Catchpool Valley Campsite

Catchpool Valley Campsite - Rimutaka Forest Park

Catchpool Valley Campsite

Rimutaka Forest Park

19 Rankers Reviews

7 Face-to-Face

15 Hutt Valley

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Catchpool Camping Ground

Information

Catchpool Valley Campsite

This is a standard campsite in the Wellington region. Camp beside Catchpool Stream close to walks in the Ōrongorongo Valley.

This is a standard campsite in the Wellington region. Camp beside Catchpool Stream close to walks in the Ōrongorongo Valley.

Getting there

South of Wainuiomata follow the Coast Rd for 10 km to the main Remutaka Forest Park entrance.

Drive 2.5 km towards the top carpark. In heavy rain you may need to drive across a concreted stream ford.

The gate to the campsite is on the right before the end of the road. The driveway into the campsite is gravel.

This is a 45 minute drive from Wellington city.

Notices

  • Graces Stream Campsite permanently closed

    Graces Stream Campsite is permanently closed. 

    First published on 6 October 2022. Last reviewed on 6 September 2024.
  • Catchpool Valley Road damage

    A section of the Catchpool Valley Road is down to one lane due to storm damage. The road is open but observe all signs.

    This is a long term alert. 

    First published on 17 February 2023. Last reviewed on 29 October 2024.

DOC Campsite Pricing

Catchpool Valley 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
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

Organisation

DOC Wellington/Kapiti

Central government organisation

Location

North IslandWellington RegionHutt Valley

Categories

  • Activity__basic_facility_campingBasic Camping

Operating Season And Hours

Seasonal restrictions.
The gate to Catchpool valley is open:
6 am – 8 pm from 28 September until 7 April
6 am – 6 pm from 8 April until 27 September

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-41.3514106726909

174.923497431166

Latitude
-41.3514106726909
Longitude
174.923497431166

Websites

Reviews

    ✓ Beautiful location

    ✓ Spacious camping area

    ✓ Close to bush walks

    ✓ Full phone signal

    ✓ Dog-friendly

    𐄂 Safety concerns for solo travelers

    𐄂 Limited toilets

    • Beautiful location.
    • $10 per night.
    • Large DOC site with lots of concealed pitches.
    • Beautiful valley with nice campground.
    • Nice DOC campsite, neat cooking facilities.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 6
    32%
    9/10 3
    16%
    8/10 5
    26%
    7/10 3
    16%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 2
    11%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 2.0/5

    It was a beautiful spots and I was excited about the reviews.

    Sadly, upon pulling up there was one other vehicle that looked like someone was living there out of. That isn’t so bad, except they parked right in front of the cooking facility. I decided to read some reviews on other sites and saw several people mention a man that lives there and makes woman uncomfortable by standing outside their campers at night, following them, etc. there is also a gate that locks at 630, so if something did happen, I wouldn’t have been able to leave. If it had been busier I would’ve stayed, but as a woman traveling alone I did not feel safe here and decided to spend the night elsewhere.

    Reviewed 7 months ago

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful location.

    Shared the Totara Zone with Manawatu Collegegroup, 20+ tents. Unexpected but ok. Only one pit toilet stall open so lots of waiting or a bit of a hike to the next one.

    Hot showers were not working.

    LPG hoses, but no tank.

    Disappointing for a winter outing. Opted to not brave the cold water.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    Lovely, lovely DOC Camp, if you don’t need to use the facilities, (toilets were minging!) We recently had a couple of nights here, just one other staying too, loads of space, quite easy for larger vehicles

    too! Beautiful surrounds and really easy access to some epic bush walks! We recommend the Five Mile Loop. Full phone signal with Vodafone too! @saltyskin 8-)

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    The Rimutaka Forest Park is an amazing place to explore and this camp ground a great base for exploring.

    If you are tenting - try the Graces Stream Camp site which is about a 20min hike away for a more secluded site. Or hike the Orongaronga track (1 1/2 hrs) and try one of the wild campsites beside the river.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Drove out of Wellington city for an overnight trip, and were happy to find heaps of space available on a Saturday afternoon.

    Great amenities. The wind was hectic overnight, and there were loud vehicles speeding along the road nearby, which made sleeping in the tent difficult.

    Good spot for dogs, lots of space for them. We were cautious about the river and avoided letting out dog in water near anything algae-esque.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Took our caravan, three kids and the dog- all enjoyed the stay.

    Really quite spot. It's a small camp ground with lots of nooks to set up site in. Beautiful bush surrounding. The river had a lot of algae so needed to find safe area for the dog. Kids enjoyed the river - shallow spots for wading. Lots of Great walks near by.

    Facilities are adequate. Didnt try the shower. Toilets fine. Open kitchen block with herb garden - nice touch.

    We really enjoyed it. Would return.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 2.0/5

    There was little to no water pressure in the showers and I'd barely even call it warm.

    Also, it was SO windy that we got barely any sleep because we thought our car was going to blow away!

    Reviewed over 7 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice DOC campsite, neat cooking facilities.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017

  • 4.5/5

    Large DOC site with lots of concealed pitches.

    Hot showers and flush toilets. Lovely bushwalking from the site. Close to Wellington but peaceful and quiet.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Perfect campground - plenty of space with nooks so you can claim your own wee patch, nice vibe, pet friendly, a wee river right there and swimming hole a few minutes walk away.

    Hot shower (free, unmetered), plenty of toilets and a kitchen block with free BBQ's (no hot water), recycling and rubbish. Would be a hard job to beat it!

    Reviewed almost 9 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Beautiful valley with nice campground.

    Facilities are dated but ok. Nice hikes in the area.

    Really dark in the area so the stars on a clear night are fantastic.

    One challenge for us was that the campground is a bit out of the way. It is not going to/from anything else. But the price is great.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Very good DOC campsite, cold shower was good.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 2.0/5

    It was a beautiful spots and I was excited about the reviews.

    Sadly, upon pulling up there was one other vehicle that looked like someone was living there out of. That isn’t so bad, except they parked right in front of the cooking facility. I decided to read some reviews on other sites and saw several people mention a man that lives there and makes woman uncomfortable by standing outside their campers at night, following them, etc. there is also a gate that locks at 630, so if something did happen, I wouldn’t have been able to leave. If it had been busier I would’ve stayed, but as a woman traveling alone I did not feel safe here and decided to spend the night elsewhere.

    Reviewed 7 months ago

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful location.

    Shared the Totara Zone with Manawatu Collegegroup, 20+ tents. Unexpected but ok. Only one pit toilet stall open so lots of waiting or a bit of a hike to the next one.

    Hot showers were not working.

    LPG hoses, but no tank.

    Disappointing for a winter outing. Opted to not brave the cold water.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    Lovely, lovely DOC Camp, if you don’t need to use the facilities, (toilets were minging!) We recently had a couple of nights here, just one other staying too, loads of space, quite easy for larger vehicles

    too! Beautiful surrounds and really easy access to some epic bush walks! We recommend the Five Mile Loop. Full phone signal with Vodafone too! @saltyskin 8-)

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    The Rimutaka Forest Park is an amazing place to explore and this camp ground a great base for exploring.

    If you are tenting - try the Graces Stream Camp site which is about a 20min hike away for a more secluded site. Or hike the Orongaronga track (1 1/2 hrs) and try one of the wild campsites beside the river.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Drove out of Wellington city for an overnight trip, and were happy to find heaps of space available on a Saturday afternoon.

    Great amenities. The wind was hectic overnight, and there were loud vehicles speeding along the road nearby, which made sleeping in the tent difficult.

    Good spot for dogs, lots of space for them. We were cautious about the river and avoided letting out dog in water near anything algae-esque.

    Reviewed almost 3 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Took our caravan, three kids and the dog- all enjoyed the stay.

    Really quite spot. It's a small camp ground with lots of nooks to set up site in. Beautiful bush surrounding. The river had a lot of algae so needed to find safe area for the dog. Kids enjoyed the river - shallow spots for wading. Lots of Great walks near by.

    Facilities are adequate. Didnt try the shower. Toilets fine. Open kitchen block with herb garden - nice touch.

    We really enjoyed it. Would return.

    Reviewed over 3 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice DOC campsite, neat cooking facilities.

    Reviewed over 7 years ago and experienced in January 2017

  • 2.0/5

    There was little to no water pressure in the showers and I'd barely even call it warm.

    Also, it was SO windy that we got barely any sleep because we thought our car was going to blow away!

    Reviewed over 7 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Large DOC site with lots of concealed pitches.

    Hot showers and flush toilets. Lovely bushwalking from the site. Close to Wellington but peaceful and quiet.

    Reviewed almost 8 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Perfect campground - plenty of space with nooks so you can claim your own wee patch, nice vibe, pet friendly, a wee river right there and swimming hole a few minutes walk away.

    Hot shower (free, unmetered), plenty of toilets and a kitchen block with free BBQ's (no hot water), recycling and rubbish. Would be a hard job to beat it!

    Reviewed almost 9 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Beautiful valley with nice campground.

    Facilities are dated but ok. Nice hikes in the area.

    Really dark in the area so the stars on a clear night are fantastic.

    One challenge for us was that the campground is a bit out of the way. It is not going to/from anything else. But the price is great.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Very good DOC campsite, cold shower was good.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in February 2014

  • 4.5/5

    gates close at dusk -- this ensures there's no cars driving around in evening or early morning, makes it safer for small kids.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago

  • 3.5/5

    Nice spot with a lot of walks in the forest - hot shower - not too expensive - not so easily accessible.

    Reviewed over 11 years ago and experienced in February 2013

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful location, well maintained, perfectly clean, recycling possibilities.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    $10 per night.

    Warm shower, neat area and good cooking facilities.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful huge campsite with hot shower and well prepared walks.

    Perfect for a few days before picking the ferry from Wellington to Picton.

    Reviewed almost 12 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Lots of space, great if you need to catch the ferry early the next morning.

    The most friendly ranger we have ever met!!

    Reviewed over 13 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Hot shower.

    Reviewed almost 15 years ago