Camping in Iceland can provide a great sense of freedom however, if you are ill prepared or encounter bad weather you can potentially spoil your trip.
Camping in Iceland is heavily weather dependent
Due to the cold climate this is not the place to try camping for the first time
Don’t skip out on any of the recommended equipment
You may have to modify your current camping set up to accommodate for differences example: hammock camping is nearly impossible as there are relatively few trees in Iceland
Practice using all of your equipment before you arrive in Iceland, an unfamiliar tent can be difficult to set up in weather that you are not familiar with
SUMMER is the most accessible camping season but keep the following in mind:
With almost 24 hours of daylight in the summer you may wish to bring a sleeping mask to ensure a proper night’s rest
Summer does not necessarily ensure good weather, rain is very common in the summer
Very strong winds are commonplace all year round in Iceland
Campfires are not permitted in Iceland
See specialized packing lists to see which is best suited to your travel plan
As seen in this video, some terrain in Iceland (such as volcanic ash) can make it difficult to pitch a tent properly with all the necessary extra lines. That paired with incredibly strong winds can at best leave you with a horrible night’s rest and at worst ruin your tent and leave you vulnerable to the elements.
The following are some essentials for safe and comfortable WINTER camping in Iceland:
Headlamp with extra batteries
A tent that can withstand strong winds and snow (ideally 4 season) plus extra pegs and poles
Sleeping bag with comfort temperature of -10°C (14°f) (Remember everyone is different, this is just a guideline!)
Sleeping pad with R-Value of at least 5 to properly isolate from the cold ground
White gasoline stove as they are much more efficient in cold temperatures than canister stoves
Anything left outside the tent (boots, food, etc) will freeze
