Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite
Arthur's Pass
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Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite
Camp beside a high-country lake in the Waimakariri Basin; a good base for bird watching.
A basic camping area along side Lake Pearson very popular with bird watching and fishing. Camp nestled underneath the mature willow trees, a huge gravel turning area good for large vehicles. Picnic tables scattered throughout the site.
There is a large 'Rest area' sign on the main road leading the way.
DOC Campsite Pricing
Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite 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 ▷ Canterbury ▷ Springfield |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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4.0/5
Very nice campsite, next to the beautiful Pearson Lake.
We stayed one night and the campsite was good for this as a stay for our travel though the pass. We probably would not recommend it for longer, as it is next to the pass road which is quite busy, and the site has limited facilities (only toilet, and one non-drinkable water tap, no sink). Quite a lot of space mid-november, though I can imagine it fills up in summer during high season with travellers wanting to make a night stop.
B![](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(138,197,18)" /><path d="m 150 747 Q 263 37 -447 150 Q 263 263 150 -447 Q 37 263 747 150 Q 37 37 150 747 z" fill="rgb(182,121,178)" /><path d="m 150 302 Q 137 163 -2 150 Q 137 137 150 -2 Q 163 137 302 150 Q 163 163 150 302 z" fill="rgb(73,134,77)" /><path d="m 150 259 Q 211 89 41 150 Q 211 211 150 41 Q 89 211 259 150 Q 89 89 150 259 z" fill="rgb(117,58,237)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
V basic, wild and windy but beautiful and lots of space to get a lakeside view… although there are signs reminding you to avoid parking under the trees.
$20 for 2. Drop toilet ok. Water stand. Great if like us you want to get away from holiday parks.
J![](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(244,52,29)" /><path d="m 150 713 Q 78 222 -413 150 Q 78 78 150 -413 Q 222 78 713 150 Q 222 222 150 713 z" fill="rgb(40,35,14)" /><path d="m 150 348 Q 246 54 -48 150 Q 246 246 150 -48 Q 54 246 348 150 Q 54 54 150 348 z" fill="rgb(215,220,241)" /><path d="m 150 201 Q 201 99 99 150 Q 201 201 150 99 Q 99 201 201 150 Q 99 99 150 201 z" fill="rgb(11,203,226)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Pretty campsite next to the lake.
Clean long drop toilets. Signs advising against camping under the trees for safety reasons. Wind here was exceptionally strong when I visited.
KM![](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(73,84,52)" /><path d="m 150 605 Q 171 129 -305 150 Q 171 171 150 -305 Q 129 171 605 150 Q 129 129 150 605 z" fill="rgb(202,247,16)" /><path d="m 150 545 Q 184 116 -245 150 Q 184 184 150 -245 Q 116 184 545 150 Q 116 116 150 545 z" fill="rgb(53,8,239)" /><path d="m 150 121 Q 67 233 179 150 Q 67 67 150 179 Q 233 67 121 150 Q 233 233 150 121 z" fill="rgb(182,171,203)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Beautiful spot close to the lake.
Clean toilets.
The road is not far but it’s quiet during the night.
S![](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(21,80,135)" /><path d="m 150 696 Q 246 54 -396 150 Q 246 246 150 -396 Q 54 246 696 150 Q 54 54 150 696 z" fill="rgb(174,214,4)" /><path d="m 150 413 Q 81 219 -113 150 Q 81 81 150 -113 Q 219 81 413 150 Q 219 219 150 413 z" fill="rgb(81,41,251)" /><path d="m 150 262 Q 141 159 38 150 Q 141 141 150 38 Q 159 141 262 150 Q 159 159 150 262 z" fill="rgb(234,175,120)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Good spot to stop for the night, clean long drop loos plenty of space to park up by the awesome lake Was too windy for us to get out on it but I'm sure if the weather was great it would be mint Bit
of truck noise through the night from the road
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3.5/5
Small campsite right on the lake with good views and a toilet.
No cooking shelter. Very crowded and limited space to find any level of privacy. Some bugs. More of a place to sleep than a nice place to camp
JL![](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(101,164,198)" /><path d="m 150 567 Q 160 140 -267 150 Q 160 160 150 -267 Q 140 160 567 150 Q 140 140 150 567 z" fill="rgb(216,180,244)" /><path d="m 150 435 Q 239 61 -135 150 Q 239 239 150 -135 Q 61 239 435 150 Q 61 61 150 435 z" fill="rgb(39,75,11)" /><path d="m 150 198 Q 222 78 102 150 Q 222 222 150 102 Q 78 222 198 150 Q 78 78 150 198 z" fill="rgb(154,91,57)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Beautiful spot to spend the night on your way through Arthur's Pass.
The lake was refreshing, and there were surprisingly few sandflies and mosquitos!
t![](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(197,253,52)" /><path d="m 150 747 Q 100 200 -447 150 Q 100 100 150 -447 Q 200 100 747 150 Q 200 200 150 747 z" fill="rgb(197,81,13)" /><path d="m 150 395 Q 185 115 -95 150 Q 185 185 150 -95 Q 115 185 395 150 Q 115 115 150 395 z" fill="rgb(58,174,242)" /><path d="m 150 287 Q 262 38 13 150 Q 262 262 150 13 Q 38 262 287 150 Q 38 38 150 287 z" fill="rgb(58,2,203)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Beautiful scenic location.
Long drop toilets bit smelly but it is what it is.
Snowed last time I was here and it was absolutely magical. This time, there were beautiful autumn colours, lots of ducks happy to be fed and swans on the lake.
JM![](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(40,209,100)" /><path d="m 150 729 Q 92 208 -429 150 Q 92 92 150 -429 Q 208 92 729 150 Q 208 208 150 729 z" fill="rgb(177,66,229)" /><path d="m 150 485 Q 152 148 -185 150 Q 152 152 150 -185 Q 148 152 485 150 Q 148 148 150 485 z" fill="rgb(78,189,26)" /><path d="m 150 271 Q 86 214 29 150 Q 86 86 150 29 Q 214 86 271 150 Q 214 214 150 271 z" fill="rgb(215,46,155)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Beautiful lake and views!
Right off the road for easy access. Didn’t hear much traffic while sleeping and pretty clean long drop toilets.
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1.0/5
It's already not for free i was surprised when i realized that.
Without water supply i was not happy...
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![](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(5,59,115)" /><path d="m 150 749 Q 300 0 -449 150 Q 300 300 150 -449 Q 0 300 749 150 Q 0 0 150 749 z" fill="rgb(21,240,118)" /><path d="m 150 353 Q 249 51 -53 150 Q 249 249 150 -53 Q 51 249 353 150 Q 51 51 150 353 z" fill="rgb(234,15,137)" /><path d="m 150 145 Q 86 214 155 150 Q 86 86 150 155 Q 214 86 145 150 Q 214 214 150 145 z" fill="rgb(250,196,140)" /></svg>)
![](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(86,119,36)" /><path d="m 150 719 Q 62 238 -419 150 Q 62 62 150 -419 Q 238 62 719 150 Q 238 238 150 719 z" fill="rgb(209,241,207)" /><path d="m 150 553 Q 66 234 -253 150 Q 66 66 150 -253 Q 234 66 553 150 Q 234 234 150 553 z" fill="rgb(46,14,48)" /><path d="m 150 214 Q 188 112 86 150 Q 188 188 150 86 Q 112 188 214 150 Q 112 112 150 214 z" fill="rgb(169,136,219)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Very nice campsite, next to the beautiful Pearson Lake.
We stayed one night and the campsite was good for this as a stay for our travel though the pass. We probably would not recommend it for longer, as it is next to the pass road which is quite busy, and the site has limited facilities (only toilet, and one non-drinkable water tap, no sink). Quite a lot of space mid-november, though I can imagine it fills up in summer during high season with travellers wanting to make a night stop.
B -
4.0/5
V basic, wild and windy but beautiful and lots of space to get a lakeside view… although there are signs reminding you to avoid parking under the trees.
$20 for 2. Drop toilet ok. Water stand. Great if like us you want to get away from holiday parks.
J -
4.0/5
Pretty campsite next to the lake.
Clean long drop toilets. Signs advising against camping under the trees for safety reasons. Wind here was exceptionally strong when I visited.
KM -
5.0/5
Beautiful spot close to the lake.
Clean toilets.
The road is not far but it’s quiet during the night.
S -
4.0/5
Good spot to stop for the night, clean long drop loos plenty of space to park up by the awesome lake Was too windy for us to get out on it but I'm sure if the weather was great it would be mint Bit
of truck noise through the night from the road
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3.5/5
Small campsite right on the lake with good views and a toilet.
No cooking shelter. Very crowded and limited space to find any level of privacy. Some bugs. More of a place to sleep than a nice place to camp
JL -
5.0/5
Beautiful spot to spend the night on your way through Arthur's Pass.
The lake was refreshing, and there were surprisingly few sandflies and mosquitos!
t -
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4.5/5
Beautiful scenic location.
Long drop toilets bit smelly but it is what it is.
Snowed last time I was here and it was absolutely magical. This time, there were beautiful autumn colours, lots of ducks happy to be fed and swans on the lake.
JM -
4.0/5
Beautiful lake and views!
Right off the road for easy access. Didn’t hear much traffic while sleeping and pretty clean long drop toilets.
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5.0/5
My favourite campsite of our trip.
Absolutely nothing fancy. In essence a car park just off Arthur's pass road. But quiet. Lots of space. 2 long drop toilets that were clean enough. On the edge of the lake which is beautiful and great views of the hills behind. Fantastic views of the night sky also.
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(68,234,27)" /><path d="m 150 668 Q 114 186 -368 150 Q 114 114 150 -368 Q 186 114 668 150 Q 186 186 150 668 z" fill="rgb(183,188,163)" /><path d="m 150 475 Q 191 109 -175 150 Q 191 191 150 -175 Q 109 191 475 150 Q 109 109 150 475 z" fill="rgb(72,67,92)" /><path d="m 150 219 Q 126 174 81 150 Q 126 126 150 81 Q 174 126 219 150 Q 174 174 150 219 z" fill="rgb(187,21,228)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Beautiful spot to stop!
Pull up next to the lake, open the doors and windows and admire the spectacular scenery…. Very sheltered (& we tested this in hitop during strong winds!!)
… hubbies only complaint, steak was over done !
M![](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(103,211,234)" /><path d="m 150 567 Q 206 94 -267 150 Q 206 206 150 -267 Q 94 206 567 150 Q 94 94 150 567 z" fill="rgb(100,68,242)" /><path d="m 150 436 Q 125 175 -136 150 Q 125 125 150 -136 Q 175 125 436 150 Q 175 175 150 436 z" fill="rgb(155,187,13)" /><path d="m 150 331 Q 91 209 -31 150 Q 91 91 150 -31 Q 209 91 331 150 Q 209 209 150 331 z" fill="rgb(152,44,21)" /></svg>)
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3.5/5
Very beautiful lookout and cheap.
Longdrops not that clean, but okay. Just didn‘t really feel safe.
J![](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(79,99,168)" /><path d="m 150 586 Q 131 169 -286 150 Q 131 131 150 -286 Q 169 131 586 150 Q 169 169 150 586 z" fill="rgb(75,206,172)" /><path d="m 150 552 Q 89 211 -252 150 Q 89 89 150 -252 Q 211 89 552 150 Q 211 211 150 552 z" fill="rgb(180,49,83)" /><path d="m 150 129 Q 163 137 171 150 Q 163 163 150 171 Q 137 163 129 150 Q 137 137 150 129 z" fill="rgb(176,156,87)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Hard to think of a more scenic campsite, parking literally 4 meters away from the water was a great experience.
Really close to Arthur's Pass which is a plus.
Giving only 9/10 just because in all honesty there are plenty of free campsites out there with the same facilities as this one so not sure how the price is justified but still, definitely wort a visit
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4.0/5
Lovely place and a stunning view.
Unfortunately directly next to the street - a bit noisy and no way to clean your kitchen stuff or to wash your face properly.
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4.5/5
Great campsite right on the water.
It was hard to find a space however the lack of insects (as another reviewer mentioned) was well worth it. It can get a little noisy with its popularity and proximity to the road when trucks go past. Two nice long drop toilets and running untreated water. Overall would definitely recommend.
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5.0/5
Beautiful spot with lots of opportunity to find a private place to camp.
The lake is amazing and new toilet facilities are great. No powered boats allowed - so bring your kayak or dinghy ! Gorgeous place to spend a night
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