Reindeer in Iceland: Where and When to See Them (2026 Guide)

Are there reindeer in Iceland?

Yes, but they are not native. Reindeer were brought over from Norway in several attempts between 1771 and 1787, as a farming experiment. Most of the herds died out. Only the animals released in the east survived, and every reindeer in Iceland today descends from them.

There is one wild herd, and it lives in East Iceland. You will not find reindeer in the south-west, on Snæfellsnes or in the north, whatever you may read. Any reindeer you meet elsewhere will be on a farm or at an event.

How many reindeer are there now?

Older guides, including our earlier version of this one, quote 6,000 to 7,000 animals. That was the peak. Numbers have since fallen sharply, and Icelandic news reports in early 2025 described the population as having almost halved in about six years. Scientists have not found a clear cause.

Estimates are rough because the animals roam a huge area, and they are counted by air in summer. The practical point for visitors is that the herd is smaller than it was, so sightings are never guaranteed even in winter.

Where to see reindeer in East Iceland

The herd ranges across the east, from the highlands north of Vatnajökull down to the coast. These are the areas where travellers most often spot them from the road.

• Around Egilsstaðir and Fljótsdalur: the most reliable winter area. Scan the slopes above the fields and along the valley roads. Our Egilsstaðir guide has the basics for a base.
• Eastfjords, Reyðarfjörður to Djúpivogur: herds often come down to the lower fjord slopes and roadsides in snowy weather. See Djúpivogur at the southern end. Our Private Eastfjord Tour from Djúpivogur starts there.
• Jökuldalur and Vopnafjörður: quieter, with fewer visitors. It is a detour from the Ring Road, so allow extra time. Read about Vopnafjörður. Stuðlagil canyon is in Jökuldalur too, and our Stuðlagil Canyon Private Jeep Tour is a private way to get there.
• Höfn and the Lón area: the southern edge of their range. Animals do sometimes come close to the road near Höfn, which is handy if you are already driving to Jökulsárlón.
• Snæfell highlands: the summer home of much of the herd. This is a 4x4 and hiking area, and sightings depend on luck and a good guide.

Best time to see reindeer

November to March is the best window. Deep snow in the highlands sends the herds to lower ground to find food, often close to roads. Early winter, when there is snow at sea level but roads are still easy, is ideal. See our guide to Iceland in November for weather and road conditions.

April to October is much harder. Herds move up into the highlands, cows calve there in late spring, and the animals spread out in groups of a handful. Summer sightings from the Ring Road do happen, but do not plan a trip around them.

Winter driving in the east needs care. Roads over the fjord mountain passes can close in storms, so check road.is and the weather forecast at vedur.is each morning before you set off.

What reindeer look like

Icelandic reindeer are grey-brown with paler bellies and thick winter coats. Reindeer are the only deer in which both males and females grow antlers. Bulls shed theirs after the autumn rut, while cows keep theirs through the winter, so a winter animal with big antlers is usually a cow.

In winter they group into larger herds, sometimes dozens strong. In summer the groups are small. They feed mostly on lichen, moss, grasses and low shrubs, and dig through snow to reach it.

Hunting and protection

Reindeer are a protected species, and hunting is only allowed under a state licence and quota. Only animals aged two or older may be shot, and calves and yearlings are protected. Bulls can be hunted from mid-July to mid-September and cows from 1 August to 20 September (2025 dates).

Because of the fall in numbers, the 2025 quota was cut to 665 animals, compared with well over 1,000 a few years earlier. If you visit in late summer and autumn, you may meet hunters and guides in the east. Stay well back from them and from any animals being hunted.

How to watch reindeer responsibly

These are wild animals living in a hard environment, and stress in winter costs them energy they cannot spare.

• Pull fully off the road, on a safe pull-out, before you stop. Never stop in the traffic lane or on a bridge.
• Stay in or beside your car if the animals are close, and keep well away from them on foot.
• Do not walk toward a herd to get a better photo. Use a long lens.
• Never feed them, and keep dogs on a lead.
• Take everything with you when you leave.
• Watch for animals crossing the road at dusk and dawn, especially on mountain passes.

Fit reindeer spotting into your trip

Because the herd lives in the east, you will only see reindeer if your route goes there. Many travellers on a winter Ring Road trip pass through the Eastfjords anyway, so it costs almost nothing to keep your eyes open. Our 6 Day Iceland Ring Road Tour in its winter edition (September to March) spends a day in the East Fjords, so you pass through reindeer country in the best season without driving the mountain passes yourself. If you are based in Reykjavík for a short stay, do not expect to see them.

For a slower look at the region, our Eastfjords town guide covers where to stay and eat, and East Iceland tours lists guided trips into the area. As a local travel agency, we can also plan a self-drive itinerary with the right overnight stops.

Tours to book

If reindeer are on your list, these trips take you into the east.

• 6 Day Iceland Ring Road Tour: a small-group winter loop with a day in the East Fjords.
• Private Eastfjord Tour from Djúpivogur: your own guide in the southern Eastfjords, where herds come down in snowy weather.

Questions people ask

Place guides from this article

EgilsstaðirDjúpivogurHöfn í HornafirðiVopnafjörðurJökulsárlónEskifjörður