Best Iceland Campsites – 10 of The Best Spots For Camping In Iceland

A guide to the best campsites in Iceland. I shared plenty of posts from our Iceland road trips, from exploring under midnight sun, to why visiting Iceland in July is the best time to visit.

In this post I will take you through Iceland camping, covering, where to camp in Iceland, the best campsites in Iceland, Iceland campsite prices, including what it’s like camping in Iceland in summer. Visiting Iceland in July means you get the very best of the weather as July is one of the warmest months in the year.

 

Some of the most iconic and loved Game of Thrones scenes were shot in Iceland. So, you know this captivating and rugged landscape is a place of beauty.

That can only make camping in Iceland an epic adventure, and why knowing the best Iceland campsites and Iceland camping equipment rentals stores a must before you go.

 

If you are only exploring the capital, find where to stay in Reykjavik isn’t too difficult but when exploring the beautiful sights on the Ring Road, it’s a little harder to plan where your next stop to sleep for the night can be hard while doing the Iceland road trip.

This is partly because almost every other mile there is something to see, which can make calculating when you get to a booked hotel will be when there are so many stops along the way. This is where campsites in Iceland come in!

 

 

Also See:

• Sleeping Under Waterfalls In Iceland
• A Guide To Iceland’s Vik – What To See And Where To Stay
• Camping In Trolltunga Norway
• Whale Watching In Iceland
• Why Harpa In Reykjavik Is  A Must For Photographers

 

 

 

Top 10 Of Best Campsites In Iceland | The best Spots For Camping In Iceland

 

As you may already know, Iceland isn’t one of the cheapest destinations to visit, but combining a camping trip on the Ring Road, whether visiting for the northern lights, goldern circle tourist sights, hot spring swimming pools in the mountains, to see glacier lagoons, Iceland travel can be made that little cheaper if you combine it with camping.

This also gives you added flexibility when it comes to accommodation planning for your Icelandic adventures. We did a combination of tent camping in Iceland and Iceland camper rental.

I also shared a post about why this is also one of the best ways to tour Iceland. I will also be sharing more tips on campervan hire in Iceland as well as price comparisons of motorhome rental in Iceland.

 

While all these sites are open in the summer months and some of them for the entire year – they don’t always open for the same period of time. Just double check that they are open if visiting Iceland in winter.

Plus, depending on how remote the locations are, the weather conditions can affect their opening dates. So, do check before you go. Now, let’s dive into our favorite campsites in Iceland, from West to East Iceland and from South up to North Iceland.

 

 

1. Grindavik Campsite

This is an ideal campsite as a starter for your camping trip to Iceland and one of the best options for accommodation in camping site in Iceland. Grindavik is a fishing town and has a lovely harbor on this coast.

The Grindavik campsite is close to the major airports (Keflavík International Airport and Reykjavik Domestic Airport) so you can get over your jetlag or wind down before leaving Iceland.

You have access to warm and cold water, toilets, showers and washing machines. If you have rented an RV or mobile home, you can get rid of your waste at this campsite. There’s internet access, walking paths and a playground if you have kids.

 

 

2. Breiðavík camping site

The Breiðavík camping site is on the way to one of the most visited tourist areas in Iceland – Látrabjarg. The campsite is also close to other tourist attractions such as Westfjords and the stunning Látrabjarg cliffs.

It offers access to a barbecue grill as well as the many usual amenities such as a washing machine and WI-FI, and coffee and tea come as part of the price. Children under 12 stay free.

 

 

3. Egilsstaðir Campsite

The town of Egilsstaðir sits on the eastern part of the Vatnajökull National Park. The Egilsstaðir camping site is located in the heart of the town and is open year-round and is one of the best campsites in Iceland.

Being in the town center, it means you are close to all the main services and shops. Its location makes it easy to take short day-trips to other scenic spots such as the Hallormsstaðaskógur forest.

This is another one of campgrounds in Iceland that has the usual amenities – washing machines, showers, playground for kids.

 

4. Höfn Campsite

The Höfn campsite in east Iceland is a perfect location to rest when you want to take a tour of the Jökulsárlón glacier lake on the edge of the Vatnajökull National Park.

It’s normally open from April to September and comes with many amenities for winding down each day from your drives along the Iceland Ring Road or for spending the day.

It has a gold course, walking paths, horse rental, and fishing just to name a few of the activities you can do there.

 

 

5. Vopnafjörður Iceland Campgrounds

The Vopnafjörður Camping Ground is another of Iceland campgrounds in East Iceland. Located on the hills in the city centre, it gives you a fantastic view across the bay and the town. Again, this site has barbecue facilities as well as restrooms, shower facilities, and internet access.

Other services are within an easy walking distance from the campsite. This is one of the smaller campsites in our top 10 list, but its easy access to swimming pools, hot tubs, horse rentals, etc. more than makes up for it.

 

 

6. Húsafell Campsite

Húsafell is one of the most popular campsites in Iceland, West Iceland. The site is a short distance from a swimming pool, golf course, and other services in the town. Plus, you are close to some of the iconic Iceland glaciers such as the Langjökull – the second largest icecap in Iceland.

You will want to visit this campsite in the summertime because they have a large campfire program every Saturday night. You definitely don’t want to miss that.

 

For Iceland Packing Tips check out the Boarding Call post.

 

7. Hellissandur Camping Ground

Another lovely west Iceland campsites is the Hellissandur Camping Ground. It is surrounded by beautiful lava fields called Sandahraun. The camping ground is close to beaches and the Snæfellsjökull National Park.

Plus, you can join the Snæfellsjökull Glacier Hike which offers midnight sun tours and an epic one-day outing for sightseeing. Of course, it wouldn’t be one of our Iceland camping sitess without the regular sanitary facilities.

 

8. Ólafsvík Camp Site

Another popular one of the Iceland camping sites in West Iceland camping ground is Ólafsvík. The site is located right at the entrance to the town of Ólafsvík. In the heart of the town, you can visit the Regional Museum of Snæfellsbær, a coffee shop, and a handcraft gallery.

Plus, the campsite is also close to the Snæfellsjökull Glacier for a wonderful day of hiking adventures. Or, spend the day on the fishing harbour just taking in the lively routines in the day of the life of an Ólafsvík seaman.

 

 

9. Jökulsárgljúfur/Ásbyrgi Campground

If you’re heading to the north, a great place to stop is the Jökulsárgljúfur/Ásbyrgi campground which is another one of the Iceland campsites as it sits inside the national park. It’s open all year round and offers accommodation for tents, mobile homes, and folding campers.

If you’re traveling with a pet, you’ll be happy to know that dogs are allowed at this site. Stop by the Ásbyrgi Visitor Centre for more information on all the sites and activities in and around Jökulsárgljúfur. It also has a souvenir shop and an intriguing exhibit on the formation of the Ásbyrgi Canyon.

 

10. Þórshöfn Camping Ground

Another fantastic northern Iceland campsite is at the Þórshöfn Camping Ground. The campsite itself has great amenities for caravans and mobile homes. You have access to toilets and electricity. Plus, there are benches and tables if you want to sit outside your vans.

There is a sports centre that is a short distance away from the campsite where you can use the swimming pool with hot tubs and the gym as well as washing machine and dryer.

Of course, any good campground must have internet access and the sports centre, Verið, has this. You also have a variety of activities to choose from including bird watching from the Skorubíkurbjarg viewing platform.

 

 

Camping In Iceland In July(Including Camping in June & August)

 

Iceland weather can be dodgy anyway but when it comes to tent camping in Iceland, by far, camping in Iceland in July offers one of the best experiences as this is one of the driest months and warmest.

Warm in terms of Icelandic averages that is. If you are visiting the month before camping in Iceland in June also isn’t that bad in terms of weather. Some months can be really cold and wet.

 

I have done camping in wet conditions it really isn’t the best experience. During the really wet and super cold months campervan hire/rv rental in Iceland offers a better and comfortable option.

Because campervans can be expensive during peak season, during the summer, camping in Iceland means you can also opt to hire and ordinary car and do tent camping in Iceland for even more savings towards your finances for the trip.

Also, note that there are plenty of budget grocery stores in Iceland to buy food than buying expensive restaurant food along the way.

 

Again coming in Iceland in August, June or July you will have a far better experience in some parts of Iceland, although this is the summer we still had some wet days on a campsite next to Skogafoss. During this time we jumped back into our Iceland camper rental we picked up in Reykjavik. So depending on whether weather look at all options.

 

 

 

Tent Camping In Iceland | Camping At Skogafoss

Tent camping in Iceland offers one of the best and cost-effective ways to explore the Ring Road sights. Explore beautiful national parks in Iceland, explore the beautiful treasures within Vatnajökull national park, stay up until the midnight sun, explore south, east Iceland and north Iceland and then some, all the while tent camping during your road trip.

There are simply so many ways to experience this beautiful country and its ‘out of this world’ sights, from the blue lagoon, waterfalls, glacier lagoons, geysers and so much more! Camping allows you to explore Iceland and not blow a lot of money on expensive accommodation along the Ring Road.

 

 

 

Iceland Campsite Prices and Tariffs And Free Camping Kids

There aren’t many free camp sites in Iceland, what these are are just public lands. Most camping places in Iceland are free on publands.ds .

Campsites by waterfalls are also not that expensive. For some places, Iceland campsite prices start from rates around ISK 1700 per night. Children 13-16 years, accompanied by adults might range around ISK 800 per night.

Children 12 years and younger, accompanied by adults, are usually free of charge. You can also get group discounts. A group of 10 people or more might get 10% discount on camping. To qualify for a group discount, one person in the group must pay for the whole camping rate in full for the group.

 

Iceland Camping Equipment Rental

For our trips camping on the Trolltunga trail in Norway, we brought our own camping gear from London. For our trip to Iceland, we didnt have to bring any as Iceland camping equipment was already included in out campervan rental which I have written about on the blog and linked above.

If you don’t have the luxury as having all the camping gear with you or want to avoid paying extra in baggage fees to bring all the equipment with you, there are the option of Iceland camping equipment rentals when you arrive in Reykjavik. For Iceland camping rental options check out sites like Iceland Camping Equipment Rental, Rent A Tent and Fjallakofinn.

 

There isn’t a huge number of rental shops for outdoor equipment as this is an industry if you can call it that is just starting to grow. The small number of stores in Iceland that do camping rentals do offer a variety of equipment.

They rent out equipment for singles and groups, backpacks, child carriers, rental tents, sleeping bags, cooking equipment, WIFI, GoPro, coolers and many other things.

Prices vary, for example, gas stove cost from around £2.20 per day, first aid kit is around £1 a day, tents start from around £6 – 18 a day. These Iceland camping rental stores open from 9-10am and close by 5 or 6 pm so make sure you head there before they close as most don’t do late hours.

 

Camping Gear and Outdoors Equipment Stores In Iceland

If you have arrived with some camping equipment in Iceland and looking to add a few missing items. There are a couple of outdoor stores in Iceland.

Most of which are in Reykjavik but you do have a couple scattered around Iceland.  These sell a variety of equipment from cycling, fishing, hunting, clothing, footwear and camping gear like tents, coolers, camping furniture, first aid kits, portable camping WC.

 

• Ellingsen in Fiskislóð
• Utilif in Kringlan, Glæsibær and Smáralind shopping mall.
• Alparnir in Faxafeni
• Byko in Eyjarslóð
• Everest in Skeifan
• Útivist og veiði in Kaupvangsstræti, Akureyri

 

Leave No Trace

To preserve the wild beauty and nature of the country, it is recommended (an in most instances are required by law) to camp only in designated camping areas.

This also makes sure that you aren’t encroaching on private property since you will be staying at one of the many free and low-cost camping sites. I have also tried to include things to know about camping site in Iceland, in terms of facilities on the campsite.

 

 

Iceland Camping Questions

 

Can anyone Camp In The Wild In Iceland

The simple answer is yes, as long as its public land and NOT private land. Be respectful. We saw people camping right outside the camping grounds just to avoid paying the campsite price but still managed to use campsite facilities in the morning. This is not cool at all!

 

Do Iceland Campsites Have Wifi,

Yes, but not all of them, we found that facilities vary between campsites in Iceland. The ones that didn’t have wifi, we found there was a restaurant or cafe nearby with wifi.

 

How Would One Go About Travelling Cheap To Iceland | Is visiting and traveling in Iceland expensive?

Is visiting and traveling in Iceland expensive, it can be if you dont watch your budget carefully but it is possible to do Iceland on a budget. You can rent a normal car instead of a campervan and opt to tent camping in Iceland instead of staying using a campervan in Iceland.

If it gets super cold you still also have the option of camping in car.  Stock up at the grocery stores with food you can cook instead of using cafes or restaurants.

 

The best budge grocery stores in Iceland is Bonus. Where possible you can visit all the tourist sights yourself instead of doing a tour.

Only use tours for say, whale watching as you certainly cannot DIY that tour. Things like that mean you can save money that you can then use for other things on the trip.

 

 

Also See:

 

• What To Pack For Iceland
• Camping In Snowdonia Wales
• Top Tips On Campervan Rentals In Iceland
• The Perfect One Day London Itinerary
• Top 20 Experiences Not To Miss In Paris

 

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