Vatnajokull National Park

The park’s southern territory of Skaftafell is the gateway to the most accessible area of the Vatnajokull glacier and one of the park’s most popular regions for outdoor activities. Visit the Skaftafell Visitor Center for information about attractions, hiking trails, and accommodations. Book an ice cave tour inside the Vatnajokull glacier or a hike on the Falljokull glacier, or book a longer day tour from Reykjavik that might also include visiting the Jokulsarlon glacier lagoon.

• Dress in layers, bring waterproof boots, and be prepared for the weather to change unexpectedly.

• A park entrance fee is charged on a per-vehicle basis.

• Hiking trails are marked according to level of difficulty and indicate which are appropriate for wheelchair users or visitors with limited mobility.

To reach Vatnajokull National Park’s Skaftafell Visitor Center, you can either drive from Reykjavik (about four hours) or take a bus or organized tour. The town of Hofn is another park gateway, accessible from Reykjavik by regular flights or by bus.

The best time to visit Vatnajokull National Park is in summer when days are longest, trail conditions are best for hiking, and boat tours around the Jokulsarlon lagoon are possible. While crowds are sparse in the winter, daylight hours can be as few as four in mid-December and many sights may be inaccessible.

Vatnajokull National Park is enormous, so you may choose to focus on a few highlights. Svartifoss (Black Falls), named for the black lava columns surrounding the falls, is a short hike from Skaftafell in south Iceland. On the edge of the park in southeast Iceland, Jokulsarlon was formed when the Breidamerkurjokull glacier began to recede—now it is the deepest lake in the country. In the northeast, glacial rivers flowing from the Vatnajokull glacier formed the mighty Dettifoss waterfall, which stands 330 feet (100 meters) wide and drops 144 feet (44 meters).

You should aim to spend a whole day in Vatnajökull National Park to fully experience its natural beauty. If you are short on time, a few hours is enough to hike around Skaftafell Visitor Center—the waterfall of Svartifoss is an easy hike from the center.

Yes, you can drive through Vatnajökull National Park, but you should know the rules about which roads you can and cannot drive on. A 4-wheel-drive vehicle isn't necessary if you're just driving from Reykjavik to the visitor center, but you will need one if you're venturing deeper into the park.

While you can reach some areas in Vatnajökull National Park by public transportation, the best way to explore is either to rent a vehicle and travel independently, or to book a guided tour that includes activities such as glacier hiking or exploring an ice cave.

Summer is a good time to visit Vatnajökull National Park as it has the best weather and hiking trail conditions. Summer days are long—expect up to 21 hours of daylight—allowing you to stay outside longer. Late August is best if you want the benefits of summer with fewer people.

While Vatnajökull National Park can get busy with visitors in the height of summer, there are always ways to get away from the crowds and enjoy some peaceful time in nature by exploring beyond the ever-popular Svartifoss and Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon, which are the park's biggest attractions.

Visitors to Vatnajökull National Park should dress in comfortable, warm layers and be prepared for Iceland's notoriously unpredictable weather to change unexpectedly—bring a waterproof jacket and pants in case of rain. Comfortable footwear, preferably worn-in hiking boots, is also essential. In summer, bring sunscreen, sunglasses, and a hat, too.