White Horse Hill Campground
Hooker Valley - Aoraki/Mount / Mt Cook
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White Horse Hill Campground
Camp beneath magnificent alpine scenery including Mt Sefton. Enjoy a variety of walks from the valley floor to mountain tops.
Facilities are basic but the views are top notch.
The White Horse Hill campsite is also the start point of many popular walks.
The Aoraki/Mount Cook Village has a visitor centre, guided activities, shops and restaurants.
Getting there:
2.5 km from Aoraki/Mt Cook Village at the end of Hooker Valley Rd off SH 80.
DOC Campsite Pricing
White Horse Hill Campground is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
DOC Standard Campsite
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | $10.00 to $15.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $5.00 to $7.50 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC CanterburyCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Mount Cook |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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5.0/5
Only doc camping in the area so pretty crowded but there is plenty of space.
We had bad weather the first day but the shelter allows you to cook and eat in a dry space with gets really nice while chatting with other campers. The toilets are clean and there are many of them throughout the camp area. There are public showers not far from the camping as well. So perfect. There are a few walk which actually start from the camping ground. Would recommend!
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4.5/5
Came here spontaneously at 7pm even though online it was fully booked.
Still lots of space available. The honesty box is actually 18$ pp, keep that in mind if you’re coming with cash. Gets very crowded in the morning from 8am. Beautiful scenery to wake up to!
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4.0/5
Great location for walking .
Handy having loos, sinks ,water and rubbish disposal BUT crazy busy ( 2nd week of March). Vans squished in , people parked on either side of the road for half a mile as public car park also chokka and the walks ... we did Sealy Tarns and hooker valley along with the world and his wife. Don't expect mountain peace and solitude unless off season!
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5.0/5
Fantastic place to watch the stars!
Big DOC place with rather clean facilities. No shared kitchen or whatsoever but a great choice if you want to see Mt. Cook and do the Hooker trail!
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5.0/5
Perfect location.
It’s nice that there are facilities. Pretty barebones. Perfect. I arrived in the dark and it was packed but I was able to squeeze in. I felt lucky to have slept in the hiking car park because it gets overflowed very quickly in the morning.
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2.5/5
The only advantage of this place is its location.
Beautiful mountains around, and picturesque route that leads to it. The camp has no shower or kitchen but a common place to sit. There are hundreds of people, and everyone is sitting on top of each other. As a result, toilets can get quite dirty, there is also no lights in them (meaning you’ll need a flashlight to move around). Cars keep arriving till 11 pm and start leaving at 5. With this amount of cars, it can be very noisy too.
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4.5/5
Stayed 31/12/24.
$15 pp unpowered, DOC.
I had pre-booked but arrived late due to a cruise and very nearly didn't get a spot! Sites are not reserved and this is a very busy campground.
Extremely friendly (and physically close-by) neighbours on either side.
Flushing toilets which ran out of toilet paper overnight.
No showers, but potable water with outdoor sinks and bins.
Lots of people up early to go on walks etc.
People were very quiet and respectful at night, even on new year's.
BRILLIANT views.
Sandflies...
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4.5/5
Basic car park with quite a bit of space, conveniently located at Hooker Valley trailhead and near the park village.
Surrounded by incredible views of the peaks (on a clear day) and some great mossy, wooded areas to explore nearby. Great amenities—clean restrooms, shelter with picnic tables to cook and eat in and showers close to the visitor center.
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5.0/5
Absolutely stunning scenic site.
I took a chance and turned up at 7pm to find a space and there was loads. Honesty box on site as well. Views were amazing unfortunately bad weather meant no stargazing. Start of the hooker trail only minutes away. Facilties were clean and plentiful. Highly recommend booking in future to avoid any stress
LS![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(230,92,232)" /><path d="m 150 500 Q 83 217 -200 150 Q 83 83 150 -200 Q 217 83 500 150 Q 217 217 150 500 z" fill="rgb(140,182,119)" /><path d="m 150 393 Q 157 143 -93 150 Q 157 157 150 -93 Q 143 157 393 150 Q 143 143 150 393 z" fill="rgb(115,73,136)" /><path d="m 150 326 Q 92 208 -26 150 Q 92 92 150 -26 Q 208 92 326 150 Q 208 208 150 326 z" fill="rgb(25,163,23)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Excellent DOC Campsite, $15 pp /night, drop dunnies with non-potable tap water.
Plenty of space for either great views or privacy tucked away amongst the tree line.
Right at the start of the Hooker Valley track, which I recommend!
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4.0/5
This is a beautiful campground.
The mountain views are incredible. Public toilets next to the cooking shelter were quite dirty, but the other toilets on the campground were better.
Phone signal is great. Hikes from here are very nice. I imagine during summer it fills up. Now, beginning of spring it was half full I'd say. Some sandflies at sundown, not too bad. Drinking water available is a big plus. Rubbish recycling station is nice.
A![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(48,66,42)" /><path d="m 150 707 Q 70 230 -407 150 Q 70 70 150 -407 Q 230 70 707 150 Q 230 230 150 707 z" fill="rgb(17,122,247)" /><path d="m 150 487 Q 272 28 -187 150 Q 272 272 150 -187 Q 28 272 487 150 Q 28 28 150 487 z" fill="rgb(238,133,8)" /><path d="m 150 234 Q 163 137 66 150 Q 163 163 150 66 Q 137 163 234 150 Q 137 137 150 234 z" fill="rgb(207,189,213)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
This was my favourite campsite of the trip.
Cop a clear night and you are in for an absolutely unreal view of the Milky Way! 360 degree views so there’s a good angle for sunrise, sunset, everything in between. I had no wind overnight but it was blowing a gale in the morning- something to keep in mind when selecting your spot as most are pretty exposed. Perfect position for walking the Hooker Valley first thing in the morning before the tour buses arrive.
-1 point only because of the toilet situation; the usual amenities (including any running water) are not available in winter due to freezing pipes, however this leaves only the very over-subscribed long drops which were not in a good state from the high volume of use during the day. DOC staff absolutely doing their best but two toilets are not enough for literally thousands of people every day, the majority of whom don’t seem to understand the concept of leaving the toilets in a state that is considerate of everyone else.
L![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(177,179,130)" /><path d="m 150 514 Q 145 155 -214 150 Q 145 145 150 -214 Q 155 145 514 150 Q 155 155 150 514 z" fill="rgb(18,142,208)" /><path d="m 150 372 Q 251 49 -72 150 Q 251 251 150 -72 Q 49 251 372 150 Q 49 49 150 372 z" fill="rgb(237,113,47)" /><path d="m 150 204 Q 256 44 96 150 Q 256 256 150 96 Q 44 256 204 150 Q 44 44 150 204 z" fill="rgb(78,76,125)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Went in winter, all the toilets had frozen pipes so make sure your vehicle has a toilet and is stocked ready with enough water.
Winter time was nice however, the campsite was all but empty just beware of the winds
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5.0/5
We loved this place It was busy (early Feb), but what a fantastic spot.
We came early (recommended) and stayed 2 nights, so had three days to explore the Hooker Valley Track, the Sealy Tarns track and Tasman Glacier View track. The visitor center in Mt. Cook Village is definitely worth a visit. This is also a dark sky reserve and we were lucky to be here on clear nights which meant mind blowing stargazing. Well worth the DOC fee - remember to prepay online or pay in cash when you arrive.
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5.0/5
7 April 24.
$30 2 adults.
Booked online but you can pay on site with cash.
The trouble is it was very busy. It might have been had we arrived later that we would not have got a spot although we had booked in advance!
Flush toilets but not a lot of them. No night lighting. Large communal area with drinking water available.
We went to walk the Hooker Valey walk. Separate review.
Cold overnight and in the morning but it warmed up during the time we were there. Glad we went.
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3.5/5
Stayed here over Easter weekend and it was crazy busy.
Hundreds of people packed in like sardines. Beautiful scenery though can hardly blame them. Turn up early for a good spot.
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4.5/5
Unbeatable location, flush toilets, drinking water sinks.
But note that although the DOC website says booking is required, there is zero enforcement of this. Signs on site just ask people who arrive without bookings to find a spot and pay cash (and try to book ahead next time!). It was super packed the 2nd night we were there as it was the start of Easter weekend. So if you're planning to be there at a peak time, definitely get there at a decent hour to secure a spot.
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1.5/5
Booked online but absolutely rammed and if I hadn’t arrived early I’d have been out of luck.
No attendant/host despite heavy traffic, and utterly disgusting toilets. Compared with the other high profile/traffic DOC at Totaranui this is a fairly awful place, and disgraceful for such a jewel in the crown as Mt Cook imo. Three gents toilets plus two unisex (and three womens also I assume) for the entire camp and all hikers. Curtailing my stay and heading back to civilisation early.
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5.0/5
Only doc camping in the area so pretty crowded but there is plenty of space.
We had bad weather the first day but the shelter allows you to cook and eat in a dry space with gets really nice while chatting with other campers. The toilets are clean and there are many of them throughout the camp area. There are public showers not far from the camping as well. So perfect. There are a few walk which actually start from the camping ground. Would recommend!
M -
4.5/5
Came here spontaneously at 7pm even though online it was fully booked.
Still lots of space available. The honesty box is actually 18$ pp, keep that in mind if you’re coming with cash. Gets very crowded in the morning from 8am. Beautiful scenery to wake up to!
M -
4.0/5
Great location for walking .
Handy having loos, sinks ,water and rubbish disposal BUT crazy busy ( 2nd week of March). Vans squished in , people parked on either side of the road for half a mile as public car park also chokka and the walks ... we did Sealy Tarns and hooker valley along with the world and his wife. Don't expect mountain peace and solitude unless off season!
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4.5/5
Stayed 31/12/24.
$15 pp unpowered, DOC.
I had pre-booked but arrived late due to a cruise and very nearly didn't get a spot! Sites are not reserved and this is a very busy campground.
Extremely friendly (and physically close-by) neighbours on either side.
Flushing toilets which ran out of toilet paper overnight.
No showers, but potable water with outdoor sinks and bins.
Lots of people up early to go on walks etc.
People were very quiet and respectful at night, even on new year's.
BRILLIANT views.
Sandflies...
S -
5.0/5
Fantastic place to watch the stars!
Big DOC place with rather clean facilities. No shared kitchen or whatsoever but a great choice if you want to see Mt. Cook and do the Hooker trail!
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5.0/5
Perfect location.
It’s nice that there are facilities. Pretty barebones. Perfect. I arrived in the dark and it was packed but I was able to squeeze in. I felt lucky to have slept in the hiking car park because it gets overflowed very quickly in the morning.
D -
2.5/5
The only advantage of this place is its location.
Beautiful mountains around, and picturesque route that leads to it. The camp has no shower or kitchen but a common place to sit. There are hundreds of people, and everyone is sitting on top of each other. As a result, toilets can get quite dirty, there is also no lights in them (meaning you’ll need a flashlight to move around). Cars keep arriving till 11 pm and start leaving at 5. With this amount of cars, it can be very noisy too.
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4.5/5
Basic car park with quite a bit of space, conveniently located at Hooker Valley trailhead and near the park village.
Surrounded by incredible views of the peaks (on a clear day) and some great mossy, wooded areas to explore nearby. Great amenities—clean restrooms, shelter with picnic tables to cook and eat in and showers close to the visitor center.
M -
5.0/5
Absolutely stunning scenic site.
I took a chance and turned up at 7pm to find a space and there was loads. Honesty box on site as well. Views were amazing unfortunately bad weather meant no stargazing. Start of the hooker trail only minutes away. Facilties were clean and plentiful. Highly recommend booking in future to avoid any stress
LS -
5.0/5
We loved this place It was busy (early Feb), but what a fantastic spot.
We came early (recommended) and stayed 2 nights, so had three days to explore the Hooker Valley Track, the Sealy Tarns track and Tasman Glacier View track. The visitor center in Mt. Cook Village is definitely worth a visit. This is also a dark sky reserve and we were lucky to be here on clear nights which meant mind blowing stargazing. Well worth the DOC fee - remember to prepay online or pay in cash when you arrive.
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5.0/5
Excellent DOC Campsite, $15 pp /night, drop dunnies with non-potable tap water.
Plenty of space for either great views or privacy tucked away amongst the tree line.
Right at the start of the Hooker Valley track, which I recommend!
J -
4.0/5
This is a beautiful campground.
The mountain views are incredible. Public toilets next to the cooking shelter were quite dirty, but the other toilets on the campground were better.
Phone signal is great. Hikes from here are very nice. I imagine during summer it fills up. Now, beginning of spring it was half full I'd say. Some sandflies at sundown, not too bad. Drinking water available is a big plus. Rubbish recycling station is nice.
A -
4.5/5
This was my favourite campsite of the trip.
Cop a clear night and you are in for an absolutely unreal view of the Milky Way! 360 degree views so there’s a good angle for sunrise, sunset, everything in between. I had no wind overnight but it was blowing a gale in the morning- something to keep in mind when selecting your spot as most are pretty exposed. Perfect position for walking the Hooker Valley first thing in the morning before the tour buses arrive.
-1 point only because of the toilet situation; the usual amenities (including any running water) are not available in winter due to freezing pipes, however this leaves only the very over-subscribed long drops which were not in a good state from the high volume of use during the day. DOC staff absolutely doing their best but two toilets are not enough for literally thousands of people every day, the majority of whom don’t seem to understand the concept of leaving the toilets in a state that is considerate of everyone else.
L -
5.0/5
Went in winter, all the toilets had frozen pipes so make sure your vehicle has a toilet and is stocked ready with enough water.
Winter time was nice however, the campsite was all but empty just beware of the winds
D -
3.5/5
Stayed here over Easter weekend and it was crazy busy.
Hundreds of people packed in like sardines. Beautiful scenery though can hardly blame them. Turn up early for a good spot.
J -
4.5/5
Unbeatable location, flush toilets, drinking water sinks.
But note that although the DOC website says booking is required, there is zero enforcement of this. Signs on site just ask people who arrive without bookings to find a spot and pay cash (and try to book ahead next time!). It was super packed the 2nd night we were there as it was the start of Easter weekend. So if you're planning to be there at a peak time, definitely get there at a decent hour to secure a spot.
Y -
5.0/5
7 April 24.
$30 2 adults.
Booked online but you can pay on site with cash.
The trouble is it was very busy. It might have been had we arrived later that we would not have got a spot although we had booked in advance!
Flush toilets but not a lot of them. No night lighting. Large communal area with drinking water available.
We went to walk the Hooker Valey walk. Separate review.
Cold overnight and in the morning but it warmed up during the time we were there. Glad we went.
MF -
4.0/5
Very well maintained DOC campsite with flushing toilets, treated drinking water, and kitchen area.
Excellent access hiking access to see the beautiful Mt Cook. A perfect spot for glacial enthusiasts alike. Lots of cute rabbits and wildlife, as well as informative signs about the area and it’s geological history.
The only faults were that I’m presuming a lot of people don’t book in advanced and it isn’t monitored by park rangers, so get to the car park early to secure a spot. It’s worth the $15. Also, being in the dark sky reserve, I was disappointed by large hotel at the base of the hill causing light pollution. I recommend walking up the Hooker Track to Freda’s Rock for excellent star gazing.
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4.5/5
We’re so glad to have made the drive up here.
The view is fantastic, the walks are spectacular. Very busy campsite, was full by dusk. Glad to have made the trek from the lake sites.
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4.0/5
Gorgeous place, nice walks, but most the camp is like a busy car-park, lines of motor homes and not much room between them.
We mange to get a spot by a tree, and were "rewarded" with a possum getting into the van. Clean loos and treated water so you can drink it.
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