7 Days Around Iceland in a Camper Van: The Ultimate Ring Road Adventure

🇮🇸 Iceland by Camper Van: 7 Days, 1,369 Miles & the Trip of a Lifetime

Few places on Earth feel as cinematic and surreal as Iceland—where waterfalls thunder off cliffs, glaciers gleam under the midnight sun, and volcanic fields stretch across the horizon like a dreamscape. We spent a full week driving the Ring Road in a cozy camper van, chasing waterfalls, dodging snowstorms, and eating veggie burgers in the wind.

Day 1: Volcanic Craters, Epic Waterfalls & Sleeping by a Glacier

📍 Route: Keflavík ➝ Kerið ➝ Selfoss ➝ Seljalandsfoss ➝ Skógafoss ➝ Dyrhólaey ➝ Reynisfjara ➝ Svartifoss ➝ Jökulsárlón

We landed at 4:20 AM and were greeted by icy winds and lots of excitement. After grabbing some snacks from a tiny Dunkin’ Donuts and a SIM card from Siminn (note: test it before you leave! Mine didn’t work), we picked up our fully-loaded camper van from Go Iceland Rentals.

First stop: Kerið, a massive volcanic crater with teal-blue water inside. Absolutely worth the small entrance fee.

From there, we headed to BÓNUS in Selfoss to stock up on groceries—shockingly good vegan options, including Linda McCartney products. Next up was the awe-inspiring Seljalandsfoss, where you can actually walk behind the waterfall (bring rain gear!).

Then came Skógafoss, which might be one of the most beautiful waterfalls I’ve ever seen—complete with rainbows and a long stair climb for a panoramic view.

We cooked a windy camper dinner roadside—veggie burgers and beans—before racing the sunset to Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon. The lagoon’s iceberg-filled waters at dusk were truly a dream. We parked across from Diamond Beach and slept to the sound of waves crashing against glacial chunks.

✅ Travel Tips:

Test your SIM card before leaving the airport

BÓNUS is best for budget groceries

Wear waterproof gear at waterfalls

Expect 30+ mph winds often!

Day 2: Diamond Beach, Fjords & the East Coast Wilderness

📍 Route: Jökulsárlón ➝ Höfn ➝ Djúpivogur ➝ Dettifoss ➝ Selfoss ➝ Mývatn

Woke up next to the glacial lagoon and crossed the road to Diamond Beach—icebergs glittering on black sand like giant crystals. After some coffee, we headed to Höfn, a quiet fishing town with great Wi-Fi and gas.

In Djúpivogur, we explored the Eggin í Gleðivík sculpture garden, then took on a long, scenic drive along Iceland’s eastern fjords. We finally reached Dettifoss, the most powerful waterfall in Europe. It was slippery, wild, and LOUD. Just a short walk away is Selfoss, more graceful but just as magical.

We arrived late in Mývatn, where we struggled to find a legal campsite. Thankfully, we found one and left a note explaining our late arrival.

✅ Travel Tips:

Camp only at designated sites (no more wild camping!)

Dettifoss trail is muddy—wear hiking boots

Keep snacks handy—towns are far apart

Bring paper maps or downloaded GPS offline

Day 3: Snowstorms, Lava Fields & Akureyri Resupply

📍 Route: Mývatn ➝ Akureyri ➝ Hraunfossar

We paid the campsite fee in the morning and hit the road—right into a whiteout snowstorm. Visibility dropped to nothing, and we followed a brave little car to stay safe. An hour later, the sky cleared and lava plains rolled past us under blue skies.

In Akureyri, we recharged with warm food (and Wi-Fi!) and had a solid vegan meal at Hamborgarafabrikkan. We skipped Kirkjufell due to time but made it to Hraunfossar, a cascading waterfall that seeps through lava rocks.

We stumbled on Husafell Campground, which was closed, but a kind woman at the adjacent hotel let us camp and even offered use of the pool and bathrooms. Icelandic kindness wins again.

✅ Travel Tips:

Don’t drive long distances without checking the weather

Use N1 gas stations for fuel, food, and free Wi-Fi

Ask locals—people are incredibly kind and helpful

Day 4: Golden Circle Adventures

📍 Route: Hraunfossar ➝ Þingvellir ➝ Silfra ➝ Gullfoss ➝ Geysir ➝ Reykjavik outskirts

We kicked off the Golden Circle at Þingvellir National Park, where you can walk between tectonic plates. We skipped snorkeling at Silfra (a glacial rift) but watched others dive into crystal-clear water.

Next: Gullfoss Waterfall—massive, layered, and humbling. We then saw Strokkur erupt at the Geysir geothermal field, which shoots boiling water skyward every 5–10 minutes.

We stayed the night at Mosskógar Campground, clean and quiet with stunning nature all around.

✅ Travel Tips:

Gullfoss gets crowded—go early or late

Bring coins for parking at Þingvellir Layers!

It can go from sunny to snowy in an hour

Day 5: Blue Lagoon & Reykjavik Nightlife

📍 Route: Golden Circle ➝ Blue Lagoon ➝ Reykjavik

We made one final camper meal before soaking in the Blue Lagoon—and it lived up to the hype. Silica masks, milky-blue water, and volcanic scenery = spa bliss.

After returning the van (not easy—double-check your return location!), we checked into our Airbnb in downtown Reykjavik and hit the bars.

We started at Kiki Queer Bar and ended up at Lebowski Bar. Reykjavik nightlife starts late—like midnight! But everyone was welcoming and fun, and we made new friends from all over the world.

✅ Travel Tips:

Book Blue Lagoon ahead of time (even weeks in advance)

Shower before entering—it’s required

Drinks (we stopped drinking in 2018 prior to this trip, sobriety is cheaper!) in Reykjavik are $$$, so pregame wisely

Day 6: Reykjavik Museums, Art & Eurovision Madness

📍 Reykjavik Day

We slept in and started our day at the Icelandic Phallological Museum (yes, the penis museum). Funny, weird, and just enough to make you regret breakfast.

We grabbed coffee and headed to Harpa Concert Hall, then wandered into the Reykjavik Art Museum, which was hosting a student showcase. The creativity and energy were infectious.

Dinner was at Gló, a chill vegan spot, before we caught part of the Eurovision viewing party at Kiki. The crowd was lively, even if the performances… weren’t.

✅ Travel Tips:

Reykjavik is walkable—no car needed

Don’t skip Harpa—it’s free and photogenic Vegan? Try Gló, Kaffi Vínyl, or Veganæs

Day 7: Goodbye Iceland 💔

We caught the Flybus to the airport and said farewell to one of the most magical trips of our lives. From lava fields to glacial lagoons, Iceland truly changed the way we see nature, travel, and adventure.

We’ll be back. Maybe next time… in a 4×4.

🧳 What to Pack for Iceland (Especially in a Camper Van)

Clothing:

Waterproof jacket Thermals & fleece Warm socks & hat Quick-dry towel Swimsuit (for Blue Lagoon & hot springs)

Gear:

Sleeping bag or warm blanket Travel pillow Headlamp Reusable water bottle Power bank EU power adapter

Food & Kitchen:

Protein bars, instant noodles, oats Reusable utensils, lighter, spices

Toiletries & First Aid:

Toothbrush & toothpaste Moisturizer Hand sanitizer Pain reliever, allergy meds, band-aids

🗺️ Useful Resources

Guide to Iceland – Travel Tips Ring Road Travel Blog Vegan Iceland Guide Icelandic SIM Card Tips

💬 Final Thoughts

Iceland isn’t just a destination—it’s a portal to another world. The raw beauty, the isolation, the midnight sun, the surreal landscapes. If you’ve been dreaming of doing a Ring Road trip, don’t wait. Rent the van, pack the boots, and hit the road.

You’ll never look at Earth the same way again.