Skaftafell Campground

Overview

About Skaftafell Campground

Skaftafell Campground is the park’s big basecamp—open year‑round and planted right at the foot of glaciers and mountain trails. It’s practical more than cozy: think loads of space, solid facilities, and instant access to the area’s best walks and guided glacier tours.

Why stop

Trailheads to Svartifoss and Skaftafellsjökull start from camp
Hot showers and laundry at the central service buildings
Campervan areas with electricity in designated zones

Heads up

No indoor kitchen or dining shelter
Summer crowds mean lines for showers and laundry
Electric hookups are limited; arrive early if you need power

Map

Where it is

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Full map

CampgroundSkaftafell Campground64.01553, -16.97162

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Local know-how

Tips for visiting Skaftafell Campground

Arrive early if you need a powered campervan pitch.
Choose walk‑in tent zones (E/F/G) for a quieter night.
Plan to cook outside or in your vehicle; no indoor kitchen here.
Use indoor taps for filling water until mid‑May.
Expect lines for showers and laundry in the evening—go early or late.

Plan your stop

Before you go

Best time to visit

Summer (June–August) brings long daylight, milder weather, and the full trail network—also the biggest crowds. Hit showers and sinks early or late to avoid queues. Shoulder seasons can be fantastic for quieter trails, but be prepared for tougher weather. The campground is open all winter, but only zones A and C operate, and outdoor taps are off—plan accordingly.

Facilities

You’ll find modern flush toilets and outdoor dishwashing sinks by the service buildings. Drinking water is always available indoors; outdoor taps are typically off until mid‑May due to frost. Hot showers are available (expect a fee) and are generally clean but can be busy at peak times. Laundry is on site, but with limited machines—plan for queues and bring your own detergent. There’s no indoor cooking/dining shelter, so come prepared to cook outside or in your vehicle. Electric hookups exist but are limited, so claim a powered spot earlier in the day. Note: there is no on‑site gray‑water dump.

1 active Vatnajökull alert

ClosureFosshvammur permanently closed at DettifossFosshvammur at Dettifoss is permanently closed to all traffic; do not enter.Official details

Vatnajökull alerts

A park ranger sits on a dash-mounted phone, talking, as Parkwolf’s Tour Guide plays “Army Cutworm Moths: A Grizzly Bear Buffet” on Grand Loop Road below Dunraven Pass in Yellowstone — Parkwolf Tour GuideThe highest, rockiest slopes around here are a summer buffet for grizzly bears.

Vatnajökull Tour Guide

Your drive to Skaftafell Campground, narrated.

Parkwolf is a GPS audio tour guide for Vatnajökull National Park. As you drive, it chimes in with what’s ahead: hidden gems, upcoming stops, history, geology, and wildlife, right through your car’s speakers.

Recorded for this place

Welcome to the Skaftafell Visitor Center Area

Listen

“You're pulling into the Skaftafell area, which is the main basecamp for exploring the glaciers and waterfalls nearby. The large building is the visitor center, and it's the best place to start to get oriented.”

Plays as you drive up to Skaftafell Campground in the Parkwolf Vatnajökull Tour Guide.

More about Skaftafell Campground

Layout & How It WorksCapacity is around 400 tents, split into eight zones (A–H).

Capacity is around 400 tents, split into eight zones (A–H). A–D allow vehicles and have power (A and C are divided sites; B and D are open areas). E–G are walk‑in tent meadows with no vehicles on the grass. In winter, only A and C stay open to protect the ground. Individuals don’t book ahead—register and pay at the camping reception on arrival. Group reservations are the exception.

From Your Tent to the TrailsThis is the best-located place to sleep if you want to walk.

This is the best-located place to sleep if you want to walk. From the visitor centre area, trails fan out to Svartifoss (basalt‑column waterfall), the Skaftafellsjökull glacier viewpoint, and longer routes like Sjónarnípa or Kristínartindar for big panorama days. Guided glacier walks, ice climbing, and seasonal ice‑cave trips meet at the base area here, which keeps logistics painless.

Vibe & SettingExpect a lively, international camp scene in summer and quieter shoulder seasons.

Expect a lively, international camp scene in summer and quieter shoulder seasons. Views of ice caps and outlet glaciers glow at dawn and dusk; winds can pick up, so stake out well. Stock up on groceries and fuel before you come—services are limited beyond the visitor centre and seasonal food options nearby.

WildlifeYou’ll notice birds around the wetlands and free‑roaming sheep more than headline wildlife.

You’ll notice birds around the wetlands and free‑roaming sheep more than headline wildlife. Keep food secured and watch quietly—wildlife here is subtle and skittish.

TipsIf you need electricity, arrive earlier—hookups go fast in peak season.

If you need electricity, arrive earlier—hookups go fast in peak season.
For a quieter tent experience, pick the walk‑in zones (E/F/G).
Bring a sturdy stove and wind protection; there’s no indoor cooking shelter.
Fill water indoors until mid‑May; outdoor taps are often turned off due to frost.
Check weather, road, and trail conditions before committing to longer hikes or glacier trips.

Wildlife

Wildlife in Vatnajökull

All Vatnajökull wildlife maps

22 sightingsGrey SealMost seen around 5 AMSighting map

258 sightingsHarbor SealMost seen around 11 AMSighting map

184 sightingsCaribouMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

62 sightingsArctic FoxMost seen around 8 PMSighting map

168 sightingsWhooper SwanMost seen around 5 PMSighting map

68 sightingsAtlantic PuffinMost seen around 7 PMSighting map

Sighting maps show where each species has been reported across Vatnajökull. Wildlife moves, so no sighting is guaranteed.