North Egmont Carparks
Egmont National Park - Overnight Campervan Parking
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North Egmont Carparks
The visitor centre has displays on the local volcanic history and ecology along with displays of the European and Maori history of the mountain. There is a small café and a retail area where you can buy maps and brochures. DOC staff are available for help with track information and weather updates.
The nearby viewing platform offers stunning views of the Mountain, surrounding countryside and the Taranaki coast.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC TaranakiCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Taranaki ▷ Mt Taranaki |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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4.5/5
Quiet place with a few other freedom campers.
3 toilets next to the visitor's center, not really clean. There is a water bottle free refill station next to the entrance of the visitor's center.
Stargazing is amazing here when there are no clouds. It gets windy and cold during the night so a more sheltered spot on the lower parking area is a good idea.
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2.5/5
Stayed here for 1 night and the winds were terrible didn’t sleep!
Not much cover or protection. Toilets are kept open and there is drinking water which is a bonus. Some spots are level. Can imagine during peak it gets quite busy as there was already 5 of us. Other than the weather was a decent spot- follow @milly0nthem0ve IG/YT for all things travel
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4.5/5
It was just perfect to come here and sleep so near the beginning of the tracks.
The night was extremely clear so we went to look at the stars above Taranaki... Amazing.
Toilets were flushing and a small sink to wash your hand and clean your tooth, ok clean.
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5.0/5
Lovely spot esp.
if you’re wanting to do some hikes that leave from here. Recommend walking up the Holly hut track to the lookout for a great view of Taranaki, if nothing else. About 1.5h return or less. Woman working at the visitor center was very kind and helpful with recommendations. She said CSC vehicles ok anywhere in lower car park. Few vans showed up late and parked as close as possible to others even though there were plenty of free spots, but to be fair there wasn’t much signage on where it was ok to park. Bathrooms clean, well lit, and open all night. Drinking water available too at a fountain with spout for bottle fill. No cafe here anymore!
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5.0/5
Lots of room to spread out.
Clean and easy access to bathrooms and drinking water. Great view of the volcano!
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4.5/5
Really nice spot.
Sunset over the mountain was stunning. Cafe still closed unfortunately but the toilet was all we needed. Small water point available outside to fill you (smaller) water bottle. 3 official camper spots, but the lower part of the parking lot can be used for self-contained vehicles at the end of the day also according to the lady inside.
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4.5/5
Beautiful drive in and amazing view to wake up to on a clear day with Taranaki overhead.
Only issue was the bathrooms had no soap.
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5.0/5
Just updating for all these reviews below everything is accurate.
It’s a beautiful place head up there and enjoy the mountain!
M&J 🙂
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5.0/5
Good spot if it is not to windy.
Toilet is open al night and was very clean. I can use half an hour of free wifi from the DOC visitors center. Beautiful view on MT Taranaki and amazing stargazing at night.
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4.5/5
Great spot with an awesome view of the volcano.
Cafe was closed but toilets are close and very clean. Super quiet, only two other campers nearby.
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5.0/5
The view of Mt Taranaki on the north side drive along Egmont Rd was stunning and, arriving at the North Egmont Docs Visitor Centre carpark, it opened up to be the ultimate view.
Winter review
9 spaces for self contained campers marked in yelllow, we were only one of two vans, with the most stunning view of Mt Taranaki.
The Docs bathrooms are opened 24hrs with sensor lights and was spacious & clean (& a warm respite in the heart of winter)- a friendly note to request motorhomes to not use the sink as a kitchen sink
DOCs 1/2 hour free WiFi available around toilet block
Amazing info at the Centre describing history, geology, flora, and fauna of the Taranaki region
Lucky us, we woke up to a perfect rainbow over a perfect clear view of Mt Taranaki.
Some amazing walks from here & the staff at the Docs Visitor Centre was the most friendly & helpful of our entire trip- helping with our walk in Taranaki (Veronica loop) as well as other journeys from there.
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4.5/5
Quiet place with a few other freedom campers.
3 toilets next to the visitor's center, not really clean. There is a water bottle free refill station next to the entrance of the visitor's center.
Stargazing is amazing here when there are no clouds. It gets windy and cold during the night so a more sheltered spot on the lower parking area is a good idea.
-
2.5/5
Stayed here for 1 night and the winds were terrible didn’t sleep!
Not much cover or protection. Toilets are kept open and there is drinking water which is a bonus. Some spots are level. Can imagine during peak it gets quite busy as there was already 5 of us. Other than the weather was a decent spot- follow @milly0nthem0ve IG/YT for all things travel
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4.5/5
It was just perfect to come here and sleep so near the beginning of the tracks.
The night was extremely clear so we went to look at the stars above Taranaki... Amazing.
Toilets were flushing and a small sink to wash your hand and clean your tooth, ok clean.
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5.0/5
Lovely spot esp.
if you’re wanting to do some hikes that leave from here. Recommend walking up the Holly hut track to the lookout for a great view of Taranaki, if nothing else. About 1.5h return or less. Woman working at the visitor center was very kind and helpful with recommendations. She said CSC vehicles ok anywhere in lower car park. Few vans showed up late and parked as close as possible to others even though there were plenty of free spots, but to be fair there wasn’t much signage on where it was ok to park. Bathrooms clean, well lit, and open all night. Drinking water available too at a fountain with spout for bottle fill. No cafe here anymore!
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5.0/5
Lots of room to spread out.
Clean and easy access to bathrooms and drinking water. Great view of the volcano!
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4.5/5
Really nice spot.
Sunset over the mountain was stunning. Cafe still closed unfortunately but the toilet was all we needed. Small water point available outside to fill you (smaller) water bottle. 3 official camper spots, but the lower part of the parking lot can be used for self-contained vehicles at the end of the day also according to the lady inside.
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4.5/5
Beautiful drive in and amazing view to wake up to on a clear day with Taranaki overhead.
Only issue was the bathrooms had no soap.
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5.0/5
Good spot if it is not to windy.
Toilet is open al night and was very clean. I can use half an hour of free wifi from the DOC visitors center. Beautiful view on MT Taranaki and amazing stargazing at night.
-
5.0/5
Just updating for all these reviews below everything is accurate.
It’s a beautiful place head up there and enjoy the mountain!
M&J 🙂
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4.5/5
Great spot with an awesome view of the volcano.
Cafe was closed but toilets are close and very clean. Super quiet, only two other campers nearby.
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5.0/5
The view of Mt Taranaki on the north side drive along Egmont Rd was stunning and, arriving at the North Egmont Docs Visitor Centre carpark, it opened up to be the ultimate view.
Winter review
9 spaces for self contained campers marked in yelllow, we were only one of two vans, with the most stunning view of Mt Taranaki.
The Docs bathrooms are opened 24hrs with sensor lights and was spacious & clean (& a warm respite in the heart of winter)- a friendly note to request motorhomes to not use the sink as a kitchen sink
DOCs 1/2 hour free WiFi available around toilet block
Amazing info at the Centre describing history, geology, flora, and fauna of the Taranaki region
Lucky us, we woke up to a perfect rainbow over a perfect clear view of Mt Taranaki.
Some amazing walks from here & the staff at the Docs Visitor Centre was the most friendly & helpful of our entire trip- helping with our walk in Taranaki (Veronica loop) as well as other journeys from there.
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4.5/5
Clean toilet and lots of space for overnight parking as it was quiet at the time.
Lucky also with an amazing view of Mt Taranaki to wake up to made the spot perfect for a free camp!
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5.0/5
A beautiful place to stay over night!
The road is a bit windy, we came in the dark so it would be easier in the daytime I’m sure.
There was plenty of room and we got to go for a great loop walk in the morning.
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4.5/5
About 7 places allocated to campervans.
Very pleasant, great views, loos ok with a large enclosed area to prepare for trekking etc. Very helpful visitors' centre
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5.0/5
Oct 19.
We arrived late in the day and the mountain was covered in cloud.
Very good toilet facilities, extensive walking tracks, from 1 hour to 2 day, parking for up to 20 vans.
Cafe and information centre that is open 9-4.
The next morning we woke at dawn to the most amazingly clear view of Mt Taranaki towering over us, and so clear. It was truly one of the most amazing views of our entire North island trip, and worth the drive.
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4.5/5
Sept 19: We arrived around 4pm and were treated to stunning views of Mt Taranaki all the way in.
The spots for larger vans are a little sloped, which is not the end of the world, though the lower level regular spots offer the best morning views. Very quiet time of year and we could hear kiwis in the darkness from our bed. The toilets are clean and open all night and the visitors' centre has great staff who are very friendly and helpful regarding the local walks (especially the weather was somewhat....inclement when we were there). The cafe also has great coffee and cake to fuel up before hitting the trails!
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4.0/5
Incredible place to stay before exploring Mt Taranaki!
We arrived in the dark and were treated to beautiful views of the mountain when we woke up!
Toilets in good condition and left open all night. Drinking water fountains available.
Visitor centre opened around 08:30, staff were friendly and helpful r.e. walks.
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5.0/5
Great camping car park to start a hike up Mt.
Taranaki. The staff there are wonderfully helpful as I hit my head pretty hard on the boot of our van and seeked medical attention... Plenty of room, with clean toilets available all night and drinking water from the water fountains. Top spot.
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2.5/5
Waited for the car park to clear after 3.30pm to get a level parking space in top car park.
Comings and goings seemed to go on into the late evening, even after dark, and then started again from 4.30am onwards as people started an early hike. Great view of mountain. No facilities as just a car park but the toilets in the visitor centre were unlocked. It’s ok for one night stay.
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3.5/5
Large carpark with spaces even late at night.
Only a few spots suitable for long vehicles though. Our van was 7m and once a few cars had parked around is in the morning it was very tight getting out. Great view of Mt Taranaki though.
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5.0/5
Great place to stay before going hiking.
Car park is pretty big and wasnt too full in Nov. You can leave your car here when you go hiking. Clean toilets open all night. If you are lucky you get a view of mt taranaki too :)
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5.0/5
Best free camping on our NZ trip probably best free campsite in the world just stunning room for 20 units at least nice toilets and cafe opens early morning walks direct from car park well worth the effort
of a drive south west , use highway 4 from Ohakune south to Wanganui you won’t be disappointed, best road trip we have had so far on par with Coromandel coast road stunning
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5.0/5
Amazing view to the Taranaki!!
Star gazing at night is mind blowing!! Go to the upper small parking and you’ll be just in front the volcano. Public toilet open 24/7 and clean. Nice place to stay if you are going on trek next day.
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4.5/5
Staying at the visitor carpark, good public toilets, had a brilliant view of Mt Egmont in the morning!
Good spot if you're about to go for a hike there.
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3.0/5
Stayed there one night with for free.
There is a clean toilet available. Would recommend it for early walks in the national park. People in iSite and the cafe were very friendly. Very good cake and coffee in the cafe for a reasonable price.
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3.5/5
Parking lot next to the Information Centre, 24 hour toilet.
During the night very cold. Wonderful view in the morning.
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5.0/5
Awesome freedom camping spot.
We woke to the awesome view of Mt Taranaki. We were above the cloud line so if we didn't make the trek up there we would have missed this fab view.
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4.5/5
A carpark with toilet.
What makes it really good is the awesome view, near walking tracks and it is free!
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4.5/5
Beautiful view, clean toilets (from the i-Site), and perfectly placed for an early morning start at the Taranaki tracks.
