Basic Camping

Kerosene Creek, Rotorua

PhotoVaughan Brookfield

AccommodationCamping Grounds

Basic Campsites

Camping with just the bare essentials in some of the most beautiful locations across NZ. Expect a non-flush toilet that's intermittently serviced. Anything more is a bonus.

62 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 1 of 3.

North IslandRuapehu

5 43 reviews

This area has a number of toilet facilities, tap water and a number of BBQs. The water is taken from a spring located very high on the edge of...

Apiti Domain

North IslandManawatu - Wanganui

Apiti Domain

Overnight Camping

4.9 6 reviews

FREE campsite for non self-contained, self-contained and tents. Maximum 5 night's stay per 30 day period. 1min drive / 15min walk to small...

Tiny

North IslandHawkes Bay

(Porangahau)

Te Paerahi Beach

Freedom Camping

4.8 38 reviews

Beachside free camping at Te Paerahi Beach

Lake Tennyson serenity

South IslandCanterbury

Lake Tennyson Campsite

Molesworth Station

4.8 15 reviews

If you are keen to stay in the middle of isolation, Lake Tennyson will be your calling. A beautiful spot for walks, fishing, swimming and relaxing...

Chill out at the Coldwater Stream Campsite

South IslandNelson Region

4.8 2 reviews

A basic campsite accessible to 4WD and mountain bikes. The toll road from St Arnaud and Coldwater Stream is open from Boxing Day through until...

North IslandWairarapa

Cape Palliser

Ngawi Camping Area

4.8 64 reviews

Camp near the quirky settlement of Ngawi, within signposted areas for a maximum of 21 days.

North IslandBay of Plenty

(Lake Aniwhenua)

Lake Aniwaniwa

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.8 18 reviews

This is a freedom camping area on the Lake Aniwaniwa Reserve. Basic toilet and shower facilities and a cooking shelter are provided. The lake...

Clements Clearing Camping Ground

North IslandTaupo Region

Clements Clearing Campsite

Kaimanawa Forest Park

4.8 9 reviews

Basic Camping at the base of Kaimanawa Ranges.

Orangihikoia Camping Ground

North IslandTairāwhiti Gisborne

4.8 3 reviews

Remote campsite, accessible via a long narrow winding road. Chill out and go walking, hunting or fishing.

North IslandWaikato

4.6 32 reviews

Descend down toward the recreation area. A grassy area with lots of space, on the banks of the Waikato River. Have you seen 'The Castle...

North IslandWaikato

4.6 16 reviews

Small reserve along the Waikato river with boat access, playground and public toilet

North IslandTairāwhiti Gisborne

(Te tōpuni ki te Tāhuna o Kaiaua)

Kaiaua Beach

Freedom Camping

4.6 8 reviews

Camping at Kaiaua Beach is from 23 October - 30 April. You must have a permit before you set up camp. Apply for permit on the website link...

Homestead Camping Ground

South IslandCentral Otago

4.6 6 reviews

This islolated campsite is the perfect place to relax, or get extreme and go mountain biking, hunting, fishing and tramping in the nearby St Bathans...

South IslandMount Cook - MacKenzie

4.6 25 reviews

Round Bush is just off the main road on the Lake Ohau side, not far past Lake Ohau Lodge.

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The reservoir below

South IslandNelson Region

4.6 20 reviews

A long and windy road up alongside the Takaka River (good swimming holes can be found) to the hydro power station. From there the road leads up...

Sanctuary Camping Ground

North IslandBay of Plenty

Sanctuary Campsite

Minginui Conservation Area

4.6 4 reviews

Very small campsite situated on the banks of the Minginui Stream. Please don't bring your dogs as Kiwi are nearby. Listen for them as you...

South IslandCanterbury

4.5 78 reviews

Lake Ellesmere is New Zealand's fifth largest lake and has a huge biodiversity of birdlife. The lake is actually a lagoon covering 20,000 hectares...

Heaps of space

South IslandCentral Otago

4.4 15 reviews

A basic campsite in a remote and historic area, explore the St Bathans township of mountain bike the Otago Rail Trail. Primo.

Freedom camping by the river

North IslandTairāwhiti Gisborne

(Te tōpuni ki te Pāka o Doneraille)

Doneraille Park Freedom Camping

Tiniroto

4.4 5 reviews

Riverside Freedom Camping.

Temporarily CLOSED for the season...

A cheeky view of the surf conditions

South IslandMarlborough

4.4 64 reviews

Robin Hood Bay Camping Ground is a small, basic camping site which is free of charge! The bay itself is isolated, beautiful and one of the most...

South IslandCanterbury

4.4 59 reviews

***CLOSED April - October*** This is a designated freedom camping area supported by the Selwyn District Council. Coes Ford can be found just...

Boulders Camping Ground

North IslandTairāwhiti Gisborne

Boulders Campsite

Urutawa Conservation Area

4.4 10 reviews

Boulders Camping Ground is beautiful, surrounded by nikau palms and tawa trees. A great place for a picnic and to go swimming in the Waiti Stream...

Mill flat Camping Ground

South IslandMarlborough

Mill Flat Campsite

Mount Richmond Forest Park

4.4 1 review

Pine Valley, Mount Richmond Forest Park

North IslandTaupo Region

Waikoko Campsite

Kaimanawa Forest Park

4.3 30 reviews

North IslandWaikato

4.3 40 reviews

Free camping on the Mangakino Recreation reserve on the shore of Lake Maraetai.

Anatori Beach

South IslandNelson Region

4.3 18 reviews

Absolutely Stunning West Coast Freedom Camp

Thicket Burn Camping Ground

South IslandSouthland

4.2 14 reviews

Just 5km's from New Zealand's deepest lake. This campsite is a bit off the beaten track and it's quite a long drive along a gravel road to get...

Urchin Camping Ground

North IslandTaupo Region

Urchin Campsite

Kaimanawa Forest Park

4.1 20 reviews

Urchin Camping Ground is quite and remote. A great place to base yourself and cycle Tree Trunk Gorge, the Pillars of Hercules or go tramping...

North IslandTaupo Region

Kaimanawa Road Campsite

Kaimanawa Forest Park

4.1 18 reviews

This camping ground is at the edge of the Kaimanawa Forest Park. It is situated in a wicked setting high above the river. Heaps of tramps start...

North IslandTairāwhiti Gisborne

4.1 9 reviews

Camp at the shore of Lake Waikaremoana in a secluded bay with stunning views. This is a popular campsite and a good base for lake activities.