Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland Sep 24, 2024

Skaftafell, Vatnajökull National Park, Iceland

In Iceland"s Skaftafell, fall isn"t just a season—it"s an experience. From glaciers to waterfalls, like the one featured here today, to northern lights, this area in Vatnajökull National Park is a showcase of nature"s raw beauty. Skaftafell"s dramatic landscape was formed over thousands of years by the fierce interplay of volcanic fire and glacial water. Here, the glacier Skaftafellsjökull, a branch of Iceland"s largest ice cap Vatnajökull, stretches out like a frozen river, inviting visitors for guided hikes. Then there"s Svartifoss, another waterfall in the park, fed by glacial meltwater. Surrounded by dark lava columns resembling a heart from afar, this waterfall inspired the design of Iceland"s National Theatre and the Hallgrímskirkja church in Reykjavík.

© Nopasorn Kowathanakul/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Sep 24, 2018Mooncake time
Sep 24, 2019With leaves this tasty, who cares about a view?
Sep 24, 2020Till the cows come home
Sep 24, 2021The crossroads of empires
Sep 24, 2022National Public Lands Day
Sep 24, 2023World Rivers Day
Sep 24, 2025Devils Tower National Monument, Wyoming

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Nov 25, 2025Trevi Fountain, Rome, Italy
Nov 12, 2024Arches National Park anniversary
Sep 6, 2020Summer winds down in the Hamptons
Mar 27, 2019Sweet! It’s maple syrup season
May 18, 2023International Museum Day
Apr 7, 2019Busy building wetlands
Oct 20, 2020Reflecting on fall
May 28, 2020Old man s whiskers growing wild
Jan 21, 2021The tale of squirrels like Nutkin
Dec 24, 2018The birthplace of a classic Christmas carol
Feb 16, 2020When an ideal microclimate gives you lemons…
May 4, 2021Happy Star Wars Day!
Jan 18, 2018Entoloma hochstetteri mushroom at Lake Mahinapua, New Zealand
Jul 12, 2018Provence blooms with lavender at Sénanque Abbey
Jul 13, 2022International Rock Day
Feb 13, 2022American bison
Aug 6, 2024Molokini Crater, Maui, Hawaii
May 2, 2025Striated heron on a Victoria water lily, Pantanal, Brazil
Sep 4, 2018What the hay?
Nov 6, 2022New York City Marathon
Jan 24, 2019Lights, camera, Sundance
Aug 5, 2023Atlantic puffin, Iceland
Aug 12, 2018Join the parade for World Elephant Day
Feb 20, 2019An unlikely friendship in the wild
May 31, 2021Here we honor the women who ve served
Oct 3, 2019Love on ice
Jul 30, 2025International Day of Friendship
Jan 16, 2018Lionfish off the coast of Indonesia
Oct 9, 2024Aspens in the White River National Forest, Colorado
Mar 29, 2020The borrowed days are here