National park reopens Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking on 8 October
Published on 10/18/2026 at 07:18 | Editorial responsibility: Rafael Müller, Editor-in-Chief AD HOC NEWS
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon (Jökulsárlón) near Höfn reopened its main car park on 8 October 2026 after resurfacing works, giving visitors a changed arrival point for autumn visits in Iceland. The lagoon is part of Vatnajökull National Park and sits beside Route 1 on Breiðamerkursandur.
Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon parking reopened on 8 October
The national park said on 8 October 2026 that work on the main car park had been completed and that the facility had reopened. The temporary closure at the start of October had been required to prepare and resurface the parking area, while the park expanded car parks at Eystri-Fellsfjara on both the northern and southern sides so visitors could continue reaching the area.
Rangers supervised the parking areas during the works, helped visitors find spaces and directed traffic around the site. The park said the resurfacing was intended to improve facilities and visitor access, although road markings for the car park were still outstanding when the reopening was announced. The reopening announcement for 8 October 2026 was issued by the national park authority.
Glacial lagoon, black-sand coast and changing access
The lagoon lies where glacial water, icebergs and the coast meet in a landscape shaped by the retreat of Vatnajökull. The surrounding area includes Jökulsárlón, Fellsfjara and Fjallsárlón, with Route 1 running through Breiðamerkursandur between the attractions. The national park describes the wider coast towards Höfn as a place where glacially shaped terrain, beaches, wildlife, research and tourism meet.
Several paths provide access to the landscape. The B1 path follows the lagoon, while the B2 route leads towards Eystri-Fellsfjara; the area also contains longer routes towards Breiðármörk and Fjallsárlón. Rangers maintain and supervise the sites throughout the year. The park identifies birdlife, wetlands, grasslands, seals and newly exposed land among the natural features of the region, linking the resurfaced arrival area with a landscape that continues to change through glacial retreat. Further location and access details appear on the park's Jökulsárlón area information page.
Visiting Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon: what travellers from Western Europe should know
- The main car park reopened on 8 October 2026 after resurfacing works at the lagoon.
- Visitors can use the main car park again, while Eystri-Fellsfjara and Vestri-Fellsfjara provided alternative parking during the works.
- The site is beside Route 1 on Breiðamerkursandur, with Jökulsárlón and Fellsfjara on either side of the road.
- The B1 and B2 paths are marked routes in the area, while the Breiðármörk and Fjallsárlón routes are longer and more demanding.
- Iceland's official language is Icelandic and its national currency is the Icelandic króna.
- Entry requirements depend on your nationality; UK travellers can check the FCDO travel advice at gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice, Irish travellers the Department of Foreign Affairs at ireland.ie.
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Frequently asked questions about Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon
What changed at Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon?
The main car park reopened on 8 October 2026 after resurfacing works. The park said road markings were still to be completed at the time of the reopening.
Where is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon and how do you get there?
It is on Breiðamerkursandur beside Route 1, between the glacier lagoon and the coastal Fellsfjara area, in southeast Iceland near Höfn.
What is Jökulsárlón Glacier Lagoon?
It is a glacial lagoon in Vatnajökull National Park, surrounded by ice-shaped terrain, coastal areas, paths and wildlife habitats.
