The second national park of Iceland, Skaftafell, established in 1967 (400-500 square kilometres), contains some of the most precious natural pearls of the country. The rugged landscapes, mountains and glaciers, the flora and the fauna have a magnetic influence on the visitors.
In 1984, it was increased in area (1736 square kilometres) including a considerable part of Glacier Vatnajökull. In November 2004 the area of the park was still increased to 4,807 square kilometres. It now comprises the Laki Area as well as about half of Europe's largest icecap, Vatnajökull.
There are no roads in the park, but a network of trails offers the opportunity for differently extended hikes. The camping grounds are large but it is difficult to hammer the tent pegs into the gravel surface. Among the services rendered in the park are toilets, washing machines, a restaurant, a small shop and a very interesting Visitors Centre which offers their guest the chance to watch a video about the eruption of vulcano.... The park wardens offer regular guided walking tours and daily bus tours tours from the park to the volcanic Laki area and Jökulsárlon as well as the daily schedule. A comprehensive brochure with maps and hiking trails is available at the Visitors' Center. The distance from the capital is about 340 km.
On June 7th 2008, the whole glacier and some of its surroundings, two existing National Parks, and some nature reserves, were declared Europe's larges National Park, Vatnajökull.
Skaftafell is renowned in Iceland for its agreeable climate and the sunny days in summer, uncommon in the south of Iceland. There is a natural birch wood, Bæjarstaðarskógur, as well as many species of birds and arctic foxes.
The waterfall Svartifoss (Black Fall) flows over a step of about 12m. Its name comes from the black basalt columns behind it.
In the Middle Ages there were some large farms in this area, but they were abandoned after two volcanic eruptions and the ensuing glacier runs. The two surviving farms now mostly make a living from tourism.