Top 10 Campsites in Iceland
Iceland's camping infrastructure is built around the ring road (Route 1) and the national park system, with municipal sites in every major village and staffed sites in the national parks. Wild camping is prohibited in Iceland without a permit; the designated campsite network is the system. The Iceland Camping Card provides unlimited access to 28 participating sites for 60 nights across the card period — the most cost-effective approach for a full ring-road circuit.
1. Skaftafell, Vatnajokull National Park
The campsite at Skaftafell sits below the Skaftafellsjokull glacier tongue, with Vatnajokull — Europe's largest glacier — filling the horizon to the north. Large, well-organised with good sanitary facilities and a visitor centre. Electric pitches available. The Svartifoss waterfall walk and the glacier viewpoint hike start directly from the campground. One of the busiest sites in Iceland in summer; arrive before midday or book ahead. Iceland Camping Card accepted.
2. Þingvellir National Park
The campsite at Þingvellir sits in the rift valley where the North American and Eurasian tectonic plates diverge, and beside the plain where Iceland's parliament (Alþing) met from 930 CE. Multiple camping areas across the park. Electric pitches available in the main camping area. Snorkelling in Silfra — the fissure between the continental plates — departs from nearby; the clarity of the glacial water is extraordinary.
3. Skógar
At the base of Skógafoss waterfall on the south coast, with Eyjafjallajokull glacier-capped volcano behind. One of Iceland's most photographed locations. The campsite is modest — flat ground, basic facilities — but the position is exceptional. The Fimmvörduháls pass, the route that crosses between Skógar and Þórsmörk through the 2010 eruption lava fields, starts here.
4. Húsafell
In the western highlands above Borgarfjordur, with direct access to Langjokull glacier and the Hraunfossar lava field waterfalls. The Húsafell site has electric hookups, geothermal-heated pools, and a swimming lagoon. A quieter and more facility-rich site than most Iceland camping. Iceland Camping Card accepted.
5. Borgarnes
The campsite at Borgarnes sits on a peninsula in Borgarfjordur with water views on three sides, 75 km north of Reykjavík. Basic but well-maintained. The Borgarnes Settlement Centre museum is the best introduction to the Eirbyggja and Egils Sagas in Iceland. A useful overnight for those exploring the Snæfellsnes peninsula or transiting the west.
6. Egilsstadir
The main campsite in east Iceland, in the town of Egilsstadir at the head of the Lagarfljot lake. Full electric hookups, showers, a sanitary block, and proximity to the town shops and fuel. The east Iceland fjords — Djupivogur, Seydisfjordur, Neskaupstadur — are accessible as day drives from here. Iceland Camping Card accepted.
7. Myvatn
The campsite at Vogar, on the shore of Lake Myvatn in north Iceland. The lake and its surrounding lava formations — Dimmuborgir, Hverfjall crater, the Namaskard sulphur fields — constitute one of the most geologically concentrated landscapes on Earth. Midges are intense at Myvatn in June and July; bring a head net and do not minimise the warning. Electric pitches, good facilities. Iceland Camping Card accepted.
8. Höfn
The campsite at Höfn sits at the edge of the Hornafjordur lagoon with Vatnajokull directly to the north. Höfn is the lobster capital of Iceland; the local restaurants are the reason to eat well before the next 250 km to Egilsstadir. Full facilities, electric pitches, a laundrette. The Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon is 80 km west — a day trip or stop before arrival.
9. Reykjavík Camping, Laugardalur
The main campsite for Iceland's capital, in the Laugardalur valley 3 km from the city centre. A large, fully-equipped site with electric pitches, a service building with cooking facilities, and adjacent geothermal pool. The number of pitches makes it manageable even in peak season. Well served by the Reykjavík bus system. Iceland Camping Card accepted.
10. Vik
The campsite above the village of Vik i Myrdal, on the south coast below the Myrdalsjokull glacier. The Reynisfjara black sand beach with its basalt columns is 5 km from the campground. Basic site — electric pitches, a sanitary block — but the position between glacier and sea makes it one of the most atmospheric stops on the south coast route.
The Iceland Camping Card
The Iceland Camping Card (Tjaldferdalakortid) gives access to unlimited overnight stays at 28 participating campsites for one vehicle and up to two adults across the valid period. The current card price is around 19,900 ISK (approximately 130 euros) and the card breaks even in three to four nights. It does not cover electricity hookup supplements, which are charged separately. Buy through campcards.is or at the first participating campsite you reach. It is the standard approach for a full ring-road circuit of two to three weeks.
Find Icelandic campsites on the map
The map shows campsite locations across Iceland. Use it to plan the day stages of your ring-road route and confirm which sites take the Iceland Camping Card.