Winter Camping

Winter camping in Iceland

A mind-blowingly awesome camping escapade in the chilly wonderland of winter or autumn, all thanks to the one and only KúKú Campers! Brace yourself for the ultimate comfort without breaking a sweat (or freezing your toes off!) because our campers come equipped with overnight heaters that'll make you feel like you're enjoying in tropical warmth, even if there's a blizzard raging outside. We've got your back covered with dual batteries to keep the cozy vibes alive. So, no more sacrificing comfort for adventure—embrace the adrenaline thrills and cuddly pleasure with KúKú Campers!

In winter, our road service heroes are at your service, keeping those main roads in tip-top shape all year long. So, fear not, because the road conditions are generally as smooth as butter ! We will give you an extensive overview on travelling in winter and show you how the camper works when you will arrive. Just remember to check the weather forcast, the road conditions, ask also around at the campsites and all of the information centers where the staff welcomes you with warm coffee and something interesting to see !

There are more than enough campsites (even a Reykjavik campsite..!) open all year round and most of our fabulus warm water swimming pools all around the country ! You only have to remember that during mid winter, the daylight is a bit limited so you must take that into consideration when planning how much you intend to cover each day.

Oh, we've got you covered, my friend ! Our campervans are winter warriors, ready to conquer the snowy roads with their trusty winter tires. No slip-sliding away for you! And guess what? Our road-side assistance superheroes are on standby. So, whether it's a winter wonderland or a summer sunburn, we'll be there to save the day! So buckle up, grab some hot cocoa, and let the adventure begin—because with our campervans, there's no road too icy and no season we can't handle!

Autumn Campervan trip in Iceland

Fall arrives early in Iceland, starting in September and lasts to the end of October or early November. Fall in Iceland sounds like a picture-perfect time for a campervan adventure ! The vegetation changing color from mid-September to vibrant shades of red, orange and yellow, making the contrasts in the landscape even more prominent.

The temperature is still mild during this season with monthly averages ranging between 7-12°C (45-55°F). As well this time of year offers around 11-13 hours of daylight, which means your days are not as short as the days in mid-winter, and thus giving you more time each day to explore Iceland ! You will also not have to struggle with the midnight sun when you are trying to unwind and going to sleep at your campsite for the night.

The crisp autumn air and shorter days present a magical opportunity to witness the Northern Lights, as they start to show up in September, painting the night sky with their celestial dance.

On top of mild temperatures, and long days, the tourist crowds of summer have diminished, giving you more arm and legroom at the most popular locations. So really the perfect time for you to enjoy a KuKu campervan trip in Iceland.

Oh, and did we mention that the campsites are quieter too? You'll have all the facilities to yourself, providing a more serene and enjoyable camping experience ! Summer campsites stay open until September 15th, after which the winter campsites take over. (see winter campsites further down). 

Northern Lights – Aurora Borealis in Iceland

The Northern Lights, also called Aurora Borealis, and Norðurljós in Icelandic, are one of the most spectacular shows on this earth and can frequently be seen in Iceland from September through March on clear and crisp nights. The Northern Lights occur high above the earth surface, where the atmosphere has become extremely thin, at an altitude of 100-250 km. They are created by electrically charged particles that make the thin air RADIANT. Auroras can be seen in auroral belts that form 20-25 degrees around the geomagnetic poles, both the north and the south.

Now, let's take a quick journey through history. The name "Northern Lights" was first documented in the original Old Norse as "norðrljós" back in 1230. In the 17th century, the term "Aurora Borealis" came into existence, thanks to Galileo Galilei and Petrus Gassendus. Drawing inspiration from the Roman goddess of Dawn, Aurora, and the Greek god of the North Wind, Boreas, the name evokes the majestic and otherworldly splendor of these auroral displays.

Here you can find the Northern Lights forecast.

Warm baths in the Ice cold winter

Being outside in a bathing suit in the middle of Icelandic winter is one of many visitors favorite experience. It might seem like a contradiction in terms, but trust us, it's an experience you won't want to miss.

There are both natural hot pots and the public swimming pools to be found all around the country. It doesn't matter where your travel schedule takes you; there's always a relaxing bath nearby !

Here you can find location of the bath that fits you travel schedule.

Weather in Iceland during winter

Iceland can be cold, windy, cloudy, rainy/snowy, and very unpredictable during winter. You may know the saying “The only thing constant is change” ?  Well it could have been written about the Icelandic winter weather so make sure to follow closely the forecast and ask locals for advice, for example at the nearest information center.

That being said, the temperature in Iceland is relatively mild for it's latitude due to the Gulf stream that brings warmth with it from the Caribbean. Which means it is not was cold as you might expect, the average temperature in winter in south Iceland being around 0-2°C (32-35°F) and in the north the temperature averaging around -10°C (14 °F) in winter. 

To check the weather forecast click here

Road Conditions

Driving in Iceland during winter can be a challenge, but it's totally doable if you take some precautions and adapt to the road conditions. Just remember to drive cautiously and according to the weather and road conditions, and you'll be just fine. 

The main roads are well-maintained all year round. In the worst-case scenario, they might experience temporary closures for a few hours during heavy snow blizzards. But generally, they stay open and accessible.

For checking the road conditions you can click here

KuKu Campers favorite Winter Campsites