Ruhkaranta Village

The facilities are simple, though the sanitary rooms are spotless, and the staff are friendly. This campsite is wonderfully quiet, tucked into nature with beautiful surroundings. There’s no camp shop or entertainment, so come for the peace and scenery instead.

The lovely swimming beach, peaceful nature, and the little hidden cove were highlights for us. The water in that secluded spot glows amber in the sun, and nobody can see you, so you can swim without clothes. There’s plenty of room for dogs to run across the huge grounds, too. The very friendly operators put in real effort and were super helpful. Toilets and showers stay accessible and are always clean. Guests can use a cosy kitchen, kids’ play areas, two saunas with lake access, several boats for rent from the operator, and multiple grills and fire pits with firewood. A few things could be better. The kitchen is a long way from the pitches, and there’s nowhere else to wash dishes. Greywater and chemical toilets have to be dumped into a drain in the woods, which can’t be reached by vehicle, so it means a long haul for anyone towing a trailer. And if you’re unlucky, there are an awful lot of mosquitoes. Even so, we really liked staying here and are happy to recommend Ruhkaranta.

Fishing and mushroom picking were great, and the pine forest was lovely. This is a very quiet Finnish Karelia resort with Russian hosts, camper spots, and cabins ranging from simple to more upscale.

The place was below standard and didn’t match the description. We handed the keys back at reception. Since the owners and we couldn’t find a common language, the payment was left with them. This rating is seriously wrong.