Iceland Camping & Equipment Guide

Essential Iceland Camping Accessories: Sleep Masks, Drybags, Headlamps & Power Banks

Small items make or break an Icelandic camping trip: 3D blackout eye masks for the June–July Midnight Sun, high-capacity USB-C power banks for cold nights, microfiber pool towels, and waterproof drybags.

Last Reviewed: April 2026 Legal Reference: Environment Agency of Iceland (ust.is) Campsite Directory: 150+ Mapped Campsites

The Golden Rule for Vehicles & Campervans

If you are sleeping inside a campervan, rooftop tent, motorhome, or passenger car, it is strictly illegal to spend the night in highway pull-outs, church parking lots, trailheads, or uncultivated land outside a designated campsite—unless you have explicit written permission from the private landowner.

Campervans & Rooftop Tents

Registered Campsites Only

All motorized setups must park overnight at official campsites. Fortunately, Iceland has over 170 campsites evenly spaced along the Ring Road, Westfjords, and Highlands, and almost none require advance booking in summer.

Backpacking Tents

When Foot-Campers Can Pitch

Hikers and cyclists using a traditional ground tent may camp for one night on uncultivated land only if there is no campsite nearby and the land is not fenced or privately posted. Inside National Parks (Þingvellir, Vatnajökull, Snæfellsjökull), camping is restricted strictly to designated park campgrounds.

Leave No Trace

Sub-Arctic Moss & Greywater

Never pull up tent stakes using rocks that tear wooly fringe moss (Racomitrium lanuginosum)—it takes 50 to 100 years to regrow. Always empty campervan cassette toilets and greywater tanks at official disposal stations (marked on ust.is).

Geothermal pool and green parkland in Laugardalur valley near Reykjavík Eco Campsite

#1 · Reykjavík & Capital Region Open Year-Round

Reykjavík Eco Campsite (Laugardalur)

📍 GPS: 64.1466° N, 21.8675° W 💳 ~2,900 ISK ($21) / adult 🚗 Paved City Street (All 2WD & Campers)

Located in lush Laugardalur park directly beside Laugardalslaug—Reykjavík’s largest geothermal swimming pool with seven hot tubs and a steam bath. Ideal first or final night base 45 minutes from KEF Airport.

✓ Heated Indoor Kitchen ✓ Hot Showers Included ✓ Electricity Hookups ✓ Gear Swap Shelf ✓ Bus #14 Downtown

Official Campsite Info ↗ Google Maps GPS ↗ Best Match: Go SMART Camper 2-Pax ↗

#1 on Map

Open Year-Round 2WD / Camper Accessible

Reykjavík Eco Campsite (Laugardalur)

📍 Reykjavík & Capital Region · 64.15°N, 21.87°W

Heated Indoor Kitchen Hot Showers Included Electricity Hookups Gear Swap Shelf

Tectonic rift valley and river at Þingvellir National Park in Southwest Iceland

#2 on Map

Open Year-Round (Pods May–Sept) 2WD / Camper Accessible

Þingvellir National Park Campsite (Leirar)

📍 Golden Circle (45 min from Reykjavík) · 64.27°N, 21.12°W

Camp inside a UNESCO World Heritage site where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates drift apart. Quiet birch-wooded pitches within walking distance of Almannagjá gorge and Silfra fissure.

Heated Washhouse Hot Showers Ranger Visitor Center Hiking Trails

Campervan parked on green grass overlooking a calm Icelandic lake and mountains

#3 on Map

May 15 – Sept 15 2WD / Camper Accessible

Úlfljótsvatn Lakeside Campsite

📍 Golden Circle South (Near Selfoss) · 64.11°N, 21.03°W

One of the best family and campervan campsites on the Golden Circle, set on the shores of Lake Úlfljótsvatn just south of Þingvellir. Accepts the Iceland Camping Card and has spacious level grass zones.

Camping Card Accepted Hot Showers Playgrounds & Lake Electricity Hookups

Steaming geothermal valley near Hveragerði in Southwest Iceland

#4 on Map

May 1 – Sept 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Reykjamörk Hveragerði Geothermal Campsite

📍 Hveragerði (Route 1 • 45 km from Reykjavík) · 64.00°N, 21.19°W

Sheltered by mature trees in the geothermal town of Hveragerði—just 5 minutes from the trailhead for the Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River hike.

Indoor Kitchen Hot Showers Electricity Hookups Near Reykjadalur Hot River

Skógafoss waterfall thundering over green cliffs on the South Coast of Iceland

#5 on Map

Open Year-Round 2WD / Camper Accessible

Skógar Campsite (Beneath Skógafoss Waterfall)

📍 South Coast (Route 1 • 155 km from Reykjavík) · 63.53°N, 19.51°W

Pitch your tent or park your campervan on flat grass directly facing the 60-meter curtain of Skógafoss. Unbeatable for photographing the waterfall under the Midnight Sun or Northern Lights after day-trippers leave.

Waterfall Views Toilets & Showers Fimmvörðuháls Trailhead Open Year-Round

Reynisfjara black sand beach and basalt sea stacks near Vík í Mýrdal

#6 on Map

May 1 – Nov 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Vík í Mýrdal Campsite

📍 South Coast (Vík • 187 km from Reykjavík) · 63.42°N, 19.00°W

Located 5 minutes from Reynisfjara black sand beach and Dyrhólaey puffin cliffs. Features a large heated indoor dining hall and kitchen—a lifesaver during windy South Coast evenings.

Large Heated Dining Hall Indoor Cooking Hot Showers Electricity Hookups

Tents pitched in a sheltered green moss canyon surrounded by volcanic peaks at Þakgil

#7 on Map

June 1 – Sept 15 2WD / Camper Accessible

Þakgil Canyon Campsite (Natural Cave Dining Hall)

📍 South Iceland (22 km inland from Vík via Route 214) · 63.53°N, 18.89°W

Arguably Iceland’s most atmospheric campsite: a dramatic moss-walled canyon that blocks coastal gales, featuring a communal candlelit dining hall with grills inside a natural volcanic rock cave.

Natural Cave Dining Hall Extreme Wind Shelter Hot Showers Glacier View Trails

Scenic waterfall and green cliffs along the South Coast near Kirkjubæjarklaustur

#8 on Map

May 1 – Sept 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Kirkjubæjarklaustur Campsite (Kirkjubær II)

📍 South Coast (Midway between Vík & Skaftafell) · 63.79°N, 18.06°W

Sheltered beneath steep green cliffs 10 minutes east of Fjaðrárgljúfur canyon. Well-Protected from wind with grassy pitches and easy walking access to Systrafoss waterfall and the town swimming pool.

Hot Showers Sheltered Grass Pitches Washing Machine Near Fjaðrárgljúfur

Vatnajökull outlet glacier tongue descending toward Skaftafell in Southeast Iceland

#9 on Map

Open Year-Round (Winter Ready) 2WD / Camper Accessible

Skaftafell Campground (Vatnajökull National Park)

📍 Southeast Iceland (Route 1 • 326 km from Reykjavík) · 64.02°N, 16.97°W

Basecamp beneath Europe’s largest ice cap. Step straight out of your tent or campervan onto the trail to basalt-columned Svartifoss waterfall and guided glacier hikes on Falljökull, 45 minutes from Jökulsárlón.

Open Year-Round Modern Washhouses Electricity Hookups Laundry

Floating blue icebergs in Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon near Höfn in Southeast Iceland

#10 on Map

Open Year-Round 2WD / Camper Accessible

Höfn Camping Ground (Vestrahorn & Glacier Views)

📍 Southeast Iceland (Höfn • 455 km from Reykjavík) · 64.26°N, 15.20°W

Panoramic views across the Hornafjörður lagoon toward three Vatnajökull outlet glaciers, 15 minutes from dramatic Vestrahorn (Stokksnes) black sand dunes and walking distance to Höfn’s famous langoustine restaurants.

Indoor Kitchen & Lounge Hot Showers Electricity Hookups Near Stokksnes / Vestrahorn

Mountain fjord landscape and colorful buildings in East Iceland near Egilsstaðir and Seyðisfjörður

#11 on Map

Open Year-Round 2WD / Camper Accessible

Egilsstaðir Camp & Hostel (East Iceland Hub)

📍 East Iceland (Route 1 • 635 km from Reykjavík) · 65.26°N, 14.39°W

One of the highest-rated year-round facilities on the Ring Road: 24/7 heated bathrooms, outdoor dishwashing stations, luggage lockers, and easy day-trip access to Vök Baths, Seyðisfjörður, and Stuðlagil Canyon.

Open Year-Round 24/7 Heated Washrooms Laundry & Dryers Cafe & Reception

Campervan parked beneath dramatic green cliffs in the Eastfjords of Iceland

#12 on Map

May 15 – Sept 15 2WD / Camper Accessible

Borgarfjörður Eystri Campsite (Hafnarhólmi Puffins)

📍 Eastfjords (70 km from Egilsstaðir via Route 94) · 65.52°N, 13.81°W

Built directly around Álfaborg ("Elf Rock") in a tranquil fjord village 5 minutes from Hafnarhólmi marina, where 10,000+ Atlantic puffins nest within arm’s reach between May and mid-August.

Heated Indoor Kitchen Footbath & Showers 5 Min to Puffin Colony Dyrfjöll Hiking Trails

Northern Lights glowing over volcanic craters near Lake Mývatn in North Iceland

#13 on Map

May 1 – Oct 15 (Winter Spots) 2WD / Camper Accessible

Mývatn Lakeside Campsite (Hlíð / Reykjahlíð)

📍 North Iceland (Lake Mývatn • Diamond Circle) · 65.64°N, 16.91°W

Set amidst lava fields overlooking Lake Mývatn, 5 minutes from Mývatn Nature Baths, Hverir boiling mud pots, and Krafla volcanic crater. Tip: Pack a head net in June/July for harmless lakeside midges.

Lava Field Pitches Hot Showers Indoor Cooking Area 5 Min to Nature Baths

Dramatic waterfall and canyon cliffs in North Iceland along the Diamond Circle

#14 on Map

May 15 – Sept 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Ásbyrgi Canyon Campground (Vatnajökull NP North)

📍 Diamond Circle (Route 85 • Near Dettifoss & Húsavík) · 66.02°N, 16.50°W

Tucked inside a giant horseshoe-shaped canyon with 100-meter vertical cliffs and a dense birch forest. One of the warmest, most wind-sheltered microclimates anywhere in Iceland.

100m Canyon Wall Shelter Hot Showers Drying Room Electricity Hookups

Oceanfront geothermal infinity baths and coastal bay in North Iceland

#15 on Map

May 15 – Sept 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Húsavík Campground (Whale Capital & Geosea)

📍 North Iceland (Húsavík • Route 85) · 66.05°N, 17.34°W

Conveniently located at the northern entrance to Húsavík—5 minutes from the whale watching harbor and the clifftop Geosea Geothermal Sea Baths overlooking Skjálfandi Bay.

Camping Card Accepted Hot Showers Electricity Hookups Near Geosea Baths

Campervan parked in a green wooded clearing in North Iceland

#16 on Map

Open Year-Round 2WD / Camper Accessible

Hamrar Outdoor Recreation Area (Akureyri)

📍 North Iceland (Kjarnaskógur Forest • 4 km from Akureyri) · 65.65°N, 18.13°W

Sprawling across tree-lined zones bordering Kjarnaskógur forest. Features heated service buildings, laundry, boat rentals, and easy access to downtown Akureyri and the Forest Lagoon.

Open Year-Round Forest Wind Shelter Indoor Kitchens Laundry Facilities

Iconic Kirkjufell mountain and waterfall on the Snæfellsnes Peninsula in West Iceland

#17 on Map

May 1 – Sept 30 (Winter Hookups) 2WD / Camper Accessible

Stykkishólmur Campsite (Snæfellsnes & Ferry Port)

📍 Snæfellsnes Peninsula (Route 54) · 65.07°N, 22.73°W

Steps from Stykkishólmur’s mineral thermal pool, Súgandisey lighthouse, and the Baldur ferry terminal to the Westfjords. Only 25 minutes from iconic Mt. Kirkjufell.

Camping Card Accepted Adjacent Thermal Pool Electricity Hookups Near Kirkjufell

Snæfellsnes coastal cliffs and mountain scenery in West Iceland

#18 on Map

May 15 – Sept 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Arnarstapi & Olafsvík Coastal Campsites

📍 Snæfellsjökull National Park Edge (Route 574) · 64.77°N, 23.63°W

Sleep right between the glacier-capped cone of Snæfellsjökull volcano and the basalt sea arches of Arnarstapi and Hellnar. Ideal base for Djúpalónssandur beach and whale watching from Ólafsvík.

Glacier & Ocean Views Hot Showers Coastal Cliff Trailhead Restaurants Nearby

Winding coastal road and dramatic mountain fjords in the Westfjords of Iceland

#19 on Map

May 15 – Sept 15 2WD / Camper Accessible

Tungudalur Waterfall Campsite (Ísafjörður, Westfjords)

📍 Westfjords (Ísafjörður • Route 60/61) · 66.06°N, 23.19°W

Nestled in a birch-forested valley with the Buná river and waterfall cascading right through the campground. Perfect basecamp for exploring Dynjandi waterfall and Hornstrandir nature reserve boats.

Waterfall On-Site Birch Tree Shelter Hot Showers Indoor Dining Room

Colorful rhyolite mountains and geothermal valley at Landmannalaugar in the Icelandic Highlands

#20 on Map

Late June – Mid-Sept (F-Road) 4x4 F-Road Only

Landmannalaugar Highland Basecamp (F208)

📍 Central Highlands (Fjallabak Nature Reserve • F208) · 63.99°N, 19.06°W

Set beside a natural geothermal bathing river surrounded by rainbow rhyolite mountains and obsidian lava fields. Tip: Park your 4x4 at the footbridge lot BEFORE the deep river crossing.

Natural Hot Spring River Heated Mountain Hut Toilets Coin Showers Laugavegur Trailhead

Factor	Car / 4x4 SUV + Ground Tent	Heated Campervan
Best Months	Mid-June – Late August (Highlands & Ring Road)	May – October (Year-round with winter-insulated 4x4 models)
Wind & Rain Resistance	Requires a 3-to-4-season aluminum-pole tent rated for 18+ m/s gusts; packing a wet tent in horizontal rain takes discipline.	Rigid walls, instant shelter upon parking, and thermostatic diesel/gas heating for drying wet jackets overnight.
Highland Access (F-Roads)	Superior: A 4x4 SUV (Duster/RAV4/Land Cruiser) + tent handles rough F-roads and river crossings much more easily than a heavy van.	Requires an expensive specialized 4x4 campervan; standard 2WD campervans are prohibited on all F-roads.
Daily Setup Time	15–25 minutes to pitch, guy-out for wind, and inflate pads.	Under 2 minutes—park level, switch on the Webasto heater, and cook indoors.

Go SMART 2-person heated compact campervan on a road below sunlit mountains in Iceland

Go Campers Ring Road & Paved

Go SMART Camper (2-Pax)

Compact 2-Pax Campervan • 2WD (Paved & Main Gravel)

⚙ Manual (Auto Available) 🛏 Sleeps 2 Adults 🧳 2–3 Soft Bags 🔥 Webasto Heated

Best for: Couples or solo travelers wanting the most economical heated 2-person campervan with cooking gear for the Ring Road and South Coast.

Autonomous Webasto night heater keeps cabin warm all night
Includes gas stove, cookware, plates, cutlery & cooler
Easy to park and fuel-efficient on a 7–14 day Ring Road loop

Estimated Starting Rate

From $56/day · Includes Webasto Heater

KEF / RVK

View Go SMART Camper & Rates

Go LITE Automatic heated campervan parked beside evergreen trees in Iceland

Go Campers Ring Road & Paved

Go LITE Camper (Automatic)

Automatic Heated Campervan • 2WD (Paved & Main Gravel)

⚙ Automatic 🛏 Sleeps 2–3 Adults 🧳 3 Soft Bags 🔥 Webasto Heated

Best for: Two or three travelers wanting effortless automatic driving and extra interior lounge room for rainy evenings along Route 1.

Automatic transmission + thermostatic Webasto night heater
Spacious 3-person sleeping layout + complete kitchen box and stove
Unlimited mileage and KEF Airport / Reykjavík pickup

Estimated Starting Rate

From $85/day · Auto + Webasto Heater

KEF / RVK

View Go LITE Auto & Rates

Go LITE 3-person heated campervan parked on a grassy hilltop in Iceland

Go Campers Ring Road & Paved

Go LITE Camper (3-Pax)

3-Person Heated Campervan • 2WD (Paved & Main Gravel)

⚙ Manual (Auto Available) 🛏 Sleeps 3 Adults 🧳 3–4 Soft Bags 🔥 Webasto Heated

Best for: Three friends or a couple with a child who want a spacious 3-person sleeping layout and complete cooking equipment at a value rate.

Generous 3-person sleeping area with extra storage room out of the wind
Autonomous Webasto night heater + secondary leisure battery
Includes stove, refrigerator/cooler, sink water system & cookware

Estimated Starting Rate

From $81/day · Sleeps 3 + Webasto Heater

KEF / RVK

View Go LITE 3-Pax & Rates

Go BIG 5-person family heated campervan driving on a scenic track in Iceland

Go Campers Ring Road & Paved

Go BIG Camper (5-Pax Auto)

Large 5-Pax Family Camper • 2WD (Paved & Main Gravel)

⚙ Automatic 🛏 Sleeps 5 Adults 🧳 5 Bags 🔥 Webasto Heated

Best for: Families or groups of 4–5 who want standing headroom, dual sleeping beds, and an indoor dining lounge around the Ring Road.

Full standing height with upper and lower double beds (sleeps up to 5)
Automatic transmission + powerful Webasto night heating
Full kitchen counter, electric cooler, stove, and dining table

Estimated Starting Rate

From $169/day · Standing Room • Sleeps 5

KEF / RVK

View Go BIG 5-Pax & Rates

Go 4x4 Cruiser F-road campervan on open Highland gravel below an Icelandic mountain

Go Campers ✓ F-Road Approved

Go 4x4 Cruiser Camper (F-Road)

F-Road 4x4 Campervan • 4x4 / Four-Wheel Drive

⚙ Automatic 🛏 Sleeps 2 Adults 🧳 3 Soft Bags 🔥 Webasto Heated

Best for: Adventurers who want to camp at Landmannalaugar, Kerlingarfjöll (F35), or the Westfjords with a hard-shell heated 4x4 van.

Automatic F-road approved 4WD drivetrain for Iceland’s interior mountain tracks
Autonomous Webasto diesel heater for sub-zero Highland nights
Includes full cooking kit, electric cooler, and sleeping mattress

Estimated Starting Rate

From $174/day · Highland F-Road Approved

KEF / RVK

View Go 4x4 Cruiser & Rates

Go 4x4 PRO automatic Highland campervan parked on black volcanic sand beside a river in Iceland

Go Campers ✓ F-Road Approved

Go 4x4 PRO Camper (Automatic)

Flagship Auto 4x4 Camper • 4x4 / Four-Wheel Drive

⚙ Automatic 🛏 Sleeps 2–4 Adults 🧳 4 Soft Bags 🔥 Webasto Heated

Best for: Dedicated Highland F-road expeditions and winter aurora campervan trips requiring automatic 4WD clearance and a warm insulated cabin.

Automatic 4x4 drivetrain certified for Highland F-roads
Heavy-duty insulation + Webasto night heater for all-season comfort
Spacious interior layout with stove, fridge, and sink

Estimated Starting Rate

From $224/day · Auto 4x4 • Year-Round & Highlands

KEF / RVK

View Go 4x4 PRO & Rates

Go Car Rental ✓ F-Road Approved

Dacia Duster 4x4

Value 4x4 SUV • 4x4 / All-Wheel Drive

⚙ Manual 👥 5 Seats 🧳 3–4 Bags

Best for: Iceland’s #1 value 4x4 for Kjölur (Route 35), Landmannalaugar (F208 North), Westfjords gravel passes, and winter roads.

Contractually F-road approved with selectable 4WD Lock mode
210mm high ground clearance for gravel ruts and potholes
Fitted with studded winter tires free of charge Nov–Apr

Estimated Starting Rate

From $58/day · F-Road & Winter Ready

KEF / RVK

View Dacia Duster 4x4 & Rates

Go Car Rental ✓ F-Road Approved

Toyota RAV4 4x4 (Automatic)

Mid-Size 4x4 SUV • 4x4 / All-Wheel Drive

⚙ Automatic 👥 5 Seats 🧳 4 Large Bags

Best for: The gold-standard 10–14 day Ring Road, Westfjords, and Highland SUV with generous luggage capacity and confident winter handling.

Spacious cabin & trunk for 4 adults with full luggage
F-road approved for Landmannalaugar (F208 North) & Kjölur
Excellent stability in coastal crosswinds and winter snow

Estimated Starting Rate

From $82/day · Top Ring Road & Highland SUV

KEF / RVK

View Toyota RAV4 4x4 & Rates

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 SUV parked below a dramatic mountain slope in Iceland

Go Car Rental ✓ F-Road Approved

Toyota Land Cruiser 4x4 (Auto)

Full-Size Highland 4x4 • Full-Time 4WD (Low Range)

⚙ Automatic 👥 5–7 Seats 🧳 5 Large Bags

Best for: Demanding interior Highland F-roads (F208 South, F26 Sprengisandur, Askja), rough volcanic tracks, and severe winter conditions.

True body-on-frame 4WD with high wading clearance
Commanding visibility and maximum comfort on long gravel drives
Preferred choice for advanced summer Highland expeditions

Estimated Starting Rate

From $180/day · Heavy-Duty Highland 4x4

KEF / RVK

View Land Cruiser 4x4 & Rates

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Reference daily starting rates reflect low/shoulder-season base estimates. Check live seasonal pricing, real-time fleet availability, and full insurance options directly on Go Car Rental and Go Campers.

Compare Campervans & 4x4s via Go Campers Iceland

Book a Heated Campervan with Go Campers or a 4x4 SUV with Go Car Rental

Every Go Campers vehicle comes equipped with an autonomous Webasto night heater, cooking stove, cookware, and optional sleeping bag bundles—or pair a Go Car Rental 4x4 SUV with a 4-season ground tent.

Compare Heated Campervans at Go Campers Check 4x4 SUVs at Go Car Rental

Live seasonal pricing, real-time vehicle or tour availability, and full booking terms are provided directly on the operator's website.

Tents & Stakes

Aluminum Poles & Full Rainflies

• Never use fiberglass poles: High winds on the South Coast and in Landmannalaugar snap fiberglass poles cleanly. Use DAC aluminum poles in a geodesic, semi-geodesic, or low-profile tunnel geometry.
• 3,000mm+ Hydrostatic Head: Look for a flysheet rated at least 3,000mm and a bathtub floor rated 5,000mm+.
• Stakes for Volcanic Soil: Bring Y-beam aluminum pegs for turf and longer heavy-duty stakes (or rock-pitching guyline loops) for rocky Highland gravel pads.

View Tent Standards →

Sleeping Bags

EN/ISO Comfort Rating: 0°C to -5°C (23°F–32°F)

• Ignore "Extreme" ratings: Always shop by the Comfort rating (not the Limit or Extreme rating). Even in July, clear nights near Vatnajökull or in the interior regularly dip to 0°C–3°C (32°F–37°F).
• Synthetic vs. Down: High-fill-power hydrophobic down packs smaller for flights, while synthetic insulation retains warmth better in persistent coastal humidity. Always pack your sleeping bag inside a waterproof drybag.

View Sleeping Bag Standards →

Sleeping Mats

Insulated Pads with R-Value 3.5 to 5.0+

• Ground Conductive Cold: Even the warmest sleeping bag compresses underneath your body weight. An uninsulated air mattress (R-value 1.0) will leave you shivering against cold volcanic earth.
• The Double-Pad Trick: Pair a closed-cell foam pad (like a Therm-a-Rest Z Lite, R ~2.0) underneath an insulated inflatable pad (R ~3.5) for puncture protection on lava gravel and combined R-5.5 warmth.

View Sleeping Mat Standards →

Stoves & Fuel

Gas Canisters & Windshields

• Canister Rules on Flights: You cannot fly with gas canisters in carry-on or checked luggage. Buy fuel after landing at gas stations (N1, Olís), outdoor shops (Ellingsen, Fjallakofinn, Útilíf), or pick up leftover cans at campsite "free shelves."
• Valve Compatibility: Standard threaded Lindal-valve canisters (Primus, MSR, Jetboil) are widely available, as are click-on Campingaz canisters. Bring a folding aluminum windscreen so gusts don't waste all your fuel.

View Cooking Gear Standards →

Pricing & Reservations

Pay Per Person, Not Per Pitch

Most campsites charge 1,800 to 2,800 ISK ($13–$20 USD) per adult per night (children under 12–15 are often free), plus an optional 1,000–1,500 ISK electricity hookup fee for campervans. Outside of a few urban or Highland sites (like Reykjavík Eco Campsite or Landmannalaugar), you simply arrive, park on the grass/gravel, and pay the warden or via the Parka.is app.

Facilities

Showers, Kitchens & Local Pools

Nearly all campsites provide flush toilets, cold/hot running water, and dishwashing sinks. About half offer indoor cooking shelters and hot showers (sometimes coin- or card-operated for 300–500 ISK for 5 minutes). Local tip: Every Icelandic town has a geothermally heated municipal swimming pool (Sundlaug) with immaculate showers and hot tubs for ~1,200 ISK.

Seasonal Dates

Summer vs. Winter Opening

• June 1 – August 31: All ~170+ campsites nationwide are open.
• May & September: Most Ring Road campsites remain open, though some rural water taps shut off if frost is forecast.
• October – April: Around 25–30 year-round campsites stay open along the Ring Road. Always verify winter status before driving late.

Is the Iceland Camping Card (Útilegukortið) worth buying?

The Camping Card costs around €179 and covers up to 2 adults and 4 children for up to 28 nights across roughly 35–40 participating campsites (excluding a mandatory 400 ISK overnight accommodation tax per pitch). It typically pays for itself if two adults stay at participating campsites for 7 or more nights—however, many popular South Coast and National Park campsites do not participate, so check the map of participating sites against your itinerary first.

Do I need to book campsites in advance in Iceland?

For 95% of campsites in Iceland, no advance booking is required or even possible—you simply show up and pay on arrival. The main exceptions are Reykjavík Eco Campsite in peak summer, Þórsmörk / Landmannalaugar Highland huts & campsites (where parking must be reserved in summer), and sites listed on the Parka.is app if you prefer pre-paying.

How do I sleep during the Midnight Sun in June and July?

From mid-May through late July, Iceland never gets truly dark at night. Whether you are in a tent or a campervan, bring a comfortable contoured 3D sleep mask for every traveler—it is the single highest-impact item on an Iceland summer packing list.

Can I camp in Iceland in winter (November to March)?

Tent camping in winter is strongly discouraged unless you are an experienced arctic mountaineer with a true expedition tent and -15°C sleeping system. If you want to camp in winter, rent a well-insulated 4x4 campervan equipped with studded winter tires and an autonomous diesel heater (such as a Webasto heater), and plan your route around the ~25 year-round campsites.

Iceland Camping Laws: Can You Wild Camp?

Registered Campsites Only

When Foot-Campers Can Pitch

Sub-Arctic Moss & Greywater

Interactive Map of the 20 Best Campsites in Iceland

Explore Iceland's Best Campsites on the Map

Reykjavík Eco Campsite (Laugardalur)

Reykjavík Eco Campsite (Laugardalur)

Þingvellir National Park Campsite (Leirar)

Úlfljótsvatn Lakeside Campsite

Reykjamörk Hveragerði Geothermal Campsite

Skógar Campsite (Beneath Skógafoss Waterfall)

Vík í Mýrdal Campsite

Þakgil Canyon Campsite (Natural Cave Dining Hall)

Kirkjubæjarklaustur Campsite (Kirkjubær II)

Skaftafell Campground (Vatnajökull National Park)

Höfn Camping Ground (Vestrahorn & Glacier Views)

Egilsstaðir Camp & Hostel (East Iceland Hub)

Borgarfjörður Eystri Campsite (Hafnarhólmi Puffins)

Mývatn Lakeside Campsite (Hlíð / Reykjahlíð)

Ásbyrgi Canyon Campground (Vatnajökull NP North)

Húsavík Campground (Whale Capital & Geosea)

Hamrar Outdoor Recreation Area (Akureyri)

Stykkishólmur Campsite (Snæfellsnes & Ferry Port)

Arnarstapi & Olafsvík Coastal Campsites

Tungudalur Waterfall Campsite (Ísafjörður, Westfjords)

Landmannalaugar Highland Basecamp (F208)

Tent Camping vs. Heated Campervan in Iceland

Compare Webasto-Heated Campervans & 4x4 Camping SUVs

Book a Heated Campervan with Go Campers or a 4x4 SUV with Go Car Rental

Essential Camping Gear Specifications for Iceland

Aluminum Poles & Full Rainflies

EN/ISO Comfort Rating: 0°C to -5°C (23°F–32°F)

Insulated Pads with R-Value 3.5 to 5.0+

Gas Canisters & Windshields

How Icelandic Campsites Work: Costs, Showers & Seasons

Pay Per Person, Not Per Pitch

Showers, Kitchens & Local Pools

Summer vs. Winter Opening

Camping in Iceland FAQs