Compare Iceland's best 4x4 rental rooftop tent deals

Where you can sleep…and cannot.

Iceland's nature is beautiful and fragile, and rules protect both.

You came all the way from your country to Iceland to enjoy these unique, otherworldly landscapes. To keep them as beautiful as they are and minimize damage to the environment, camping anywhere is simply not allowed.

You must stay at designated tjaldsvæði (campsites). It doesn't matter if your bed is on the roof or on the ground. No wild camping. No sleeping at scenic pullouts or parking lots. Luckily, there are campsites all across Iceland, with facilities like toilets, showers, and even places to wash your dishes.

The same rules apply in the Highlands. The only difference is that campsites up there are more basic, so come prepared.

Camping seasons and timing

Summer is the easy season. June, July, August. Campsites are eeeeverywhere. Most are fully open with showers, kitchens, and yep, even places to charge your phone. Long days, milder nights, and the weather is as calm as Iceland ever gets.

April, May, and September, the shoulder season, are the sweet spots. Fewer crowds, lower prices, and the campsites are quieter. Most are still open, but some may have limited services. Make sure to check the campground facilities, as some may close their showers or attended facilities the closer it gets to winter. 

November through March is for experienced winter campers. Many campsites close completely. The ones that stay open are basic…and when we say basic, we mean a place to park and maybe a toilet. That's it. Is it possible? Well, yes, of course, people do it. But you need the right gear and the right attitude. If you're not sure, or if roughing it is not your style, then stick to the shoulder seasons.

What’s in the rooftop tent, and what should be in your bag?

The rental covers the basics. The rest is on you.

Let's talk about what's waiting for you inside the tent and what you still need to bring yourself.

The rental includes the essentials. The tent itself, of course. The mattress, which is thicker than you'd expect for something that folds up on your roof. The ladder to climb up and down. And the mounting system that keeps everything attached to your car. 

Some providers go a step further and include warm sleeping bags, pillows, and even a portable kitchen kit, but this is not a standard across rooftop tent rentals. During the booking process, you’ll have all the information you need specified per vehicle, so make sure to check that out and find exactly what you’ll get.

The right clothes

That said, what to wear and pack for the days is also essential. Even more so if you’re leaving for the remote highlands of Iceland, where you definitely won’t find a convenience store around the corner. Layers are your best friend in Iceland. A base layer that wicks moisture, a mid layer like fleece or wool for warmth, and a waterproof outer layer for wind and rain. Skip cotton; it may be natural, it may be soft, but cotton stays wet and makes you cold. 

For your feet, waterproof hiking boots with good grip. Not sneakers. Not fashion boots…and definitely not Crocs or high heels. Iceland's terrain is rough, wet, and often muddy. You'll thank yourself when you're not squishing through a trail with soaked socks. Pack extra wool socks, because wet feet ruin a good day faster than almost anything else.

And one more thing: a headlamp. When it gets dark, you'll need both hands for setting up or cooking. A headlamp leaves your hands free and your mood bright.

Be ready for the unexpected in Iceland

One good forewit is worth two afterwits.

We get it; you're preparing for the trip of your dreams, and thinking about things going wrong is not exactly on the checklist. But in Iceland, being prepared isn't being paranoid. It's being smart. We’ve already discussed the weather and road conditions, so let’s talk about breakdowns and emergencies.

Roadside assistance in Iceland

Most of you will be heading to the Highlands with your sturdy and capable 4x4 rooftop tent. This is one of Iceland’s most wild and remote areas, where the next gas station can be as far as 300 km (186 miles) away. So, what happens in case of a breakdown? A flat tire, a dead battery, or even something rattling under the hood?

Most rentals include 24/7 roadside assistance. That means you call a number, and someone comes to help. But here is the reality: in remote areas like the Highlands or the Eastfjords, help can take hours. Towing is expensive, and not all insurance policies cover the full cost. Some only cover the first 20 or 30 kilometers. After that, you pay the difference.

Before you drive into a remote area, check your policy. Know what's included. Many providers on Travel to Iceland offer roadside assistance coverage as an add-on so you can waive these costs. Also, don't rely solely on phone signal, because in many parts of Iceland, there isn't any.

Here is what we recommend: Download the 112 Iceland app; it can share your location even with limited or no signal so authorities know where to head in an emergency. Likewise, carry a fully charged power bank for your phone and download offline maps before you leave. Better yet, bring a satellite messenger or a personal locator beacon if you're planning serious remote Highlands travel. It sounds extreme, but when you’re out in the wild, you never know. A little preparation turns a potential disaster into a mild inconvenience, right?

Also, check your spare tire at pickup. Is it inflated? Do you have a repair kit? Do you know how to use it? Many rental cars in Iceland come with a tire repair kit instead of a spare tire. Know which one you have. If something happens, stay calm. Call roadside assistance and tell them exactly where you are. If you have no signal, wait for another car to pass (or, again, use the 112 Iceland app). Someone will come eventually; in Iceland, people help each other.

We're not telling you this to scare you. We're telling you because we want you to explore Iceland responsibly. The country is wild and wonderful, but it demands respect. Give it that respect, and it will reward you with the trip of a lifetime.