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What is the Happy Camper Challenge?
The Happy Camper Challenge by Happy Campers Iceland is an adventure and travel challenge designed for those exploring Iceland in a camper van. We completed the challenge in 2021 when things were still a bit wonky due to covid. Find us on the Wall of Fame!
Participants are asked to visit specific landmarks/destinations and capture their visit by posting on social media. As avid travelers seeking unique experiences, we eagerly accepted the challenge to immerse ourselves in Iceland’s beauty and adventure.
What sets the Happy Camper Challenge apart is its emphasis on adventure beyond the well-known tourist locations. Unlike traditional guided tours, this challenge encourages participants to embrace spontaneity and immerse themselves fully in the Icelandic wilderness. Whether you’re chasing waterfalls, hiking volcanic landscapes, or soaking in geothermal hot springs, each day presents new opportunities for exploration and adventure.
How Does the Challenge Work?
In short you:
Rent a camper van from Happy Campers Iceland. These campers have all the essentials for a comfortable and convenient journey. They are your transportation and accommodation, allowing you the flexibility to explore at your own pace.
Visit some or all 20 of designated locations around Iceland. Post your visits to social media as you go, using their hashtag.
Return your camper van at the end of your trip and submit the information for your site visits.
If you followed the rules and visited at least 10 of the sites, you’ll get a discount (refund) on your van rental!
Camper Van Size Choice
You do not need to rent a specific van type (4WD, etc) Some of these locations will be easy to access while others might be harder. But, all locations are accessible via a 2WD van.
The Route
You can drive to and visit the locations in any order you would like. But, looking at the map, the two most obvious routes are simply clockwise or, counterclockwise. I’m not sure there is a downside to either way so go with your gut! 🙂
Campsites
So, in Iceland, you’ve got different kinds of campsites: summer ones, year-round ones, and those in-between.
Using the map below, the year-round ones (marked in blue) are open all the time, while the summer ones (in green) are just around for the warmer months. About June 1st to September 1st. Then, you’ve got the others (in orange/red), which usually stick around a bit into spring and fall. But the exact times they’re open? Well, that’s a bit unpredictable. It all depends on stuff like weather and how many folks are itching to camp.
Additionally the highland campsites (in brown) are a little more off the beaten path and many are not recommended or reachable by camper van travelers.
Recommendations for Gear/Equipment/Food
The Basics are Included: All of the vans have the basics including a bed, covers and pillows. In addition, they all come with a gas stove, cooler / refrigerator, small sink, cookware and dishware/cutlery. So, our recommendation is to keep your meals simple. Take advantage of the larger grocery stores when you see them. Like Bónus and Krónan.
Food: Oatmeal, noodle cups or really anything you can pour hot water over and eat makes for the best road food! Having the mini refridgerator is a bonus though too. We often had it filled with cold drinks, yogurt, milk and sometimes meatballs and jam for dinners when we had a bit more time to make a mess with pots and pans.
Gear/Clothing: Keep your clothing to a minimum as space is limited. Many campsites do have facilities or basins to wash your clothes in. Sometimes there is a minimal fee for this but it’s worth it.
Rent the Inverter: I believe some of the newer vans have USB charging ports but we were always short with the camera equipment that needed charging. They give you the option to rent an inverter that will allow you to charge your electronic devices using the 12V “cigarette lighter” socket in the car. It also adds a couple of USB chargers, which can be convenient to charge your phones and other devices.
The below photo is of the back of our “Happy 1” that we rented with the bed folded down for sleeping. During the day, you can turn this up into a couch and have room to use the sink and stove.
Total Time to Complete the Challenge
We managed to hit all 20 locations in 13 days. Was that enough? Yes and no. Well, at least for us. We love to travel slowly, go for hikes and take photos. If we end up spending the night at a killer coastal campground, watching sunrise and sunset is high on our list.
If you grind through it, I’m sure you could knock them off in less time. But our strong recommendation is to give yourself plenty of time to relax and explore at a slow pace.
Other Things to Consider:
Before embarking on the Happy Camper Challenge, there are several key factors to consider:
Experience Level: While no prior camping or outdoor experience is necessary, participants should be comfortable with the idea of self-guided travel and basic navigation. Luckily, Iceland is very easy to navigate and the people are some of the nicest on the planet.
Driving: Again, Iceland is very, very easy to navigate! And if you are coming from the US, you will be driving on the right side of the road. Just the the signage will take some figuring out. This link will be helpful.
Airport Shuttle: Happy Campers Iceland has a free shuttle bus service for their customers at Keflavik International Airport and within the greater Keflavik(Reykjanesbær) area.
Weather Conditions: Iceland’s weather can be unpredictable, with changes occurring rapidly. It’s essential to pack accordingly and be prepared for varying conditions.
Safety Precautions: While the Happy Camper Challenge offers a sense of freedom, safety should always be a top priority. Participants should familiarize themselves with local safety guidelines and adhere to recommended precautions.
Environmental Responsibility: Respect for the environment is paramount. Please practice Leave No Trace principles, minimizing impact on the natural surroundings. Iceland is a natural wonder, don’t ruin it.
Completion Discount and the Happy Wall of Fame
Depending on how many sites you are able to check off the list, you will get discounts on your van rental. See website for current details on the challenge requirements and discounts.
You can find our faces as the only ones to complete the challenge in 2021 on the Happy Wall of Fame! 🙂
