10 of the Best Places to See the Northern Lights in Iceland: A Local’s Guide

1. Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon

Jökulsárlón Glacial Lagoon is in southeast Iceland, where icebergs break off Vatnajökull glacier and float in a deep, still lake. At night, the Northern Lights show up, and their colors bounce off the ice, sometimes lighting up the water. No towns are close, so it’s dark enough to see every shade, even faint reds if it’s a clear night. Seals swim around the ice all year, and they’re easy to stop if it’s quiet. You have Diamond Beach next to the lagoon, which is a black sand beach with pieces of icebergs from Jökulsárlón that wash up on the shore. It’s a great spot to see the lights, too, so it’s a 2x1 sort of deal.

Camp at Skaftafell Campground, 57 km west in Vatnajökull National Park. It’s open all year with toilets and showers but no power hookups, so your camper needs to have its own battery. It’s about 40 minutes from the lagoon on the Ring Road (Route 1), so it’s an easy drive unless the road gets icy. Locals call it “the crown jewel” because the ice picks up the lights.

2. Snæfellsnes Peninsula

The Snæfellsnes Peninsula is like a little piece of Iceland—mountains, cliffs, and beaches all in one spot. Kirkjufell Mountain is probably the place to be here, but Lóndrangar cliffs and Djúpalónssandur’s black pebbles are also great spots to be at when the Northern Lights come out. The west side, by Snæfellsjökull volcano, gets really dark, so you can see the lights clearly. Fishermen used to lift stones at Djúpalónssandur to test their strength—some are still there, stuck in the sand.

Set up at Stykkishólmur campground, open all year with power, showers, and WiFi, plus a pool and hot tubs nearby if you’re chilly. Grundarfjörður is closer to Kirkjufell, with the same setup for campers. Both are cozy, and you’re not far from places to see the lights. If you’re up early, try Arnarstapi—old lava hits the sea there, and the lights can line up with the arches beautifully.

3. Thingvellir National Park

Thingvellir National Park is 40 minutes from Reykjavík, with vast fields and a split where two big tectonic plates pull apart. The Northern Lights come out strong here—no city lights to spoil the views, just open skies over rocky hills. This is where Iceland’s first leaders met a thousand years back, and the same dark nights they had are still here. In winter, the frozen lake nearby sometimes cracks loud enough to hear from camp.

The Leirar campground is by the visitor center and is open all year with toilets and showers, though power is not everywhere. It’s a short walk to good spots to see the lights, so you don’t need to drive. It’s first-come, first-served—get there early to park your camper. Silfra’s a spot in the park where divers go between the plates—the water’s so clear it’s like glass. That’s more of a day activity, so get there early not only to park the camper, but to enjoy the park.

4. Goðafoss Waterfall

Goðafoss Waterfall is in north Iceland, shaped like a half-circle, with water that makes mist under the Northern Lights. The colors show up in the fog or the river below, even if it’s a bit cloudy. It’s right off the Ring Road, so it’s easy to get to, and they say old pagan statues got thrown in when Iceland changed religions. The east side has a path down—less muddy than the west if you’re walking at night. Goðafoss is part of the Diamond Circle (North Iceland’s version of the Golden Circle), along with other cool stops like Detiffoss, Húsavik, or the Ásbyrgi Canyon.

Camp in Akureyri, 15 km away, where the site’s got toilets, showers, power, and a kitchen, open all year. It’s a quick drive to the falls, simple to do at night, and head back. Akureyri’s got a church on a hill with a soft light—not enough to ruin the sky, but easy to spot. The town’s traffic lights are heart-shaped, something you’ll see driving in.

5. Hvitserkur

Hvitserkur’s a tall rock in northwest Iceland, sticking out of the sea—locals say it’s a troll the sun turned to stone. The Northern Lights play off its shape, lighting the black sand and little pools by the shore. It’s far from anything bright, so the sky stays dark, and you just hear waves and seals nearby. Spring tides pull the waterway back, leaving wet sand that mirrors the lights.

The campground in Hvammstangi is 15 km south, with toilets and showers all year—basic but good enough. Some farms closer might let you park if you ask, though you’re on your own for setup. Snow can hit the roads, so a 4x4 camper can be useful. There’s an old seal-hunting lookout near Hvammstangi—just a hill, but the lights stretch over the bay from there.

6. Raufarhöfn

Raufarhöfn is a small village in northeast Iceland, about as far north as you can go. It’s home to the Arctic Henge—a fascinating structure made up of big stones set up like a clock—and the Northern Lights cut through them on clear nights. Being so far out, no lights get in the way, and the aurora can hit strong this close to the Arctic Circle. It used to be a herring place, but now it’s just a few houses and a lot of sky.

The local campground is only open in summer, with toilets and showers. If you go in winter, you’ll have to ask locals or a farm to park. No power there, so your camper needs its own heat. It’s a long drive, and the chances of snow can also call for a 4x4.

7. Siglufjörður

Siglufjörður is a fishing town in north Iceland, set in a fjord with mountains all around. The Northern Lights appear over the water or hills, and there’s an orange lighthouse a short drive away for a clear view. A while back, it was big for herring, and it still feels like it has that old-time vibe. The fjord moves clouds along, so the sky might be clearer than in other places, which is a big bonus.

There are two campsites in Siglufjörður. One is in town, open all year, with toilets, showers, power, and a kitchen. It’s small, so go early. It’s near a museum about the herring days and a cafe with decent soup. The second is a bit outside the city for those who want more peace and quiet. The road in goes through tunnels—three, some one-way—so take it easy with your camper. Arctic foxes roam the hills, so you might spot one if you’re up late.

8. Ísafjörður

Ísafjörður is in the Westfjords, with fjords and steep slopes surrounding it. The Northern Lights look clear here, as there are no nearby lights to dim them. When the water from the fjords is still, it reflects the lights like another sky. It’s not a busy place, so it feels super peaceful, with tiny houses against the cliffs. Puffins nest here in summer, but winter’s all about the dark and the lights.

The closest campsite is Tunguskogur Campground, located a 6-minute drive outside the city. It’s open all year round and has toilets, showers, power, and a kitchen—It’s perfect for campers. Roads get twisty and icy, so a 4x4’s good in winter. There’s a bakery nearby where you can get fresh bread if you’re up early.

9. Vestrahorn

Vestrahorn is a rugged mountain in southeast Iceland, right by the Stokksnes peninsula, with a black sand beach and a lagoon that sits calm most nights. The Northern Lights stand out against its sharp peaks, and the water reflects them in a very unique way. It’s a good place if you want to be alone, as it’s not a very popular destination with tourists. Viking graves are under the dunes here.

Camp at Viking Cafe Campground, 5 km away on Stokksnes, with toilets and showers all year. Hvoll Guesthouse nearby might let you park, too, if you ask. Gravel roads can shake your camper, so a 4x4 is good, especially in snow. Low tide makes the beach wet—the lights bounce off it, and it’s a nice sight if you’ve got a camera.

10. Þakgil

Þakgil’s a valley near Vík in south Iceland, tucked away with green mossy cliffs and caves. You can see the Northern Lights super clear here—no lights from houses or roads—and the hills frame them nicely. Wind off the coast can push clouds aside, giving you a better chance than in flat spots. It’s 14 km off the main road, like nobody else knows it’s there.

The campground is open in summer with toilets, showers, and a kitchen. In winter, you might be able to park if you ask, but no services are available. You’ll have to bring what you need. The gravel roads are challenging, so taking a 4x4 camper is a good call, especially with snow. Some of the caves here were in Game of Thrones, and you can step inside. Þakgil offers the full Icelandic experience.

Conclusion

Iceland has lots of places for the Northern Lights, from Jökulsárlón’s ice to Þakgil’s quiet valley. Some you’ve heard of, some take a bit of finding, but they all give you a great look at the sky. A camper keeps it simple—drive, park, and watch. Pack warm clothes, watch the weather, and take your time. The lights are up there if you’re up for it. Where sounds good to you?