Wildernesses are supposed to offer “primitive” forms of recreation, opportunities to experience
solitude as well as for finding freedom away from the constraints of urban living. However,
as wilderness areas become known as tourist destinations, maintaining these conditions
becomes increasingly difficult. The concept of tourism carrying capacity has been used for
assessing the impacts of tourism on environmental and social factors, although it has been
criticized for being subjective and vague. This study was conducted to assess the relevance
of the concept as a tool for managing tourism in a sustainable manner, focusing on wilderness
experience in Iceland. The study was carried out with 550 questionnaires and 12 in-depth
interviews. The results imply that tourist satisfaction is high, although 20% of the visitors
complained about crowding. Most visitors experienced the area as wilderness despite various
facilities. The study revealed a contradiction in that tourists seek “unspoiled” wilderness,
but at the same time they want good basic services and infrastructure.