Lahemaa National Park: Estonia's Oldest Wilderness by Campervan

Lahemaa became Estonia's first national park in 1971 — and it remains the largest, covering 725 square kilometres of the north coast between Tallinn and Narva. The park is managed in partnership between the Environment Board and RMK (State Forest Management Centre), which maintains the visitor infrastructure: trails, campsites, boardwalks, and the main visitor centre at Palmse.

For campervan travellers, Lahemaa is one of the most rewarding parks in the entire Baltic region. It combines spectacular coastal scenery, ancient manor estates, boulders left by the Ice Age, dense forest, and bog landscapes, all within two hours of Tallinn.

The Visitor Centre at Palmse

The Lahemaa National Park Visitor Centre is housed in the former stable and coach hall of the 18th-century Palmse Manor estate. It's a genuinely useful stop: the exhibition covers the park's ecology and history, recommended routes are mapped out, and staff can advise on current conditions. Open year-round. Parking for larger vehicles is available in the manor yard.

Where to Camp

RMK operates several free and low-cost camping areas within the park:

• Võsu — The north coast's main beach village. Commercial campsites with facilities; ideal for families.
• Oandu — Forest camping area in the eastern park interior, near the start of the Oandu–Aegviidu–Ikla long-distance trail (370 km through Estonia).
• Käsmu — The 'Captains' Village', a peninsula with wild coastal camping possibilities and sea-view sites.

Free wild camping is permitted in designated RMK zones; fires only in fixed fire rings. Check the RMK mobile app for current open sites.

What to See

Beyond Viru Bog, the park highlights include Altja fishing village (preserved traditional wooden buildings on the coast), the erratic boulders of Tammispea, Käsmu limestone shoreline, and the four manor estates — Palmse, Sagadi, Vihula, and Kolga — each restored to different degrees.

Getting There

The park is bisected by the Tallinn–Narva highway (E20). The Palmse visitor centre is reached by turning south at Viitna. No entry fee to the park. The RMK mobile app includes an offline map with all facilities marked — essential for planning a multi-day visit.