Ring Road Camping Guide: Best Campsites Along Iceland's Route 1

Iceland's Route 1 — the Ring Road — is one of the world's great road trips. Circling the entire island at 1,332 km, it passes through every major landscape Iceland has to offer: glaciers, volcanoes, waterfalls, fjords, lava fields, and black sand beaches. Camping along the Ring Road is the most popular way to experience Iceland, and for good reason — you wake up in a new landscape every morning.

This guide covers the best campsites along the Ring Road, organised clockwise from Reykjavik, with tips on what to see at each stop.

How Long Does a Ring Road Camping Trip Take?

The Ring Road can technically be driven in 2–3 days, but a camping trip deserves more time. Most campers allow 7–14 days to complete the full circuit with time to hike, explore, and soak in the scenery. 10 days is a popular sweet spot — enough time to see the highlights without rushing.

Ring Road Camping: What You Need

• Vehicle: A 2WD car or campervan is sufficient for the Ring Road itself. All Ring Road campsites are accessible without 4WD.
• Tent or campervan: Both work well. Tent camping gives you more flexibility and lower costs.
• Gear: Wind-resistant tent, sleeping bag rated to 0°C (or -5°C for early/late season), sleeping mat, waterproofs, and a camp stove.
• Booking: Most Ring Road campsites are first-come, first-served, but a few popular ones (like Skaftafell) benefit from advance booking in peak season.

Rent your camping gear from Iceland Camping Equipment before you set off — we'll have everything ready for pickup in Reykjavik.

Best Campsites Clockwise from Reykjavik

1. Hveragerði — The Geothermal Town (45 min from Reykjavik)

A great first night stop, close to Reykjavik but already feeling like Iceland. Hveragerði is a geothermal town where hot springs bubble up in gardens and greenhouses. The campsite is well-equipped and the town has good facilities for stocking up on supplies.

Don't miss: The Reykjadalur hot spring river hike (2–3 hrs return) — a beautiful walk ending in a natural hot river where you can bathe.

2. Vík — Black Sand Beaches (2.5 hrs from Reykjavik)

Vík is a small village on Iceland's south coast, famous for its dramatic black sand beach (Reynisfjara) and the basalt sea stacks of Reynisdrangar. The campsite sits above the village with views of the beach and the distinctive Reynisfjall mountain.

Don't miss: Reynisfjara beach (be careful of sneaker waves — stay back from the water's edge), and the view from the Reynisfjall ridge above the campsite.

Facilities: Good — toilets, showers, kitchen area. Several restaurants and a supermarket in the village.

3. Skaftafell (Vatnajökull National Park) — Glacier Country (3.5 hrs from Reykjavik)

One of Iceland's most popular campsites, and deservedly so. Skaftafell sits at the edge of Vatnajökull — Europe's largest glacier — with easy access to glacier hikes, the Svartifoss waterfall, and sweeping views of the ice cap.

Don't miss: Svartifoss waterfall (1.5 hr hike), a guided glacier walk on Falljokull or Skaftafellsjökull, and the view from Sjónarniðpa viewpoint.

Facilities: Excellent — showers, toilets, café, visitor centre, guided tours available on site. Book in advance for July–August.

4. Jökulsárlón Area — Glacier Lagoon (4.5 hrs from Reykjavik)

Jökulsárlón is Iceland's most iconic sight — a glacial lagoon filled with floating icebergs calved from Breiamerkurjökull glacier. The nearby Diamond Beach, where icebergs wash up on black sand, is equally spectacular. There's no campsite directly at Jökulsárlón, but several options nearby:

• Hof campsite (10 min west) — a good base with solid facilities
• Höfn campsite (1 hr east) — a larger town with excellent facilities and Iceland's lobster capital

Don't miss: Sunrise or sunset at Jökulsárlón (the light on the icebergs is extraordinary), and a boat tour on the lagoon.

5. Höfn — Lobster Capital of Iceland (5 hrs from Reykjavik)

Höfn is a charming fishing town at the edge of the East Fjords, famous for its langoustine (Icelandic lobster). The campsite is well-equipped and the town has good restaurants and a supermarket — a great place to resupply mid-trip.

Don't miss: Langoustine dinner at one of Höfn's restaurants — a genuine Iceland highlight.

6. Seyðisfjörður — The Colourful East Fjords Town (7 hrs from Reykjavik)

Seyðisfjörður is one of Iceland's most beautiful small towns — a cluster of colourful wooden houses at the end of a dramatic fjord, connected to the Ring Road by a mountain pass. It's also the departure point for the Smyril Line ferry to the Faroe Islands and Denmark.

Don't miss: The rainbow street leading to the blue church, and the drive over the mountain pass into town.

Facilities: Good campsite with showers and kitchen. Several cafés and restaurants in town.

7. Mývatn — Volcanic Wonderland (8 hrs from Reykjavik)

Lake Mývatn is one of Iceland's most geologically active areas, with pseudo-craters, lava formations, mud pools, and the Mývatn Nature Baths. It's a fantastic base for 2–3 nights of exploration in the north.

Don't miss: Dimmuborgir lava formations, Hverir geothermal area (mud pools and fumaroles), Krafla volcano and Viti crater lake, and the Mývatn Nature Baths.

Facilities: Two main campsites — Vogar and Hlíð. Both have good facilities. Note: midges can be severe in summer — bring a head net.

8. Akureyri — Iceland's Second City (9 hrs from Reykjavik)

Akureyri is Iceland's largest town outside the capital, with a vibrant café culture, excellent restaurants, and a botanical garden. The campsite is well-located and the town is a great place to rest, resupply, and explore.

Don't miss: The Akureyri botanical garden (free entry), the old town, and a whale watching tour from the harbour.

Facilities: Excellent — full facilities, central location, supermarkets and restaurants nearby.

9. Snæfellsnes Peninsula — Iceland in Miniature (2 hrs from Reykjavik)

Technically a detour from the Ring Road, the Snæfellsnes Peninsula is well worth the extra day. The glacier-capped Snæfellsjökull volcano, black sand beaches, lava fields, and fishing villages make it one of Iceland's most varied landscapes.

Don't miss: Snæfellsjökull National Park, Arnarstapi and Hellnar coastal walk, and Kirkjufell mountain (Iceland's most photographed peak).

Facilities: Several campsites including Ólafsvík, Grundarfjörður, and Hellissandur.

Ring Road Camping Tips

• Drive clockwise: Most campervans and tourists go clockwise — going anti-clockwise means you'll often have the road to yourself.
• Don't rush: The Ring Road is best enjoyed slowly. Build in buffer days for weather delays and unexpected discoveries.
• Check the weather daily: vedur.is is your best friend. Iceland's weather changes fast.
• Fill up on fuel: Petrol stations can be far apart in the east and north. Fill up whenever you see one.
• Stock up on food: Supermarkets are limited in rural areas. Stock up in Reykjavik, Akureyri, and Höfn.
• Respect quiet hours: Most campsites observe quiet hours from 11 PM to 7 AM.

Frequently Asked Questions

How many days do you need to drive the Ring Road?

The Ring Road can be driven in 3–4 days, but for a camping trip with time to hike and explore, allow 10–14 days. 7 days is the absolute minimum to see the highlights without feeling rushed.

Do you need a 4WD for the Ring Road?

No. The Ring Road (Route 1) is fully paved and accessible by 2WD. You only need a 4WD if you plan to take F-roads into the highlands.

Can you camp for free along the Ring Road?

Wild camping is restricted in Iceland. You must use designated campsites along the Ring Road. Campsite fees are typically 1,500–2,500 ISK per person per night (€10–17).

What is the best time of year for a Ring Road camping trip?

July and August are the most popular months — warmest weather, longest days, all facilities open. June and September are excellent alternatives with fewer crowds. See our month-by-month guide for full details.