Camping in Iceland – The Ultimate Guide
Camping in Iceland is one of the best ways to experience the country. With no need to book expensive hotels, the freedom to change your itinerary on a whim, and the chance to fall asleep under the midnight sun or Northern Lights, it's a style of travel that suits Iceland perfectly. This guide covers everything you need to know — from the rules to the best campsites across the country.
Camping rules in Iceland — what you need to know
Before anything else, it's essential to understand Iceland's camping laws. They changed significantly in 2015 and are strictly enforced.
Camping outside of designated campsites is illegal across Iceland. Fines are issued directly to the rental car company — who will charge them back to you. Always use an official campsite. There are hundreds across the country, so you're never far from one.
The key rules for camping in Iceland:
- You must camp at an official designated campsite
- Campfires are generally not permitted — use a camping stove
- Leave No Trace — take all rubbish with you or use campsite bins
- Do not drive off-road or park on vegetation — this is both illegal and causes lasting damage
- Respect wildlife and keep your distance — especially nesting birds in summer
- Follow all campsite rules posted at reception
The best resource for finding official campsites is camping.is — it has a full interactive map of all registered campsites with prices, facilities and opening dates.
When is camping season in Iceland?
Most campsites in Iceland are open from mid-May to mid-September. Some larger sites around Reykjavík and popular tourist areas open earlier and close later, and a handful operate year-round.
- June–August — peak season. Midnight sun means 24 hours of daylight, weather is warmest (10–15°C), all sites open. Book popular sites in advance.
- May & September — shoulder season. Quieter, cheaper, better Northern Lights chances. Some highland sites may still be closed.
- October–April — very few sites open. Weather is harsh, highland roads are closed. Not recommended for first-time campers in Iceland.
If you're hoping to see the Northern Lights, September and October are your best bet — dark enough for aurora but not too cold. Check the forecast at vedur.is and get away from light pollution for the best views.
Best campsites in Iceland
Iceland has over 170 registered campsites. Here are the best ones to put on your road trip itinerary:
Camping in Þingvellir National Park puts you right at the heart of one of Iceland's most significant natural and historical sites — where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates meet and where Iceland's first parliament was founded in 930 AD. The campsites are spread across the park with stunning views over Lake Þingvallavatn.
An excellent first night on any Iceland road trip — close to Reykjavík but already feeling properly wild.
Landmannalaugar is one of the most spectacular camping spots in Iceland — and possibly in all of Europe. Surrounded by rainbow-coloured rhyolite mountains, lava fields and natural hot springs you can soak in right beside your tent, it's an otherworldly experience. It's the starting point for the famous Laugavegur hiking trail.
Note that getting here requires crossing rivers and driving F-roads — only accessible with a proper 4WD vehicle. Our Dacia Duster and Toyota RAV4 are both suitable.
Skaftafell is one of Iceland's most popular campsites — and the setting is extraordinary. Glacier tongues descend from the vast Vatnajökull ice cap on one side, while lush green birch forest surrounds the campsite on the other. Hiking trails lead to Svartifoss waterfall and close-up glacier views. Glacier walks and ice climbing tours depart from the visitor centre next door.
Húsafell offers a more comfortable camping experience — almost glamping-like — in a stunning forested valley surrounded by glaciers and mountains. The site has geothermal hot pools, a golf course, horse riding and family-friendly facilities. It's a great choice if you're travelling with children or want a bit more comfort than a basic campsite.
Þórsmörk (Valley of Thor) is a remote glacial valley ringed by three glaciers — dramatic, wild and completely unlike anywhere else in Iceland. Several campsites operate here including Langidalur and Húsadalur. It's the end point of the Laugavegur trail and the start of the Fimmvörðuháls trail to Skógafoss. Getting here involves river crossings so 4WD is essential.
Camping the Golden Circle in Iceland
The Golden Circle is Iceland's most popular day-trip route — covering Þingvellir National Park, the Geysir geothermal area, and Gullfoss waterfall in a single loop from Reykjavík. But if you're camping in Iceland, you can do it even better: base yourself at Þingvellir campsite and spend two or three days exploring the whole area at your own pace.
Camping in the Golden Circle Iceland puts you right at the start of the route, just 45 minutes from Reykjavík. From Þingvellir you can drive the full Golden Circle loop in a day, return to your campsite in the evening, and wake up the next morning surrounded by one of Iceland's most dramatic landscapes. No hotel check-out time, no rush.
The Þingvellir campsite fills up fast in July and August — book ahead at thingvellir.is. Arriving on a Sunday evening is usually quieter than Friday or Saturday nights.
The mattress car — camping without a tent
🚗 Sleep in your rental car
Not keen on sleeping in a tent? Our summer mattress car option lets you sleep comfortably in the back of the car at designated campsites — warmer and more weatherproof than a tent, and no setup required.
- Available summer season (June–August)
- Mattress and bedding included
- Use any official campsite across Iceland
- More flexible than booking guesthouses — change plans freely
Car camping in Iceland
Car camping in Iceland is one of the most popular and affordable ways to see the country — and you don't need a dedicated campervan to do it. A regular rental car works perfectly as a camping vehicle. Throw your tent in the boot, pick your campsites as you go, and change your itinerary freely without any hotel commitments weighing you down.
The classic car camping setup is a 4WD with a rooftop tent or a packed boot — both work well at Iceland's official campsites. If you'd rather skip the tent entirely, our mattress car option is car camping made easy: a proper sleeping setup already fitted inside the vehicle, ready to use at any campsite across the country.
For car camping on the Ring Road and paved routes, any of our vehicles work well. If you're planning to reach highland campsites like Landmannalaugar or Þórsmörk, you'll need a 4WD — our Dacia Duster or Toyota RAV4 are both perfect for this. Read our 4WD guide →
What camping gear to bring to Iceland
Iceland's weather can change rapidly, so your gear needs to handle whatever comes. Don't cut corners on the basics:
- Tent — four-season or at minimum a sturdy three-season tent. Iceland's wind will destroy a cheap festival tent
- Sleeping bag — rated to at least -5°C, even in summer. Temperatures near glaciers and in the highlands drop significantly at night
- Sleeping mat — essential for insulation from the cold ground
- Camping stove and fuel — campfires are not allowed. Gas canisters are available at N1 petrol stations across Iceland
- Waterproof bags — keep your sleeping bag and clothing dry
- Headlamp — useful even in summer in southern Iceland when it does get dark briefly
- Towel and flip flops — for campsite shower blocks
- Earplugs and eye mask — the midnight sun means it never gets fully dark in June and July
Top tips for camping in Iceland
- Book popular sites in advance — Skaftafell, Þingvellir and Landmannalaugar fill up fast in July and August
- Use camping.is for a full map of all official sites with opening dates and facilities
- Stock up on food in towns — remote campsites rarely have shops. Bónus and Krónan are the cheapest supermarkets
- Download the Safetravel app and register your route before heading into remote areas
- Check road conditions daily at road.is — F-roads can close suddenly in bad weather
- Carry cash — some smaller campsites are cash only
- Respect other campers — sites can be busy in peak season, so keep noise down, especially at night
- Never leave food out — Iceland has Arctic foxes and ravens that will raid unattended food
Ready to camp in Iceland?
Book your rental car — or our summer mattress car — with Project Car Rental. Locally owned, Iceland expert since 2020.
Book your car now →