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 18, 2019Swimming with the sea cows
Mar 30, 2021Best fronds forever
Aug 25, 2019A desert arts pop-up, just popped up
Jun 7, 2022Haaga Rhododendron Park
Dec 12, 2025National Poinsettia Day
Jan 22, 2019Is this Minecraft headquarters?
Apr 28, 2024Last day of National Park Week
Sep 30, 2025Koala in the Great Otway National Park, Australia
Oct 22, 2025The Belogradchik Rocks in Bulgaria
Jun 23, 2025The Elbe in Dresden, Germany
Jul 2, 2024The ruins of Italica, Andalusia, Spain
Feb 24, 2023Mandarin duck, Richmond Park, London, England
Apr 22, 202050 years of Earth Day
Jul 19, 2021Wander the ancient medina
Jan 29, 2018Vacuum Chamber 5 at Glenn Research Center
May 2, 2021Happy World Laughter Day
Oct 17, 2022Long-eared owl in the Czech Republic
Apr 26, 2024Arbor Day
Aug 18, 2019A splash by the sea
Oct 12, 2023Farmers Day
Feb 13, 2019Life goes on at the Beatles Ashram
Feb 28, 2022Winter in England s Cotswolds
Mar 16, 2018Celebrating National Panda Day
Dec 16, 2018Holidays in the Venetian Lagoon
Aug 10, 2020Kings of the Kalahari
Jul 21, 2023Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
Oct 11, 2021Indigenous living
Jan 4, 2020Celebrating whales—and a whale of a tale
Oct 21, 2025Happy Diwali!
Feb 5, 2025Scottish Blackface sheep, Aberdeenshire, Scotland