Iceland’s landscape reads like a geological textbook come to life, with steaming hot springs scattered across the island like nature’s own heated swimming pools. These geothermal wonders aren’t just spectacular to look at—they’re perfect for warming up after a day of hiking, camping, or exploring the island’s dramatic terrain.
The combination of camping under Iceland’s incredible skies and soaking in naturally heated water creates an experience that feels almost magical. What makes Iceland’s hot springs so special for campers is their accessibility and the stunning landscapes that surround them.
You might find yourself soaking in 104-degree water while snow-capped mountains tower overhead, or watching the Northern Lights dance above you while steam rises around your shoulders. Here’s a list of 18 Icelandic hot spring camping spots where you can pitch your tent and enjoy some of the world’s most spectacular natural bathing experiences.
Landmannalaugar
Landmannalaugar sits in Iceland’s highland interior, surrounded by colorful rhyolite mountains that look like someone spilled paint across the landscape. The natural hot springs here maintain perfect temperatures for soaking, while the designated camping area provides basic facilities and stunning mountain views.
Hiking trails lead directly from the campground to the springs, making it easy to alternate between outdoor adventures and relaxing soaks.
Reykjadalur Valley
Reykjadalur Valley, whose name literally means ‘Steam Valley,’ offers camping near a river where hot springs create natural bathing pools at varying temperatures. The campground sits about a mile from the geothermal area, connected by an easy hiking trail that passes numerous smaller hot springs and fumaroles.
You can literally choose your preferred water temperature by moving up or down the heated river.
Hveravellir
Hveravellir Nature Reserve features two main hot pools surrounded by an otherworldly landscape of geysers, mud pots, and steaming vents. The camping area provides basic shelter huts and tent sites, though the remote highland location means you’ll need a 4WD vehicle to reach this geothermal wonderland.
The complete isolation makes this spot perfect for experiencing Iceland’s raw natural power without crowds.
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Seljavallalaug
Seljavallalaug claims to be Iceland’s oldest swimming pool, built in 1923 and fed by natural hot springs that flow down from the mountains above. The camping area sits about a 15-minute walk from the pool, requiring a scenic hike through a narrow valley to reach the spring-fed pool.
The dramatic setting beneath towering cliffs creates an intimate atmosphere that feels like discovering a secret hideaway.
Krossneslaug
Krossneslaug sits on Iceland’s remote Westfjords peninsula, where camping near this infinity-edge hot pool provides views across the Denmark Strait toward Greenland. The geothermal pool maintains perfect temperatures year-round, while the nearby campground offers basic facilities and unobstructed views of the Arctic Ocean.
On clear nights, the Northern Lights reflect off both the water and the sea beyond.
Grettislaug
Grettislaug features two hot pools named after the legendary Icelandic outlaw Grettir, who supposedly swam here from the nearby island of Drangey. The camping area provides easy access to both the warmer and cooler pools, each carved from natural rock and fed by geothermal springs.
The coastal location means you can watch seabirds and possibly spot whales while soaking in the heated water.
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Hoffell
Hoffell sits beneath Vatnajökull glacier, where natural hot springs create steaming pools surrounded by some of Iceland’s most dramatic mountain scenery. The campground provides tent sites and basic facilities, while the hot springs offer perfect relief after hiking on nearby glacier tongues.
The combination of ice and fire creates a uniquely Icelandic experience that captures the island’s geological contradictions.
Laugarfell
Laugarfell offers remote highland camping near natural hot springs that bubble up from the Earth in a setting that feels completely untouched by modern civilization. The springs maintain temperatures around 100 degrees, while the surrounding highlands provide endless hiking opportunities through volcanic landscapes.
Getting here requires a sturdy vehicle and careful planning, but the isolation rewards visitors with pure wilderness experiences.
Strútslaug
Strútslaug provides camping near a collection of natural hot pools in East Iceland’s highlands, accessible only during summer months when mountain roads become passable. The geothermal area features multiple pools at different temperatures, allowing visitors to find their perfect soaking spot.
The high-altitude location offers incredible views across Iceland’s interior and some of the clearest night skies you’ll find anywhere.
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Vök Baths Area
The Vök Baths area offers camping near Lake Urriðavatn, where geothermal springs heat floating pools that seem to drift on the lake’s surface. While the main facility is developed, camping nearby provides access to natural springs along the shoreline, where you can create your own soaking experience.
The lake setting creates unique acoustics where every sound carries across the still water.
Gamla Laugin
Gamla Laugin, or the ‘Secret Lagoon,’ provides camping access to Iceland’s oldest natural swimming pool, where hot springs have been used for bathing since 1891. The small campground offers basic facilities while maintaining the authentic atmosphere that made this spot famous before mass tourism discovered Iceland.
Steam rises constantly from the surrounding geothermal area, creating an atmospheric backdrop for camping.
Hrunalaug
Hrunalaug features a small natural hot pool fed by geothermal springs, with camping available in the surrounding area that provides easy access to this hidden gem. The spring maintains perfect temperatures year-round, while the intimate size means you’ll often have the entire pool to yourself.
The location along Iceland’s Golden Circle makes it easily accessible while remaining relatively unknown to most tourists.
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Hellulaug
Hellulaug sits in the Westfjords near dramatic sea cliffs, where camping provides access to hot springs that flow directly into small pools carved from coastal rocks. The geothermal area maintains comfortable temperatures even during harsh Arctic weather, while the clifftop location offers spectacular views of the surrounding fjords.
Camping here feels like being at the edge of the world.
Pollurinn
Pollurinn offers camping near a natural hot pool in the remote East Highlands, where geothermal springs create a perfect soaking spot surrounded by volcanic landscapes. The pool maintains temperatures around 102 degrees, while the highland setting provides complete isolation from modern life.
The approach requires careful navigation, but the reward is one of Iceland’s most pristine geothermal experiences.
Laugarvatn Fontana Area
Laugarvatn Fontana area provides camping near Lake Laugarvatn, where geothermal springs heat both developed pools and natural shoreline areas perfect for soaking. The lake itself maintains warmer temperatures than most Icelandic lakes, thanks to underwater hot springs that create unique bathing opportunities.
Camping here offers easy access to both natural and developed geothermal experiences.
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Kerlingarfjöll
Kerlingarfjöll mountain range features multiple geothermal areas with camping opportunities near some of Iceland’s most spectacular highland scenery. The hot springs here exist in various forms, from small pools to steaming streams that create natural bathing opportunities throughout the area.
The high-altitude location means snow can fall any month, making the contrast between hot springs and Arctic conditions even more dramatic.
Húsafell
Húsafell offers camping near several geothermal areas in West Iceland, where hot springs provide perfect relaxation after exploring nearby glaciers and lava caves. The area features both natural springs and developed facilities, giving campers options depending on their preference for wilderness versus convenience.
The location serves as a perfect base camp for exploring Iceland’s diverse geological attractions.
Ásbyrgi Canyon Area
Ásbyrgi Canyon area provides camping opportunities near smaller geothermal springs that require short hikes to discover, creating reward systems for adventurous campers willing to explore. The horseshoe-shaped canyon offers protection from wind while providing access to springs that maintain comfortable temperatures throughout the year.
The dramatic canyon walls create natural acoustics that amplify the sounds of bubbling springs and flowing water.
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Fire and Ice United
These Icelandic hot spring camping spots represent the perfect marriage of adventure and relaxation, offering experiences that simply don’t exist anywhere else on Earth. Each location tells the story of Iceland’s unique position on the Mid-Atlantic Ridge, where tectonic forces create the geothermal activity that makes these natural spas possible.
The tradition of outdoor bathing in Iceland stretches back over a thousand years, connecting modern campers to generations of people who understood that soaking in hot springs isn’t just about physical comfort—it’s about connecting with the raw power that shapes our planet. Whether you’re watching the Northern Lights dance overhead, while steam rises around you, or warming up after a day of glacier hiking, these geothermal camping experiences remind us that nature provides everything we need for both adventure and restoration, often in the same magical location.
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