Basic Camping

View Map

Accommodation ▷ Camping 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.

Filter by Region

Canterbury

Filter by Overnight Camping Site Cost

Any cost

Filter by Overnight Stay Rules

Camping and any vehicle

30 items with the highest ranking score first

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Peel Forest Campground

Peel Forest Park Scenic Reserve

32 Reviews

9 Face-to-Face

Details

The Peel Forest Camping Ground is a large campsite and bookings are required over the mid summer months. There are also several powered sites...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Lake Tennyson Campsite

Molesworth Station

15 Reviews

5 Face-to-Face

Details

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...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Balmoral Recreation Reserve Camping Ground

beside Hurunui River

31 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Details

The Balmoral Recreation Reserve Camping Ground is administered by the Balmoral Recreation Area Charitable Trust and is located along Culverden...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Waihi Gorge Campsite

Geraldine

28 Reviews

7 Face-to-Face

Details

The Waihi Gorge Camping Ground is a huge grassy area with lots of rocky outcrops creating a terraced area with a stream running through the middle...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Mistletoe Flats Campsite

9 Reviews

Details

This place is very popular with climbers who hang out at Castle Hill. You can camp in a bunch of nooks and crannies. There are spots next to the...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Pioneer Park Campsite

Geraldine

20 Reviews

Details

The Pioneer Park Camping Ground is situated in a large open, sunny grassy area surrounded by trees. You can tuck into the trees if you need more...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Acheron Accomodation House Campsite

Molesworth Station - Hanmer

7 Reviews

Details

Camp at the site of the former Acheron Accomodation House, once used as an overnight carriage stop. Gravel access. Not suitable for caravans...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Lake Taylor Campsite

Lake Sumner Conservation Park

9 Reviews

Details

A beautiful area well worth the effort to get into over a pretty rough gravel road. You can find a little spot to call your own beside the lake...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite

Arthur's Pass

74 Reviews

16 Face-to-Face

Details

A basic camping area along side Lake Pearson very popular with bird watching and fishing. Camp nestled underneath the mature willow trees, a huge...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Rakaia Gorge Camping Ground

105 Reviews

16 Face-to-Face

Details

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...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Waihora Park Domain Camping Ground

Motukarara

28 Reviews

Details

The Waihora Park Domain is a very peaceful setting in Motukarara, near Banks Penisula on the way out to Akaroa. T It has public toilets and...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Whitecliffs Domain

15 Reviews

Details

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Timber Yard Point Lakeside Domain Camping Area

Lake Ellesmere

63 Reviews

Details

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...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Klondyke Corner Campsite

Arthurs Pass

29 Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

Details

Klondyke Corner Camping Ground is a large open campsite surrounded by large trees creating a good sheltered spot. It is right on the banks of...

Learn More

Camping NZ App

All the great camping sites on your iPhone™, iPad™ or Android™ phone or tablet. Avoid camping penalties using this council approved app. Featuring offline maps.

The Hawdon Shelter Camping Ground is a huge camping area on the grassy flats surrounded by mature beech trees. This place could be a bit exposed...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Pigeon Bay Motor Camp

Kukupa

10 Reviews

Details

$20/site for 2 adults. Please book and pay online.

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

St James Homestead Camping Ground

7 Reviews

Details

· Basic facility - Free camping · 6-10 sites · Water supply · Dogs ok · Vehicle access · Toilet

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Andrews Shelter Campsite

Arthurs Pass

17 Reviews

Details

Camp on private flats along the river, or tuck in closer to the actual shelter which is a great place to cook in if the weather turns nasty. Amazing...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Wooded Gully Campsite

Oxford

16 Reviews

Details

A huge grassy area with amazing views over the Canterbury Plains. You can also camp in smaller private areas next to the stream. This is a terraced...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Mt Nimrod Campsite

Motukaika

1 Review

Details

The Mt Nimrod Camping Ground is a quiet campsite southwest of Timaru on the edge of the Hunter Hills Conservation Area. There are picnic and recycling...

Learn More

South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷

Motunau Beach Camping

Greta Valley

14 Reviews

Details

Motunau Beach Camping Ground along Lyndsay Terrace is administered by the Motunau Beach Ratepayers Association. It's a simple campsite with limited...