The 5 Camping Rules You Shouldn’t Break in Iceland (Unless You Want to Be That Tourist)
So You Wanna Camp Like a Viking?
You’re finally out here chasing waterfalls, dodging sheep and living your Iceland dream.
So why not go full Viking and camp under the stars, right? Sounds epic.
Wrong. Hold your lava horses: camping in Iceland isn’t just “pull over and pop a tent wherever.” There are rules. Real ones.
And breaking them could turn your fairytale road trip into an expensive saga.
That’s where we come in. KuKu knows the dos, don’ts, and seriously-don’t-even-think-abouts of camping in Iceland.
So before you park your campervan on a cliff edge or sneak a tent behind a hot spring, read this guide and learn how not to be that tourist.
1. Wild Camping in Iceland? Not So Wild Anymore
Back in the day, you could roll into a mossy field, unzip your tent, and call it a night.
Now? Not unless you’re into fines and angry locals.
You see, wild camping in Iceland is mostly banned for a reason, and that reason is too many folks ignoring common sense (and bathroom breaks... yikes!).
No sugarcoating it: If you’re driving a campervan, you must camp in a designated campsite. Period.
No sneaky pullovers by the fjord, no moonlight camping in national parks.
Trust us, there are over 200 campsites in Iceland: plenty of room for you, your van, and your snoring.
So yeah, camping in Iceland = campsite. Always.
2. Leave No Trace (And Yes, That Includes Your Poop)
Iceland’s nature is next level.
We’re talking otherworldly beauty.
You’ll be tempted to snap a thousand pics, pocket a shiny lava rock, or write your name in moss with your trekking pole. Don’t.
Camping in Iceland comes with one sacred rule: leave no trace.
That means no trash, no cigarette butts, and (listen carefully) no bathroom business left behind.
If you’ve gotta go, go in a toilet. If there’s no toilet, pack it out.
No burying toilet paper, no peeing by the roadside, no pooping behind a rock and calling it “natural composting”.
And yes, it really does matter. Iceland’s fragile ecosystem takes centuries to recover from what takes you 30 seconds to “drop off”.
Gross? Maybe. Necessary? Absolutely.
So be cool, be clean, and leave the landscape looking like you were never there (except in your awesome road trip photos).
3. Respect Private Property: That Field Is Not Your Backyard
We know, pulling over next to a gorgeous waterfall and setting up your van sounds like a dream. But hold up: that field might be private land, and parking there without permission? Yeah, that’s not cool.
Let's say it once again: In Iceland, wild camping is no longer allowed just anywhere. If it’s not a designated campsite or if you don’t have explicit permission, you’re trespassing.
And Icelanders are chill, but they won’t love finding your camper parked next to their sheep.
So do the right thing: use official campsites. There are tons of them, even in the middle of nowhere.
You’ll get access to toilets, maybe a hot shower, and zero angry farmers.
4. Keep It Down, You’re NOT at Coachella
Yes, you’re having the time of your life.
Yes, the playlist is fire.
Yes, that one friend really wants to practice ukulele at midnight.
But here's the thing: the people in the van next to you? They might be trying to sleep after driving through a snowstorm for six hours and almost hitting a sheep. Twice.
When it comes to noise etiquette while camping in Iceland, think peaceful nature documentary, not festival main stage.
Many campsites are in remote areas surrounded by actual silence, the kind of silence that makes you hear your own thoughts (scary, we know).
So if you’re pulling in late or leaving early, try not to slam doors like you're in a Fast & Furious reboot.
Keep voices low, skip the karaoke, and give others the same chill vibe you’re hoping for.
Because nothing kills the magic of waking up by a fjord faster than someone yelling “WOOHOO SHOTS!” at 3 a.m.
5. Breaking the Rules Will Cost You (Literally)
Think no one’s watching while you wild camp next to that waterfall?
Spoiler: someone is. And their fine book is ready.
Illegal camping in Iceland can get you slapped with hefty fines, especially if you’re parking where signs say not to, or ignoring the basic camping rules like a rebel without a tent permit.
And guess what? Leaving trash, dumping grey water, or relieving yourself behind a bush like it’s 1998 also counts.
Authorities aren’t messing around, they’re serious about protecting the land.
So skip the rogue behavior, respect the rules, and keep your wallet happy. That money’s better spent on hot dogs and geothermal spas anyway.
Why KuKu Campers? Because We’ve Got You Covered
So now you know how not to be that tourist. But the real pro move? Hitting the road with KuKu.
We’ve got a van for every vibe, unlimited mileage (because Iceland is too epic for limits), and extra drivers ride free, because adventure loves company.
You can pimp your ride with tons of add-ons, and if anything goes sideways, our customer support is ready daily from 8 AM to 6 PM, plus roadside assistance until 8 PM, with a network of mechanics across Iceland ready to save the day.
Basically, we take care of the boring stuff so you can focus on the fun stuff. Like not pooping in the wrong place.