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Camping guide · updated 16 Oct 2026
Camping in Nelson and Tasman
DOC lists 40 campsites in Nelson and Tasman. 2 are free and 12 can be reached by car. Cheapest first.
Free campsites (2)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Cobb River Campsite Cobb Valley | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Coldwater Stream Campsite Upper Wairau River area | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
Standard campsites (9)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Canaan Downs Campsite Canaan Downs Scenic Reserve | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Courthouse Flat Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Kawatiri Campsite Kawatiri area | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs allowed, first come, first served |
| Lake Rotoroa Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Siberia Flat Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Teetotal Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs allowed, first come, first served |
| Tōtaranui Campground Abel Tasman National Park | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| West Bay Campsite - Buller Zone Nelson Lakes National Park | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| West Bay Campsite - Jetty Zone Nelson Lakes National Park | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
Serviced campsites (1)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Kerr Bay Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
Backcountry and Great Walk campsites (28)
| Campsite | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Akersten Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Anapai Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Anchorage Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Angelus Hut Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Aorere Shelter Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Apple Tree Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Awaroa Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Bark Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Brown Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Coquille Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Gouland Downs Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Heaphy Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| James Mackay Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Katipo Creek Shelter Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Mosquito Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Mutton Cove Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Observation Beach Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Onetahuti Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Perry Saddle Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Saxon Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Scotts Beach Campsite Kahurangi National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Te Pukatea Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Tinline Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Torrent Bay Village Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Tōtaranui Great Walk Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Waiharakeke Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Watering Cove Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Whariwharangi Bay Campsite Abel Tasman 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 Nelson and Tasman?
Yes, 2 DOC basic campsites in Nelson and Tasman are free.
How many DOC campsites are in Nelson and Tasman?
40, 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