The main car park at Jökulsárlón glacier lagoon is closed from Friday 2 October until Wednesday 7 October 2026 due to construction work. Visitors are directed to use the alternative car parks at Eystri-Fellsfjara and Vestri-Fellsfjara, both of which remain open and have temporary toilet facilities. Rangers and staff are on site throughout the closure to assist visitors.
Why this matters for photographers
Jökulsárlón is one of Iceland’s most visited shooting locations, and early October still draws large numbers of visitors alongside the first realistic chances of aurora after summer. The alternative car parks require a longer walk to the lagoon edge and tour departure points, so photographers carrying tripods and heavy gear should allow extra time. Those planning to join boat trips or ice cave tours will need to factor in the additional distance when timing their arrival around golden hour or blue hour light.
What photographers should do
- Use the Eystri-Fellsfjara or Vestri-Fellsfjara car parks and plan for a longer walk to your shooting position than usual.
- Arrive earlier than normal, particularly if you have a booked boat trip or glacier tour, to avoid missing your departure window.
- Check the site on arrival for staff guidance on the quickest walking routes to the lagoon and Diamond Beach access points.
For full guidance, see our Jökulsárlón & Diamond Beach Photography Guide.
Source: RÚV English — https://www.ruv.is/english/2026-10-02-main-jokulsarlon-car-park-closed-from-today-until-7-october-488650/