A Guide to Camping in Iceland

A Guide to Camping in Iceland

We want to share with you a great guide with detailed steps on how to plan your camping trip. It was made by the amazing Erica Meyer who runs the blog As Her World Turns, a travel photo blog that covers many great locations.

"I spent one week on a camping road trip around Iceland, staying in some of the most scenic places I've ever laid eyes on. In this post, I'll describe exactly how I planned the trip, along with tips and resources for anyone building a similar itinerary. I'll focus primarily on camping here instead of sightseeing but will detail each destination in depth in future posts (for a preview check out my Iceland at a Glance missive for my best images from the whole country)."

- Erica Meyer

IT BEGINS

Shortly after booking my ticket to Iceland, I take a long look at the map. How can I schedule an itinerary that will make the most of my time in this country? I have to decide between two options:

1. I can either base myself in Reykjavik and schedule day trips to popular tourist spots within a couple hours' drive. The only downfall is that I'll be unlikely to reach the far side of the country due to its distance, and there are really beautiful things to see over there.
2. Or I can rent a car and just drive the whole Ring Road myself. This might cost more than a few day trips out of Reykjavik, but I'll have total freedom to see whatever I want. I rule out hitchhiking — which is quite popular in this über-safe country — because I have such a short amount of time here and can't rely on always getting a ride that way.

Option 2, I decide.

1. Rent a car

   I rent a 4WD through a local car rental company. I immediately regret not upgrading insurance, because even a "safe" country has gravel roads with an 80 km/hour speed limit (which is actually incredibly fast for Iceland) that kick up rocks and chip my windshield. The roads here will require a sturdy car — many roads require a 4WD.

2. Get a camping pass
   I visit www.gocamping.is to purchase a camping pass that's valid at many campsites throughout Iceland. This saves me money, since I'll be camping quite a bit, and it gives me the freedom to visit different campsites without needing to book ahead. One pass covers two people, which is great for couples.

3. Book your rental equipment
   Since I'm from California and forgot my camping equipment at home (typical), I need to rent everything. I book my gear in advance through Iceland Camping Equipment. I select a three season tent (Icelandic weather can be windy and rainy), a 3-4 season sleeping bag (nights can be cold even in summer), foam sleeping pads, and a gas stove with a cooking set. I also book a wifi hotspot, which proves invaluable for monitoring weather, road conditions, and finding campgrounds.

WHERE TO CAMP

1. Visit Pingvellir National Park

   On my first day, I drive to Pingvellir National Park. Pingvellir is a UNESCO World Heritage site, and arguably one of Iceland's most important national parks. It's the site of the first Icelandic parliament from 874 AD, and sits on top of the diverging point of the Atlantic Mid-Ocean Ridge — you can actually see the rift zone from the ground. The park is not far from Reykjavik, yet feels like you're on another planet.

   I camp at one of the nearby campsites. Thingvellir, the information center, is right at the park entrance and has great information on the geology, biology, and history of the region.

2. Explore the South
   

   From Pingvellir, I drive East along Route 1 (The Ring Road). I stop at Vik, a small town on the South Coast. South Iceland has some otherworldly geology -- black sand beaches, massive waterfalls, and glacier-capped mountains. I camp at one of the two campsites in Vik, and hike around some of the glaciers and waterfalls nearby.

   
   

3. See Seydisfjordur Camping Ground
   Heading further East, I drive through Iceland's gorgeous countryside. I've heard that Seydisfjordur, a town on the East coast, is beautiful. I stop to see one of the campsites there. There are a couple great camping areas near the town.
4. Drive North

   From the East, I cut through the interior of Iceland. The interior (known as the Highlands) is remote and otherworldly, and requires a 4WD vehicle. It's one of Iceland's most pristine and least-visited regions. I camp in the middle of nowhere under the midnight sun.

5. Explore the North

   Heading north, I drive to Akureyri, the capital of the North. To experience the North of Iceland, I'd suggest renting a car and exploring the beautiful towns and nature spots in this region.
   

TRAVEL TIPS

1. Weather – Iceland's weather is very unpredictable. It can change from sunny to rainy within minutes. Bring waterproof jackets and rain pants, and check the weather report before each day of driving.
2. Road conditions – Check road conditions before each day of driving. Icelandic roads can be icy, snowy, or washed out depending on the season and weather.
3. The midnight sun and polar night – In summer months (especially June and July), the sun barely sets in Iceland. In winter months (especially December), there is almost no daylight. Plan your trip accordingly.
4. Safety – Although Iceland is very safe, Nature can be unpredictable and dangerous. Never go hiking alone. Always check weather and road conditions. The weather can change quickly, so be prepared for any possibility.
   • Iceland Search and Rescue (ICE-SAR) provides tips on safe travel in Iceland
5. Camping Etiquette – Respect the country and leave no trace. Don't litter, and camp only in designated campsites.
6. Budget – Budget Roughly 3,000-4,500 ISK per night for camping. Plus car rental, gas, and food.
   • Equipment rental will save you a lot of money compared to buying everything new.

Have a wonderful trip!