Camping in Iceland: Things I Wish I Knew (Tips & More)

If you’re thinking of camping in Iceland for the first time, you’ll want to know everything we didn’t know ourselves and wish we did!

One of the best ways to explore Iceland is by renting a campervan and camping across the island. There are so many places to see around the island that it’s nice to be free to roam, change locations each night, and not have to return to a home-based location after a few days of exploring.

Plus, camping allows you to do that without breaking the bank! It’s a win-win.

Also, compared to Canada and the USA, there is no need to book campgrounds months in advance in Iceland. Most campgrounds operate on a first-come, first-served basis, perfect for last-minute planning and itinerary changes (which I am sure will happen). On the downside, the campsite amenities are pretty basic, but who cares… you’re in Iceland!

In the article, I’ll share with you:

• where to camp (with a map of campsites in Iceland)
• things you’ll want to know when camping in Iceland
• best campgrounds in Iceland (from the ones we stayed at)
• our experience camping in Iceland in April with kids

Now, wondering where to camp in Iceland?

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Map of campsites in Iceland

There are a lot of campsites across Iceland. Some are all-year campsites, while others are open only for the summer season.

Happy Campers has comprehensive maps of all campsites in Iceland. The all-year campsites are in red. The summer-only campsites are in green (they are open at least from June 1st to September 1st).

Things you’ll want to know when camping in Iceland (especially if you are from North America)

Campsite fees in Iceland are charged per person—adults pay between 1500 ISK to 2500 ISK (which is about $15.00 to $25.00 CAD per adult) each night, while kids camp free.

But Icelandic campsites are basic—think parking lots more than the fancy RV resorts in North America.

Many offer amenities like indoor kitchens, which are great in the colder months. Plus, all campsites operate on a first-come, first-served basis, which I absolutely love—it keeps travel plans flexible and stress-free.

1. The Iceland Camping Card might not be available

The Iceland Camping card cost €179 and is valid for 2 adults and 4 children with one tent or campervan. It’s important to know that it’s only valid from May to mid-September each year.

So if, like us, you plan on visiting off-season, the Iceland camping card will not be an option.

You can find the map of the campsites included in the Camping card here. None of the campsites we visited were included in the card.

2. You can’t camp anywhere

Iceland is not like New Zealand, where you can camp pretty much everywhere. Years ago, you might have been able to find free campsites in Iceland, but new legislation now prohibits you from parking overnight in a campervan outside organized campsites.

There are still some exceptions for tent camping.

3. The cost of campgrounds is per person

One interesting thing about campsites in Iceland is that the cost is per person per night. Every adult needs to pay a fee, while it’s free of charge for kids.

During our trip, we paid between 1500 ISK and 2500 ISK per adult, which is about $15.00 to $25.00 CAD per adult (or $10.00 to $18.00 USD).

It’s pretty reasonable. I can’t believe we had to pay $130 USD for a night in a campground in Carmel-on-Sea in California during our California Coast road trip.

4. Campsites are more like parking lots (no RV resort in Iceland)

One important thing to know (especially if you are used to the Canadian and USA RV resorts) is that campgrounds in Iceland differ from those in North America. Don’t imagine walking into a KOA Resort with trees, a pool, and activities, … 

They look more like parking lots.

All campsites in Iceland are for campervans and tents. You will not find an RV park or a tent-only campground. 

5. You find a spot in a campsite where you can

Plus, you are not assigned a dedicated spot. When you arrive and pay for your night, you simply find a free spot and pitch your tent or park your campervan.

6. Many campsites have an indoor kitchen

We haven’t visited all the campsites in Iceland, but from what we read and experienced, many places offer communal indoor space including toilets, showers and kitchen. It’s especially great when you visit Iceland off-season like we did and it’s still pretty cold outside. 

While we could cook and eat in our Happy Campers campervan, it was nice to change the scenery occasionally and cook in the indoor kitchen. Plus, the kids discovered lotd of new fun board games.

7. All campsites work on a first-come-first-served basis

This is one thing I LOVED about camping in Iceland. There is no need to make a campground reservation in January for a trip in July, like we have to do in Canada and USA (especially for national campground reservations). 

All campsites in Iceland operate on a first-come, first-served basis. You can pre-book some through websites and apps like Parka, but most of the time, you can see where the day brings you and just walk into a nearby campsite.

This is the perfect way to explore Iceland. Going with the flow and embracing the freedom it provides

Best Campgrounds in Iceland

It’s hard to say which one is the best campground since we didn’t experience them all, but from the one we stayed at, those two stood out the most:

• Skógar Campsite for the location. You are camping right by the famous Skógafoss waterfall. The facility is pretty basic (public restroom, coin-paid shower, and a few kitchen sinks.

• Mosskogar Camping for the beautiful property. This campsite made me think a bit more of what we are used to. Little trees separated dedicated campsite spots (and site numbers). There were lots of trees on the property, including a greenhouse. They even have a farmer’s market in the summertime.

Where to sleep when you get in and out of Iceland?

There is a ​​camping in Reykjavik, a little outside downtown. We went to see it but decided not to sleep there (and found a way better campsite instead). It’s a great option for landing in Iceland or on your last day. Plus, the campground is next to the Laugardalslaug swimming pool for families.

There is also a campsite located just next to Happy Camper’s facility. If you booked a campervan with them, you get 20% off the price of the campsite. Plus, depending on when you land at KEF, you can have access to their free shuttle service from the airport (only available if you’re a Happy Campers’ rental customer)

Our experience camping in Iceland in April

I am from Canada and now live by Banff and the Canadian Rockies, where winter can last up to 6-8 months, so I’m pretty used to cold weather. But it was the first time for our family to go winter camping (or camping outside the summer season).

And camping in Iceland in April turned out to be amazing.

I don’t think I would have enjoyed camping in the heart of the winter, but April was manageable.

We rented a campervan from Happy Campers (which was amazing!). It was big enough to fit the four of us comfortably, and it had a heating system to keep us warm. The Webaso system didn’t require the van to be turned on, but we had to turn it off some nights because we were getting too toasty.

When not exploring outside, we could cook inside the campervan, which had a living area with seating and a table. We could eat, relax, and play board games.

How were the camping sites in Iceland in April

It’s important to know that not all campsites are open in April. The Happy Campers’ camping map shows Iceland’s all-year campsites.

One thing we appreciated about most of the campgrounds we stayed at was the heated kitchens and rest areas.

Not all of them, but a few of them. And it was a great way to stay warm and get out of the campervan.

Where we stayed during our camping trip to Iceland

We were in Iceland for 8 nights and the trip’s goal was to discover Iceland and relax and slow down, so our itinerary wasn’t as packed as most itineraries you’ll find online.

Here is the list of the campsites we stayed at:

• Mosskogar Camping. Note that they only accept payment in cash, but will accept ISK, USD or CAD.
• Þingvellir tjaldsvæði
• Camping Ground at  Uthlid Cottages
• Reykjamörk Hveragerði Campsite
• Camping Selfoss
• Skógar Campsite

Here is the map and location of the campsite we stayed at:

• Purple: where we stayed
• Grey: campsites we were thinking of staying depending on our final Iceland Itinerary

Final Thoughts:

When you explore Iceland, renting a campervan and camping around the island is a fantastic adventure. It’s a budget-friendly way to see the breathtaking sights without being tied down to one location. 

Plus, there’s no need to stress about booking campgrounds far in advance, making it perfect for spontaneous trips. Although the campground facilities are basic, the beauty of Iceland more than makes up for it. 

In summary, camping in Iceland offers freedom, flexibility, and unforgettable experiences, all while being easy on your wallet.