Camper and RV rental — Karlstad

Find a wide selection of campervans and motorhomes for hire in Karlstad and the surrounding area. Discover unique vehicles offered by private owners — from compact campervans for 2, perfect for couples, to spacious 6-berth motorhomes, ideal for families. Flexible booking, competitive prices and insurance included.

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Why choose Karlstad for your road trip

Karlstad — a city worth exploring

Karlstad sits where the Klarälven river meets Lake Vänern, Sweden's largest lake, and has been known as the 'City of Sunshine' since a local waitress named Eva was celebrated in the 1800s for her radiant smile — a spirit the city still carries today. Stroll along the Östra Bron, one of Sweden's longest stone arch bridges with twelve arches spanning the river, then visit Värmlands Museum to explore regional art and cultural history. Families enjoy Mariebergsskogen, a large nature park with a children's zoo, mini-golf and woodland trails right in the city centre. For a dose of creativity, Sandgrund Lars Lerin houses an impressive collection of watercolour works by one of Sweden's most acclaimed contemporary artists. Karlstad also makes a brilliant base for wider exploration: Sunne, gateway to the Fryken lakes, lies just 60 km north, while the Norwegian border town of Charlottenberg with its popular outlet shopping is roughly 75 km west. The landscape around Karlstad is gentle and campervan-friendly, with wide roads winding through forests and along lakeshores — ideal for relaxed driving. Hiring a motorhome through Yescapa connects you directly with local owners who know the best lakeside spots and scenic routes. With a campervan from a nearby host, you can set your own pace and discover Värmland's open spaces without the constraints of fixed accommodation.

Best time to visit

Karlstad comes alive from June to August, when long daylight hours and warm temperatures make lakeside camping a joy. The annual Putte i Parken music festival in July draws crowds to Mariebergsskogen for free open-air concerts — a great reason to plan your trip around midsummer. Autumn brings golden forests and quieter campsites, perfect for a peaceful campervan getaway. Winter visitors can enjoy the Karlstad Christmas market in December. Booking a motorhome through Yescapa during spring or early autumn often means more choice and flexible pricing from local owners. For summer, we recommend reserving your hire early to secure the best vehicle for your plans.

Top getaways from Karlstad

Karlstad is the perfect base for exploring the region by motorhome or campervan. Here are our 6 must-see getaways

Karlstad to Sunne

60km north 1–4 days

Head 60 km north from Karlstad along the Fryken lakes to Sunne, a town steeped in literary history. Visit Mårbacka, the estate of Nobel laureate Selma Lagerlöf, and Rottneros Park with its sculpture gardens. Campervan parking is easy at lakeside rest areas, and the road follows gentle curves through forested hills.

Karlstad to Charlottenberg

75km west 1–3 days

Drive 75 km west from Karlstad to the Norwegian border at Charlottenberg. Stop at Eda Skans, a historic fortress from the 1808 war, and browse the large outlet shopping centre. The E18 motorway is wide and motorhome-friendly, making this an easy day trip or overnight excursion with plenty of roadside services.

Karlstad to Mariestad

140km southeast 3–6 days

Follow the eastern shore of Lake Vänern 140 km south-east to Mariestad, a charming town with a well-preserved medieval cathedral. Along the way, stop at Kristinehamn to see Picasso's 15-metre sculpture by the lake. Campsites with hook-ups dot the lakeshore, and the flat terrain makes for relaxed campervan driving throughout.

Karlstad to Filipstad and the Bergslagen Trail

170km northeast 3–6 days

Travel 170 km north-east from Karlstad into the Bergslagen mining region via Filipstad. Explore the Långban Mine museum and the Lesjöfors industrial heritage site. Forest roads are well-maintained and suitable for motorhomes. Wild swimming lakes and free overnight spots make this a rewarding mid-length adventure.

Karlstad to the Norwegian Fjords via Kongsvinger

250km northwest 5–8 days

Set off 250 km north-west from Karlstad, crossing into Norway via Kongsvinger and continuing towards the Mjøsa lake region. Visit the Glomdalsmuseet open-air museum in Elverum and the medieval town of Hamar. Roads are wide and well-signed for campervans. Plan stops at designated motorhome areas along the route for a comfortable week-long journey.

Karlstad to Gothenburg

300km south 5–8 days

Head 300 km south from Karlstad to Gothenburg, Sweden's second city on the west coast. Break the journey at Trollhättan to see the dramatic canal locks and waterfalls, then explore Läckö Castle on Lake Vänern's western tip. Gothenburg offers the Liseberg amusement park and the Haga district. Motorhome parking is available at several dedicated areas near the city centre.

Rent a campervan on Yescapa: how does it work?

Discover step by step how we work. We accompany you at every stage of the rental process, both owners and travellers.

Discover

Find the perfect vehicle

Find for a leisure vehicle near you or a destination idea according to your planned route, then specify the pick-up and return dates. The perfect vehicle for your road trip holiday is waiting for you!

Connecting people

Confirm your booking

Make one or more booking requests for leisure vehicles that have caught your eye and wait for the owners' responses. Once your request has been accepted, all you have to do is confirm your booking.

Pick-up

Go on an adventure

On the pick-up date, collect the vehicle and listen to the valuable advice of the owner for handling it; you are ready hit the road with family, as a couple or with friends.

Return

All good things must come to an end...

Once again, with the owner complete the vehicle condition check and sign the Rental Agreement as well as exchange your travel stories. All you have to do is imagine your next road trip!

Campsites and parkings for recreational vehicles in Karlstad

Recommended campsites

Karlstad and the surrounding Värmland countryside offer a good selection of campsites suited to both campervans and motorhomes. Along the shores of Lake Vänern you will find spacious pitches with electrical hook-ups, modern shower blocks and laundry facilities. Inland sites near forests and rivers provide a quieter setting with fire pits and canoe hire. Most campsites around Karlstad are open from May to September, with several offering year-round service.

  • Skutbergets Camping Karlstad (5km west)Forest setting, electrical hook-ups, showers, toilets, playground, nature trails
  • Swecamp Karlstad Karlstad (3km east)Central location, electrical hook-ups, showers, kitchen, Wi-Fi, laundry
  • Bomstadbaden Camping Karlstad (8km southwest)Lakeside pitches, electrical hook-ups, showers, sauna, swimming beach, mini-golf
  • Ekuddens Camping Skattkärr (15km east)Lakefront pitches, electrical hook-ups, showers, boat ramp, fishing spots
  • Duse Udde Camping Säffle (50km northwest)Large pitches, electrical hook-ups, showers, restaurant, canoe hire, beach

Where to park your motorhome

Karlstad is welcoming to motorhome travellers, with several dedicated parking areas close to the city centre. Overnight parking in a motorhome is generally permitted in designated areas but not on regular streets. Always check local signage for height and length restrictions. The areas below offer convenient access to shops, restaurants and the lakefront, making them practical bases for exploring the city on foot.

  • Ställplats Karlstad Inre Hamn, 1km south — Central motorhome parking at the inner harbour with electrical hook-ups, water and waste disposal. Walking distance to shops and restaurants.
  • Bomstadbaden Ställplats, 8km southwest — Lakeside motorhome area near Bomstadbaden beach with hook-ups, showers and direct lake access. Ideal for combining city visits with swimming.
  • Skutberget Parkering, 5km west — Spacious car park at Skutberget recreation area with room for larger vehicles. Close to nature trails and a popular swimming spot.

Frequently asked questions

What our users say about our campervans and motorhomes in Karlstad

Achillefs
5 / 5

We had a really nice experience with Egoi’s van! Traveled from Bilbao to Cantabria and Asturias, from Picos de Europa to the coastal of the ocean. The van was clean, safe and comfortable. Egoi is a very helpful and good person!

Dinos
5 / 5

Amazing guests! Communication was excellent from beginning to end, they treated the campervan with great care and everything went perfectly throughout the rental.Very friendly, respectful and easy-going people. They also returned the van super clean, which was really appreciated.The whole experience was smooth and stress-free and I would happily rent to them again anytime.Highly recommended!

Dementii
5 / 5

A experiência foi excelente do início ao fim. Todo o processo de levantamento, check-in e entrega da autocaravana correu de forma perfeita e muito profissional.Nós e a nossa família aproveitámos imenso a viagem. A autocaravana estava muito bem equipada, com tudo o que era necessário — roupa de cama, utensílios de cozinha e todos os detalhes importantes para uma viagem confortável.O estado do veículo também estava impecável. Não encontrámos nenhum problema ou ponto negativo durante toda a viagem.Sem dúvida voltaremos novamente no futuro. Muito obrigado pela excelente experiência!

Teodora
5 / 5

Renting Gabriel’s van was honestly one of the best parts of my trip. The van has so much personality and charm — it felt cozy, reliable, and full of good energy from the moment I picked it up. I loved waking up in different places, making coffee with amazing views, and having the freedom to go wherever I wanted.Gabriel was amazing as well. Super kind, easygoing, and always available if I needed anything. He explained everything clearly and made me feel comfortable straight away.This isn’t just a camper van, it’s an experience. You can tell it has been loved and cared for. I left with beautiful memories and would absolutely rent it again without hesitation.Thank you Gabriel for sharing your little home on wheels with me :)

matteo
5 / 5

Ragazzi fantastici, siamo diventati amici, hanno restituito il van in perfette condizioni! Grazie mille ragazzi e alla prossima!

Yurii
5 / 5

Great experience renting with a child and a dog. Carina was an amazing host—always in touch and very supportive. She even met us before the payment to check if our larger car seat would fit the Isofix, and she welcomed our dog for free, even giving us a nice blanket for him.​The camper was in good condition. The only downside was having just one gas bottle instead of the usual two. It ran out unexpectedly at night, and since gas bottles were not available at the gas stations along our way, we couldn't get a replacement. As a result, we spent the last 2.5 days of our trip without heating or the stove. Other than that, everything was perfect. Highly recommended!