Finland’s largest motorhome park grows beside Keskinen village shop

Onnela motorhome park in Tuuri, Alavus, is now Finland’s largest by electrical hookups with 633 pitches, located next to the Veljekset Keskinen village shop, according to a report by Yle.

The site, officially classified as a short-stay motorhome park, attracts visitors with its proximity to a major retail complex and a free fairground. Demand is so high that queues form during peak periods, and some visitors end up overnighting in the shop’s parking lot—a practice known as “push parking.”

Pitches cannot be reserved in advance; access is granted on a first-come, first-served basis.

Finland has seen a rise in short-stay motorhome parks while traditional campsites decline. Since 2019, the number of campsites has dropped by 34, while motorhome parks have increased by about 40. Push parking—unofficial overnight stops in places like rest areas, beaches, or roadside pull-offs—has also become more common.

SF Caravan, a national caravanning association, reports 325 registered campsites and 157 motorhome parks in Finland this year. The growth in motorhome travel is cited as a key factor behind the shift.

The Onnela park began in 1994 with just 10 free electrical pitches by the Töysänjoki river. Owner Vesa Keskinen attributes its success to low prices and a peaceful atmosphere. The site now offers more pitches than any location in Finland except Helsinki-Vantaa Airport.

Push parking remains a contentious issue, often involving disputes over land use rights, as it typically occurs without the landowner’s permission.