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Camping guide · updated 16 Oct 2026
Camping in Central North Island
DOC lists 15 campsites in Central North Island. 9 are free and 12 can be reached by car. Cheapest first.
Free campsites (9)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Army Road Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Clements Clearing Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Kaimanawa Road Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Kakapo Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Pokaka Mill Campsite Tongariro Forest Conservation Area | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Te Iringa Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Urchin Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Waikoko Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Whakaipo Campsite Taupō area | Basic Free | drive-in, dogs allowed, first come, first served |
Standard campsites (2)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mangahuia Campsite Tongariro National Park | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Mangawhero Campsite Tongariro National Park | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
Serviced campsites (1)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Whakapapa Holiday Park Tongariro National Park | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
Backcountry and Great Walk campsites (3)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Mangatepopo Campsite Tongariro National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Oturere Campsite Tongariro National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Waihohonu Campsite Tongariro National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
Campsite list: Department of Conservation open data (CC BY 4.0), refreshed weekly. Fees are DOC’s published category fees; some campsites differ and prices can change. Always check the DOC page for alerts and closures before you go.
Plan the rest of the trip
Find a campsite by region → Packing checklist Cheap car hire
Questions
Are there free campsites in Central North Island?
Yes, 9 DOC basic campsites in Central North Island are free.
How many DOC campsites are in Central North Island?
15, from DOC's campsite data (updated weekly).
Do I need to book?
Many standard and serviced DOC campsites need booking, especially in summer. Basic campsites are usually first come, first served.
More camping guides: all camping guides