Planning a visit to Rjukan and looking for a good place to stay? Sandviken Camping in Tinn Austbygd is one of the area's most comprehensive accommodation destinations – just a thirty-minute drive from Rjukan town centre. Here you'll find everything from charming historic cabins and exclusive waterfront cabins to spacious caravan and tent pitches, all beautifully situated right by Lake Tinnsjøen and surrounded by the magnificent nature of Telemark.
Why stay overnight at Sandviken Camping instead of in Rjukan town?
Rjukan is a fascinating town with a completely unique character, but when it comes to accommodation, it's difficult to compete with what we can offer just outside the town centre. At Sandviken Camping, you'll wake up to views of Lake Tinnsjø and the mountains, to birdsong and the lapping of waves – not to traffic and everyday noise.
We are driven by the third generation of the Fagerberg family, who since 1954 have welcomed guests with genuine warmth and knowledge of the local area. Here, you are not an order number, but a guest who notices that someone cares. The combination of historic charm, modern facilities and a location that makes Rjukan and the rest of Tinn easily accessible for day trips, makes Sandviken a natural choice for anyone visiting the region.
And best of all: we are open all year, so you can experience Rjukan and its surroundings in any season – whether you're seeking the green valleys of summer or the dramatic ice falls of winter.
Accommodation options – something for everyone
We offer a wide range of accommodation types, from simple, budget-friendly tent sites to exclusive, high-standard private cabins. Here is an overview of all our options.
Cabins – cosy base with soul and comfort
We have 12 unique cabins by Lake Tinnsjø, each with its own character and qualities. Common to them all is that the beds are neatly made with clean linen and towels included in the price – so you can arrive and relax straight away. The cabins have been upgraded with new beds, cosy sofas, DAB radios with Bluetooth, books and games, making them equally suitable as a quiet reading spot or a base for active mountain days.
Some of the cabins are handcrafted by grandfather Nils and have grass roofs – true cultural heritage over 70 years old. Others are modern and fully equipped. Whichever you choose, it is safely anchored in the same hosting philosophy: that you should feel at home.
Tangen Cabin – Exclusive Retreat on its Own Headland
Our most exclusive cabin is situated on an idyllic point by Lake Tinnsjø – with no close neighbours and water on several sides. Tangen was completely renovated in 2019 and maintains a high standard, making it truly one of a kind. With a private bathroom, wood-burning stove, large terrace with its own outdoor furniture, and your very own private beach, this is the dream cabin for couples or small families who want peace, privacy, and proximity to nature.
Inside, the cabin is cosy and well-thought-out: large windows let the fjord view into the living room, and the kitchen is equipped with everything you need – a dishwasher, oven, microwave, and a washing machine in the bathroom. Two bedrooms provide space for four people. Mood lighting, books, and games ensure pleasant evenings indoors.
Max. 4 guests | Private bathroom | From NOK 2200,- per night
3-room cottage with WC – spacious and family-friendly
Our most spacious cabin type, with room for up to seven people, is an excellent choice for larger groups and families. With two bedrooms, a separate living room, and a private bathroom, no one in the party will have to queue – and everyone will have their own space. There's plenty of room to live well under one roof, whether it's a family dinner at the table or a quiet evening on the sofa after a long hike in the mountains.
Max. 7 guests | Private bathroom | From NOK 1495,- per night
King's Cabin – historic log cabin with private bathroom
Kongehytta is a piece of living family history – hand-built by grandfather Nils Olav Fagerberg in 1971 and named after the royal emblem he carved above the entrance door. Following the flood in 2015, the cabin was completely renovated and moved to its current location, directly facing Lake Tinnsjøen. It features a private toilet, fibre optic internet, cable TV, and complimentary toiletries in the bathroom. A fire pit and private terrace await you outside.
Max. 3 guests | Private bathroom | From NOK 1100,- per night
3-room cottage without toilet – plenty of space for the whole gang
With two separate bedrooms and a shared living room, this cabin type is a popular choice for groups and families looking for spacious accommodation at a reasonable price. Bathroom and shower facilities are available in our modern service building just a short distance away. The veranda with views out over Lake Tinnsjø makes this cabin particularly popular; it's hard to find a better spot to enjoy your morning coffee.
Max. 5 guests | Service building | From kr. 1100,- per night
Two-room cottage without a WC – classic cottage cosiness
A traditional and cosy cabin, perfect for couples or small families. Simple and good – with everything you need for a comfortable night after an active day in Telemark's nature.
Max. 5 guests | Service building | From kr. 1000,- per night
3-person and 4-person cabins – handcrafted log cabins with soul
Our smallest cabin types are ideal for two to four people who want their own place to retreat to after a day out. Several of these are unique, hand-built log cabins with grass roofs – built by grandfather Nils Olav Fagerberg and full of genuine camping charm. The price is low, the atmosphere is good, and the nature right outside is unparalleled. Children between 0 and 6 years always stay for free with us and are not counted in the number of people.
3 people from kr 900,- | 4 people from kr 900,- | Service building | Children 0–6 years stay free
Camping – tent, motorhome and caravan by Lake Tinnsjø
Are you travelling with a tent, motorhome, or caravan? We have around 100 pitches in total, divided into approximately 50 pitches for motorhomes and caravans and 50 tent pitches – all on different terraces with views of Lake Tinnsjø.
Exclusive caravan pitch – Hand-picked spots right by the water with electricity and private decking. The very best view on the entire site. From kr. 450,- per night.
Pitch with electricity – Spacious pitches (approx. 10 x 12 m) on flat plateaus with easy access, electricity and access to all communal facilities. Some pitches have a length of up to 19 metres. From DKK 415,- per night.
Campsite without electricity – For the self-sufficient traveller who wants to get close to nature. From DKK 365 per night.
Tent pitch with electricity – Plenty of space for your tent with electricity and access to sanitary facilities. From £350 per night.
Pitch without electricity – The simplest and purest nature experience, at one of the region's lowest prices. From NOK 250 per night.
Facilities common to all guests
Regardless of the type of accommodation you choose, as a guest at Sandviken, you will have access to the same excellent foundation:
- Modern sanitary facilities with clean, hot showers and free hot water
- 24/7 Guest Kitchen with oven, microwave and dishwasher
- Free WiFi on the campsite's common areas
- Our sauna Ismåne, our wood-fired sauna with a panoramic window overlooking Lake Tinnsjø.
- Café with homemade food and local ingredients
- Playground – two varied playgrounds for the youngest guests
- Miniature golf, table tennis and games at the campsite
Rjukan and surrounding area – activities right on your doorstep
From Sandviken Camping, it's easy to explore all that Rjukan and Tinn have to offer. Here are the main attractions in the local area:
Rjukan – A UNESCO World Heritage Site brought to life
Rjukan is one of Norway's most distinctive towns. The name itself means «the smoking waterfall,» named after the mighty Rjukan waterfall to the west of the town. In 1907, Norsk Hydro began one of the biggest industrial developments in Norwegian history in the valley, and within a few years, a desolate mountain landscape was transformed into a modern, planned town – with specially designed park benches, lampposts, and postboxes, all fitting into the well-thought-out urban landscape. In 2015, Rjukan and Notodden were inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List for their «outstanding universal value» as an example of the Second Industrial Revolution. The town offers dramatic industrial history, fascinating architecture, and not least, the story of the heavy water sabotage during World War II – one of the war's most heroic actions. The Vemork Museum gives you a unique insight into these events.
For anyone who wants to delve even deeper into the history of warfare, Saboteur's Trail An alternative beyond the ordinary. Here you can walk the actual route the saboteurs used when they traversed the gorge in February 1943 and blew up the heavy water plant without being discovered. A demanding half or full-day expedition that combines magnificent nature with one of the war's most dramatic stories – right on our doorstep.
Did you also know that Rjukan town centre is so deeply set in the valley that the sun doesn't reach it during the winter months? The famous Sun mirror On the mountainside, sunlight now reflects down onto the townscape – but by choosing Sandviken Camping as your base, you will live in an open and sunny landscape by Lake Tinnsjøen all year round, and are still only a thirty-minute drive from all of Rjukan's experiences.
Climbing – an international mecca for sheer ice walls
Rjukan is world-renowned among climbers for its spectacular ice-climbing walls in winter. Enthusiasts flock here from all over Europe to hang from the ropes on frozen waterfalls in dramatic surroundings. In summer, there are equally good climbing areas for traditional climbing and top-roping in the region.
Gaustatoppen – Norway's most beautiful mountain
Just over an hour's drive from Sandviken, Gaustatoppen rises to 1883 metres above sea level. Voted Norway's most beautiful mountain on several occasions, the summit offers a view that stretches over a sixth of the entire country on clear days. A classic and very popular day hike in summer and autumn.
Hardangervidda – Northern Europe's largest high-mountain plateau
Nearby, Hardangervidda opens up with endless possibilities for hiking, fishing, wild reindeer safaris and – in winter – rare ski experiences. There is room to breathe here.
Rjukanbadet – indoor swimming, whatever the weather
Is the weather bad outside? Rjukanbadet is only a half-hour drive away and offers a modern swimming facility where the whole family can enjoy swimming, whatever the weather in Telemark decides to do.
Bungee jumping from Vemorkbrua
For the truly adrenaline junkies: bungee jumping from Vemorkbrua in Rjukan is considered one of the country's most extreme jumping experiences, 84 metres above the gorge.
Diving in Tinnsjø – the history at the bottom
Tinnsjøen holds more than just beautiful water and fantastic scenery. On the lake bed rests the wreck of D/F Hydro – the ferry that was sunk on 20 February 1944 to prevent heavy water from reaching Nazi Germany's atomic project. For divers, this is a rare opportunity to experience world history up close, in clear freshwater with unique visibility.
A place that cares – generations of hosting
What truly sets Sandviken Camping apart from anonymous accommodation are the people and the history behind it. The property has been in the family's ownership since 1927, and the camping operation has been running since 1954. Today, it's Annette Fagerberg – the fourth generation of the family on the property and the third generation to run the campsite – who welcomes guests with a passion for sustainability, hospitality and her local area.
As a certified Eco-Lighthouse and recipient of Tinn Municipality's environmental award, Sandviken is a place that takes nature and the future seriously. In 2024, we cut greenhouse gas emissions by 15 %and energy consumption by 5 % . The café serves food made from local ingredients, the greenhouse produces its own herbs, and we are actively working to phase out unnecessary plastic. Disposable barbecues are prohibited on the entire premises – instead, we offer fire pits by the cabins and pitches, and sell locally sourced firewood from our own forest. Each year, we publish a climate and environmental report with concrete goals and results.
Practical information
Address: Austbygdevegen 111, 3650 Tinn Austbygd
Telephone (+47) 350 98 173
Email: post@sandviken-camping.no
Check-in: From 16:00
Check-out By 12:00
Opening hours: Open all year
Sandviken Camping is located at the northern end of Lake Tinnsjø, approximately a 30-minute drive from Rjukan town centre. We are easily accessible via National Road 37, and the site has ample entrance space for all types of vehicles. It's about a 2.5-hour drive from Oslo. We offer electric car charging via the Laddel app (7.4 kW) at the campsite, and Eviny fast chargers are available only 1 km away at Kiwi. Laundry can be arranged through reception, and a drying room is available for gear after active days out.
Book your accommodation near Rjukan today
Whether you are planning a climbing weekend at the Rjukan walls, a cultural trip to Vemork, a mountain hike to Gaustatoppen, or simply a few days of peace and nature experiences in Tinn – Sandviken Camping is the perfect place to rest your head. With accommodation offers from NOK 250 per night and cabins up to a high luxury standard, there is something for everyone.
