Where to Camp on Iceland’s Golden Circle
Are you excited to explore Iceland’s Golden Circle but not sure what the accommodation options are? Camping holidays are popular for a range of reasons. Some adventurers love the feeling of sleeping under the stars, others prefer this over more expensive accommodation. In any case, people flock to Iceland with aspirations of traveling around Iceland and utilizing the many campsites the country has to offer.
The Golden Circle is one of the most popular tourist routes in Iceland. The route is easily accessible from the capital of Reykjavík and includes some of the country’s most impressive natural attractions. By camping around the Golden Circle, you can explore to your heart’s content and make rest stops wherever and whenever you need to. Find out more about Iceland’s camping regulations before you head off on your travels.
What is the Golden Circle?
Thingvellir National Park, Geyser Geothermal Area, and Gullfoss Waterfall are the three major attractions of the Golden Circle. If you only have a short amount of time to spend in Iceland, this convenient driving route allows visitors to see some of the best that the country has to offer. There are countless other stunning smaller attractions around the tourist route that are worth visiting too, so don’t limit yourself to these three!
Best Campsites Around the Golden Circle
There are several locations designed for visitors camping around the Golden Circle in Iceland. Some of these sites have a full range of facilities while others are more basic, so you’ll need to bear this in mind if all you have is your tents.
Nyrðri Leirar Camping Near Thingvellir
If you are planning on spending a lot of time at the first stop on the Golden Circle, this campsite is a convenient 5-minute drive away right beside the park’s visitor center. There is no need to book in advance at Nyrðri Leirar Camping, simply arrive when you’re ready and pay for the time and space that you require at a rate of 1,530 ISK per person. You can either pay at the visitor’s center, where you can use the facilities or purchase maps for your journey, or the range will collect your fees around 8 am.
Úthlíð Campsite
The Úthlíð camping ground is right in the middle of the Golden Circle, offering comprehensive facilities for visitors who choose to stay here. You’ll find the campsite 10 km from the Geyser Geothermal Area. For around 2.000 ISK per person per night, you can enjoy a wide range of facilities, including showers, a hot tub, an on-site restaurant, and a laundry service. If you’re lucky and visiting during the winter months, the distance from large population hubs means that you might be able to spot the Northern Lights while soaking in a hot tub!
Faxi Waterfall Campsite
Despite slightly more basic facilities, the views and service at the Faxi Waterfall camping ground make it a stunning place to pitch up. The campsite is renowned for being a picturesque place to rest your head. Camping at Faxi Waterfall is around 8 km from Reykholt and 10 km from Geysir. The restaurant on site is a great place to fuel up before you head on your way around the Golden Circle!
Skjól Camping Site
One of the most family-friendly camping grounds around Iceland’s Golden Circle is Skjól. It is very conveniently located just a few kilometers from the Geysers, and 6 km away from the magnificent Gullfoss. The site is home to a soccer pitch and a restaurant, as well as the nearby Haukadalsskógur Forest where families can enjoy many beautiful hiking routes! The site boasts excellent facilities to relax during your stay.
Gesthús Campsite Selfoss
The camping ground and RV park at Selfoss offer great facilities with fantastic views. The visitor center offers showers, a WC, a kitchen, a dining room, and Wi-Fi, all you could need to relax on this stop on your way around the Golden Circle. Kids will enjoy the nearby swimming pool and playground to stretch their legs after the last leg of the journey! Furthermore, the center of town is just 10 minutes away on foot, where you’ll find fully-stocked supermarkets and other shops to purchase anything you need for your journey. Open year-round, camping at Selfoss will cost you around 3.000 ISK per pitch.
If you’re eager to try out these perfect Golden Circle camping spots, now you’ll need the perfect rental car. We are dedicated to making your Iceland hire car experience a breeze. Browse our selection of rental cars today, from comfortable 4×4 campers to family cars with room for your camping equipment.