Camping in Iceland

May I camp anywhere?

There are various things to keep in mind if you are planning to camp or spend the night outside organised campsites. In November 2015, new conservation legislation came into effect making changes to where it is permissible to camp. For instance, it is now illegal to spend the night in tent trailers, tent campers, caravans, camper vans or similar outside organised campsites or urban areas unless the land owner or rightholder has given their permission. Otherwise, the law lays down the following rules for camping:

  • Along public routes in inhabited areas, you may pitch a traditional camping tent for one night on uncultivated land, provided there is no campsite in the immediate vicinity and the land owner has not restricted or prohibited access, passage or stay within the area by means of signs on gates and walking paths.
  • Along public routes in uninhabited areas, you may pitch a traditional camping tent on privately owned land or national land.
  • Away from public routes, you may pitch a traditional camping tent, either on privately owned or national land, unless otherwise indicated in special rules which may be applicable to the land area in question.  
  • If you plan to camp near places of human habitation or farms.
  • If you plan to camp for longer than one night.
  • If you plan to pitch more than three tents.
  • If the land is cultivated.
  • If you plan to use tent trailers, tent campers, caravans, camper vans or similar outside organised campsites or urban areas.       
  • Land owners or rightholders may restrict or prohibit camping if there is substantial risk of damage to the country’s natural environment.
  • If the landowner or rightholder has prepared a special camping area on their land, they may direct travellers to it and charge a service fee. Similarly, if there is a campsite in the vicinity, the landowner or rightholder may direct travellers to it.
  • There may be restrictions on camping in protected areas (List of areas)

Icelandic Environmental Agency of Iceland, Date: 14.3.2018, Link: UST
Subject to change without notice, no guarantee for correctness

IcelandTour.info is offering tours around Iceland with Offroad Pick-up Campers. We also provide a list with great campsites around Iceland.

One of our travelers made an amazing video of such a travel:  Tour with an Offroad pick-up Camper around Iceland

Camping in Iceland Tent