Number of tent sites - 20.
Adult |
$10/night |
---|---|
Child |
$5/night |
Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.
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.
There is no running water available at Lake Pearson Campsite over winter, visitors should bring all the water they need.
First published on 30 May 2024. Last reviewed on 30 August 2024.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.
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 |
---|---|---|
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.
Feature | Value | Info |
---|---|---|
Organisation |
DOC CanterburyCentral government organisation |
|
Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Springfield |
|
Categories |
|
|
Directions To Coordinates |
||
Coordinates |
||
Websites |
|
Feature | Value | Info |
---|---|---|
Overnight Camping Site Cost |
|
Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? ![]() Low Cost Camping You can expect very basic facilities only and often a beautiful location. A nominal fee is charged. $8 per person per night |
Overnight Stay Rules |
|
Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? ![]() Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle. |
Campsite Managing Organisation |
|
Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? ![]() DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. ![]() |
Water Supply |
|
Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. lake water only - boil before drinking |
Booking Required |
|
Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot. |
Dogs |
|
DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? ![]() No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs. |
DOC Campsite Category |
|
DOC Campsite CategoryWhat category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Standard Campsite Department of Conservation Standard Campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services. Toilets (usually composting or pit variety) water supply (tap, stream, or lake) and vehicle or boat access. Wood barbeques and fireplaces, showers (cold), picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided. Standard Campsites generally can not be booked. |
Toilet |
|
ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop toilet only |
✓ Beautiful lake and views
✓ Clean long drop toilets
✓ Lots of space
✓ Scenic location
✓ Good night sky views
𐄂 Noisy from road
𐄂 No cooking shelter
An awesome spot next to a lake.
Brilliant view of lake surrounded by the hills.
Great campsite right on the water.
Beautiful lake and views!
What a great find for free!
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
---|---|---|---|
10/10 | 20 |
|
27% |
9/10 | 22 |
|
30% |
8/10 | 22 |
|
30% |
7/10 | 5 |
|
7% |
6/10 | 3 |
|
4% |
5/10 | 0 |
|
0% |
4/10 | 0 |
|
0% |
3/10 | 0 |
|
0% |
2/10 | 1 |
|
1% |
1/10 | 1 |
|
1% |
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
Reviewed 6 months ago
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
Reviewed 6 months ago
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!
Reviewed 8 months ago
5.0/5
Wonderful and remote.
We were the only ones there in the winter. Lots of lake birds!
Reviewed about 1 year ago
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.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
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.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
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.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
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 !
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
Very beautiful lookout and cheap.
Longdrops not that clean, but okay. Just didn‘t really feel safe.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
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
Reviewed over 1 year ago
1.0/5
It's already not for free i was surprised when i realized that.
Without water supply i was not happy...
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
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
Reviewed 6 months ago
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
Reviewed 6 months ago
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!
Reviewed 8 months ago
5.0/5
Wonderful and remote.
We were the only ones there in the winter. Lots of lake birds!
Reviewed about 1 year ago
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.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
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.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
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.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
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 !
Reviewed over 1 year ago
3.5/5
Very beautiful lookout and cheap.
Longdrops not that clean, but okay. Just didn‘t really feel safe.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
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
Reviewed over 1 year ago
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.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
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.
Reviewed over 3 years ago
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
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.0/5
Stunning campsite.
Good level gravel site with ample spaces. Right on the lakefront with friendly ducks (we met the infamous hoppy!) Only 1 portaloo but was not peak season when we visited so no issue. $8 per person per site is not a lot for DOC to ask and am happy to support it. Good stopover from Arthur’s pass to Christchurch. Most ‘free’ campsites in Arthur’s pass are no longer free and have unbearable sandflies (we stopped at 3 sites before stopping here) so were very happy to pay a low cost site in exchange for no sandflies.
Reviewed almost 5 years ago
4.0/5
We loved this spot.
Quiet, flat sites and a toilet ! Cheap and we don't begrudge paying for DOC sites at this price. Shame others freeload and expect others to pay for them.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.5/5
This is a gorgeous spot!
We stopped here for a break along Arthur’s Pass on the way to Hokitika and Franz Josef, and were astounded by the beauty. So when we couldn’t get through Haast because of the broken bridge we decided to sleep here on the way back through! Even with other campers it was quiet and wasn’t hard to use the toilet. Would stay again.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.0/5
Good DOC spot.
Lovely lake with ducks :). No running water at all so make sure you fill up. Only one long drop toilet which was clean but maybe not quite enough for number of guests as was fairy full when we stayed. Half hour from Arthur’s pass and plenty of walks to do
Reviewed over 5 years ago
4.0/5
Lovely location with splendid views of the lake- really close to Arthur's pass about a 25 minute drive which is ideal if you want to head over in the morning.
Long drop toilet was in great condition and well stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitiser.
Fairly busy but plenty of space.
Costs $8 per person per night not free!
Reviewed over 5 years ago
1.0/5
It's already not for free i was surprised when i realized that.
Without water supply i was not happy...
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.5/5
Open again August 2018.
Beautiful location. All new fencing, bitumen and parking sites in place. Good longdrop toilet, didn't smell and had toilet paper. Now $8 per person per night. Lots of friendly ducks. Two hoppy ducks with wonky legs. Wanted to stay longer due to beautiful location. Would recommend.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
3.0/5
CLOSED ON 2nd March 2018.
The location looks fantastic, can’t comment on staying there because it was closed off by large fences and gravel trucks. I can’t give it a proper rating, just a neutral 6/10 for location. I just felt a notice of closure, even temporary would help others.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
5.0/5
Brilliant view of lake surrounded by the hills.
Can park right next to the water. Lots of ducks. Make sure you get there early since the good spots fill up fast. Good drop toilet. Popular place so expect neighbours. This is the best free camp site in NZ!
Reviewed over 6 years ago and experienced in November 2017
4.5/5
Very nice free campsite by a lake on the way to Arthur's Pass.
Lots of space, can be a bit windy but hey we're in the mountains. Clean long drop toilets. Good camping.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
4.0/5
This is one of the most beautiful free camp sites we’ve stayed!
Great spot at the lake and surrounded by mountains. Be sure to arrive early as it fills up pretty quickly. The camp site’s description says that there should be a water point but we couldn’t find it?!
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
5.0/5
April 2017 This was the first night of our 2 week road trip around the South Island.Having clambered around the rocks at Castle Hill until late afternoon, Lake Pearson was just a short 20 mins up the road
. The wind picked up a bit through the night but we were relatively sheltered amongst the trees right on the lake's edge. We woke to a fresh dusting of snow on the peaks and were greeted by a spectacular view and friendly ducks ... and yes hoppy was a keen visitor with us, too. The site was beautiful; there were a handful of other vans and all was quiet. The long drop was clean and the hand sanitizer was a nice touch. It was the best free campsite of our trip and rated in our top 3 of all sites we stayed at.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago and experienced in April 2017
4.0/5
What a great find for free!
Stayed here about 12 times over 2 months as climbing in the area. Exceptionally busy over Easter but quieter after, though always at least 10 vehicles, even when - 5°c! However, DOC do a great job with the toilet (long drop) - always stocked with toilet paper and hand sanitiser! The ducks are super friendly too, especially 'Hoppy', the one-legged mallard.
Reviewed about 7 years ago