6 Epic Campgrounds in Iceland
We camped in Iceland for 14 days in a camper van and did extensive research prior to our trip to find the best campgrounds. That being said - the attributes that make an amazing campground to one camper, might not be the same as for another. This is especially true if you are camping in a tent versus a camper van or an RV. Our ideal campground offers amazing views and some privacy, over close proximity to major attractions and all o the amenities that other campgrounds might offer. For instance, we really enjoyed the campground in Selfoss, as it had a large cooking and dining area, and plenty of room for everyone. However, because it is located in the middle of a town, rather than out in the mountains or in the middle of nowhere, it did not make our list.
Read Next: Camping in Iceland: Everything You Need to Know
1. Þakgil (Thakgil) Campground
Location: Þakgil is located about three hours south of Reykjavík, and near the town of Vik, right off of Ring Road. You have to follow a rugged dirt road to the campground from the main road, which is accessible by a 2WD vehicle. We camped here after Skogafoss and Reynisfjara (the popular black sand beach).
Amenities: Sinks, showers, outdoor grill, and dining hall.
What makes it unique: Þakgil is very unique in that its dining room is a candlelit cave and it also is home to a waterfall only a short distance from the campground as well as three amazing hiking trails leading to a glacier and some of the most beautiful scenery Iceland has to offer.
Takeaway: Camp here if you really enjoy nature, stunning views, and hiking. It does not have the kitchen supplies that some campgrounds provide to prepare and cook your food (although their is one outdoor grill). The dining hall is a cave (heated by a fireplace), rather than a warmer indoor space. This campground is rather large and has a lot of space for campers, as well as cabins to rent. However, the only way to get here is by a rugged dirt road that takes 20-30 minutes to reach from Ring Road.
2. Svinafell Campground
Location: Svinafell Campground is located in southern Iceland, near Skaftafell. Skaftafell also has its own campground, but we chose this one as it was nearby but was much smaller and located right next to a farm. Diamond Beach and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon are also nearby attractions.
Amenities: Showers, large dining all with all of the necessities to cook dinner and wash your dishes.
What makes it unique: Svinafell borders a farm and is incredibly scenic. The dining hall was the biggest that I had seen at a campground and although the campground was extremely full, their was plenty of room to cook and eat the next morning. There is a separate area for tents and generous sized spots for camper vans on a hill.
Takeaway: Stay here if you are camping for the scenery and views. It had some of the best in our opinion. However, because of its prime location and the small size of this campground, it can fill up fast and you might not snag one of those large hill spots. We left the campground for more sight seeing and had to park in the last spot available near the horse pasture. Also because it is so popular, you could encounter a line for the showers or WCs.
3. Camping 66.12 North Campground
Location: Camping 66.12 North is located in northeast Iceland, near the town of Húsavík. It is about one hour north of the Mývatn geothermal area; we camped here after going to GeoSea spa in Húsavík.
Amenities: Showers, laundry, indoor cooking and dining area, laundry, large charging area, outdoor dining tables.
What makes it unique: Camping 66.12 North has views of the sea and plenty of room to have privacy. Because of its location an hour from Ring Road, it was not as crowded as some of the other campgrounds we stayed in.
Takeaway: Camp here if you want peace and quiet while camping and want views of the sea from your tent or camper van. It is located quite a ways off of Ring Road, so if you are in a rush and want something near all of the sites, this might not be the campground for you. However, if you are planning on visiting GeoSea spa, then this is perfectly located and only a 20 minute drive north.
4. Mosskogar Campground
Location: Mosskogar is located in the town of Mosfellsdalur, just 20 minutes northeast of Reykjavík. We camped here while we spent time in and around the city.
Amenities: Showers, dining hall with stove and everything you need to prepare and cook your meal, washing machine, charging area, food and fuel left by other campers.
What makes it unique: This was the only campground in Iceland where we were assigned a specific area to camp. You can cook and dine in a greenhouse which also doubles as a place for tent campers to set up their tents. Camping spots are divided by hedges for privacy. This is also the only campground where we had to pay in cash as they do not accept card payments.
Takeaway: Stay here if you are near the Reykjavík area and want a campground that is more peaceful and scenic than the city campground (which is essentially camping in a giant parking lot if you are in a camper van or RV). This campground also had private WCs. We also loved dining in the greenhouse, but it did make for a bit of an awkward morning if you were up early and cooking breakfast, as it doubles as the camping space for tent campers. The greenhouse also has really nice dishes and cookware, along with stoves and an electric kettle. The only downfall is that it does get busy, so it is best to get here early to get a good site, and before reception closes. This means that you cannot just drive up after hours and choose a camping spot, like you can do at most campgrounds. This prevented us from staying some nights due to our ill planning, as reception would have been closed by the time we arrived. You also have to have cash available for this campground, as they do not take card.
5. Hellisandur Campground
Location: Hellisandur Camping is located in western part of Snæfellsnes Peninsula. We camped here after visiting Kirkjufell mountain.
Amenities: Showers, small indoor cooking and dining area with all of the items you need to prepare and cook your food, small outdoor dining area, playground.
What makes it unique: This campground is in a lava field, and their is a lot of room available with very private spots. This was also the only campground we stayed at that had a playground and brand new facilities. Although the dining and kitchen area is very small, it was not crowded the night we stayed and we did not have to wait in line to cook our meal and were able to share an table with other campers. There is also no reception area at this campground, and a guard comes around at posted times to collect the fee.
Takeaway: Camp here if you enjoy unique scenery and are okay with the possibility of cooking and dining outside of your camper van. Although the facilities are brand new and very nice, the kitchen and dining hall are very small and can only accommodate around 8 people at a time.The weather was awful the night we arrived and it was too cold, windy, and rainy to enjoy cooking or dining outside. We barely had room to cook our food and eat in the dining room, although it did provide everything we needed. Their is no reception so the camp guard also comes in the evening or morning to collect the fee, so that can be off putting to some if you are not expecting someone to show up at your camper van late at night.
6. Möðrudalur Campground
Location: Möðrudalur is located in northeast Iceland, on a farm near Ring Road. We stayed here after spending some time exploring the towns of eastern Iceland, before visiting Dettifoss in Vatnajökull National Park.
Amenities: Restaurant, showers, cooking and laundry facilities, marked hiking trails, petrol station, fat bike rentals, picnic areas.
What makes it Unique: Möðrudalur is located on an active farm and it is a very scenic place to camp. Having a restaurant nearby was also nice as you can dine here for dinner or for breakfast and coffee. There are also turf houses to rent for the night as well.
Takeaway: Camp here if you like would like to be on a peaceful Icelandic farm and would like to eat dinner or breakfast in a restaurant. Showers are a separate fee, but the camping fee is more affordable than most.