Toilets and showers
Flush toilets and showers are available. Access to showers is included in the camping fee, but service arrangements can vary by season.
Sleep at the trailhead
Camping at Skaftafell
Compare pitch zones, camper facilities, current fees and the seasonal limits that matter before arriving at the year-round campground.
OpeningYear-round
ReservationsNot available
CapacityAbout 400 tents
WinterZones A and C
The short answer
Camp Here for Easier Mornings
Skaftafell campground is beside the visitor area and the main trail network. It accepts tents, campervans and caravans, remains open through the year and does not take advance campsite reservations. Register and pay at reception before setting up.
What is available
Essential Services, Fully Outdoors
The official fee includes core washing facilities. Food, restaurant and other tourism services around the visitor area are seasonal and should not be treated as guaranteed late-night campsite amenities.
Laundry
A washing machine and dryer are included among the official campsite facilities, useful for travellers continuing around the Ring Road.
Drinking water
Drinking water is available. Outside taps may be unavailable because of frost until around the middle of May, while water remains available indoors.
Electricity
The campsite lists 100 electrical outlets. Connections are intended for camping equipment and must not be used to charge electric vehicles.
Washing-up sinks
Kitchen sinks are provided beside the service buildings for washing dishes, but there is no indoor dining room or communal cooking kitchen.
Accessible facilities
The official facility list includes wheelchair access. Contact Skaftafellsstofa before arrival if a specific pitch or facility is essential.
Choose the right ground
Eight zones serve different camping styles
Do not choose only by the shortest walk. Vehicle access, electricity and winter protection determine which area makes sense. Reception and current signs are the final authority.
ZonesBest fitElectricityLayoutSeason noteDecision
A and CCars, campers and caravansAvailableMarked individual sitesThe winter zonesSee official map ↗B and DVehicle accessibleAvailableOpen, not divided into sitesSeasonal openingSee official map ↗E, F and GNo driving onto the fieldNo listed vehicle hookupTent-oriented grass areasCarry equipment inSee official map ↗HConfirm on arrivalConfirm on arrivalFollow current signsUse reception guidanceSee official map ↗
Why stay here
The strongest benefit is time, not luxury.
Camping removes a morning drive and lets you start a trail before building the rest of the day around parking, check-in and onward travel. That is especially valuable when combining Svartifoss with a guided glacier departure.
01
Walk directly to the trail network
Routes toward Svartifoss, Skaftafellsjökull and higher viewpoints begin around the visitor and campground area.
02
Ask for current conditions first
The visitor centre is close enough to make a same-day trail check part of breakfast rather than a separate journey.
03
Keep tour check-in separate
Staying on site helps, but you still need the exact operator base and required check-in time for any guided experience.
Current camping fees
Fees are charged per person, per night.
These amounts were checked against the official price list on 30 August 2026. Confirm again before arrival because rates and payment processes can change.
Adult, age 17 to 66
The published general fee is 2,800 ISK per person per night, including accommodation tax and access to the listed washing facilities.
Senior or disabled visitor
The published discounted fee is 2,300 ISK per person per night. Ask reception about any documentation needed.
Children 16 and under
The published fee is free when the child is accompanied by an adult. Family groups should still register every guest.
Electrical connection
The published charge is 1,500 ISK for 24 hours. It is for camping equipment only, not electric-vehicle charging.
Camping outside summer
Year-Round Access, Seasonal Services
Winter camping is deliberately concentrated in zones A and C to protect the remaining ground. Frost affects outdoor water, daylight is limited and wind can make a mild forecast feel severe.
01
Use the designated winter zones
Follow the open-zone signs and do not drive onto closed or soft ground, even when another pitch appears more convenient.
02
Plan for indoor water access
Outdoor water is normally unavailable because of frost until around mid-May. Indoor water remains available.
03
Check wind before choosing a tent
Road access may be open while tent conditions are still poor. Use the current weather forecast and campsite guidance.
Quick answers
Skaftafell camping FAQ
Can I reserve a campsite at Skaftafell?
No. The official campground page states that campsites cannot be reserved. Register and pay at reception before camping.
Can campervans and caravans stay at Skaftafell?
Yes. Designated areas serve campers and camping trailers, with electrical connections available in the relevant zones.
Is there a shared kitchen?
No indoor cooking or dining facility is provided for campers. Sinks beside the service buildings can be used for washing dishes.
Can I charge an electric car at the campsite outlet?
No. The park explicitly states that campsite electrical connections are not powerful or safe enough for vehicle charging.
Is wild camping allowed around Skaftafell?
Use the designated campground. Rules for camping outside designated sites are regulated and location-specific, so never treat open ground near the park as an informal pitch.
Last checked · 30 August 2026
Check Current Fees and Services
Campsite zones, services and fees can change. Register at reception and use the official campground page and current price list as the final sources.
Official Skaftafell campground guide Official Vatnajökull National Park price list Current Icelandic weatherTurn the campsite into a better day