Skaftafell sits in the county of Öræfi, on Route 1, inside Vatnajökull National Park. It suits travelers who like short, easy walks to a waterfall and a glacier, with a campsite and a visitor center right there. Kirkjubæjarklaustur is 43 miles (70 km) to the west and Höfn is 81 miles (130 km) to the east.
Hotel Skaftafell, a 3 star tourist class hotel, is 3 miles (5 km) away. Anyone planning a stay should know both before leaving home.
At a glance
- Location: on Route 1, in the county of Öræfi
- Distances: Kirkjubæjarklaustur 43 miles (70 km) west, Höfn 81 miles (130 km) east
- Park: part of Vatnajökull National Park, a national park from 1967
- Visitor center and campsite: both open all year
- Svartifoss walk: 0.9 miles (1.5 km), or 45 minutes one way from the visitor center
- Entry for U.S. citizens: no visa needed for up to 90 days
Where is Skaftafell and what is it like?
Skaftafell is in the county of Öræfi and is easy to reach along Route 1. Kirkjubæjarklaustur lies 43 miles (70 km) to the west, and Höfn lies 81 miles (130 km) to the east. Those two towns are the reference points on this stretch of the road.
The landscape is shaped by glaciers. The rivers Skeiðará, Morsá and Skaftafellsá each issue from a glacier of the same name. The park offers hiking trails for every skill level, and the short ones lead to a waterfall and a glacier.
Skaftafell has been part of the national park system since 1967, and it is now part of Vatnajökull National Park. The mountain Háalda, by Sandfell in Öræfi, was declared a national monument in 1975. The big campsite at the foot of the slopes dates from 1974.
What is there to do in Skaftafell?
Svartifoss and the black basalt columns
Svartifoss is a waterfall 80 feet (20 meters) high, framed by tall black basalt columns. Short and easy trails lead to Svartifoss from the visitor center.
The hike from the visitor center is 0.9 miles (1.5 km), or 45 minutes one way.
Those who want more distance can pick one of the other trails, since the park has routes for every skill level.
Skaftafell Visitor Center
The Skaftafellsstofa Visitor Center is open all year. It has an exhibition about the glaciers and volcanoes of the area.
It makes a good first stop, before heading out on a trail. The exhibition explains the landscape you are about to walk through.
Since it is open year-round, it also works as an indoor stop on a wet day.
Skaftafellsjökull and guided glacier walks
A short, easy trail leads to the Skaftafellsjökull glacier.
Private companies offer guided glacier walks and other activities within the national park. Book those with the operator directly.
The short trail is enough for anyone who just wants to see the glacier. A guided walk is the route for those who want to go onto it.
Ranger walks and events
A ranger program runs from June 15 to August 15.
The Bank Holiday Weekend brings a Disaster walk on July 31 at 10 p.m., a scavenger hunt for everyone on August 1, and a bonfire with music on August 2 at 9 p.m.
Later dates follow: Day of Icelandic Nature on September 16 at 1 p.m., a Ghost walk on October 31 at 5 p.m., the Day of the Icelandic Language on November 16 at 1 p.m., and Yule Lads on December 12 at 11 a.m.
Skaftafell suits walkers, waterfall lovers and families who want easy trails.
Where to stay in Skaftafell
The campsite is the main base. It sits at the foot of the slopes and has been there since 1974. It is open all year and has pitches for motorhomes, caravans and tents, with designated spots for motorhomes and caravans and a spacious area for tents.
Facilities include WC (also for the disabled), hot and cold running water, showers, a cafeteria, a gift shop, outdoor grills, a washing machine and a service station. Electricity costs 1,500 kr. per 24 hours.
Hotel Skaftafell is a 3 star tourist class hotel 3 miles (5 km) away. Spots on the campsite cannot be reserved.
When should you go to Skaftafell?
The weather data covers Kirkjubæjarklaustur, 43 miles west of Skaftafell. June is the warmest of the months listed, with highs of 57°F (14°C) and lows of 44°F (7°C). It still rains about 14 days that month.
Winter is the season to avoid for anyone who wants mild weather. January highs reach only 36°F (2°C), with lows near 28°F (-3°C), and about 17 days of rain. February and March stay close to that, with highs of 37°F (3°C) and 39°F (4°C).
April and May warm up gradually, from 44°F (7°C) to 51°F (11°C) for highs. The visitor center and campsite stay open all year, so a cold-season trip is possible for those who pack for it.
What to know before visiting Skaftafell
According to the U.S. State Department (travel.state.gov), no visa is needed for up to 90 days for tourism or business.
- Passports must have 3 months’ validity beyond the date of departure from the Iceland/Schengen Area, and 6 months is recommended.
- Iceland does not accept the 12-page U.S. emergency passport for visa-free entry unless it has 3 months beyond the planned date of departure.
- No vaccinations are required to enter Iceland.
- The area fee is 1,000 kr. for a passenger car with 5 passengers or fewer, and 1,300 kr. for a car with 6 to 9 passengers.
- A gas-heated shower costs 500 kr., and use of the hut facilities for one day without accommodation costs 500 kr.
Booking Skaftafell for November: what to know
Spots on the campsite cannot be reserved, so there is nothing to book ahead there. The campsite is open all year, including November.
November 16 is the Day of the Icelandic Language, with an event at 1 p.m. in Skaftafell. December 12 brings the Yule Lads at 11 a.m. Both are good reasons to time a cold-season stop.
Sources
- vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is (https://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is/en/discover/fraedsludagskra), checked 2026-10-30
- island.is (https://island.is/reglugerdir/nr/1580-2023/original), checked 2026-10-30
- vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is (https://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is/en/areas/skaftafell), checked 2026-10-30
- visitvatnajokull.is (https://visitvatnajokull.is/skaftafell/), checked 2026-10-30
- ambwashingtondc.esteri.it (https://ambwashingtondc.esteri.it/en/chi-siamo/gli-uffici/), checked 2026-10-25
- open-meteo.com (https://open-meteo.com/en/docs/historical-weather-api), checked 2026-10-30
- travel.state.gov (https://travel.state.gov/en/international-travel/travel-advisories/iceland.html), checked 2026-10-31
- vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is (https://www.vatnajokulsthjodgardur.is/en/areas/skaftafell/skaftafellsstofa), checked 2026-10-30