Melanes campsite
Rated 4.4 · 361 Google reviews
About Melanes campsite
Melanes campsite is a grassy campground behind Rauðisandur beach on the southern coast of the Westfjords, with Patreksfjörður as the nearest town. The 10-kilometer sweep of red-gold sand is a short walk from your tent, and a few sleeping huts can be booked separately.
The beach is the reason to come. Its sand shifts from pale gold to orange and red as the light and tide change, and at low tide harbor seals haul out on the flats, with the campsite putting the colony at up to 200 animals. Short trails start nearby, including a 15-minute walk to the ruined farm at Sjöundá and a harder 90-minute route to the Skor lighthouse.
Facilities are basic but enough: a small kitchen, five toilets, two showers (one outdoors) and a washing machine at reception for a small fee. Only some pitches have electricity, so arrive early if you need a hook-up. The season runs from May 15 to October 1, with September 30 the last night, and the campsite itself takes no reservations.
Nightly rates are not published, but a 400 ISK government tax per tent, car or camper is added on top. Getting here means Route 614, a gravel road that drops more than 300 meters to the coast in tight hairpins with few guardrails. Fill up in Patreksfjörður, allow roughly an hour from town, and leave trailers and large motorhomes behind if you can.
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Good to know
Do I need to book Melanes campsite in advance?
No. The campsite does not take reservations and works on a first-come, first-served basis. Only the sleeping huts can be booked ahead.
When is Melanes campsite open?
From May 15 to October 1, with September 30 the last night you can stay.
What facilities does Melanes campsite have?
A small kitchen, five toilets, two showers (one outdoors), a washing machine at reception for a small fee and a limited number of pitches with electricity.
How much does it cost to camp at Melanes?
Nightly rates are not published. A government tax of 400 ISK per tent, car or camper is added to the price, so expect to pay on arrival.
How do you get to Rauðisandur and Melanes?
Follow Route 62 and Route 612 from Patreksfjörður, then turn onto Route 614, a steep gravel road with tight switchbacks down to the beach. Check the official road-conditions map before you set out.
Can you see seals at Rauðisandur?
Yes. A harbor seal colony rests on the beach, and low tide is the best time to see them on the sand.
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