Wild camping in the Dolomites will be prosecuted and punished more severely from now on

In South Tyrol, the pressure on wild campers is growing. The municipality of Selva di Val Gardena is currently planning to be the first in the country to specifically prohibit overnight stays in vehicles and tents outside of official sites. This is due to increasing problems with garbage, night-time noise and violations in sensitive nature zones. I took a look at the specific plans, the legal situation in Italy and Austria and what you should be prepared for when staying overnight in a camper in the future.

Selva di Val Gardena: What needs to change

The Dolomites are one of the most popular destinations for outdoor enthusiasts, but as the number of visitors increases, so do the conflicts. In the small municipality of Selva di Val Gardena, people are clearly fed up with the many violations of existing rules.

There are plans to introduce a general ban on overnight stays in vehicles such as campers, vans or cars outside official camping sites or pitches. Tents will also no longer be tolerated, especially in sensitive areas such as the adjacent nature park.

Anyone who violates the planned regulation will in future:

• pay an administrative fine and

• remove the vehicle within 30 minutes,

• otherwise you risk being towed away at your own expense.

The measure has not yet been finalized, but it is considered likely. The local councillor emphasizes that this is in response to numerous incidents during the summer, including littering in nature, washing in the river and camping in protected areas.

Wild camping in Italy: already prohibited

Even without the planned regulation in Selva di Val Gardena, wild camping is generally prohibited in Italy, especially in protected areas, on beaches and near national and nature parks.

What many people don't know: Municipalities can and do adopt additional regulations. Overnight stays in public parking lots are often tolerated, but not everywhere.

In South Tyrol, the number of municipalities that want to ban camping outside official sites is increasing. Selva Gardena is the first to take a clear step in this direction, others could follow.

Austria: Resting yes, camping no

Unlike in Italy, Austria allows a short-term overnight stay in the vehicle under certain circumstances to restore fitness to drive.

In concrete terms, this means

• If you are tired, you can sleep in your car in a public parking lot.

• Prerequisite: You do not exhibit camping behavior. This means:

  • No awning,

  • no chairs,

  • no cooking outdoors.

• After resting, you should continue riding as soon as possible.

This regulation is not an invitation to stay overnight "light", but an exceptional rule for road safety. In Austria, too, municipalities and federal states are authorized to issue their own rules. In many regions, such as Tyrol or Carinthia, sleeping in the car is also explicitly prohibited.

What you should consider now

If you are traveling by camper to South Tyrol or other Alpine regions, you should be prepared for stricter controls and rules, even if there is not an official ban everywhere.

Here are a few practical tips on how to avoid trouble:

What you should better avoid

• Wild camping in nature reserves or protected areas

• Overnight stays in parking lots in town centers

• Setting up tables, chairs, barbecue or awning

• Washing or cooking outdoors

• Staying overnight in unmarked parking spaces without a permit

What is often allowed (but check!)

• Spend the night on official campsites or pitches

• Short-term parking without camping behavior (depending on municipality)

• Resting in the vehicle when tired (e.g. in Austria, without camping behavior)

• Use of infrastructure on official sites

• Continue driving after restoration of fitness to drive

Conclusion: consideration protects freedom

Whether in Italy or Austria, wild camping is a sensitive issue that repeatedly leads to conflicts. Developments in South Tyrol show that many communities are running out of patience. Anyone traveling with a camper should know the rules, show consideration and, if in doubt, head for an official site.

The more respectfully we all travel, the greater the chance that traveling close to nature will remain possible in the future.

Photo: fokkebok/ envato

Source: South Tyrol News