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Camping guide · updated 16 Oct 2026
Camping in East Coast
DOC lists 19 campsites in East Coast. 10 are free and 14 can be reached by car. Cheapest first.
Free campsites (10)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Boulders Campsite Ōpōtiki area | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Mid Okahu Road Campsite Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Mimiha Campsite Te Urewera | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Orangihikoia Campsite Te Urewera | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Rosie Bay Campsite Te Urewera | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Sanctuary Campsite Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Te Pakau (Eight Acre) Campsite Te Urewera | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Te Taita A Makoro Campsite Te Urewera | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Whitikau Campsite Ōpōtiki area | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Verns Camp Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park | Basic Free | walk-in, first come, first served |
Standard campsites (4)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Anaura Bay Campsite Anaura Bay area | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Manganuku Campsite Ōpōtiki area | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Mokau Landing Campsite Te Urewera | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Omahuru Campsite Te Urewera | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
Serviced campsites (1)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Waikaremoana Holiday Park Lake Waikaremoana area | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
Backcountry and Great Walk campsites (4)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Korokoro Campsite Te Urewera | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Maraunui Campsite Te Urewera | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Waiharuru Campsite Te Urewera | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Waiopaoa Campsite Te Urewera | 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 East Coast?
Yes, 10 DOC basic campsites in East Coast are free.
How many DOC campsites are in East Coast?
19, 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