How to Visit Skógafoss, Iceland: Tips From Someone Who’s Been Twice 

Skógafoss is one of my favorite attractions in Iceland. This colossal waterfall packs a serious punch at around 200 feet (60 meters) tall and 82 feet (25 meters) wide. Even though this waterfall (read: my negligence) damaged one of my cameras, I still recommend visiting. 

I’ve visited Skógafoss twice: Once in 2019 and again in 2024. Based on those trips, I’ve compiled this comprehensive guide with everything you need to know about the waterfall. You’ll learn how to get there, avoid the crowds, and more. 

Where Is Skógafoss? (+ How to Get There) 

Skógafoss is on Iceland’s South Coast. It’s around 155 kilometers (96 miles) from Reykjavík and 34km (21 miles) from the small town of Vík. 

I recommend visiting Skógafoss as part of a bigger trip to the surrounding region. For example, we based ourselves in Vík and visited the waterfall on our way back to Reykjavík. If you’re doing the Ring Road, you can visit Skógafoss before continuing your onward journey. 

Since you’ll probably visit Skógafoss from either Vík or Reykjavík, I’ve included instructions on how to reach the waterfall from both destinations. 

How to Reach Skógafoss From Reykjavík 

The driving distance from Reykjavík to Skógafoss is around 2 hours and 20 minutes. Getting here by car is very straightforward; just follow Route 1 (i.e., the Ring Road) toward the South Coast. 

Visiting Skógafoss on a day trip from Reykjavík is technically possible, but I only recommend doing so as part of a broader tour. In July 2019, for example, I joined a comprehensive South Coast day tour with my mom. As you can see from the picture below, you can still wear sweaters in Iceland during the summer 🙂. 

You can get a bus to and from Skógar between May and September, too. However, I’ve never done this and therefore can’t comment too much.

Getting From Vík to Skógafoss

The drive from Vík to Skógafoss is 35 minutes along the Ring Road heading back toward Reykjavík. 

You can also get the 51 bus from Vík to Skógar. However, since only a few services operate weekly, I don’t recommend it in most cases. You can view the bus timetable here. 

How I Recommend Visiting Skógafoss 

I actually recommend basing yourself in Vík for at least a few days and exploring the surrounding areas, including Skógafoss. For example, we explored the South Coast in a lot of detail in April 2024. 

Besides Skógafoss, we also went to Dyrhólaey, Seljalandsfoss, Skaftafall National Park, the Westman Islands, and many other locations. Skógafoss was a fantastic stop on the way back to Reykjavík, and it would’ve been a solid day trip from Vík. 

Do I Need to Pay for Parking at Skógafoss? 

As of 2025, a parking fee has been introduced at Skógafoss. It costs 1,000 ISK (c. $8); you can pay via the Parka app, which is one of the most essential apps to download while in Iceland. Skógafoss has a sizable parking lot, and finding a spot for your car shouldn’t be a problem. 

Things to Do at Skógafoss

Skógafoss is more than just a nice place to take pictures. Here, you’ll really see the power of Icelandic nature. 

1. Admire the Waterfall and Get Wet 

It’s pretty much a given that you’ll get wet at Skógafoss, so you might as well embrace it. I’m always amazed by just how powerful it is; even if you’re standing quite far away, you’ll probably still get soaked. 

The main enjoyment here is standing and admiring Skógafoss. However, given its power, you should still keep a respectable distance from the waterfall. 

2. Explore the Trails Above Skógafoss

My girlfriend and I explored Skógafoss via the stairs that take you to its top in April 2024. You can walk a pretty solid distance here, but we didn’t go very far since we were short on time. Still, you get an amazing view of the waterfall from a new angle. 

Besides the waterfall, we also spotted birds nesting on the cliffside. 

Apparently, the view is also nice from up there, but since it was foggy, I wouldn’t know 🥲. 

527 steps will take you to the top of Skógafoss. These were fine when we visited, but I can imagine them being slippery in the winter.

3. (Potentially) See the Northern Lights

The Northern Lights are visible in Iceland from mid-September through early April. If you have your own car and are staying in the area anyway, consider going to Skógafoss to try and spot the Northern Lights.  

Skógafoss is away from light pollution, meaning that you can get an excellent view of the Northern Lights if they’re present. Since you’ll be out in the cold, make sure that you dress appropriately. You might also want to consider staying in your car until you get a glimpse of them. 

Check aurora activity before you travel by going to the Icelandic Met Office website. You can also try your luck if you see clear skies outside. 

4. Spot the Skógafoss Rainbow

You’ll often see a rainbow at Skógafoss if you visit on sunny days; I had the privilege of doing so in 2019. 

In some cases, you might also see double rainbows. Given the notorious unpredictability of Iceland’s weather, treat this as a bonus—but of course, it’s nice if you can see them. 

What to Expect When You Visit Skógafoss

As one of Iceland’s most popular tourist attractions, Skógafoss can be very busy. Both times I visited, I had to wait to get the photos I wanted; you’ll probably need to do the same. On the bright side, there are plenty of people you can ask to take a picture of you. 

Despite being busy at peak times, I found the crowds manageable as soon as the tour buses left. If you happen to visit at the same time as a tour group, go to one of the quieter parts and wait for them to leave; they’ll normally be out in around 20 minutes. 

Depending on when you visit, you might have to deal with thick fog. We did when we visited in 2024, though this was mainly a problem at the top of the waterfall. You should also note that the ground can be quite rocky close to the waterfall. 

You’ll see Skógafoss from the Ring Road when you arrive, and it’s also well-signposted. 

Facilities at Skógafoss

Besides the parking lot, you’ll find restrooms at Skógafoss. These are also free to use. 

There is also a hotel at Skógafoss if you want to specifically stay close to the waterfall. You’re also close to the village of Skógar, where you’ll find a campsite and numerous hotels/guesthouses. 

Skógar is also home to the Skógar Museum, where you can learn more about Icelandic history and see some traditional grass-roofed houses. 

How to Avoid the Crowds at Skógafoss

Waiting for the tour buses to leave (or planning your trip when they don’t arrive) is the easiest way to avoid the crowds at Skógafoss. However, you can also visit in the morning or evening. This will be more challenging in the winter due to limited daylight hours, but it’s more than feasible at other times of the year. 

If you’re visiting in the summer, consider going really early in the morning or late at night. The sun doesn’t truly set in Iceland around this time, and you can go for a midnight hike with beautiful light and few to no people. 

Choosing your time of year wisely can also help you limit the crowds. When I visited in the spring, the crowds weren’t as big as during the summer. 

I honestly think that April is the perfect time to visit as the colors will look really cool in your photos as well. I’ve also been to Iceland in September/October before, and the crowds are minimal throughout most of the country. 

Photography Tips for Skógafoss

I’ve taken more photos than I can remember at Skógafoss, and I have picked up lots of tips based on this. Below are my top photography tips for a trip to Skógafoss. 

1. Don’t Make the Same Mistake I Did…

Do you remember in the intro when I said that Skógafoss damaged my camera? Yeah, that was entirely my fault. 

I visited Skógafoss on a rainy day and with a camera that’s weather-resistant but not weather-sealed. I thought that I could get away with it, having also been to the Faroe Islands and other destinations with harsh weather conditions. Well, it turns out I couldn’t. 

After waking up the morning after, I noticed that my LED screen was significantly damaged with red/blue lines on the screen. Thankfully, you couldn’t see them in the pictures. But at the same time, it was very frustrating. 

If your camera isn’t weather-sealed, buy a waterproof protector. And if you have the budget, I recommend buying a weather-sealed camera for your trip. Either way, it turns out that having your unprotected camera close to a powerful waterfall—in rainy weather—isn’t a good idea 🙃. 

2. Make People a Part of Your Photos

Since Skógafoss is one of the most-visited attractions in Iceland, it’s also one of the most commonly photographed. If you’re looking to make your pictures stand out, thinking about ways to make them unique is essential. One way you can do that is by including people. 

You can always include the person/people with whom you’re traveling in your pictures. Alternatively, consider buying a tripod and capturing images of yourself. 

Think about adding other tourists to your images, too. For example, you can get some cool shots of other people taking photos of the waterfall. Below is one example from when I visited in 2019.

Another idea is to make the waterfall big and the person small to show Skógafoss’s sheer scale. 

3. Use a Wide Aperture for Portraits 

I love creating some distance between the person I’m photographing and the waterfall itself. To do this, I typically use a wider aperture. 

On my last trip to Skógafoss, I brought the 16-80mm Fujifilm XF (f/4) lens. I took many of my pictures at f/5. I wanted to isolate the subject but also ensure that people still knew what was happening in the scene. 

You might also want to consider bringing a wide-angle lens with you. I captured the image below at 16.5mm, for example. 

What to Wear When You Visit Skógafoss

Visiting Skógafoss without being prepared for the elements is not a good idea, and based on my two trips here, I recommend bringing each of the following. 

• A Good Waterproof Jacket: Bringing a good waterproof jacket is non-negotiable at Skógafoss. Helly Hansen, The North Face, and H2O Fagerholt are three brands I recommend looking at for starters. 
• Solid Hiking Boots: The ground is quite rocky at Skógafoss, and I recommend bringing good hiking boots. These will be even more important if you plan to hike the trails at the top, such as Fimmvörðuháls. 
• Suitable Hiking Trousers: I also recommend wearing the right trousers, and ideally, some waterproof ones. I own a pair from Fjällräven that I thoroughly recommend and another from The North Face. 
• Dress in Layers: The weather in Iceland is notoriously unpredictable, and I recommend dressing in layers to ensure that you don’t get too hot or cold. Having a good sweater is always ideal, but consider also having solid baselayers. How many layers you wear will depend on the temperature when you visit. 
• A Wool Hat: Having a wet hat is annoying, but it’s better if it’s wool. I bought one from the 66 NORTH store in Reykjavík, which served me very well on the trip. 

How Long I Recommend Spending at Skógafoss

I suggest spending around an hour at Skógafoss, especially if you take the stairs to the top of the waterfall. 

You could easily spend longer if you want to walk around the top. Factor in this time if you’re traveling to or from the waterfall on the way to somewhere else (i.e., Reykjavík). 

Conclusion: Skógafoss is More Than Just a Waterfall

Skógafoss is one of the most beautiful waterfalls in Iceland, and despite being quite touristy, I still recommend visiting it. It’s also worth checking out in multiple seasons since you’ll see something different each time. 

Besides seeing the waterfall itself, the trails behind Skógafoss are also lovely. With so many things to see and do nearby, you might also want to consider basing yourself here. 

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