Camping and campfires in Polish forests: Zanocuj w lesie rules
Short answer: Camping in a Polish forest is allowed only in designated places, including Zanocuj w lesie zones. Open fires need a marked fireplace or written permit, and entry bans can carry a 500 zł fine.
Poland's state forests are open to everyone, but camping and campfires are tightly regulated. In most places, sleeping in a forest outside a designated site is not allowed, and open fire is banned outside marked fireplaces. A programme called "Zanocuj w lesie" (Stay overnight in the forest) opens large areas for basic overnight stays. This guide follows pages of the State Forests (Lasy Państwowe): the camping FAQ, the "Zanocuj w lesie" site and rules, and the page on forest entry bans dated 25 April 2025. Rules can change, so check the local forest district (nadleśnictwo) before you go.
Camping in a forest: the basic rule
The State Forests FAQ says camping in a forest is possible in places designated by the forest district manager (nadleśniczy), and outside them it is prohibited by law. Legal places include existing camping spots, camping fields and campsites. At the end of 2019 an additional 41 pilot areas were designated for bushcraft and survival,.
The "Zanocuj w lesie" programme
According to the programme site, the State Forests opened more than 600 thousand hectares in 425 forest districts to people who practise bushcraft and survival. Key rules from the site:
- Your equipment must not damage trees, shrubs or forest undergrowth.
- Open fire is still banned outside designated places.
- If you want to stay in a designated zone for more than 2 nights in a row, or in a group of more than 9 people, you must email the local forest district and get a reply confirming it.
- There are no taps, running water, restaurants or car parks. The programme is aimed at people prepared for hard conditions.
- Areas can be temporarily closed because of fire risk or safety.
The programme rules add: before you set out, check the map of forest entry bans on the State Forests portal, because a temporary ban may be in force, for example due to high fire danger. Collecting wood or other material, for any purpose including making a fire or a camp structure, is prohibited.
Campfires
Under article 30 of the Forest Act, as quoted by the State Forests, you may not light a fire in forests, inside forests, or within 100 metres of the forest boundary, except in places designated by the owner or the forest district manager. Permanent fire places are marked by the manager, for example at camping places, tourist and educational sites and scout bases. The manager may also issue a temporary written permit that sets the exact place, how to secure the fire and who is responsible.
The FAQ lists conditions for a permitted fire:
- the fire should not be closer than 6 metres from standing trees,
- the flame must not exceed 2 metres,
- you need equipment to put it out immediately and a working means of communication,
- after it burns down, soak it with water, cover it with sand and check there are no smouldering pieces.
The 100-metre rule means you cannot light a fire by a lake or river near the forest either.
Entry bans
The State Forests page of 25 April 2025 says forests are open to all, as guaranteed by the Forest Act. Only the local forest district manager can introduce a temporary ban on entry, and only when there is high fire danger, when trees or undergrowth have been badly damaged (for example after a storm), or when forestry work such as logging or spraying is under way. A ban must be for a specific time and cannot be "until further notice". The page notes that a ban cannot be introduced by a prime minister, minister or voivode.
Some places have a permanent ban on entry: forest plantations up to 4 metres high, experimental plots and seed stands, animal refuges, sources of rivers and streams, and areas at risk of erosion. The page states a fine of 500 zł for breaking a ban on entry.
What the sources do not say
The sources do not mention foreign visitors, and do not describe national parks, which have their own rules. They do not give fines for illegal camping or fires beyond the 500 zł stated for entry bans. Check the local forest district for details, and if you plan an overnight stay in a protected area, ask whether it is covered by the programme.
* Photos: illustrative images from Wikimedia Commons (public domain): campsites in a US national forest, not in Poland.
Frequently asked questions
Can I camp anywhere in a Polish forest?
No. According to the State Forests, camping is allowed only in places designated by the forest district manager, including campsites, camping fields and the "Zanocuj w lesie" zones.
Can I light a campfire in a forest?
Only in designated fireplaces or with a temporary written permit from the forest district manager. The ban covers forests and the area within 100 metres of their edge.
Do I need to notify anyone before staying overnight?
In a "Zanocuj w lesie" zone, you must email the forest district and get a reply if you plan more than 2 nights in a row or a group of more than 9 people.
How do I know if a forest is closed?
Check the map of forest entry bans on the State Forests portal and the local forest district website. Closures are marked with "zakaz wstępu" signs, and breaking a ban can bring a 500 zł fine.
