Finding a free motorhome stopover in the Netherlands is harder than you’d think. In France and Germany almost every village has an aire or a Stellplatz, but here more spots seem to disappear than appear. They do still exist, though: places where you can legally spend the night in your motorhome or campervan without paying a cent, sometimes next to a castle, by the water or on a farm.
We’ve been travelling around Europe in a campervan for years, and we’re always on the lookout for good places to spend the night. For this guide we checked every location again in the Campercontact and park4night apps, looking for recent reviews from other motorhomers. Spots that have closed or now charge a fee are out. These are the 15 best free motorhome stopovers in the Netherlands, by region.
Are there free motorhome stopovers in the Netherlands?
Yes, but fewer than you’d hope. Out of more than 2,000 motorhome stopovers in the Netherlands, stellplatz.info counts just over a hundred that are free. Sounds like plenty? Look beyond the number. Often it’s two bays next to a sports hall or on an industrial estate, you can only stay if you eat at the restaurant, or the latest review is years old.
That’s why this list only includes places you’ll actually enjoy waking up in: by the water, next to a castle or on a farm. Free, legal, and confirmed by other motorhomers this year.
Facilities are usually minimal or non-existent. Expect a parking bay and sometimes a bin; fresh water, waste disposal or electricity are only available at a handful of the spots on this list. A motorhome with its own toilet and a full water tank makes life a lot easier.
Can you park your motorhome anywhere overnight in the Netherlands?
No. Wild camping is illegal in the Netherlands: outside campsites and official motorhome stopovers, you can’t just spend the night anywhere. Sleeping in your van in a regular car park isn’t allowed in many towns either. The rules differ per municipality and are set out in local bylaws, and staying somewhere without permission can get you a fine.
On an official motorhome stopover you can spend the night, but even there the rule is: parked, not camping. So don’t put out chairs, tables or your awning unless it’s clearly allowed, and stick to the maximum stay. At most spots that’s between 24 and 72 hours, and at popular locations it’s enforced.
How do you find free motorhome stopovers?
The easiest way is an app. Campercontact, run by the Dutch motorhome club NKC, lists the most official stopovers in the Netherlands, with filters for price and facilities. Park4night has plenty of spots too, but it also includes ordinary car parks where overnight stays aren’t actually allowed.
So always check the date of the latest reviews. Free stopovers change fast: a town introduces a fee, a restaurant stops welcoming motorhomes or a car park closes for roadworks. A review from a few weeks ago tells you more than the description.
Tips for staying at a free motorhome stopover
Arrive early. Many spots only have two to six bays, and on a sunny Friday in summer they fill up fast. Having a plan B nearby saves you a lot of stress at the end of the day.
If the stopover is at a restaurant, farm or golf course, buying a drink or something from the farm shop is a small gesture that keeps owners happy to welcome motorhomes. Take your rubbish with you, only empty your tanks at an official disposal point and leave the place tidy: the fewer complaints, the better the chance a free spot stays free.
Renting a motorhome in the Netherlands
No motorhome of your own yet? Through Goboony you can rent motorhomes and campervans of every shape and size from private owners. It’s a great way to find out whether van life suits you, or to try different layouts before buying or converting a van yourself. We built our first van without doing that, and with a bit more experience we’d have made a few different choices.
The 15 best free motorhome stopovers in the Netherlands
Free motorhome stopovers in the north
#1 Paterswolde: by the Paterswoldsemeer lake
Not a bare car park but a green spot: at Paterswolde, just south of the city of Groningen, you park among grass and trees close to the Paterswoldsemeer lake. On warm days, half of Groningen heads to the little beach here to swim and windsurf, and the city centre is an easy bike ride away.
Good to know: six spaces, maximum 72 hours. It can get busy in summer.
#2 Workum: on the Abma family farm
In Workum it’s not the town but a hospitable farming family that welcomes motorhomes. On the Abma family farm you park between the meadows, with chickens pecking around between the vans. Workum is one of the historic Frisian Eleven Cities and lies close to the IJsselmeer lake.
Good to know: staying overnight is free. If you use electricity or the waste disposal point, a voluntary contribution is appreciated.
#3 Norg: at Dinercafé Norgerhout by the ancient forest
Next to the Norgerholt, one of the oldest woods in the Netherlands, is Dinercafé Norgerhout. Motorhomes can stay here for free, and the owners appreciate it if you eat with them. The village of Norg is within walking distance, but the ancient forest with its centuries-old oaks is the real reason to stop.
Free motorhome stopovers in the east
#4 Bathmen: at the De Uutvlog sports hall in Salland
Next to the sports hall in the village of Bathmen, in the Salland region, the town has created two motorhome spaces. A quiet base for cycling through the patchwork countryside of hedgerows and farmland, and the old Hanseatic city of Deventer is about fifteen minutes’ drive away.
Good to know: two spaces, maximum 48 hours. According to Campercontact you can fill up with water and empty your tanks here.
#5 Doornenburg: overnight next to a medieval castle
There’s little more romantic than waking up next to a castle. At Doornenburg Castle on the river Linge, the local council has set up a free motorhome spot on the grass, overlooking one of the best-preserved medieval castles in the Netherlands. The bays are a bit sloping, but for a spot like this you’ll happily put up with that.
Visiting the castle is the obvious thing to do, but there are also lovely walks from here, for example to Fort Pannerden. On sunny days it’s a popular spot, so arrive early.
Good to know: no facilities.
→ Discover the 12 most beautiful castles and palaces in the Netherlands
#6 Bemmel: by the lake on the edge of the village
On the edge of the historic village of Bemmel, in the same municipality, you park next to a small lake and a park with a playground. Handy if you’re travelling with kids or a dog. The village centre is close by, with De Kinkelenburg castle, now mainly used as a wedding venue.
Good to know: five spaces, no facilities. Some motorhomers report it can be a bit noisy in the evening.
#7 Oosterwolde: in the sculpture garden of Camper-tuINN
In Oosterwolde, near Oldebroek in Gelderland, the owners of Camper-tuINN share their sculpture garden with motorhomers. An unusual spot among art and greenery, and a good base for cycling and walking, for example along the Eekterpad footpath.
Good to know: book in advance. Staying is free; for facilities such as electricity, toilet and shower you pay a small contribution that goes to their charity.
Free motorhome stopovers in North Holland, South Holland and Flevoland
#8 Spanbroek: De Wijzend marina by the water
The municipality of Opmeer has created a lovely spot at De Wijzend, a small marina surrounded by greenery with views over the water. Bring a canoe and you can paddle along the canals of West Friesland, and by bike you can reach the historic towns of Hoorn and Alkmaar.
Good to know: three spaces, maximum 72 hours, no facilities.
#9 Katwoude: overnight at the Simonehoeve cheese farm
The Simonehoeve near Volendam sells cheese and clogs and shows visitors how Dutch cheese is made. In the evening, its car park turns into a simple motorhome stopover. Ideal for combining Volendam, Marken and Edam without booking a campsite.
Good to know: one night only, from 5pm to 9.30am. A motorhome with its own toilet is preferred.
#10 Hoek van Holland: on the Emmaboulevard by the beach
Free parking with the sea around the corner? You’ll find it on the Koningin Emmaboulevard in Hoek van Holland. From your spot you can watch the huge ships heading in and out of the port of Rotterdam, the beach is within walking distance and there’s a good fish restaurant nearby.
Good to know: five spaces, maximum 48 hours. It’s a popular spot and the police check regularly, so stick to the rules.
#11 Luttelgeest: at Pantropica in the Noordoostpolder
In the large car park of Pantropica, the tropical indoor garden formerly known as Orchideeënhoeve, motorhomes can stay overnight for free. A handy stop on the way north, and in the Noordoostpolder you’re close to two unusual sights: the former island of Schokland, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, and the Waterloopbos forest.
Good to know: plenty of space, no facilities.
Free motorhome stopovers in the south
#12 Kloosterzande: in a village in Zeelandic Flanders
In Kloosterzande, in Zeelandic Flanders, you can stay overnight for free in a paved car park next to a small park. The village is a few hundred metres away, with a pancake house around the corner for when you don’t feel like cooking. The Drowned Land of Saeftinghe, one of the most beautiful nature reserves in Zeeland, is about fifteen minutes’ drive away.
Good to know: two spaces, no facilities.
#13 Nuenen: at Sportpark Oude Landen in Van Gogh country
Vincent van Gogh lived and worked in Nuenen for almost two years, and you can still see places he painted, such as his parents’ vicarage and the Opwetten watermill. At Sportpark Oude Landen the town has created a free motorhome stopover, with a play area nearby. Eindhoven is a short bike ride away.
Good to know: five spaces, maximum 72 hours. Free waste disposal.
#14 Ottersum: at Old Inn Bar & Kitchen by the Gennepse Heide
In Ottersum, near Gennep in northern Limburg, you can stay for free at restaurant Old Inn Bar & Kitchen. A drink or a bite to eat is appreciated, and then you can use the toilet and wifi too. The woods and pools of the Gennepse Heide heathland are right around the corner, perfect for a walk.
Good to know: maximum 72 hours, no motorhome service point.
#15 Sittard: next to De Nieuwe Hateboer swimming pool
Next to the De Nieuwe Hateboer swimming pool in Sittard, in Limburg, the town has made room for around ten motorhomes. You’ll find something here that’s rare at free spots in the Netherlands: fresh water and waste disposal. The De Schwienswei nature area is close by, and the lively town centre of Sittard is easy to reach.
Good to know: free, but you need to register online via the town’s website. Maximum 48 hours.
→ Discover the best free campervan spots in Portugal
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