Gæsavötn — Highland Lakes Hut Area Tent Camp on the F910

Gæsavötn (the Goose Lakes) sit at the heart of the F910, roughly halfway between the Sprengisandur side and the Askja side. The ground is black gravel and lava, and Vatnajökull’s northern edge hangs on the horizon. A small mountain hut stands in the area, and tent camping happens around it. There are no services, no shop and no fuel. Treat it as a self-supported stop. Fill up and stock up before you leave the Sprengisandur side, because the next real resupply is a long way off. Expect wind, cold nights even in July, and almost nobody around.

This is a rough, slow F-road. It needs a properly equipped high-clearance 4WD and a driver who is comfortable with unbridged glacial river crossings. Water levels change with the weather and the time of day, so check road.is and safetravel.is, and ask the Dreki or Nýidalur wardens before committing. Part of the route runs through Vatnajökull National Park, and Iceland restricts off-road driving and camper camping outside designated sites. Confirm current rules and any fees before you pitch. The season is short, usually July to early September, depending on snowmelt. Have a dirty day.

Midpoint tent camp on Iceland's wildest F-road.