Iceland Camping Guide

Camping Laws in Iceland

Iceland's camping laws changed significantly with the 2015 Nature Conservation Act (Natturuverndarlog). Before this legislation, wild camping was largely unregulated and travelers could pitch a tent almost anywhere. The new law brought Iceland in line with other Nordic countries by introducing clear rules about where and how you can camp.

The 2015 Nature Conservation Act

The key provisions of the act that affect campers are:

• Uncultivated land: Camping with a small tent is permitted on uncultivated public land for a single night, provided you are not within sight of a farmhouse or inhabited area, unless you have landowner permission.
• Cultivated land: Camping on cultivated or fenced land always requires explicit permission from the landowner.
• National parks and nature reserves: Camping is only allowed at designated campsites within protected areas. Vatnajokull National Park, Thingvellir National Park, and Snaefellsjokull National Park all have specific campsite areas.
• Groups of three or more tents: Always require landowner permission regardless of the land type.
• Campervans and motorhomes: Must use designated campsites. Overnight parking in pull-offs, car parks, or by the roadside is not permitted.

Why the Law Changed

Tourism in Iceland grew from 500,000 visitors in 2010 to over 2 million by 2019. With that growth came environmental damage from unregulated camping -- human waste in sensitive areas, damage to fragile moss and vegetation, and conflicts with landowners. The 2015 law was a direct response to these problems, and most Icelanders support it.

Enforcement and Fines

Rangers patrol popular areas, particularly national parks and nature reserves. Fines for illegal camping can reach 50,000 ISK or more. More importantly, camping in restricted areas contributes to environmental damage that takes decades to repair in Iceland's slow-growing ecosystems. Icelandic moss, for example, grows only about 1 centimeter per year and takes 50-100 years to recover from being trampled.

Best Campsites by Region

Iceland's campsites range from basic fields with a toilet block to well-equipped grounds with hot showers, kitchens, laundry, and Wi-Fi. Here are the standout options organized by region, all accessible from the Ring Road or major secondary routes.

South Iceland

The south coast is Iceland's most popular camping corridor, running along dramatic black sand beaches, waterfalls, and glacier tongues. Book early or arrive before 4 PM in July and August, as popular sites fill up fast.

• Skogafoss Campsite: Located right beside the famous waterfall. You fall asleep to the thundering water and wake up to rainbow mist. Basic facilities with toilets and showers. Around 1,800 ISK per person. One of the most scenic campsite locations in all of Iceland.
• Vik Campsite: Well-maintained campground with good facilities including hot showers, kitchen, and laundry. A short walk from town where you can get groceries and fuel. An excellent base for exploring Reynisfjara black sand beach and Dyrholaey arch. Approximately 2,000 ISK per person.
• Hofn Campsite: Sheltered campsite in the southeast, a good base for glacier lagoon visits. Decent facilities and close to supermarkets and restaurants. The Vatnajokull glacier dominates the skyline. Around 1,800 ISK per person.
• Thakgil: A hidden gem south of Vik. This campsite sits in a narrow canyon surrounded by towering cliffs and green moss. Very sheltered from wind, which is rare for south Iceland campsites. Basic facilities but extraordinary scenery.
• Seljalandsfoss area: Several campsites near the famous waterfall you can walk behind. Good access to both Seljalandsfoss and the hidden Gljufrabui waterfall nearby.

North Iceland

Northern Iceland offers excellent camping with generally drier weather than the south. The Akureyri area serves as the main hub with reliable services, while remote sites around Myvatn and Husavik provide more rugged experiences.

• Akureyri Campsite: Iceland's northern capital has a large, well-equipped campground with hot showers, kitchen, laundry, electricity hookups, and Wi-Fi. Walking distance to downtown restaurants, shops, and the botanical garden. Around 2,000 ISK per person.
• Myvatn (Hlid) Campsite: Situated on the shore of Lake Myvatn with views of pseudocraters and volcanic formations. Good facilities. An ideal base for exploring the Myvatn area, Dimmuborgir lava formations, Grjotagja cave, and Namaskard geothermal area. Approximately 2,000 ISK per person.
• Husavik Campsite: Clean, well-maintained campsite in the whale watching capital of Iceland. Walking distance to the harbor where whale watching tours depart. Good facilities including showers and kitchen. Around 1,800 ISK per person.
• Asbyrgi: Situated inside a horseshoe-shaped canyon in Vatnajokull National Park. One of the most sheltered and atmospheric campsites in Iceland. The canyon walls block wind from almost every direction. Well-maintained facilities.

East Iceland

The east is Iceland's least visited region, meaning campsites are quieter and you often have more space. The Eastfjords offer dramatic scenery with fewer crowds.

• Seydisfjordur Campsite: Located in one of Iceland's most picturesque towns, at the end of a stunning fjord drive. The campsite sits by a river with mountain views on all sides. Good facilities. The town has cafes, an art scene, and the famous blue church. Around 1,800 ISK per person.
• Egilsstadir Campsite: The eastern regional hub. A practical campsite with good facilities near supermarkets, a fuel station, and the Lagarfljot lake. A sensible base for exploring the east. Approximately 1,800 ISK per person.
• Borgarfjordur Eystri: Remote campsite in a small fishing village known for one of Iceland's largest puffin colonies. Basic facilities but incredible birdwatching from June to mid-August.

West Iceland and Snaefellsnes

The Snaefellsnes peninsula is often called "Iceland in miniature" because it packs glaciers, lava fields, beaches, and mountains into a compact area. Campsites here give you access to Kirkjufell, Snaefellsjokull glacier, and dramatic coastline.

• Snaefellsnes (Arnarstapi): Small campsite at the foot of Snaefellsjokull glacier. Basic facilities but spectacular location near coastal cliffs, sea arches, and hiking trails. Around 1,500 ISK per person.
• Stykkisholmur Campsite: Well-maintained site in a charming harbor town. Good facilities including showers and kitchen. Walking distance to restaurants, the harbor, and the Baldur ferry to the Westfjords. Approximately 2,000 ISK per person.
• Grundarfjordur: Near the iconic Kirkjufell mountain, one of Iceland's most photographed landmarks. Basic campsite with a supermarket nearby. Good base for exploring the northern side of Snaefellsnes.

Westfjords

The Westfjords are Iceland's most remote region and campsite facilities are more basic. However, the isolation and raw landscapes reward those who make the effort. Expect fewer people and more wildlife.

• Isafjordur Campsite: The regional capital has the best-equipped campsite in the Westfjords. Good facilities with hot showers. Walking distance to supermarkets and restaurants. Around 2,000 ISK per person.
• Latrabjarg area: Basic camping near Europe's largest bird cliff. Extremely remote but unforgettable for birdwatchers. Puffins nest here in enormous numbers from May to August.
• Dynjandi: Some visitors camp near this massive tiered waterfall, often called the jewel of the Westfjords. Check locally for current camping rules as this is a protected area.

Wild Camping Rules

Wild camping in Iceland occupies a complicated legal and cultural space. While it is technically legal under certain conditions, the reality is that most locals and experienced travelers recommend using established campsites instead.

Where Wild Camping is Legal

• Uncultivated public land: You may pitch a single small tent for one night on land that is not fenced, cultivated, or within sight of an inhabited building.
• With landowner permission: If you ask and receive permission from a landowner, you can camp on their land. Many farmers are willing to grant permission if asked politely.
• Highland areas: Much of the interior highlands is uncultivated land where tent camping is permitted, though designated mountain huts and campsites exist along popular trekking routes like Laugavegur.

Where Wild Camping is Prohibited

• National parks: Vatnajokull, Thingvellir, and Snaefellsjokull national parks require you to use designated camping areas.
• Nature reserves: Most nature reserves prohibit wild camping entirely.
• Within sight of farmhouses: Unless you have explicit permission from the landowner.
• Cultivated or fenced land: Always off-limits without permission.
• Campervans and motorhomes: Must always use designated campsites. This is the most commonly violated rule and is actively enforced.

Leave No Trace Principles

If you do wild camp, follow these principles strictly:

• Pack out everything: All rubbish, food waste, and toilet paper must leave with you. There are no bins in the wild.
• Bury human waste: Dig a hole at least 15 cm deep and 60 meters from any water source. Better yet, carry a portable toilet or waste bags.
• Do not disturb vegetation: Stay on established ground. Never camp on moss, which takes decades to recover from compression.
• No fires: Open fires are prohibited almost everywhere in Iceland due to fragile vegetation and lack of firewood. Use a camping stove instead.
• One night only: Move on after a single night to minimize impact.

Practical Reality

With campsites costing just 1,500-2,500 ISK per night and offering hot showers, toilets, shelter, and often kitchen facilities, the practical incentive for wild camping is minimal. Most experienced Iceland travelers use campsites for the convenience and to reduce environmental impact. Wild camping makes most sense on multi-day highland treks where no campsites exist.

Campsite Facilities

Iceland campsites vary enormously in what they offer. A small rural site might have nothing more than a toilet and cold water tap, while major sites rival budget hostels in their amenities. Here is what to expect.

What to Expect at Most Campsites

• Toilets: Available at virtually all registered campsites. Quality ranges from basic portable units to clean, maintained restroom blocks. Larger sites have multiple restroom buildings.
• Hot showers: Available at most medium and large campsites, typically coin or token operated at 200-500 ISK per shower. Some sites include showers in the camping fee. Shower time is usually limited to 5-8 minutes per token.
• Kitchen facilities: Larger campsites offer shared kitchen areas with sinks, counter space, and sometimes cooking rings or microwaves. The most well-equipped sites have full kitchens with stoves, ovens, and refrigerators. Smaller sites may have only a sink and covered area.
• Electricity: Many campsites offer electricity hookups for campervans, typically for an additional fee of 500-1,000 ISK. Some have indoor charging stations where you can charge phones and cameras.
• Laundry: Available at larger sites in towns like Akureyri, Vik, Hofn, and Reykjavik. Expect to pay 500-800 ISK per wash and a similar amount for drying.
• Wi-Fi: Increasingly common at larger sites, though signal strength varies and can be unreliable during peak hours when many campers try to connect simultaneously.

Campsite Categories

• Basic (rural/remote): Toilet, cold water, flat ground. No showers, no kitchen. Typically 1,200-1,500 ISK per person. Common in the Westfjords, remote east, and highland areas.
• Standard (most Ring Road sites): Toilets, hot showers (extra cost), some kitchen space, flat pitches. Typically 1,500-2,000 ISK per person. This covers the majority of Iceland's campsites.
• Well-equipped (town/city sites): Full facilities including showers, kitchen, laundry, electricity, Wi-Fi, and sometimes a small shop. Typically 2,000-2,500 ISK per person. Found in Reykjavik, Akureyri, and popular tourist towns.

The Camping Card

The Iceland Camping Card covers two adults and up to four children at 40+ campsites nationwide for a fixed price. In 2026, the card costs approximately 22,900 ISK (around $170 USD). If you camp for 10 or more nights, the card pays for itself. It covers the camping fee only -- showers, electricity, and laundry remain extra. You can purchase the card online before your trip or at participating campsites and tourist information centers upon arrival.

Essential Camping Gear

Iceland is not the place to test cheap gear. The weather will expose every weakness in your equipment within the first night. Here is what you actually need, based on years of camping experience across the country.

Tent

Your tent is the single most important piece of camping gear in Iceland. Wind is the primary threat -- not cold, not rain, but relentless wind that can destroy a weak tent in minutes.

• 4-season tent: The ideal choice for Iceland. Built to handle high winds and heavy rain with stronger poles, lower profiles, and reinforced guy-out points.
• Strong 3-season tent: Acceptable if it has a geodesic or semi-geodesic design with aluminum poles. Avoid tall, dome-style tents that catch wind like a sail.
• Key features to look for: Low profile, multiple guy-out points, aluminum (not fiberglass) poles, full-coverage rainfly that reaches close to the ground, and a vestibule for storing gear.
• What fails in Iceland: Festival tents, ultralight single-wall tents, pop-up tents, and any tent with fiberglass poles. These will not survive the first serious wind event.

Sleeping Bag

• Temperature rating: A comfort rating of -5 degrees Celsius (23 degrees Fahrenheit) or lower is recommended. Summer nights can drop to 2-5 degrees Celsius, and wind chill makes it feel colder.
• Fill type: Synthetic insulation is preferred for Iceland because it retains warmth when damp. Down sleeping bags are lighter and pack smaller but lose all insulating ability when wet.
• Shape: Mummy bags are warmer and more efficient. Rectangular bags waste heat but offer more room to move.

Sleeping Pad

• R-value: Choose a sleeping pad with an R-value of 3.0 or higher. The ground in Iceland is often cold volcanic rock or permafrost-adjacent soil that will sap your body heat quickly.
• Inflatable vs foam: Inflatable pads are more comfortable and compact but can puncture. Bring a repair kit. Closed-cell foam pads are indestructible and serve as a backup even if you bring an inflatable.

Cooking Equipment

• Camping stove: A reliable windproof camping stove is essential. Gas canister stoves (with a windscreen) work well. You can buy isobutane/propane canisters at petrol stations and outdoor shops across Iceland. Do not rely on finding fuel in remote areas -- buy it in Reykjavik or Akureyri.
• Windscreen: A stove windscreen is not optional in Iceland. Without one, your stove will barely function in typical Icelandic wind.
• Pot and utensils: One lightweight pot, a cup, a spork, and a small cutting board cover most needs. Bring a lid for your pot to speed up boiling in the wind.
• Water: Iceland's water is among the purest in the world. You can drink from streams in most highland areas (avoid geothermal areas and farmland runoff). Tap water at campsites is excellent.

Clothing and Waterproofing

• Waterproof jacket and pants: Non-negotiable. Rain in Iceland comes horizontally with the wind. You need a fully waterproof shell layer with sealed seams, not just "water resistant" gear.
• Warm layers: Merino wool base layers, fleece or down mid-layer, and your waterproof shell on top. The layering system lets you adapt to Iceland's rapidly changing conditions.
• Waterproof bags: Pack everything in dry bags or waterproof compression sacks inside your backpack. Even "waterproof" backpacks leak in sustained Icelandic rain.
• Extra socks: Bring more socks than you think you need. Wet feet are the fastest path to misery while camping in Iceland.

Weather and Safety

Iceland's weather is the defining challenge of camping here. Understanding it and preparing properly means the difference between an incredible trip and a dangerous one.

Wind -- The Primary Threat

Wind is the number one concern for Iceland campers. Summer winds regularly reach 15-20 m/s (35-45 mph), and storm gusts can exceed 30 m/s (67 mph) even in June, July, and August. Here is how to handle it:

• Anchor your tent properly: Use all guy lines and stake them firmly. Bring extra stakes and cord. In rocky ground where stakes will not penetrate, use rocks to anchor guy lines.
• Stake types matter: Standard aluminum pegs bend in rocky Icelandic soil. Bring heavy-duty V-stakes or rock pegs designed for hard ground. Bring at least 4-6 extra stakes as replacements.
• Choose sheltered pitches: Look for spots behind walls, buildings, or natural windbreaks. Many campsites have designated sheltered areas. Arrive early for the best spots.
• Lower your tent profile: If wind picks up, remove the rainfly guylines and let the inner tent sit lower. Store gear inside to weight the tent down.
• Never leave your tent unattended in wind: An unanchored or poorly staked tent will blow away within minutes. This happens to travelers every single week during summer.

Rain Preparation

• Expect rain every day: Even in summer, Iceland averages rain on more than half the days. Pack as though it will rain for your entire trip and be pleasantly surprised when it does not.
• Seam seal your tent: Factory seam sealing degrades over time. Apply fresh seam sealer before your Iceland trip.
• Vestibule cooking: When rain and wind combine, cook in your tent vestibule with the door partially open for ventilation. Never cook inside a closed tent due to carbon monoxide risk.
• Dry bags for everything: Double-bag electronics, spare clothes, and your sleeping bag. If water gets into your sleeping bag, your trip becomes much harder.

Hypothermia Awareness

Hypothermia is a real risk when camping in Iceland, even in summer. The combination of wind, rain, and temperatures between 5-10 degrees Celsius can lower your core body temperature faster than you realize.

• Recognize early signs: Shivering, confusion, fumbling with gear, slurred speech. If you or a companion shows these signs, act immediately.
• Wet plus wind equals danger: A person in wet clothing exposed to 10 degrees Celsius wind can develop hypothermia within 30 minutes. Change into dry clothes as soon as you stop moving.
• Eat and drink: Your body burns enormous calories staying warm. Eat calorie-dense food regularly and stay hydrated. Bring a thermos for hot drinks.
• Know when to stop: If conditions deteriorate badly, retreat to your tent, a campsite common area, or your vehicle. There is no shame in waiting out a storm.

Emergency Resources

• Emergency number: 112 -- works for all emergencies in Iceland.
• 112 Iceland app: Download this app before your trip. It lets you share your GPS location with emergency services and check into locations along your route.
• Weather forecasts: Check vedur.is (Icelandic Met Office) daily. Wind warnings should be taken seriously -- if they issue an orange or red warning, do not attempt exposed camping.
• SafeTravel.is: Check this website for travel advisories, road conditions, and safety warnings before heading out.