How to Prepare for Camping Road Trips in Iceland’s National Parks

Camping in Þingvellir National Park

Park rangers manage the camping site service centre at Þingvellir National Park to ensure that users respect the natural environment and cause no damage. Those using tents can stay at Vatnskot, Fagrabrekka and Hvannabrekka. Vans can use Nyrðri- and Sydri-Leirar. The campsite at Sydri-Leirar remains open until the end of November. Wet, soft ground means that as winter approaches, the parking lot is brought into use for camper vans. Perhaps the most important thing, especially for travellers who plan to be in Iceland during the busy summer months, is that pre-booking isn’t available. Plan to arrive relatively early in the day to be sure of getting a spot.

Camping in Snaefellsjökull National Park

As with Þingvellir National Park, travellers who wish to stay overnight in the Snaefellsnes peninsula need to be mindful that wild camping isn’t allowed. However you’ll still have a choice of locations: there are campgrounds at Arnarstapi-Hellnar, Budir, Hellissandur-Rif and Olafsvik. For instance, at Hellissandur-Rif, the campsite is set amid a lava field called Sandahraun. You’ll be handy for the walking paths that lead into the surrounding countryside and close to the Snaefellsjökull glacier. This well-appointed site has a kitchen, toilets, showers and washbasins as well as access to electricity.

Camping in Vatnajökull National Park

Vatnajökull is Iceland’s largest national park and there are campsites in and close to this protected area.

For instance, at Skaftafell, there’s a campground that’s open year-round. It has capacity for 400 tents; one section is reserved for camper vans and has electric hook-ups. As before, reservations are not taken in advance (except for groups) but this one usually has plenty of space. Services such as showers, washing machine and dryer and kitchen sinks for washing up, together with WiFi at the visitor centre makes this a popular choice with travellers. 

Svínafell is another year-round site, though the service centre is only open during the warmer months. Sleeping bag accommodation is available in heated huts. Campers are also welcome. However, facilities here are a bit more basic – for example although there are showers, there’s cold water at the wash basins within the huts and minimal cooking facilities. Electricity isn’t available for vans. In addition to these two campgrounds, there are seasonal sites at Höfn and Haukafell that are typically open from April or May to about September. 

As you can see, it’s possible to camp within all three of Iceland’s national parks, whether you’re planning to use a tent or rent a camper van from Konvin.