Eköns camping – KustCamp in the Gryt archipelago

Writer: Helena Bergström

Updated: October 2026 | Eköns camping, or KustCamp Ekön, is located by the sea in the Gryts archipelago outside Valdemarsvik. Here you stay close to bathing cliffs, forests and hiking trails in the Eköns nature reserve. We visited the campsite during midsummer 2011 together with our friends Lena and Rutger and had a nice weekend, despite the changeable weather to say the least.

Ekön's campsite by the sea

The beauty of Eköns Camping is above all its location. The campsite is located on a peninsula where the forest meets the sea, with cliffs and water close to the campsites. This means you can get out into the archipelago environment without having to take a boat.

During our visit, we appreciated the combination of the campsite's amenities and the surrounding nature. We were mainly here to hang out with our friends, eat well and relax, but the surroundings also provide opportunities for swimming and walking.

We haven't returned since 2011. Our camping photos and personal memories are therefore from that visit, while the practical information below has been updated.

Staying at KustCamp Ekön

KustCamp Ekön has around 200 camping sites for caravans, motorhomes and tents, as well as cabins of varying standards. There are campsites with lake views and special motorhome sites with electricity and reinforced ground.

The service building has toilets, showers, a family bathroom and a kitchen with a stove, oven, microwave and dishwasher. There is also a washing machine, dryer and latrine emptying for both loose and fixed tanks. The showers are subject to a fee.

The campsite is open all year round, but the reception, restaurant and other facilities have opening hours that vary with the season. Therefore, check what is available during your visit, especially if you are coming outside the summer season.

Swimming and activities

Ekön offers both rock swimming and a shallow swimming area. Here you can choose between settling down near the beach or finding a spot on the rocks and looking out over the sea and the boats in the fairway.

The campsite has mini golf and a playground. If you want to discover the archipelago from the water, there is the possibility to rent a kayak or SUP. Availability and rental may vary with the season.

We experienced both sun, rain and thunder during our midsummer weekend. Of course, there is no guarantee of swimming weather, but the proximity to the sea is nice even when you can keep your jacket on.

Walk in Ekön Nature Reserve

Eköns Nature Reserve offers a varied archipelago landscape with rocky areas, sparse pine forests, deciduous forests and pastures. Along the coast there are both rocky and sandy beaches.

For those who want to go on a longer trip, the Östgötaledens route passes Pot round loop through the reserve and past the campsite. The entire loop is about ten kilometers and goes between Gryt, the coastal environment on Ekön and Snäckevarp.

The trail has a more demanding passage between the farm Strömmen and Korsudden, but there is an easier signposted alternative. It is also possible to choose a shorter walk in the reserve instead of walking the entire loop.

We did not go on this hike during our visit, but the proximity to the trails makes the campsite a possible starting point for those who want to combine camping life with hiking.

Midsummer with friends

We came to Ekön together with Lena and Rutger to celebrate Midsummer 2011. There were Midsummer celebrations at the campsite, but for us it was above all the socializing and the food that attracted us.

We were able to eat our Midsummer lunch outside, even though the weather was a bit inclement. In the evening we took out the grill and grilled both meat and potatoes. We first boiled the potatoes until they were almost done and then let them sit on the grill for a while. Simple and delicious!

The weather, however, changed quickly. One moment the sun was shining and the next it was pouring rain. We had to save things from the water and try to empty the awning of rain that had collected there. Even a game session inside the camper was interrupted by a loud thunderclap.

Despite the weather, it was a nice weekend. Sometimes it's the company, rather than the sun, that makes camping memories.

More to see and do in the neighbourhood

From Ekön you can discover more of the Gryts archipelago or take a trip to Valdemarsvik. There we like the environment around the harbor, with boats, water and proximity to the center. For those who continue their motorhome trip, there is also a parking space in the guest harbor.

If you go further north, Söderköping and Stegeborg are nice excursion destinations. To the south, there is Gamleby, where we have visited both KustCamp Gamleby and the sculpture park with trolls on Garpedansberget.

READ MORE: Gamleby camping – KustCamp at Gamlebyviken

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