A family story through four generations
Sandviken Camping is more than just a campsite; it's a lifestyle that stretches back to 1927. For generations, we've created a respite where historical roots meet modern sustainability, always with the same goal in mind: to give our guests peace of mind in a hectic everyday life.
From sawmills and dairy cows to motorbikes
It all started in 1927 when great-grandfather Olav Fagerberg bought Sandviken at a forced auction. The family made a living from a small potato field and sawmill. Olav and his son The Nile were carpenters, and during the war years in 1940 they completed the main house that still welcomes you at the driveway.
I 1950 Nils and his wife Borghild took over the farm. They invested heavily in milk production, and in 1952 a barn with state-of-the-art milking machines was ready - a technological marvel that people travelled from far and wide to see. But in 1954 everything changed. Nils fell ill, and that same year the very first guests swung into the yard: motorcyclists with sidecars who wanted accommodation. Nils quickly realised that camping was the way forward. I 1961 the milking machines were sold and the barn was converted into a sanitary facility; the stalls are still there today as a reminder of the farm era.
Dishwashing and build-up
The next generation, Halvor and Kari, moved to Sandviken in 1983. The takeover was tough, with basic facilities and many complaints. Mum Kari asked the guests for patience: «Come back in 5-6 years!». She was right. I 1989 a large new sanitary facility was completed and the last cabins were built. Today we have 12 cabins, where cabin no. 19 is over 100 years old, and three small timber cabins with grass on the roof were handmade by grandfather Nils.
Annette and the way out into the world (and home again)
Annette was born in 1984 and knew early on that she would take over. She travelled to Germany in 2001 to learn the language of our many German guests, and later earned a bachelor's degree in tourism with a stay in Guatemala. After years of experience from Color Magic and hotels in Setesdal, she took over the family business in 2014.
Since then, the challenges and highlights have come thick and fast:
2015: A major flood hit us. Three cabins were under water, but the flood became an opportunity for renewal. We redecorated, got Wifi and cut down 115 trees to open up the fantastic view we have today.
2016: Kari Johanne was born, and while Annette was on maternity leave, Byron from Guatemala steered the ship with a steady hand.
2019: The sauna barrel was put in place and we were certified as a Eco-Lighthouse.
Anniversary, challenges and new dreams
The new decade started abruptly with the pandemic in 2020, but also brought along Christiane from Germany who helped with the operation. We used the time to refurbish the cabins inside, install a boom and repair the jetty after being ravaged by the forces of Lake Tinn.
Our anniversary year 2024 started dramatically with the sauna barrel burning down, but a new and modern sauna with a changing room was quickly put in place. We celebrated 70 years of camping, at the same time as we had to make major investments in new pizza ovens and environmentally friendly heat pumps from Enova.
Sandviken today and tomorrow
Although Christiane travelled home to Germany at the end of 2024, the projects she started live on. The greenhouse now provides us with our own herbs for the café, and the barn has become a vibrant focal point for everything from horror film nights to confirmations.
I 2025 the journey continues when Annette starts her programme in «Sustainable Camping». We are proud to have received Tinn Municipality's Eco-Lighthouse Award, and we look forward to sharing many more moments - whether it's under the dancing Northern Lights or warm summer days by the water's edge - with you.
