Winter Camping in Iceland: The Complete 2025 Guide

Winter camping in Iceland isn’t a hobby. It’s a dare. The kind that rewards frostbitten fingers with auroras and silence so pure it hums. This is the complete 2025 guide to campsites that actually stay open, gear that keeps you alive, laws that save you from fines, and costs stripped of tourist nonsense. 

It’s not for daydreamers scrolling travel reels. It’s for the ones who’ll park a camper or pitch a tent in a snow squall just to watch steam rise off a hot spring. Frozen waterfalls. Empty roads. Nights that glow green. You’ll curse the cold, then miss it forever.

Why Try Winter Camping in Iceland?

Iceland camping in winter isn’t a postcard fantasy. It’s wild, empty, and colder than logic allows yet somehow worth every frozen breath. The crowds vanish, prices drop, and the island finally feels like it’s yours.

• Northern Lights views - Camp far from city lights and watch the sky ignite in green fire. Silence makes it better.
• Frozen landscapes - See waterfalls mid-freeze and cliffs dressed in ice, sights no summer traveler will ever catch.
• Hot spring solitude - Steam, snow, and frozen hair. The geothermal kind of peace you can’t fake.
• Fewer tourists - Quiet roads, wide horizons, and the odd sheep for company.
• Budget perks- Campervans drop to 12,000-18,000 ISK (85-125 USD) per day. Campsites under 2,000 ISK (14 USD).
• The real challenge - You’ll battle wind, ice, and sleep—but earn stories nobody else can tell.

Is Winter Camping in Iceland Safe and Legal?

Winter camping in Iceland is safe if you follow the rules and keep your ego in check. Wild camping has been banned since 2015, and fines will kill your budget faster than the wind kills your tent. 

Stick to official winter campsites or small farms that clearly say you can park. The weather here doesn’t play nice, with gusts that can flip a van, and daylight barely lasts 4-6 hours in December and January. Highland and F-roads shut early, so plan your route around the living parts of the island. 

Also, don’t cheap out on insurance. CDW is the bare minimum, Premium (2,934 ISK/day) keeps you mostly covered, and Platinum (4,401 ISK/day) makes sure you walk away with zero deductible and zero regrets. Do this, and you’ll be just fine. 

Best Campsites in Iceland Open in Winter (2025 Update)

When you rent a campervan in Iceland in winter, you need to know which campsites are actually open. Here are the campsites we can vouch for.

Reykjavík Campsite

Reykjavík Campsite keeps it simple and warm, which is all you really need in winter. It sits close to shops, restaurants, and the Laugardalslaug thermal pool, where steam fixes everything. Open 365 days a year, it’s one of the few real year-round campsites in Iceland that won’t freeze you out at 0°C (32°F). 

Heated restrooms, showers, and kitchen areas make life bearable when the wind starts playing games. It’s the ideal stop for your first or last night, close enough to the airport yet still inside the city. 

Everything works, nothing feels fake, and the Wi-Fi is good enough to plan your next mistake. It’s a quiet patch of Reykjavík that lets you breathe before the road grabs you again.

Selfoss Campsite

Selfoss Campsite feels like the calm between road battles. Right on the Golden Circle, it’s one of those winter campsites in Iceland that actually earns its keep. Power hookups make life easier for campervans. 

The indoor kitchen gives you shelter when the rain doesn’t quit. Selfoss town is only a short drive away for fuel, groceries, and fresh bread that cuts through the cold. The Secret Lagoon nearby sits warm at 38-40°C (100-104°F), a small reward after a long day on the road. 

Kerid crater is close too, its red rock and bright blue water showing how weirdly beautiful this part of Iceland can be.. The whole setup works because it’s honest. Warm, close, reliable.

Skaftafell Campsite (South Coast)

Skaftafell Campsite sits inside Vatnajökull National Park, and it stays open when most others close. If you’re traveling with a campervan in Iceland during winter, this place is as real as it gets. The entrance is on the west side, and the site can hold around 400 tents. Zones A and C stay open through winter to protect the ground from frost damage. 

There’s a separate area for campervans and trailers with power hookups that actually work. Flush toilets stay open all year, and you’ll find running water inside since outdoor taps freeze until May. 

No indoor kitchen or dining space, so cooking is your problem (lucky you have a campervan). You can wash dishes at the sinks next to the service buildings. Restaurants and small seasonal services pop up nearby when the weather allows. 

Akureyri Campsite (North Iceland)

Akureyri Campsite sits low on the edge of town, quiet and steady. Locals call it Hamrar. It stays open when others close, one of the few winter campsites in Iceland that doesn’t quit. The setup isn’t fancy, just reliable. Heated huts keep toilets and showers working with real hot water, which counts more than it should. 

Every zone has electricity for a small fee, good for keeping your camper from freezing overnight. Inside, there’s a small kitchen, a warm lounge, and washers and dryers that never seem to stop humming. 

It’s clean, wheelchair friendly, and built for travelers who don’t need much. Wardens cover the summer, but winter help is still around by phone. Kjarnaskógur forest is also right here, full of trails and quiet air. 

Egilsstaðir Campsite (East Iceland)

Egilsstaðir Campsite is probably one of the best open year-round campsites in Iceland we know of. Seven showers, eight toilets. Always open. One is set up for disabled guests. Laundry’s running day and night, 1250 ISK for a wash, same for the dryer, detergent included. 

Pay at the reception if someone’s there, or use the honesty box like everyone else. Inside, there’s a small kitchen, coffee machine, microwave, and Wi-Fi that doesn’t quit halfway through an email. Kids get a small play park outside while you wash up at the covered sinks. 

Bonus: Geothermal-Adjacent Campsites

If you plan on camping under the Northern Lights in Iceland, start where the ground stays hot even when the air cuts deep. A few geothermal campsites keep going through winter, giving you warmth without walls.

Hveragerði Camping sits near Reykjamörk. Big site, clean showers, power for vans. Kitchen’s open, easy to use. You can walk to shops, restaurants, and the Reykjadalur trail where steam rolls through the valley. After a cold hike, that hot river feels unreal.

Then there’s Hveravellir Campsite on the Kjölur route, Road 35. A lonely pocket between glaciers. Steam, snow, and silence. There’s a lodge, a café, and a geothermal pool that earns its fame. People ride, hike, or snowmobile here, then end up in that pool, heads tilted to the sky. Sometimes the aurora shows up. Sometimes not. Doesn’t matter. It’s still the kind of heat that keeps you there longer than planned.

Tent Camping vs Campervan Camping in Winter

If you’re still debating winter campervan vs tent in winter in Iceland, start by asking how much misery you can handle. Tent camping in Iceland during winter is a test of stubbornness and gear quality. 

You’ll need a proper 4-season tent, snow pegs, and solid ground insulation, or you’ll wake up on ice. Arctic-rated sleeping bags with a comfort level around -20°C (-4°F) are non-negotiable. Wind and condensation become daily battles, and setting up camp in darkness feels like a punishment.

A campervan, on the other hand, lets you keep your sanity. Built-in heating, insulation, and cooking space turn long, freezing nights into something almost comfortable. It’s safer in storms, easier to move when roads close, and far less likely to end with frozen fingers. 

Yes, it costs more, and you’ll need to watch your battery and heater, but it buys warmth, mobility, and actual sleep. For most travelers, that’s the better trade.

What to Pack for Winter Camping in Iceland

Packing the right winter camping gear for Iceland is probably one of the single most important things you should do. Based on our experience, here’s some advice from us about what matters most to bring with: 

Clothing Essentials

• Base layer like merino wool tops and bottoms that dry fast and don’t smell.
• Mid layer: thick fleece or lightweight down jacket for real warmth.
• Outer shell: waterproof and windproof jacket and pants that can take a beating.
• Gloves: insulated and waterproof, plus a backup pair.
• Hat and neck gaiter: wool or fleece, something that covers ears and skin.
• Waterproof boots with exceptional grip and thermal lining.
• Socks: wool, multiple pairs. They freeze, they get wet, they vanish.
• Hand and foot warmers for nights that get below -10°C (14°F).
• Sunglasses and sunscreen. Yes, even in winter. The reflection off snow burns.

Sleeping Gear

• 4-season tent rated for 100 km/h winds. Check the poles twice.
• Arctic sleeping bag with a comfort rating around -15°C (5°F) or lower.
• Sleeping pad with R-value of 5+ for insulation from frozen ground.
• An inflatable pillow or dry bag stuffed with clothes.
• Liner bag adds a few degrees and saves you from washing the big one too often.
• Emergency blanket for backup.
• Small repair kit with duct tape, spare tent stakes, and cord.
• Dry bags for clothes and electronics inside the tent.
• Keep water bottles inside the bag overnight to stop them from freezing.
• Earplugs help when the wind starts howling. You’ll still hear it, but you’ll care less.

Cooking Gear

• Cold-resistant gas stove or multi-fuel burner. Butane won’t cut it in freezing temps.
• Freeze-proof propane or liquid fuel bottles. Keep one inside the van or tent at night.
• Lighters, waterproof matches, and a windscreen for the stove.
• Lightweight pot, pan, and spork set.
• Cutting board, pocket knife, and quick-dry towel.
• Instant meals, oats, ramen, and energy bars. Save the gourmet ideas for home.
• Thermos flask for hot coffee or soup.
• Collapsible sink or small basin for washing up.
• Trash bags. Iceland doesn’t do litter.
• Don’t forget tea or cocoa. A hot drink fixes more than you think.

Tech and Tools

• Power bank, car charger, and spare cables. Cold drains power fast.
• Headlamp with red light mode for long nights.
• GPS or phone with offline maps (Google Maps, Maps.me).
• Compass. When tech fails, this doesn’t.
• Ice scraper and small shovel for campervans.
• Reflective tape and flashlight for dark roadside stops.
• First aid kit, extra painkillers, and electrolyte tablets.
• Waterproof phone pouch and dry bag for valuables.
• Lastly, a small Bluetooth speaker. Music keeps you sane when the wind gets personal.

Safety Tips for Winter Camping in Iceland

Surviving winter isn’t luck. It’s paying attention. If you’re traveling in a campervan in Iceland during winter, you play by the island’s rules, or it plays you.

• Check vedur.is before driving or setting up camp. Weather here flips faster than logic.
• Skip the road if wind speeds hit 20 m/s (45 mph) or visibility drops to nothing.
• Park into the wind to stop your doors from flying off.
• Keep the fuel tank at least half full. Gas stations close earlier than you think.
• Never sleep with the gas heater running unattended. People forget that once.
• Daylight in winter lasts 4-6 hours, so plan your moves around it.
• Know frostbite and hypothermia signs before you feel them.
• Pack backup heat, food, and water for 24 hours minimum.
• Register your trip at safetravel.is so someone knows where you are.
• Lost or stuck? Call 112. The app works even offline.
• Check umferdin.is like it’s a religion. It shows road closures and weather warnings. Do it at least twice a day.

Experiences That Make Winter Camping Special

Camping under the Northern Lights in Iceland feels like cheating the universe. You get silence, space, and skies that look fake until they start moving. If you want a real show, head north or east and park far from streetlights. The darker it gets, the better it gets. 

Glacier hikes and ice cave tours in Skaftafell or Jökulsárlón will mess with your sense of scale, so bring a camera and spare batteries. Hot spring camping is surreal at Hveravellir, Laugarvatn Fontana, or the Mývatn baths, where steam rolls across snow. Snow hikes during blue hour turn every photo into something moody and cold enough to feel honest. 

Locals still run Christmas markets, bake bread in geothermal heat, and wave when you pass through quiet villages. And somewhere along the way, you’ll end up boiling snow for coffee at -10°C (14°F), just because you can.

FAQs About Winter Camping in Iceland

Can you wild camp in winter?

No. It’s illegal, unsafe, and fines aren’t fun. Stick to official campsites that stay open year-round.

Are campsites heated?

Some have heated kitchens or lounges, but not individual plots. Bring proper gear or a camper with heating.

Do you need to book?

Usually no, but calling ahead helps. Many sites reduce space or services when snow piles up.

Is it family-friendly?

Only for families who know how to handle cold travel. Conditions change fast and require prep.

Can I see the Northern Lights from campsites?

Yes. Most rural sites sit far from city lights, perfect for aurora watching.

How cold does it get?

Between -1°C and -10°C (30°F to 14°F). Inland areas can hit lower, so gear up right.

Can I charge my phone in a camper overnight?

Yes, but use eco mode ,or it’ll drain fast in the cold.

Planning Your Winter Camping Trip in Iceland

Winter camping in Iceland isn’t about comfort. It’s about earning every view, every sunrise, every frozen breath. The cold hits hard, the wind argues back, and nothing goes as planned. 

Preparation beats luck every time. Pack smart, check the weather, and rent a campervan built for the season. You get heat, shelter, and the freedom to chase clear skies when the aurora decides to show. 

You’ll curse the wind, freeze your fingers, and still call it the best trip of your life. Check out our fleet of winter-ready campers and start planning a road trip that feels alive.