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.

448 items with the highest ranking score first, showing page 7 of 15.

Camping at the top

North IslandNorthland

(Spirits Bay Campsite)

Kapowairua Campsite

Te Paki Recreation Reserve, Cape Reinga

4.3 72 reviews

This is the perfect place to go fishing and swimming! The Kapowairua Camping Ground is situated close to the beach and the lagoon.

Ambury Camping Area

North IslandAuckland Region

4.3 49 reviews

Ambury has basic, flat camping in a country vibe location, yet only 10 minutes drive from Auckland International Airport. Toilets and drinking...

North IslandWaikato

4.3 41 reviews

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

A view of Lake Wakatipu from the Kinloch Camping Ground

South IslandQueenstown Region

4.3 38 reviews

Kinloch Camping Ground is a great place from which to start the many walks around the area such as the Greenstone or the Caples walks. The campsite...

Mangawhero Camping Ground - Ohakune

North IslandRuapehu

Mangawhero Campsite

Tongariro National Park

4.3 32 reviews

The Mangawhero Camping Ground is just 2km up the Mountain Road from Ohakune. A primo place to explore the area, go biking along the Ohakune Coach...

Waihora Park Reserve Camping Ground

South IslandCanterbury

4.3 30 reviews

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...

Bucks Road Camping Ground

North IslandWairarapa

Bucks Road Campsite

Tararua Forest Park

4.3 30 reviews

Enjoy the picturesque campsite above the Tauherenikau River amongst regenerating bush. Camp at the roadend or walk approx 150 m along the track...

Slab Hut Creek Camping Ground

South IslandWest Coast

4.3 28 reviews

This is a very popular picnicing area and campsite. It is situated in an old gold mining area, so you can try your luck at fossicking for the...

Primo facilities

South IslandCoastal Otago

4.3 23 reviews

An awesome DOC campsite with great facilities, this place has recently been upgraded. There is a large grassy area surrounded by mature native...

North IslandWellington Region

Catchpool Valley Campsite

Rimutaka Forest Park

4.3 21 reviews

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

Boat Harbour

South IslandMount Cook - MacKenzie

Otematata Boat Harbour campground

Lake Benmore - Waitaki Valley

4.3 3 reviews

The Waitaki District Council looks after this campsite and for a small fee you can experience the goodness. Please register and pay on arrival...

North IslandRuapehu

Tīeke Marae/Kāinga Campsite

Whanganui National Park

4.3 2 reviews

South IslandFiordland

4.2 181 reviews

This large sheltered campsite is suitable for larger vehicles. There are lots of different areas to park up on and call your own and there is...

Tapotupotu Bay

North IslandNorthland

Tapotupotu Campsite

Aupouri Peninsula, Cape Reinga

4.2 175 reviews

DOC campsite, small fee, basic facilities

Camping NZ App Icon

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.

Download from the App Store Download Android app on Google Play

South IslandWest Coast

Gillespies Beach Campsite

Gillespies Beach

4.2 108 reviews

A primo spot next to the beach. The campsite is quite small and is very popular so getting a good spot may be a bit challenging, there is a good...

Plenty of space on the lakefront.

North IslandHawkes Bay

4.2 29 reviews

A large, low cost camping area, for all vehicle types, on the foreshore of Lake Tutira. $5 per vehicle, per night. Pay online at the website...

South IslandMarlborough

4.2 28 reviews

* The Kenepuru road is closed, but Mistletoe Bay Eco village remains open! Accessible via water taxi or the Queen Charlotte Track. * Not your...

North IslandAuckland Region

Wenderholm Camping Ground

Wenderholm Regional Park

4.2 22 reviews

Gates open at 6am and close at 9pm

Orari Gorge

South IslandCanterbury

Orari Campsite

Geraldine

4.2 18 reviews

A cute campsite nestled in amongst native bush outcrops - cool cabbage trees! There are some great walks to do through the forest along the old...

Not Operating

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...

Heaps of space

South IslandCentral Otago

4.2 14 reviews

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

Ohinepane Camping Ground - Whanganui Journey

North IslandRuapehu

Ohinepane Campsite

Ohinepane Recreation Reserve

4.2 14 reviews

Great Walk Hut

Overnight parking in blue area

North IslandAuckland Region

Port Albert Wharf Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

4.2 9 reviews

A maximum of 10 self-contained vehicles can stay overnight in the area designated for freedom camping. If you want to stay overnight in this...

Waiohine campground is surrounded by native bush.

North IslandWairarapa

Waiohine Gorge Campsite

Tararua Forest Park

4.2 6 reviews

Waiohine Gorge Campground is set in a beautiful bush setting, located above a river junction and next to one of the best accessible swing bridges...

Harvey Bay Camping Ground

South IslandMarlborough

Harvey Bay Campsite

Tennyson Inlet

4.2 4 reviews

A large, flat, sheltered camping area which makes a great base for exploring the Tennyson Inlet and the nearby area by boat, foot or by mountain...

South IslandNelson Region

Angelus Hut campsite

Nelson Lakes National Park

4.2 3 reviews

Klondyke Corner Camping Ground

South IslandCanterbury

4.1 35 reviews

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...

Chill out and enjoy

South IslandWest Coast

4.1 32 reviews

Another one of the wonderful West Coast's forest-lined fresh water lakes. Popular for fishing, boating and swimming.

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 IslandWaikato

4.1 18 reviews

The site is located on Marshall Street, Paeroa. A dump station is available at the site. Power is available at this site which incurs a fee...