbidden
  • Where a maintained campfire site is within 500 metres, all fires must be lit there

General Notes about Campfires

Metsähallitus grants general permission to light fires in the terrain in Lapland – provided there is no forest fire warning in effect and you are not on private land without permission. When a warning is in force, fires are completely forbidden.

In nature reserves with a maintenance and utilisation plan or specific regulations, you must follow those documents when lighting fires.

You may only use fallen dry branches, twigs and small stumps as firewood. Using fallen trees requires a separate permit, costing €4.25 per cubic metre, available from The Fell-Lapland Nature Centre; felling trees is strictly forbidden.

Use an old campfire site if you can find one. Where a maintained campfire site lies within 500 metres, all fires must be lit there. Campfires are not recommended in areas with few trees.