Loch Katrine Campsite

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5 Rankers Reviews

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2 Springs Junction

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Accommodation

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Loch Katrine Campsite

Unpowered Campsite

Number of tent sites - 30.
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Location in Springs Junction

Camping near Springs Junction

Photos

Department of Conservation

Loch Katrine Camping Ground

Department of Conservation

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Information

Camp beside the beautiful lake in a grassy area. Walk or mountain bike from here, or take a swim in the icy waters.

Camp beside the beautiful lake in a large grassy area. There is lots of mountain biking, walking or 4WD missions to go on in this area.

Swimming in the lake is quite the experience.

Notices

Lake Sumner Road closure

Lake Sumner Road is closed due to maintainence works. The road will re-open daily from 6 pm to 7 am, and over weekends from 6 pm Friday to 7 am Monday. Motorists are advised to proceed with caution.

The maintenance is expected to finish on 14 November 2024. Hurunui District Council has more information.
First published on 4 November 2024.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Loch Katrine Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.

Feature	Value	Value
Unpowered Site	Adult	$0.00 per night
Unpowered Site	Child	$0.00 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

Organisation

DOC Canterbury

Central government organisation

Location

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Springs Junction

Categories

Basic Camping

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-42.7238441569994

172.206358909607

Latitude
-42.7238441569994
Longitude
172.206358909607

Websites

Visit Website

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Low Cost Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What 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. $6 per adult	Overnight Camping Site Cost What 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. $6 per adult
Overnight Stay Rules	Camping and any vehicle Overnight Stay Rules What 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.	Overnight Stay Rules What 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	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
Booking Required	First Come, First Served Booking Required Is 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.	Booking Required Is 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.
Large Vehicle Access	No large vehicles Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. 4WD access only from Lake Taylor (7 km of 4WD track)	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? No large vehicles The site is not accessible for large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers. 4WD access only from Lake Taylor (7 km of 4WD track)
Dogs	Dogs allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? Dogs allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. Dogs must be on a leash.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? Dogs allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash. Dogs must be on a leash.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Basic Campsite DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Basic Campsite Department of Conservation Basic Campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water from a tank, stream or lake. Access may be by road or boat. Basic Campsites generally can not be booked.
Toilet	Public toilet Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop only	Toilet Is there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop only

Reviews

Rating	Count
10/10	0	0%
9/10	2	40%
8/10	1	20%
7/10	1	20%
6/10	1	20%
5/10	0	0%
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1/10	0	0%

4.5/5

Lots of places to camp, some are very sheltered.
Beautiful scenery. Well worth the drive in. Very clean toilets. Has water supply.

Reviewed 8 months ago

Kim
4.0/5

Access is via gravel and off road tracks best suited for 4wd especially if it has recently rained.
About an hour of a bumpy ride with Ford's and cattlestops but so worth it ! Plenty of sheltered non powered tent areas. Tap water and long drop portacom - make sure you take toilet paper and a peg for your nose.

Lake was stunning.. cold but the kids didn't seem to mind at all.

No issues with sandflies and bugs at this time of year and weather was nice during the day.

Lake Taylor is a good option if you don't fancy the off roading.

Reviewed over 1 year ago

Jess
4.5/5

Beautiful camping spot far from anything.
The gravel road leading to the campsite will take just over an hour, and it's definitely not for the faint of heart. Some steep drop offs and hairpin turns on a narrow gravel road--good thing the views are excellent! I managed to make it without issue in a 2WD Nissan sedan. I wouldn't recommend this if it has been raining though. I had the place mostly to myself on a Friday night. Beautiful lake, mountain scenery, and dark skies.

Reviewed over 8 years ago

Brian Stelbotsky
3.5/5

I used JDs review to prep for my camp and everything said is as it is,right down to the sheep.
but the kids did not mind the water temp and you DO need a 4x4 to get there, we had the place to our selves, peace and quiet, no reception of any kind. The long drop was very clean but bring own paper

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

C B
3.0/5

not the easiest campground to get to, 8km past lake taylor on a slow-going 4wd track (which could be impassable in bad weather), it does have a very scenic setting with the loch nestled between mountains
. it loses the sun about 7 in summer and does have issues with sandflies particularly in the morning or evening. there are tent sites scattered in front of the lake and a long drop just before the cribs. swimming in the lake is fine for those with tough skin :) watch out for roaming sheep. was surprisingly busy when we went despite the difficult access. can get windy in the event of a norwester.

Reviewed almost 11 years ago

J D