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
01 / Legal Rules & Conservation

Iceland Camping Laws: Can You Wild Camp?

Since the November 2015 revision to the Icelandic Nature Conservation Act (enforced by the Environment Agency of Iceland, ust.is), the rules around overnight camping have been strictly regulated to protect fragile sub-arctic moss and private farmland.

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).

02 / Interactive Campsite Map & Regional Photo Guide

Interactive Map of the 20 Best Campsites in Iceland

Every major campsite below is plotted by its exact GPS coordinates along Route 1, the Golden Circle, the Westfjords, and the Highland F-roads. Click any numbered pin on the map—or filter by region—to view campsite-area photos, facilities, opening seasons, and the best vehicle or heated campervan for that route.

20 Plotted Iceland Campgrounds • GPS & Photo Guide

Explore Iceland's Best Campsites on the Map

Blue pins indicate paved 2WD & campervan access; amber pins indicate Highland F-road campsites requiring an approved 4x4.

No F-road required 4x4 / Highland Track
20 of 20 places · Selected: Reykjavík Eco Campsite (Laugardalur)
Drag to explore · Pinch or use + / − to zoom · Tap a pin for details
1 / 20
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Road labels are for orientation. Check current road conditions ↗ before driving.

Reykjavík
#1 · Reykjavík & Capital Region Open Year-Round

Area photo: Reykjavík · Photo: Olga Ernst · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

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 ↗ Open in Google Maps ↗ Best Match: Go SMART Camper 2-Pax ↗
Open Year-Round 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Reykjavík · Olga Ernst · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

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

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
Go SMART Camper 2-Pax ↗
Open Year-Round (Pods May–Sept) 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Þingvellir · Ivan Sabljak · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go LITE Auto Camper ↗
May 15 – Sept 15 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Úlfljótsvatn lake · Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go BIG Family Camper ↗
May 1 – Sept 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Hveragerði · TommyBee · Public domain · cropped

📍 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
Toyota Yaris 2WD ↗
Open Year-Round 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Skógafoss · Hansueli Krapf · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go SMART Camper 2-Pax ↗
May 1 – Nov 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Reynisdrangar · Jakub Fryš · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go LITE Auto Camper ↗
June 1 – Sept 15 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Þakgil campsite · Eric Marchese · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go 4x4 Cruiser Camper ↗
May 1 – Sept 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Kirkjubæjarklaustur · Eysteinn Guðni Guðnason · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Dacia Duster 4x4 ↗
Open Year-Round (Winter Ready) 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Skaftafell · Eysteinn Guðni Guðnason · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go LITE Auto Camper ↗
Open Year-Round 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Höfn harbor · Bernard McManus · CC BY 2.0 · cropped

📍 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
Toyota RAV4 4x4 ↗
Open Year-Round 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Egilsstaðir · Eysteinn Guðni Guðnason · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go LITE 3-Pax Camper ↗
May 15 – Sept 15 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Borgarfjörður eystri · Eysteinn Guðni Guðnason · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go SMART Camper 2-Pax ↗
May 1 – Oct 15 (Winter Spots) 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Mývatn · Pjt56 · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Dacia Duster 4x4 ↗
May 15 – Sept 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Ásbyrgi · Gummao · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go LITE Auto Camper ↗
May 15 – Sept 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Húsavík harbor · Pce · Public domain · cropped

📍 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
Toyota Yaris 2WD ↗
Open Year-Round 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Akureyri · Kaldbakstindur · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go BIG Family Camper ↗
May 1 – Sept 30 (Winter Hookups) 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Stykkishólmur · Chensiyuan · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go SMART Camper 2-Pax ↗
May 15 – Sept 30 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Arnarstapi · Steinninn · CC BY 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Toyota RAV4 4x4 ↗
May 15 – Sept 15 2WD / Camper Accessible

Area photo: Ísafjörður · Ouicoude · CC BY-SA 3.0 · cropped

📍 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
Dacia Duster 4x4 ↗
Late June – Mid-Sept (F-Road) 4x4 F-Road Only

Area photo: Landmannalaugar · Anjali Kiggal · CC BY-SA 4.0 · cropped

📍 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
Go 4x4 PRO Camper ↗
03 / Choosing Your Shelter

Tent Camping vs. Heated Campervan in Iceland

Having supplied thousands of travelers with both 4-season tents and vehicles over the years, here is how tent camping with a rental car compares to renting a heated campervan.

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.
Official Iceland Campervan & 4x4 Partner • Go Campers & Go Car Rental

Compare Webasto-Heated Campervans & 4x4 Camping SUVs

Browse Go Campers' full lineup of heated 2WD and F-road-ready 4x4 campervans (sleeping 2 to 5 travelers), or pick a 4x4 SUV from Go Car Rental for tent camping.

Go Car Rental Fleet Go Campers Fleet Go Rentals Hub
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
Dacia Duster 4x4 SUV parked on a rocky coastline in Iceland
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
Toyota RAV4 4x4 automatic SUV driving on a volcanic gravel road in the Icelandic Highlands
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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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.

04 / Technical Gear Standards

Essential Camping Gear Specifications for Iceland

Festival-grade summer camping gear from warmer climates regularly fails on its first night in Iceland. Whether you bring your own equipment in a checked duffel or rent locally in Reykjavík, verify that every item meets these standards:

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 →
05 / Campsite Logistics

How Icelandic Campsites Work: Costs, Showers & Seasons

Iceland’s campsite network is refreshingly straightforward compared to North America or mainland Europe, where pitches must be reserved months ahead.

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.

06 / Frequently Asked Questions

Camping in Iceland FAQs

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.