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Breiðamerkursandur with Jökulsárlón, Fellsfjara and Fjallsárlón joined the national park in 2017. In 2023 the park counted about 968,000 visitors there, 14.6 per cent more than the year before.
How to get there: Ring Road 1 to Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón
Jökulsárlón: 370 km from Reykjavík
According to the boat operator, the lagoon lies about 370 km (230 mi) east of Reykjavík, directly on the Ring Road. The lagoon and Fellsfjara are on either side of the road.
Best time to visit: boat tours in summer, ice caves in winter
Boat tours May to October
According to the operator, boats on Jökulsárlón usually run from early May to October, depending on weather and ice. It offers amphibian boats until November and the Zodiac until October.
Hikes & tours: glacier hikes, ice caves, the lagoon and Svartifoss
Boat trip among icebergs
Amphibian boats run for 30 to 40 minutes and take all ages; the Zodiac takes about 1:15 hours and gets closer to the glacier, children from 130 cm (4 ft 3 in).
Jökulsárlón formed as Breiðamerkurjökull retreated. In the 18th and 19th centuries only about 250 metres (820 ft) separated the glacier from the sea at the narrowest point.
Large seal colonies live where the rivers meet the sea. Breiðamerkursandur is a nesting ground for great skua, red-throated diver, greylag goose and barnacle goose.
How to get there: Ring Road 1 to Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón
Car park closed until 7 October
The main car park at Jökulsárlón is closed from 2 to 7 October 2026 for construction work. The Eystri- and Vestri-Fellsfjara car parks stay open; boat tour guests should arrive earlier.
Rules: glaciers only with a guide, ice caves only with a contracted operator
Ice caves only with contracted operators
By law, anyone offering ice cave or glacier tours needs a contract with the park. The model contract requires guides with AIMG training and a first-aid course, and the Vakinn criteria 203 and 228 for group size, safety and training.
How to get there: Ring Road 1 to Skaftafell and Jökulsárlón
Skaftafell on the Ring Road
Skaftafell lies on Ring Road 1, 70 km (43 mi) east of Kirkjubæjarklaustur and 130 km (81 mi) west of Höfn. The area is accessible all year when weather and roads allow.
Best time to visit: boat tours in summer, ice caves in winter
Skaftafellsstofa all year
January and February 10:00–17:00, March to May 9:00–17:00, June to August 9:00–19:00, September and October 9:00–18:00, November 9:00–17:00, December 10:00–17:00.
Hikes & tours: glacier hikes, ice caves, the lagoon and Svartifoss
To Svartifoss: 2 hours
Loop trail S2 from Skaftafellsstofa is 5.8 km (3.6 mi) long with 250 m (820 ft) of ascent, past Hundafoss and Magnúsarfoss. To the viewpoint above Svartifoss it is 1.5 km (0.9 mi) and 140 m (459 ft) of ascent.
Rules: glaciers only with a guide, ice caves only with a contracted operator
Drones: almost everywhere off limits in Skaftafell
Recreational drones are banned in Skaftafell except in front of Skaftafellsjökull at off-peak times – from May to mid-September before 9:00 or after 18:00. At Jökulsárlón time windows apply, never over crowds.
Rules: glaciers only with a guide, ice caves only with a contracted operator
Glaciers with an experienced guide
In front of and on glaciers the park advises caution, suitable safety gear and a guide with glacier experience. Many operators offer glacier hikes on Falljökull.
Rules: glaciers only with a guide, ice caves only with a contracted operator
Dettifoss: Fosshvammur closed
After a landslide in 2025 and new cracks, the park permanently closed Fosshvammur at Dettifoss on 28 May 2026. The falls can still be seen from other points.
Hikes & tours: glacier hikes, ice caves, the lagoon and Svartifoss
Askja in the highlands
In summer rangers are stationed at Drekagil and Herðubreiðarlindir and lead walks at Askja daily in high season. There are no shops or petrol stations there.
