National Parks to Visit in 2026: Snæfellsjökull, Iceland

Fortunately, Snæfellsjökull National Park, despite its pristine yet rough wilderness, is open year-round, easy to access, and free to enter. If you’re driving Iceland’s famous Ring Road, a simple left-hand turn at Borgarnes will do the trick. If you’re coming from Reykjavík, it’s approximately a three-hour drive.

In 2026, the drive will be even more rewarding, as the park lies in the path of totality for the August 12 solar eclipse. The most epic way to see the celestial phenomenon will be from the Snæfellsjökull volcano (a 6.8-mile hike with 2,972 feet of elevation gain), but the hike requires comfort with scrambling and moving across ice. If that’s not something you’re experienced with, go with a guided tour — remember that the volcano is topped by a glacier and is still active, though it hasn’t erupted in 1,800 years.

For the less ambitious, the Búðahraun lava field surrounding the volcano or the black sands of Djúpalónssandur beach are just as good viewing spots and require much less effort to reach. One thing to avoid on eclipse day is a tour of the Vatnshellir lava tube — if there’s one place where you’re sure to miss the show, it’s underground. You should plan to see the cave, mentioned in Jules Verne’s famous Journey to the Center of the Earth, but do it on another day. For maps of the park and the hiking trails within it, as well as intel on must-see spots and bookable tours, stop by the national park’s visitor center at Malarrif on the coast. Not only will you get all the info you need, but the setting is breathtaking, too.

Because there are so many beautiful places to see and so many trails to hike, Snæfellsjökull National Park isn’t day-trip material. Arnarstapi Hotel is conveniently located near the park and an extremely scenic accommodation option. It’s also a few hundred feet away from the Gatklettur arch rock, one of the most beloved natural spots in the area. If you want to stay as close as possible to the entrance to the park, check out Adventure Hotel Hellissandur. It’s also a quick car ride away from the extraordinary ​​Svöðufoss waterfall.

How to reach Snæfellsjökull National Park

Unless you’re part of a guided tour that will take you to the park by bus, the best way to get there is by renting a car and driving the 125 or so miles from Reykjavík. If you’re planning to visit outside of the summer season, rent a 4×4 to deal with the snowy and icy roads.