Travelling further north during a Sweden road trip feels very different from exploring the south of the country. The roads become quieter, the forests feel endless and the distances between towns grow longer. It is during this part of the journey that you may start to see reindeer along the road or moving through the surrounding landscape.
For us, seeing reindeer was one of the most memorable moments of our Sweden campervan road trip. It was not a planned attraction or a fixed stop, but one of those simple experiences that happened naturally along the way. After many kilometres of forest roads and open landscapes, suddenly spotting reindeer made the journey feel wilder and more remote.
In this article, we share what it is like to see reindeer on a Sweden road trip, where you are most likely to encounter them and what to keep in mind when driving through reindeer areas.
Seeing Reindeer in Sweden – Quick Overview
Seeing reindeer in Sweden is often part of the journey rather than a separate activity. You are most likely to encounter them in the northern parts of the country, especially in areas connected to Sámi reindeer herding.
During a campervan road trip, the experience feels especially memorable because it often happens unexpectedly. You may see reindeer beside the road, crossing slowly in front of you or grazing in open landscapes. These small moments make the long drives through northern Sweden feel much more special.
Looking for a campervan rental for your trip? If you don’t have your own van, platforms like CamperDays and Goboony can help you compare campervan rental options for your destination and travel dates. CamperDays is useful for comparing professional rental companies, while Goboony offers many privately owned campervans and motorhomes. We recommend checking availability early, especially for school holidays and summer road trips, as family-friendly campervans can book out quickly.
Where You May See Reindeer During a Sweden Road Trip
Reindeer are most commonly found in northern Sweden, where they are closely connected to Sámi culture and traditional reindeer herding. During a road trip, your chances of seeing them increase as you travel further north and move into quieter, more remote landscapes.
Unlike visiting a wildlife park or a planned attraction, seeing reindeer on the road is often unexpected. You might notice them at the edge of the forest, standing near the roadside or moving slowly across the road in small groups. This makes the experience feel natural and adds something special to the journey.
For campervan travellers, this is one of the reasons why driving north can be so memorable. The road itself becomes part of the experience, and the possibility of seeing reindeer makes even long driving days feel more exciting.
Driving North: A 4 days itinerary from Stockholm
The further north you drive in Sweden, the more the rhythm of the road trip changes. Distances become longer, traffic becomes lighter and the landscapes feel more open and remote. There are fewer large towns and more stretches of forest, lakes and quiet roads.
This is where campervan travel really comes into its own. You can stop when you need to, prepare a simple meal, take a break by a lake and continue the journey without feeling tied to a strict schedule. Seeing reindeer along the way adds to this sense of travelling through a wilder part of Sweden.
It is not necessarily about reaching one specific destination. The experience is more about the journey itself, the quiet roads and the feeling of moving deeper into the north.
Reading tip! Stockholm by campervan with kids
Day 1 – Leaving Stockholm
Falun Copper Mine
After visiting Stockholm and its Archipelago, you can start your journey to the North. On your way, a first stop is Falun, a 2-3 hours drive from Stockholm. You should start your drive early in order to have enought time for the visit of the Falun Copper Mine (Falun Gruva), a Copper mine that run from the 10th century to the 1990s and was designated UNESCO World Heritage in 2001.
The Underground tour, which is available in English, gives you a short introduction with some very interesting facts and figures about the history of the place, you get a helmet and a cape and go down the 5 °C mine.
Every here and then you get interesting information about the life as a miner or stories about how the mine was discovered or how one day a miner was lost in the mine. The storytelling skills of our guide together with some mystic light effects really put us in the situation and we were quite sad when the tour ended after one hour.
After this amazing guided tour, a small museum, which is also included in the ticket, gives you some additional information. We also recommend to walk around the mine where you can visit the old buildings and see the “highest bridge in Sweden”.
Lake Siljan
A 45 minutes drive from Falun away is Lake Siljan, a famous holiday destination for locals. You can visit Tallberg, the nicest village on the lake. But Sweden would not be Sweden without amazing campervan spots next to the water. Spend the rest of the day at one of these.
Day 2 – Lakelife in Sveg
What would be a trip to Sweden without enjoying its lakes ? This is why, we decided to take it smooth and to discover some lake spots on this second day of our road trip. In the morning, we had to take care of some minor reparations in Mora (this is also part of the life in a camper) and then headed towards Sveg, around 2-2.5 hours away. We stopped half way to enjoy a long lunch break at another beautiful lake and pic nic spot. The sun had came out and we did not want to miss that rare opportunity to relax in the sun.
In Sveg, you can do some grocery shopping to prepare for the next days and then leave the main road for the road 84 towards Sandviken. We recommend this lake spot for an overnight stay.
Day 3 – From Sveg to Flatruet – First reindeers
Vemdalen Church
If you continue the road 84 until Sandviken and then, 5 kilometres after the village turn right to the road 315. After 10 kilometers, in Vemdalen, you’ll reach a small but beautiful and somehow untypical church from the 18th century. The church building was constructed of wood and covered with wood shingles. In front, there is a very interesting bell tower which gives the place a lot of its charm.
To enter the church, you need to take the huge key that hangs on the right of the door to enter the church. The inside looks a lot like any other Swedish church but just after the entrance, on the left side, you can chose your language by clicking on a button and listen to further explanations on the construction and the history of the place.
Hede Open Air Museum
Back on road 84, you can drive until you arrive in Hede. This is where you can stop at a small free open air museum. Just stop at the big parking space and have a tour in the park with its old local houses that were placed here. There are short explanations in English on what the building was used for before being transferred to the museum.
Krater meteriorit
When following road 84, a few kilometers after Tännäs, another parking area indicates the « Krater Meteriorit». This is where a meterioit fell more than 2000 years ago and left behind a huge whole. Today, a small walk leads from the parking area to a 44m large and 5m deep whole. Nothing special but just imagine how big the meterioit must have been, leaving such a whole after more than 2000 years.
Ruvallen
After Funäsdalen, you can turn to the right, direction Ljungdalen, and then, 3 kilometers later, turn right again. After a while, this is where the more adventurous part of the road trip begins as the road stops being paved. This is also where the first reindeers may appear. They always arrive out of nowhere, so keep your eyes open. It just amazing to observe these animals with its amazing antlers in real nature.
A bit further, you can turn right to Messlingen until the sign Ruvallen. You can either park there, or fill in a form, put the amount asked in an envelope next to the barrier to pay the toll and go 2 km further to anoher parking area (for us it was 40 SEK). From the second parking area,you can follow the path to a canyon, around 1.5 kilometers away.
If you continue the road a little, we can recommend this spot for the night. But don’t expect to be alone. If you prefer to have a quiet parking spot, you can also spend the night at the first parking area of the canyon walk before paying the toll.
Day 4 – Reindeer watching on the highest road of Sweden
Today you can take the road towards Flatruet, which is the highest street in Sweden and the beautiful mountain panorama, the unpaved ground as well as the possibility to see reindeers make this place the highlight of our road trip to the North, and, to be honest, of our Sweden trip as a whole.
If you spend the night at the recommended overnight spot above, you can go for a hike directly from your camper. Just follow the hiking path towards the lakes and up the hill. The hike takes around 2 hours and the rough nature is quite impressive.
You can then take the route for Flatruet and hope to see more reindeers on the road. The road belongs to them and during our road trip we were lucky enough to observe very closely a group of reindeers crossing the road.
The last stop of this 4 days itinerary is Kläppen around 6 kilometers away. Kläppen is a ski resort during winter time and a good start for hikes during the summer months. A huge parking area makes it simple to travel in a camper. Several itineraries, longer or shorter ones, are available.
What to Bring for a Road Trip to Northern Sweden
Driving further north means being a little more prepared, especially if you are travelling by campervan. Distances can be longer, services may be further apart and the weather can change quickly.
Warm layers are useful even in summer, especially during evenings or when stopping in more remote areas. Mosquito protection can also be important, particularly near lakes and forests. A power bank, enough food and water, and simple cooking equipment help make longer driving days more comfortable.
Having the right setup allows you to enjoy the journey more fully. Instead of worrying about every stop, you can focus on the road, the landscapes and the small experiences that make travelling through Sweden so memorable.
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FAQ – Seeing Reindeer on a Sweden Road Trip
Can you see reindeer while driving in Sweden?
Yes, it is possible to see reindeer while driving in Sweden, especially in the northern parts of the country. They may appear near roads, in forests or in open landscapes, so it is important to drive carefully.
Where are you most likely to see reindeer on a Sweden road trip?
You are most likely to see reindeer in northern Sweden, particularly in areas connected to Sámi reindeer herding. The further north you travel, the higher your chances of encountering them.
Is seeing reindeer in Sweden guaranteed?
No, seeing reindeer is not guaranteed. It often happens unexpectedly during the journey, which makes the experience feel even more special.
What should you do if reindeer are on the road?
Slow down, keep your distance and wait patiently. Reindeer can move unpredictably, so it is important not to drive too close or try to force them to move.
Is it worth driving north in Sweden to see reindeer?
If you enjoy remote landscapes, quiet roads and nature, driving north in Sweden is definitely worth it. Seeing reindeer can be one of the most memorable experiences of the journey, but the road trip itself is just as important as the wildlife sightings.
Is seeing reindeer in Sweden good with children?
Yes, seeing reindeer can be a very memorable experience for children. It adds excitement to long driving days and helps make the journey feel more adventurous.
Conclusion
Seeing reindeer on a Sweden road trip was one of those simple moments that made the journey feel special. It was not something we could plan exactly, but that made it even more memorable. After long stretches of forest roads and quiet landscapes, spotting reindeer gave the trip a real sense of wilderness.
For us, this experience showed why travelling through Sweden by campervan is so rewarding. The beauty is not only in the famous places, but also in the unexpected moments along the way.
If your Sweden road trip takes you further north, take your time, drive carefully and enjoy the journey. The possibility of seeing reindeer is one of the many reasons why this part of Sweden feels so unique.
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