Hipapatua / Reid's Farm Recreation Reserve Free Campsite

Taupo

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Photos

Photo taken from a campsite
Plenty of nooks and crannies.
New toilets

Information

Hipapatua / Reid's Farm Recreation Reserve Free Campsite

Free Campsite on the Waikato River just out of Taupo.

Free camping is permitted on this recreation reserve. All campers, including those in certified self-contained vehicles, can stay for a maximum of three nights and/or four days in any 14 night period before they need to move on.

Area A - Summer (larger)

Area A is open from Labour Weekend until end of April and has camping areas available. Area A is usually closed for camping in winter for annual maintenance. Lower toilets (near river) Open. Upper toilets (by road) Closed. There is a day area that is only open between 7am-7pm.

Area B - Winter (smaller)

Area B is open from end of April until Labour Weekend. Lower toilets (near river) Open. Upper toilets (by road) Open.

This campsite is close to town, and can be a popular party venue, especially on New Year's Eve. It's used a lot by travellers and sometimes by school groups. It can be a bit boggy after lots of rain. Quite a few sandflys as it is right on the river.

There is a permanent fire ban on this campsite (NO FIRES), and a complete liquor ban between noon on 27 December and 7am on 4 January.

This is a very popular spot for people learning how to white water kayak, and is the end point for guided kayak tours on the Waikato River.

Facilities are basic - the only water supply is the Waikato River, so we suggest that all drinking water is boiled first. There are no showers or cooking facilities.

Campers must take all their rubbish with them as a 'pack it in, pack it out' arrangement is in place to help protect the land and river. Campers should take their rubbish to the nearest refuse location - find out more about refuse locations and prices at www.taupo.govt.nz/rubbish.

Toilets have disability access.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Taupo District Council

Council organisation

Location

North IslandTaupo RegionTaupo

Categories

  • Activity__basic_facility_campingBasic Camping
  • Free

Operating Season And Hours

The main lower camping area at Hipapatua Recreational Reserve (Reid’s Farm) closes for annual maintenance work between May and September every year. Signage at the reserve will direct campers to the smaller, upper camping area, which remains open during these months. Day use of the lower reserve, as well as river access, will not be affected by these works.

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-38.6623245417995

176.080799102783

Take a peak
Latitude
-38.6623245417995
Longitude
176.080799102783

Nearby

Reviews

    ✓ Beautiful river location

    ✓ Close to Taupo town center

    ✓ Free camping

    ✓ Ample parking space

    ✓ Good for quick swim

    𐄂 Busy and overcrowded

    𐄂 Poor toilet facilities

    • Awesome.
    • Some of the ground is quite muddy.
    • 6 minutes from Taupo.
    • Open!
    • Very basic, just portable toilets available.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 48
    18%
    9/10 57
    21%
    8/10 54
    20%
    7/10 39
    14%
    6/10 33
    12%
    5/10 13
    5%
    4/10 5
    2%
    3/10 6
    2%
    2/10 7
    3%
    1/10 8
    3%
  • 3.5/5

    Convenient location to Taupo and day use area looked like a great river chill spot on a sunny day.

    Otherwise, just a crowded, dirt carpark with limited flat spots. Fine for a night but not one of my favorite campgrounds.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

    M
    McLean's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    loved this camp spot, get there early to get a nice parking spot as it get quiet busy.

    no showers, toilets are portable toilets. the river near by is amazing. definitely recommend checking it out just for the river

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great spot not too far from Taupō centre.

    Lovely spot to go for a quick swim just a small wander from the sites. Extremely busy zone but there is a lot of space to squeeze in

    Reviewed 3 months ago

    A
    Amanda's avatar
  • 1.0/5

    Better be travelling in winter.

    Otherwise it's perpetually overfull, cars stacked in all directions with barely walking space between, many having to park at awkward angles on steep slopes. A labyrinthine mass of cars. Road is dirt, featuring both deep potholes and sandy traps that threaten even medium sized campers. This is also your best freedom camping option in taupo, irrespective whether you are fully self contained or not, hence why there is a steady stream of people trying to shoehorn in somewhere all night, and half that number leaving again in disgust. There is one portaloo. Somewhere.

    Honestly, if you're considering visiting taupo, i'd do it for a few hours and then continue on to rotorua, where the camping options are better. Nothing on offer to see or do in taupo is worth putting yourself and your camper at the mercy of this campsite during the holiday period.

    Reviewed 3 months ago

    P
    Paige's avatar
  • 3.0/5

    Busy busy busy, good for being so close to Taupo and toilets weren’t terrible but it’s a really hectic spot and not the prettiest.

    Great for a quick stop and pretty impressive that it’s free

    Reviewed 4 months ago

    I
    Ike's avatar

    Ike

  • 2.5/5

    It’s free and easy access to Huka Falls so I can’t complain too much, but this isn’t an amazing spot to spend the night.

    The port-a-potties are ok but it was noisy and with a rowdy crowd, and very busy without much room. If you can, wake up early and move to the day use area when it opens for the better bathrooms and washing up area to start the day.

    Reviewed 5 months ago

    P
    PJ's avatar

    PJ

  • 3.0/5

    Here during winter (is first gate before the proper Hipapatua reserve) it was absolutely freezing, had ice form inside the van.

    Bring a hotwater bottle. The toilet was a portaloo, and it seemed to be cleaned daily.

    Get here fast because the camp area is small and it fills up fast.

    Beautiful view of river if you park near the edge.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

    T
    Tīwai's avatar
  • 4.0/5

    Lage freedom camping area close to river and huka falls, felt safe parking here for the night.

    Reviewed 12 months ago

    M
    Mel.'s avatar
  • 3.5/5

    Very basic, just portable toilets available.

    Pretty busy during the weekend, need to arrive early to get a good spot. Close to town and free so it’s good for overnight free camping.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    J
    John's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    It's an excellent spot with ample space and portable toilets.

    Trees on the side offer protection from rain and wind. A short walk down to the river reveals additional dump stations and even a designated area for dishwashing.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    J
    Jan's avatar

    Jan

  • 3.5/5

    Busy, even during the week, and only had portable potties

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    M
    Mika's avatar
  • 4.0/5

    The first night we arrived late and we didn’t get a flat spot.

    The second night, we got a good spot.

    This a good place to stay close to the town and to sleep.

    There is a portable toilet (I didn’t go)

    And there is a lot of campers who are going there so I recommend even during winter to arrive before sunset.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    S
    Sarah's avatar
  • 3.5/5

    Parked in the small car park allowing for overnight camping, lots next to river were closed off.

    Quiet. Not very level. Toilet in small building was totally blocked up. Portaloo was alright. Was nice that it was close to town.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    The perfect spot to stay the night!!

    Loads of space for vehicles and tents, just some muddy patches from all the rain! There are about 4 portaloos around the area but they were overflowing with faeces so I definitely recommend walking (2mins) down to the river area and using the toilets there! Such a beautiful location!!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    H
    Hollie's avatar
  • 3.5/5

    Really the only freedom camp if you want to stay near central Taupo.

    The lower half of the campsite is closed off right now with the nicer toilets, but they have two sets of porta loos in the upper lot. We didn’t use them because we assumed they’d be disgusting. The lot is still a good size and everyone seemed to find a spot even when arriving late at night. If you stop by the visitor center and ask about FC they will also show you some of the free 24 hour lots in town, so those are always an option despite not being listed on any of these apps!

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    A
    Alyssa's avatar
  • 4.0/5

    It gets very busy on a weekend and waterlogged in heavy rain but on the weekend we were there it was peaceful.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    W
    Willow's avatar
  • 3.5/5

    Some of the ground is quite muddy.

    It has two portaloos as toilets which were both surprisingly clean. I would suggest to get in early because it does fill up quickly but lots of people did manage to fit. The river is very nice nearby. Would have preferred this campsite if the lower area was open.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

    K
    Kate's avatar
  • 3.5/5

    Convenient location to Taupo and day use area looked like a great river chill spot on a sunny day.

    Otherwise, just a crowded, dirt carpark with limited flat spots. Fine for a night but not one of my favorite campgrounds.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

    M
    McLean's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    loved this camp spot, get there early to get a nice parking spot as it get quiet busy.

    no showers, toilets are portable toilets. the river near by is amazing. definitely recommend checking it out just for the river

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

  • 4.5/5

    Great spot not too far from Taupō centre.

    Lovely spot to go for a quick swim just a small wander from the sites. Extremely busy zone but there is a lot of space to squeeze in

    Reviewed 3 months ago

    A
    Amanda's avatar
  • 1.0/5

    Better be travelling in winter.

    Otherwise it's perpetually overfull, cars stacked in all directions with barely walking space between, many having to park at awkward angles on steep slopes. A labyrinthine mass of cars. Road is dirt, featuring both deep potholes and sandy traps that threaten even medium sized campers. This is also your best freedom camping option in taupo, irrespective whether you are fully self contained or not, hence why there is a steady stream of people trying to shoehorn in somewhere all night, and half that number leaving again in disgust. There is one portaloo. Somewhere.

    Honestly, if you're considering visiting taupo, i'd do it for a few hours and then continue on to rotorua, where the camping options are better. Nothing on offer to see or do in taupo is worth putting yourself and your camper at the mercy of this campsite during the holiday period.

    Reviewed 3 months ago

    P
    Paige's avatar
  • 3.0/5

    Busy busy busy, good for being so close to Taupo and toilets weren’t terrible but it’s a really hectic spot and not the prettiest.

    Great for a quick stop and pretty impressive that it’s free

    Reviewed 4 months ago

    I
    Ike's avatar

    Ike

  • 2.5/5

    It’s free and easy access to Huka Falls so I can’t complain too much, but this isn’t an amazing spot to spend the night.

    The port-a-potties are ok but it was noisy and with a rowdy crowd, and very busy without much room. If you can, wake up early and move to the day use area when it opens for the better bathrooms and washing up area to start the day.

    Reviewed 5 months ago

    P
    PJ's avatar

    PJ

  • 3.0/5

    Here during winter (is first gate before the proper Hipapatua reserve) it was absolutely freezing, had ice form inside the van.

    Bring a hotwater bottle. The toilet was a portaloo, and it seemed to be cleaned daily.

    Get here fast because the camp area is small and it fills up fast.

    Beautiful view of river if you park near the edge.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

    T
    Tīwai's avatar
  • 2.5/5

    ADRESS IS WRONG!

    it’s down the street a bit. So many people drive the wrong way. Other than that busy campsite with nasty toilets but easy access to the town. So still happy :)

    Reviewed 9 months ago

    C
    Calle's avatar
  • 2.0/5

    The photos look nothing like the spot but there was a lower area near the river that may have been the photos in the reviews.

    But….couldn't figure out how to get there.

    Kinda weird. Also the spot is a bit further than the address below.

    The ground wasn’t level which was annoying. Kinda hard to find a spot. Port-a-poty w no TP. The view was nice tho.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

    A
    AJC's avatar

    AJC

  • 4.0/5

    Lage freedom camping area close to river and huka falls, felt safe parking here for the night.

    Reviewed 12 months ago

    M
    Mel.'s avatar
  • 1.5/5

    Just awful.

    Rubbish everywhere, looked like it was going to be party central, people with huge bruiser dogs. We left in a BIG hurry. Ugh.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 3.5/5

    Very basic, just portable toilets available.

    Pretty busy during the weekend, need to arrive early to get a good spot. Close to town and free so it’s good for overnight free camping.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    J
    John's avatar
  • 4.5/5

    It's an excellent spot with ample space and portable toilets.

    Trees on the side offer protection from rain and wind. A short walk down to the river reveals additional dump stations and even a designated area for dishwashing.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    J
    Jan's avatar

    Jan

  • 3.5/5

    Busy, even during the week, and only had portable potties

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    M
    Mika's avatar
  • 3.0/5

    They changed the location slightly.

    You have to drive the main road 100m further up, don’t enter the reserve.

    There is a fancy portaloo with toiletpaper, soap and a waterpump to wash hands.

    Ground is pretty uneven and it gets very full even now in spring.

    Down at the river is the possibility to wash dishes in a big sink, but only accessible during the day.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    N
    Nane's avatar
  • 4.0/5

    The first night we arrived late and we didn’t get a flat spot.

    The second night, we got a good spot.

    This a good place to stay close to the town and to sleep.

    There is a portable toilet (I didn’t go)

    And there is a lot of campers who are going there so I recommend even during winter to arrive before sunset.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

    S
    Sarah's avatar
  • 3.5/5

    Parked in the small car park allowing for overnight camping, lots next to river were closed off.

    Quiet. Not very level. Toilet in small building was totally blocked up. Portaloo was alright. Was nice that it was close to town.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 0.5/5

    horrible , muddy ,hoons and drinking teens , moved on in the end

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    The perfect spot to stay the night!!

    Loads of space for vehicles and tents, just some muddy patches from all the rain! There are about 4 portaloos around the area but they were overflowing with faeces so I definitely recommend walking (2mins) down to the river area and using the toilets there! Such a beautiful location!!

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    H
    Hollie's avatar