Services in Koli National Park

Customer Service and Guidance

A nature center with beveled glass windows.

Services Offered by Enterprises and Organisations in the National Park

Meals, Where to Buy and Prepare

Cafés, Restaurants and Shops

Campfire Sites

  • There are several campfire sites in the Koli National Park
    • In the mainland: Turula meadow, Vaarala clearing, Likolahti Bay, Paimenenvaara Hill, Ikolanaho clearing, Lakkala, Ylä-Murhi, cape Rykiniemi and Rinnetupa Hut's lean-to shelters (managed and maintained by Break Sokos Hotel Koli in winter during the ski season) and the so-called prime minister's campfire site at Ukko-Koli Hill.
    • On the islands: Laitosaari Island (2), Iso-Korppi, Pieni-Korppi; Hiekkasaari Island and Pieni-Hiekkasaari Island.
  • Campfire sites are marked on the Outdoor and servicemap of Koli.
  • Lighting campfires is forbidden when there is a wildfire warning in effect. Check the current warnings (ilmatieteenlaitos.fi).
    • This prohibition does not apply to cooking shelters or other fireplaces with a flue and a roof which in the area are Ryläys lean-to shelter and Rinnetupa Hut's lean-to shelters.

Drinking Water

  • The water of  Ollila well is safe to drink without boiling.
  • The water of Vaaralanaho and Ikolanaho springs and Seppälä well must not be drank unboiled. More detailed information on the quality of the water can be got from Koli Nature Centre Ukko, where visitors can also fill their flasks with tap water as required. Check the availability of water in the wells and springs from the Visitor Centre before starting your trip. 
  • Lakkala well, Ikolanaho well, Paimenenvaara well and Ollila draw well are not in use (their water quality is poor).
  • The surface water from the lakes, rivers and brooks must be boiled before use. Water in the springs and running water in the brooks is usually good for drinking. However, the quality of the water cannot be monitored, so the use of natural water is at your own risk.
  • Look at the tips for outdoors drinking water in Hiking in Finland -pages.

Two adults and a small child filling up a water bottle by the well.

Waste Management

  • There are no waste collection bins in the parking areas, or along the routes, or at the campfire sites, so visitors must take their waste from the hike with them. No waste should be left behind in the Koli National Park. Read more about Hiking without Littering

Toilets

  • Dry toilets can be found at the following locations: Turula, Vaaralanaho clearing, Paimenenvaara Hill, Ikolanaho clearing, Havukka, Lake Pitkälampi, Ylä-Murhi, Pieni-Hiekkasaari Island, Hiekkasaari Island, Iso-Korppi Island, Pieni-Korppi Island and Laitosaari Island (2).
  • Toilets emptied with suction are located at Likolahti, Myllypuro, Lakkala and Rykiniemi. Do not put any food waste or other garbage in them.
  • There are toilets at Nature Centre Ukko, at Break Sokos Hotel Koli, at Koli Harbour at the Alamaja and at Art Café Kolin Ryynänen in Koli Village.

Overnight Stays

Camping

Tent camping and hammock camping are permitted only in marked areas in the National Park. These areas are Turula, Myllypuro, Ylä-Murhi, Lakkala, cape Rykiniemi, Iso-Korppi island and bigger Hiekkasaari island.

  • A campfire site, a shed and a dry toilet are available for hikers at Turula. The meadow surrounding the campfire site has been designated as a camping area for hikers. Water is taken from the well in front of the Ollila farm's sauna building. In addition to Turula, camping is also allowed at Vaaralanaho during the summer season. It is about 400 meters from Turula. There is no water point at Vaaralanaho.
  • At Myllypuro, the camping site is located on the grounds of an old hut. A campfire site, a shed and a dry toilet are available for hikers. Water is taken from the brook and it must be boiled before use.
  • Ylä-Murhi camping site is next to campfire site. A shed and a dry toilet are available for hikers. Water is taken from Pitkälampi pond and it must be boiled before use.
  • At Lakkala, the campfire site, the camping site and the dry toilet are located behind the main building by lake Herajärvi. Firewood is fetched from the shed that is located next to the former cowshed. The water in the Lakkala well is not safe to drink. Water is either taken from the well at Seppälä farm or from the lake (it must be boiled before use).
  • At Rykiniemi, the camping site is located by the beach on lake Pielinen. A campfire site, a shed and a dry toilet are available for hikers. Water is taken from the lake and it must be boiled before use.
  • At Iso-Korppi island and Hiekkasaari island the camping site is located next to a campfire site. A shed and a dry toilet are available. Water is taken from the lake and it must be boiled before use. 

Rental Huts

Hotel

Other lodging

Where to Wash

Lodging in the Surrounding Area

Equipment Rental

Accessible Services

Services for Boaters

Guest Harbours

  • The Koli harbour has guest boat stages, a cruise ship stage, a boat ferry stage, a boat launch ramp and it serves as home harbour for locals.
    • The harbour is accessible by boats of all sizes, though southeasterly and east winds may cause problems.
    • There are 8 guest boat places. For more information contact Koli tourist information, tel. int. +358 13 248 5315 or Alamaja Centre at the Koli harbour, Koli Activ Oy, tel. int. +358 13 688 7250
    • A concrete covered boat ramp.
    • Chemical toilet waste disposal point.
    • Electricity distribution
    • Swimming spot
    • Washing machines at Alamaja Centre.  

A ship on its way to a port, the picture is taken from the deck of the ship.
Other Services in the Surrounding Area

  • Kolin Matkailu Oy (koli.fi)
  • The closest ATM is at Koliportti in Ahmovaara. The closest bank is in Juuka.
  • The Koli Village shop has post office and a fuel distribution point.
  • In Kolinporti in Ahmovaara (9 km from the Koli village) there is a souvenir shop, gas station, restaurant and service point of Juuka pharmacy in addition to groceries.
  • The closest medical centre is in Juuka.
  • Public internet access point at Break Sokos Hotel Koli.

Sights in the Surrounding Area