I recently returned from a November trip to Iceland, but I almost didn’t go. When I started researching van camping in off-season in Iceland during the fall or winter, I couldn’t find any good guides on whether I could do it. Many forums claimed that camping outside of summer wasn’t possible, and most campsite websites stated they were closed for the season. On top of that, the weather forecast predicted snow. All the signs were pointing to camping in Iceland in any off-season months not being possible.
But despite the challenges, I successfully van camped in Iceland in winter weather— and I’m here to share how you can too!
In this ultimate guide, I’ll cover everything from campsites that were open, the right van to choose and everything else I wish I knew beforehand to make your Iceland van camping experience in the off-season (fall, winter and spring) a success.
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Table of Contents
Can You Camp in Iceland During the Off-Season (fall, winter, spring)?
While summer is the most popular time of year to camp in Iceland, it’s possible year-round—though winter camping comes with its challenges. Tents aren’t suitable outside the warmer summer months due to harsh weather, but camping in a van is entirely possible, with the right preparation.
That being said, I would highly recommend getting travel insurance (I personally use Safety Wing). Things can always go wrong when traveling, but the chances are higher when you’re faced with the challenges of off-season (i.e. blizzards changing travel plans, ice on roads causing accidents, etc).
What Van Should You Choose for Off-Season Camping in Iceland?
When camping in Iceland during fall, winter or spring, one thing not optional: a heater. It was already in the sub-zero temperatures when I was there in November, so having a heater is critical for safety and comfort.
Also, keep in mind also that some of the campsites didn’t have kitchens or common rooms where you can cook, particularly the ones open in off-season months. A van with a built-in kitchen would therefore be more comfortable (although I managed without).
I rented the Volkswagen Beach Caddy from Rent.is, the smallest and most affordable option. The van proves itself worthy driving in several inches of snow and the Wasabo heating was warm enough to sleep comfortably. (Although I’m not going to lie, getting out of the van in the mornings or in the middle of the night to go to the bathroom was brutal—winter camping is no luxury vacation.)
I’d definitely recommend this van if you’re on a budget and only staying for a week or less.
However, if you’re traveling with several people or prefer the convenience of a built-in kitchen or even a bathroom, Rent.is offers larger van options.
Pro Tip: Leave behind unnecessary extras like tables and chairs. You won’t use them in the cold and they’ll only take up space.
Essential Items for Winter Van Camping in Iceland
Here’s a quick list of what to bring or rent for van camping in Iceland during the colder months:
- Sleeping bags (I rented these with the van, and they came with liners)
- Cookware (Also rented: camping stove, pots, pans, kettle, plates, utensils, etc.)
- Window covers (came with my van rental; not only provide privacy but help insulate against the cold)
- Extra clothes and shoes (in case yours get wet from snow or rain; it’s near impossible to dry things in a cold van)
- Portable light (to avoid draining the van’s battery)
- Heater (like I said earlier, non-negotiable in winter; most van rental companies should have this as an option)
Tip: You might find my van with minimal conversions guide useful while traveling in Iceland.
Can You Camp Anywhere in Iceland?
No, wild camping in Iceland is no longer allowed, meaning you can’t park your van just anywhere for the night. You must park at a designated campsite.
Can You Drive Anywhere in Iceland During Off-Season Months?
Winter road closures are common in Iceland, so plan your route carefully (I’ll share my itinerary soon). If you’re camping in a van and don’t have an off-road vehicle, it’s best to stay in the south where the roads are more likely to remain open.
Be prepared for unplowed roads. It snowed a few inches when I was there (late November) and none of the roads I traveled were plowed. If you’re not comfortable driving in snow and it’s in the forecast, consider skipping van travel and booking day tours from Reykjavik instead, like the Golden Circle tour, or even a 3-day tour.
I stayed in the southwest region during my trip and I wouldn’t recommend going further if camping in Iceland during winter months. Leave the other parts of the island for a summer trip to Iceland.
Will Campsites Be Open in Iceland During the Off-Season?
Not all campsites remain open year-round, and this caused a bit of trouble for me. Twice, I arrived at campsites at night (Svinafell Campground and the campground in Vik) only to find them closed for the season—I hadn’t seen any info online saying they would be closed.
To avoid this, I’d suggest creating an itinerary beforehand and get in contact with campsites to ensure they will be open. It was very stressful not knowing where I’d be sleeping every day.
Here’s the itinerary I had in the end while camping Iceland in the fall/winter, along with the campsites I stayed at. Double-check if they’ll be open, but hopefully you’ll find luck with them too!
1-Week Winter Camping Itinerary in Iceland (With Off-Season Campsites)
Day 1: Reykjadalur Hot Spring Thermal River
Visiting the Reykjadalur Hot Spring River is a super cool experience. It can be quite dangerous in off season months due to snow and ice on the hour and a half walk to reach it, especially if the conditions were bad like they were for me. But soaking in the warm river makes it worth the effort.
Just keep in mind to be prepared, as I certainly wasn’t. It started raining and got very windy shortly after I entered the river, but I didn’t mind as I was nice and toasty in the thermal water.
However, what I didn’t realize was that while I was relaxing in the steaming thermal river, my clothes, which I had quickly wrapped in my waterproof jacket and placed on the bench in the roof-less changing area, had blown onto the ground in the fierce winds and were soaking wet by the time I got out.
What ensued was what I remember as the most stupid situation I had ever gotten myself into while traveling: Running down an icy alpine path in wet clothes for over an hour as it began to get dark.
I suppose this was an early lesson for the remainder of my trip: check the forecast, and be prepared for the weather to change fast in Iceland.
And I always travel with waterproof dry bags now for situations like this.
Luckily I had a nice warm campsite common room to warm up in (and dryers to tumble dry my soaking wet clothes).
Night 1 Campsite: Camping Selfoss
The first campsite of my November van camping trip was possibly the best. Showers are free and the cozy common area has a kitchen. It has a stove so you won’t need to bring your camping stove in, but do bring your utensils and cookware.
Alternatively, if you arrive late on day one and want to stay close to the airport, see the campsite for Night 6.
Day 2: Seljalandsfoss, Skogafoss, and Reynisfjara Beach
Today you’ll be seeing two very beautiful waterfalls: Seljalandsfoss (pictured above) and Skogafoss (pictured below). You can hike above Skogafoss to more waterfalls, but for the sake of time I skipped those. (I had a late start to the day after splitting my chin open on a chair at breakfast; I did not have good luck in the first 24 hours of my Iceland van trip.)
Skipping that hike allowed me time to see Reynisfjara Beach before sunset (at 4:30 pm!), and this is a beach not to be missed. Like most beaches in Iceland, it has black sand. But what makes it unique are the beautiful basalt column formations.
Little safety side note: Beware sneaker waves here. Despite the multiple warning signs, I saw some guy get wiped out by a wave while trying to take a photo. He managed to get away without being swept out to sea, but other tourists in the past weren’t so lucky.
If you’re not against driving in the dark, you’ll have a nearly two-hour drive to the next campsite, which I’d recommend if you want to do a glacier hike the next day.
Night 2 Campsite: Skaftafell Camping
This is a rustic campsite with no kitchen. There weren’t really any restaurants in the area too, and it was too cold and windy to cook outside, so my sandwich dinner was a great option. The campsite does have toilets, showers and a laundry room, though.
Pro tip: I made lots of meals without cooking on this trip. At the start of your trip, buy food that you can eat without cooking; I recommend peanut butter and jelly sandwiches and veggie wraps!
Day 3: Diamond Beach and Glacier Hike
Wake up before the sun today for the 45-minute drive to Diamond Beach. It’s so named because it’s littered with pieces of clear glacier ice that resembles diamonds against the contrasts of the black stone beach.
Also, walk over to the Jokulsarlon Lagoon, where you will get to see some impressive and beautiful icebergs. If you have an extra day to spare, you can take a boat trip to see the icebergs up close.
If not, hurry back for you glacier hike back at Skaftafell (where you camped the night before). You’ll be hiking the glacier in Vatnajokull National Park. This is the biggest glacier in Europe and a stunning experience to be on.
I highly recommend this glacier hike tour, since you also enter an ice cave! It’s a bit pricey, but it was the one big splurge I made on the trip. And it was SUPER worth it. Transportation, crampons, helmet and guide were all included.
Depending on daylight hours, you might be able to see Svartifoss today too. This is a waterfall with similar basalt formations as Reynisfjara Beach. I didn’t have time for it, so I drove back to Skogafoss to sleep at the famous campsite with a waterfall view.
Night 3 Campsite: Same as night before or Skogar Campsite
As I said, this is probably the most famous campsite in Iceland, and camping is possible here even in the off-season months of fall, winter and spring. It is a very rustic campsite however, and I thought a bit overpriced.
There is no kitchen or free showers, but there are toilets and a very pretty view to wake up to.
Day 4: Hrunalaug Hot Spring and Secret Lagoon
Today is all about relaxation. Not one, but two hot springs to relax after the past few busy days!
Hrunalaug Hot Spring is my favorite, although I was lucky to have gotten it fairly empty. It’s a very small hot spring with a cute little turf house where you can change and a local farmer owns and maintains it. I have heard that it can get very busy and doesn’t fit many people, but that’s where a snow storm comes in handy. I arrived right after a pretty nasty snow storm so I had the place all to myself for a while!
The Secret Lagoon is more like a pool and much bigger. It also has some natural hot springs around the swimming pool, but you can’t swim in those as they’re boiling hot.
And there are showers at the Secret Lagoon, so you can shower there and not have to worry about finding a campsite with showers (oh, the joys of van life). It’s open past sunset too, which is why it’s great visiting it in the fall, winter and spring when you can’t do much else once the sun sets.
Night 4 Campsite: Skjol Campsite
We were the only ones sleeping the night here and the office was closed upon arriving late at night, but we luckily ran into workers. They told us to pay in the morning, so that’s an option if you arrive late too.
The only facilities we had open to us in the winter were the toilets and showers. But since I ate dinner in a restaurant that day, luckily a kitchen wasn’t necessary. I didn’t even need the showers since I had one at the Secret Lagoon.
It’s a bit spooky being there all alone with snow and ice all around, but this campsite is where I lucked out and saw the Northern Lights! It really is all about luck, so you might want to have someone who tracks the lights take you on a Northern Lights Tour.
Day 5: Gulfoss Falls, Strokkur geyser and Thingvellir
Gulfoss is located not far from the campsite, so it’s easy to get there in the morning. It’s known as the Little Niagara Falls, and it’s easy to see the resemblance. The landscape around Gulfoss is much more beautiful though.
Next up are a series of geysers. One of them, Geysir, is supposedly where the name for geysers came from. It’s not active, but still cool to see. Strokkur geyser is active, however, and it goes off every 5-10 minutes.
And finally, Thingvellir is an important historical site to visit along the Golden Circle. It’s where the oldest continuously run parliament in the world first met, and although the original structures are mostly all gone, you can still learn about this parliament and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Night 5 Campsite: Mosskogar Camping
This campsite is located not far from Reykjavik and on a farm. The owner is very friendly and made winter camping possible. While in the summer there is a kitchen in a cozy greenhouse, in the winter, there is a little kitchen indoors where it’s nice and warm. There’s no stove there though, so you’ll need to bring in your camping stove.
The toilets and showers were nice and warm too, and I loved reading the books about Iceland in the kitchen/common area.
Quick note on this campsite’s open status: The owner said that he will be staying open until mid-December and will take a few weeks off then. Like with all the campsites, I’d recommend contacting the owners ahead of time to ensure the campsite will be open!
Day 6: Reykjavik, Krysuvik and North America-Europe bridge
Many people skip Reykjavik on their trips to Iceland in exchange for nature, but if you’re camping in the fall, winter or spring you’ll likely appreciate the warmth civilization can provide. Treat yourself to day spent inside museums and eat out in the capital’s many restaurants to get a break from cooking in campsite common rooms.
If you don’t want to spend an entire day here and miss exploring nature, there are several spots around Reykjavik and the Keflavik airport to explore for half a day.
Krysuvik is a colorful geothermal field with hot springs surrounded by colorful soil. Lots of postcards feature it, and it’s easy to see why. It’s quite small, so you don’t need much time here.
Same goes for the North America-Europe Bridge. It’s bridge that goes over a rift between the North American and European tectonic plates, so you can go from one continent to the other in the matter of seconds! You can also go into the rift (it’s not very deep).
Night 6 Campsite: Campsite Grindavik
This campsite has a huge common room, which is slightly eerie in off-season when not many people are camping in vans in Iceland.
The kitchen was very well equipped with free food since it’s close to the airport and many campers leave food they didn’t finish. It also has many hobs, a kettle and microwave. The showers are free here too.
Day 7: Blue Lagoon
So, by now you’ll likely have your fill of geothermal baths, and certainly cheaper ones than the famous Blue Lagoon. I considered not going to it because the high price, but I’m glad I did go.
There is no denying that the Blue Lagoon experience is different than the other hot springs in Iceland as you relax in the gorgeous blue water with a face mask and drink in hand, both included in your entry.
You’ll also have a nice warm shower there before heading off to airport, and the feeling of warmth and relaxation will make you forget about how cold and stressful sleeping in a van in Iceland during cold months could be.
It was the perfect way to end my van camping trip in Iceland.
How Long Should You Spend Van Camping in Iceland in Winter?
As you can see in my itinerary, a week was the perfect amount of time to explore the southwest region of Iceland. But keep in mind the shorter daylight hours (6-7 hours) make it challenging to fit a lot into one day.
If you want to add other winter activities in like snowmobiling or skiing, you might want to extend your stay.
Final Thoughts on Van Camping in Iceland in Off-Season
Camping in a van in Iceland during the fall, winter, or spring requires careful planning and preparation, but it’s an incredibly rewarding experience. The beauty of Iceland in winter is surreal, with fewer tourists and a higher chance of seeing the Northern Lights.
Got more questions about camping in Iceland in the off-season? Drop them in the comments, and I’ll be happy to help!
This is really such a comprehensive guide you put together! I’ve always wanted to try van camping, especially in Iceland, and I will use this post in the future to prepare myself for this special trip. 🙂
I hope you get to do it one day 🙂
A great guide with lots of helpful tips for camping in Iceland! I’ll save this post for later!
I’m glad you found I helpful 🙂
Great post, definitely put Iceland high in my bucket list so I could try the hot springs, Blue Lagoon, and ice glacier hike which looks really interesting!
It deserves to be high on any bucket list! Btw, if you want to do a glacier hike keep in mind that you can only do it in the off-season months since tours don’t run in the summer on the glaciers.
I definitely want to rent a van and do this in Iceland. Winter still seems intimidating but the views are worth it!
Totally! November was a good month to visit because parts of Iceland didn’t have snow and other parts did so we got both sceneries 🙂
We’re hoping to do something like this when we go back to Iceland, although we were thinking in the warmer months in case we’re unlucky enough that our heating breaks in the middle of nowhere. I didn’t know that you had to park at specific campsites though so that’s good to know!
Yep! You used to be able to wild camp but it’s illegal now.
We’ve been to Island in the winter but I couldn’t image doing it in a van! Love the cold when the day is over I need warmth 😉
It was quite toasty in the van with the heater! The worst part was getting out of the van in the morning haha
This is such a bucket list trip for me. I lived in Iceland when I was very young, but I don’t remember much about it. I’m planning on going back soon, so this information is super helpful. Thank you!
Wow that is so cool! I’m sure it’s changed a lot since you were little but I hope you have an awesome time!
Great write up! Will bookmark this for our upcoming trip on November this year. Did you see any Northern Lights, by any chance?
Thank you, I hope you find this helpful for your trip! And yes, I did! The weather forecast wasn’t looking too great for it but I lucked out seeing the lights one night 🙂
Thank you!
My pleasure 🙂 I hope this helps you!
Wow! You’re brave. I don’t have the guts to drive in Iceland snow. But how amazing! I’ve been to Iceland 4 times and can’t wait to go back. Such an amazing country.
Haha, I’m used to driving in the snow back home so it wasn’t too daunting.
Wow, 4 times! I guess it’s a country that keeps calling you back. I’d also love to go back one day! 🙂