Original announcement · 29 October 2026
What changed
Vatnajökull National Park announced temporary opening changes while Nature Conservation Agency staff attend a gathering on 30 October. The changes affect visitor centres from 30 October to 1 November.
Snæfellsjökull National Park announced closures at Hellissandur and Malarrif on 30 October for the same staff gathering. Its notice says the national park remains open and the toilets at both centres remain available around the clock.
Friday 30 October
- Vatnajökull: Gígur is open from 10:00 to 17:00 and Skaftárstofa from 09:00 to 17:00. Gljúfrastofa, Skaftafellsstofa and Snæfellsstofa are closed.
- Snæfellsjökull: Hellissandur National Park Centre and Malarrif Visitor Centre are closed.
Saturday 31 October
- Vatnajökull: Gígur is open from 10:00 to 17:00, Skaftárstofa from 09:00 to 17:00, Skaftafellsstofa from 13:00 to 18:00 and Snæfellsstofa from 12:00 to 17:00. Gljúfrastofa is closed.
- Snæfellsjökull: Hellissandur opens at 11:30 and Malarrif opens at 12:00. The notice does not give closing times for that day, so confirm them with the park if your plan depends on a late visit.
Sunday 1 November
Vatnajökull lists Gígur from 10:00 to 17:00, Skaftárstofa from 09:00 to 17:00, Gljúfrastofa from 11:00 to 15:00, Skaftafellsstofa from 09:00 to 18:00 and Snæfellsstofa from 12:00 to 17:00.
What visitors should do next
If you need ranger advice, an exhibition or indoor facilities, check the named centre before setting out. A visitor centre closure does not by itself establish whether a road, trail or other part of a park is open.
For Skaftafell planning, our Skaftafell guide explains the area and links the official park information. Use Travel conditions for separately dated road and weather information, then return to the park notice for the building hours.
Sources and useful links
Read the Vatnajökull National Park announcement ↗
Read the Snæfellsjökull National Park notice ↗
Both park notices were checked on 30 October 2026 at 08:04 UTC. Each was published on 29 October without a publication time. The opening times below come from those dated notices. Planning advice is our editorial interpretation.
Use Safetravel, road information and the weather office. This dated brief is not a live warning service.