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:

01.07.2016

Camping

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:

Where may I camp?

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.

When must I get the permission of the land owner or rightholder?

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.

Are there any areas where I may not camp/spend the night?

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 (see below).

Álafoss	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Blábjörg á Berufjarðarströnd	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Bringur í Mosfellsdal	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Dimmuborgir	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Dyrhólaey	Camping and overnight stays only with the permission of the Environment Agency of Iceland.
Fjallabak	You may camp in marked camping areas. Hikers may camp alongside marked walking paths. Elsewhere, you may camp or spend the night only with specific permission from the Environment Agency of Iceland.
Grábrókargígar í Norðurárdal	Camping and overnight stays only with the permission of the Environment Agency of Iceland.
Herðubreiðarfriðland	You may camp in marked areas. Elsewhere, permission from the Environment Agency of Iceland is required.
Hverfjall/Hverfell	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Ingólfshöfði	Camping and overnight stays only with the permission of the Environment Agency of Iceland and local supervisors.
Kattarauga	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Kirkjugólf	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Mývatn	Camping and overnight stays not allowed outside marked camping areas.
Seljahjallagil, Bláhvammur, Þrengslaborgir and surrounding areas	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Skógarfoss	Camping and overnight stays not allowed outside marked camping areas.
Skútustaðagígar	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Snæfellsjökull National Park	Hikers and cyclists must get the permission of the ranger. Otherwise, camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Ströndin við Stapa og Hellna	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Teigarhorn	Camping and overnight stays not allowed.
Vatnajökull National Park	With the Park, visitors must use organised campsites for tents, tent trailers, tent campers, caravans and camper vans. Away from organised campsites, you may pitch a traditional camping tent for one night. Groups with ten or more tents, however, must seek permission from the ranger. When camping outside organised campsites, care should be taken not to cause any damage and to take all litter and refuse to an inhabited area. Camping outside marked campsites is forbidden in the following areas: In Jökulsárgljúfur. In areas of Askja under special protection. In the lowlands of Hoffellssvæði and Heinabergssvæði. In Skaftafellsheiði, Bæjarstaðarskógur and Morsárdalur. Camping is, however, allowed in the Skaftafell mountains over 400 m above sea level and in the area at the mouth of the Kjós river. Travellers should get information from the National Park on camping in these areas.
Þingvellir National Park	Camping and overnight stays not allowed outside marked camping areas.

Information from the Environment Agency of Iceland see: http://www.ust.is/einstaklingar/frettir/frett/2016/06/30/May-I-camp-anywhere-/