Rakaia Gorge Camping Ground
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Rakaia Gorge Camping Ground
What a view!!! This place really takes the cake. This campsite is run by the Rakaia Gorge Society and is frequented by the more mature crowd who stay here for the long haul over summer. Summer camping from Mid Oct to 25th April each year, all facilities are open including showers. Fee is $15pp per night, children under 10 are free. Caretakers live on site during Summer. Winter camping is from 26th April through to mid October. Fee at that time is $10pp per night, children under 10 free. All facilities apart from the public toilets are closed. Parking during Winter Camping is from Site 1 through to Site 10. No caretakers during Winter.
Details
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Organisation |
Rakaia Gorge SocietyCommercial organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Methven |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Dump Station
Nearby
Reviews
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5.0/5
Beautiful view, great facilities, clean, high quality lawns.
Definitely worth a visit.
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5.0/5
Very nice spot.
Hot shower, rubbish bin, sink for the dishes, clean flushing toilets. Amazing views if you park along the river side. Worths the price.
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(84,41,254)" /><path d="m 150 609 Q 90 210 -309 150 Q 90 90 150 -309 Q 210 90 609 150 Q 210 210 150 609 z" fill="rgb(173,56,26)" /><path d="m 150 401 Q 216 84 -101 150 Q 216 216 150 -101 Q 84 216 401 150 Q 84 84 150 401 z" fill="rgb(82,199,229)" /><path d="m 150 273 Q 77 223 27 150 Q 77 77 150 27 Q 223 77 273 150 Q 223 223 150 273 z" fill="rgb(171,214,1)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
An amazing campsite!
Incredible view and a well kept and clean camping area. Hot showers and a kitchen a bonus. At $15pp this is great value, especially compared to many of the DOC campsites.
I![](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(54,222,93)" /><path d="m 150 659 Q 119 181 -359 150 Q 119 119 150 -359 Q 181 119 659 150 Q 181 181 150 659 z" fill="rgb(207,238,255)" /><path d="m 150 460 Q 255 45 -160 150 Q 255 255 150 -160 Q 45 255 460 150 Q 45 45 150 460 z" fill="rgb(48,17,0)" /><path d="m 150 260 Q 294 6 40 150 Q 294 294 150 40 Q 6 294 260 150 Q 6 6 150 260 z" fill="rgb(201,33,162)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Beautiful first stop after starting in Christchurch.
Nice view down the river. Showers and toilets good.
P![](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(151,224,73)" /><path d="m 150 624 Q 245 55 -324 150 Q 245 245 150 -324 Q 55 245 624 150 Q 55 55 150 624 z" fill="rgb(40,182,33)" /><path d="m 150 509 Q 199 101 -209 150 Q 199 199 150 -209 Q 101 199 509 150 Q 101 101 150 509 z" fill="rgb(215,73,222)" /><path d="m 150 197 Q 248 52 103 150 Q 248 248 150 103 Q 52 248 197 150 Q 52 52 150 197 z" fill="rgb(104,31,182)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Brilliant spot, nice welcome from Brett and Denise.
Simple but clean facilities. Proper camping.
SP![](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(242,200,224)" /><path d="m 150 516 Q 148 152 -216 150 Q 148 148 150 -216 Q 152 148 516 150 Q 152 152 150 516 z" fill="rgb(26,175,13)" /><path d="m 150 472 Q 277 23 -172 150 Q 277 277 150 -172 Q 23 277 472 150 Q 23 23 150 472 z" fill="rgb(229,80,242)" /><path d="m 150 191 Q 56 244 109 150 Q 56 56 150 109 Q 244 56 191 150 Q 244 244 150 191 z" fill="rgb(13,55,31)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Arrived in September (so out of season - no showers) however, very clean drop toilets, felt super safe, amazing views, gorge stunning, and best of all a purpose made bench for star gazing with star gazing
info! Would recommend having a hot drink and sitting out in sleeping bag to enjoy!
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(137,242,24)" /><path d="m 150 707 Q 189 111 -407 150 Q 189 189 150 -407 Q 111 189 707 150 Q 111 111 150 707 z" fill="rgb(126,108,169)" /><path d="m 150 356 Q 300 0 -56 150 Q 300 300 150 -56 Q 0 300 356 150 Q 0 0 150 356 z" fill="rgb(129,147,86)" /><path d="m 150 256 Q 238 62 44 150 Q 238 238 150 44 Q 62 238 256 150 Q 62 62 150 256 z" fill="rgb(118,13,231)" /></svg>)
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1.0/5
Came here June 2024 desperate to use their showers other users had mentioned.
Half the campsite was closed due to the Winter season and unfortunately it was the half with the showers in! Toilets were ok but I left in search of somewhere else to scrub up.
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(116,165,144)" /><path d="m 150 630 Q 175 125 -330 150 Q 175 175 150 -330 Q 125 175 630 150 Q 125 125 150 630 z" fill="rgb(172,220,173)" /><path d="m 150 373 Q 67 233 -73 150 Q 67 67 150 -73 Q 233 67 373 150 Q 233 233 150 373 z" fill="rgb(83,35,82)" /><path d="m 150 256 Q 160 140 44 150 Q 160 160 150 44 Q 140 160 256 150 Q 140 140 150 256 z" fill="rgb(139,90,111)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
We were here mid april on a sunday night and it was pretty quiet.
Friendly host (only accepts cash!) and very nice campsite with beautiful view. One thing we haven’t read in any reviews: the toiletbuilding has no lights, so bring a torch/head light!
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5.0/5
Amazing views, very clean facilities stayed 3 nights 14, 15 and 16 March 2024 Camp managers very helpful and knowledgeable would stay again best location we have had on our 69 day South Island trip
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5.0/5
Awesome spot - cannot recommend it enough!
Unreal views and some nice and secluded sites tucked away in the bushes. $15 a night per person including hot showers. Nice track down to the river for a swim!
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4.5/5
Great place to stay.
$15pp per night as of Feb 2024. The views are amazing, the camp is so well maintained and taken care of. Extremely friendly and dogs are free. The toilet facilities were so clean and great. Will definitely going back.
AH![](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(24,147,11)" /><path d="m 150 551 Q 260 40 -251 150 Q 260 260 150 -251 Q 40 260 551 150 Q 40 40 150 551 z" fill="rgb(6,103,87)" /><path d="m 150 344 Q 82 218 -44 150 Q 82 82 150 -44 Q 218 82 344 150 Q 218 218 150 344 z" fill="rgb(249,152,168)" /><path d="m 150 155 Q 78 222 145 150 Q 78 78 150 145 Q 222 78 155 150 Q 222 222 150 155 z" fill="rgb(231,108,244)" /></svg>)
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0.5/5
Greeted by an extremely rude, aggressive lady yelling at us asking what we were doing.
We had only hopped out of the motorhome & walked a couple of metres to the park gate to look how busy it was. She yelled can't we read that we need to go to the camp manager 1st (her). We immediately left...very disappointing as we have stayed here before & it was lovely
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5.0/5
Very happy with this campground!
Well priced at $30 for two in our motorhome. Spectacular views and really well presented bathrooms and cooking area. Thanks heaps to the Society for making the facility available to the public!
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5.0/5
Great site.
No electric hook up but really good value and stunning views. Lovely hot showers too.
R![](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(238,239,156)" /><path d="m 150 525 Q 90 210 -225 150 Q 90 90 150 -225 Q 210 90 525 150 Q 210 210 150 525 z" fill="rgb(35,118,144)" /><path d="m 150 419 Q 234 66 -119 150 Q 234 234 150 -119 Q 66 234 419 150 Q 66 66 150 419 z" fill="rgb(220,137,111)" /><path d="m 150 104 Q 228 72 196 150 Q 228 228 150 196 Q 72 228 104 150 Q 72 72 150 104 z" fill="rgb(17,16,99)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Nice place, clean toilets, good facilities and the owners understood the need for and facilitated in finding a good spot for our little tent due to the harsh winds when we were there.
Visited one night, lots of long stay older people. Rakaia gorge tramping track starts right across the bridge from the campground. Big plus
E![](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(121,45,136)" /><path d="m 150 644 Q 122 178 -344 150 Q 122 122 150 -344 Q 178 122 644 150 Q 178 178 150 644 z" fill="rgb(213,206,141)" /><path d="m 150 312 Q 222 78 -12 150 Q 222 222 150 -12 Q 78 222 312 150 Q 78 78 150 312 z" fill="rgb(42,49,114)" /><path d="m 150 191 Q 198 102 109 150 Q 198 198 150 109 Q 102 198 191 150 Q 102 102 150 191 z" fill="rgb(134,210,119)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
This was our last stop before catching a flight from Christchurch and it was perfect.
The view was stunning, the caretaker was so helpful and everything was spotless and well maintained. Be aware this is cash only
Y![](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(245,103,41)" /><path d="m 150 739 Q 104 196 -439 150 Q 104 104 150 -439 Q 196 104 739 150 Q 196 196 150 739 z" fill="rgb(33,181,149)" /><path d="m 150 486 Q 71 229 -186 150 Q 71 71 150 -186 Q 229 71 486 150 Q 229 229 150 486 z" fill="rgb(222,74,106)" /><path d="m 150 315 Q 288 12 -15 150 Q 288 288 150 -15 Q 12 288 315 150 Q 12 12 150 315 z" fill="rgb(10,152,214)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Stayed one night after picking up camper from Christchurch.
Lovely spot with super clean toilets. Only the winter area was available but plenty of room for about 10 vans. Honestly box for camp fees so bring correct change! $15 per adult.
CD![](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(188,124,142)" /><path d="m 150 568 Q 132 168 -268 150 Q 132 132 150 -268 Q 168 132 568 150 Q 168 168 150 568 z" fill="rgb(110,186,34)" /><path d="m 150 361 Q 277 23 -61 150 Q 277 277 150 -61 Q 23 277 361 150 Q 23 23 150 361 z" fill="rgb(145,69,221)" /><path d="m 150 297 Q 255 45 3 150 Q 255 255 150 3 Q 45 255 297 150 Q 45 45 150 297 z" fill="rgb(67,131,113)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Beautiful view, great facilities, clean, high quality lawns.
Definitely worth a visit.
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5.0/5
Very nice spot.
Hot shower, rubbish bin, sink for the dishes, clean flushing toilets. Amazing views if you park along the river side. Worths the price.
S -
5.0/5
An amazing campsite!
Incredible view and a well kept and clean camping area. Hot showers and a kitchen a bonus. At $15pp this is great value, especially compared to many of the DOC campsites.
I -
4.5/5
Beautiful first stop after starting in Christchurch.
Nice view down the river. Showers and toilets good.
P -
4.5/5
Brilliant spot, nice welcome from Brett and Denise.
Simple but clean facilities. Proper camping.
SP -
4.5/5
Arrived in September (so out of season - no showers) however, very clean drop toilets, felt super safe, amazing views, gorge stunning, and best of all a purpose made bench for star gazing with star gazing
info! Would recommend having a hot drink and sitting out in sleeping bag to enjoy!
S -
1.0/5
Came here June 2024 desperate to use their showers other users had mentioned.
Half the campsite was closed due to the Winter season and unfortunately it was the half with the showers in! Toilets were ok but I left in search of somewhere else to scrub up.
J -
4.0/5
We were here mid april on a sunday night and it was pretty quiet.
Friendly host (only accepts cash!) and very nice campsite with beautiful view. One thing we haven’t read in any reviews: the toiletbuilding has no lights, so bring a torch/head light!
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5.0/5
Amazing views, very clean facilities stayed 3 nights 14, 15 and 16 March 2024 Camp managers very helpful and knowledgeable would stay again best location we have had on our 69 day South Island trip
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5.0/5
Awesome spot - cannot recommend it enough!
Unreal views and some nice and secluded sites tucked away in the bushes. $15 a night per person including hot showers. Nice track down to the river for a swim!
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4.5/5
Great place to stay.
$15pp per night as of Feb 2024. The views are amazing, the camp is so well maintained and taken care of. Extremely friendly and dogs are free. The toilet facilities were so clean and great. Will definitely going back.
AH -
0.5/5
Greeted by an extremely rude, aggressive lady yelling at us asking what we were doing.
We had only hopped out of the motorhome & walked a couple of metres to the park gate to look how busy it was. She yelled can't we read that we need to go to the camp manager 1st (her). We immediately left...very disappointing as we have stayed here before & it was lovely
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5.0/5
Very happy with this campground!
Well priced at $30 for two in our motorhome. Spectacular views and really well presented bathrooms and cooking area. Thanks heaps to the Society for making the facility available to the public!
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5.0/5
Great site.
No electric hook up but really good value and stunning views. Lovely hot showers too.
R -
4.0/5
Nice place, clean toilets, good facilities and the owners understood the need for and facilitated in finding a good spot for our little tent due to the harsh winds when we were there.
Visited one night, lots of long stay older people. Rakaia gorge tramping track starts right across the bridge from the campground. Big plus
E -
5.0/5
This was our last stop before catching a flight from Christchurch and it was perfect.
The view was stunning, the caretaker was so helpful and everything was spotless and well maintained. Be aware this is cash only
Y -
4.0/5
Stayed one night after picking up camper from Christchurch.
Lovely spot with super clean toilets. Only the winter area was available but plenty of room for about 10 vans. Honestly box for camp fees so bring correct change! $15 per adult.
CD -
3.5/5
For anyone who can get a decent site this is a really pretty spot.
Unfortunately due, I think, to our arrival at 8.30pm we were told all sites were gone and were given a site backing onto the main road. I pretty much counted vehicles through all night as am a light sleeper. A walk around the camp in the morning revealed some much more preferable, and empty, sites. The stargazing as mentioned by others is literally out of this world - just beautiful. There are superb river views for those who are lucky enough to get one of those spots. Not sure how you get one of those as looks like a lot of empty caravans taking space up as well and some permanents living there. It's a bit hit and miss by the sounds of it when reading other reviews.
It's now $15 per person.
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0.5/5
We didn’t stay, the lady at the front was very rude.
They don’t take card and there’s no where close to get cash out.
Drove 15min Methven camp ground and the lady was so nice. Very nice camp ground, showers, clean kitchen. Worth the drive!!
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