Can I camp anywhere in Iceland?
No, not anywhere — the old idea of free camping all across Iceland no longer applies. The rules tightened in 2015, and Article 22 of the Nature Conservation Act no. 60/2013 draws a clear line. For a traditional hiking tent: along a travel route in inhabited areas you may camp one night on uncultivated land if a campsite is not close by — but you must seek the permission of the landowner near dwellings or farms, and always if there are more than three tents or the stay is longer than one night. Off the beaten track, on private land or public land, ordinary hiking tents are allowed unless special rules say otherwise. The myth that costs fines: that this also covers campervans, caravans, folding campers and tent-trailers. It does not — outside organised campsites these vehicles need the permission of the landowner. Driving off-road to reach a camping spot is a separate and serious offence.
📋 The rules
- For traditional hiking tents along a travel route in inhabited areas, you may camp one night on uncultivated land if a campsite is not close by (Article 22 of Act no. 60/2013).
- You must seek the permission of the landowner before camping near dwellings or a farm, and always if there are more than three tents or the stay is longer than one night.
- Off the beaten track, whether on private land or public land, you may camp with ordinary hiking tents unless special rules for the area say otherwise.
- For tent-trailers, folding campers, caravans and campervans, you need the permission of the landowner outside organised campsites — these vehicles may not wild-camp.
- The ban on off-road driving (Article 31) always applies, along with a duty to cause no damage; a landowner may direct people to a campsite and charge a fee.
🔓 Exceptions
- At organised campsites, the rules and price list of the site apply; a stay there is allowed regardless of the Article 22 limits on wild camping.
- A landowner or rights holder may grant permission for a longer stay, more tents or campervans — the rule is a minimum, and agreement with the owner prevails.
- In protected areas and national parks, stricter special rules may ban camping outside marked spots; those rules override the general allowance.
⚠️ Penalties & fines
Breaches of the camping rules in the Nature Conservation Act carry a penalty under Article 90: fines or up to 2 years in prison, although simple wild camping usually lands at the mild end with a warning or a fine. In practice the first consequence is that a landowner or ranger can order you to leave and require you to remove the tent. The more serious part is often off-road driving: taking a campervan or jeep off the road to camp is a separate offence (Article 31) that carries higher fines and liability for land damage — repairing torn moss or vegetation can be expensive and the growth takes decades to recover. The hidden cost is therefore twofold: the fine itself and compensation for damage. Those travelling in campervans most often underestimate that the rule on the permission of the landowner applies to them too — not only to tents.
📎 Official sources
- Althingi · Nature Conservation Act no. 60/2013 (Articles 22-23) →
- Environment Agency of Iceland · public access and camping →
- Ísland.is · outdoor recreation and public access →
❓ Frequently asked
Can I camp anywhere in Iceland?
Not anywhere — with a traditional hiking tent you may camp one night on uncultivated land along a travel route if a campsite is not close by, but you need the permission of the landowner near farms and always for more than three tents or a longer stay. The old idea of free camping all across the country no longer applies after the rules tightened in 2015.
Do the same rules apply to a campervan or caravan?
No, for tent-trailers, folding campers, caravans and campervans you need the permission of the landowner outside organised campsites under Article 22 of Act no. 60/2013. These vehicles may not camp freely out in nature the way hiking tents can, and it is one of the most common misconceptions among travellers in vehicles.
How many nights can I camp in one spot?
Along a travel route in inhabited areas the allowance for a hiking tent is only one night on uncultivated land, and a longer stay always needs the permission of the landowner or rights holder. Off the beaten track on private or public land the allowance is broader, but special rules for the area or a protection order can limit it further.
What happens if I camp without permission?
A landowner or ranger can order you to leave and require you to remove the tent, and breaches of the camping rules carry a penalty under Article 90 of fines or up to 2 years in prison. In practice simple wild camping usually ends with a warning, but the case becomes much heavier if you drove off-road to reach the spot.
Can I camp on public land in the highlands?
Off the beaten track, whether on private land or public land, you may camp with ordinary hiking tents unless special rules for the area say otherwise. In protected areas and national parks, stricter rules may ban camping outside marked spots, so it is worth checking the rules for the area in advance.
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