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Camping guide · updated 16 Oct 2026
Camping near Napier and Hastings
There are 48 DOC campsites within 150 km of Napier and Hastings, and 27 of them are free. 34 can be reached by car. The closest is Lake Tūtira Campsite, about 29 km away in a straight line.
Drive-in campsites (34)
| Campsite | Distance* | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Tūtira Campsite Tūtira area | 29 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Waikari River Mouth Campsite Waikari River area | 39 km | Basic Free | drive-in, dogs on a leash, first come, first served |
| Lawrence Campsite Kaweka Forest Park | 43 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Glenfalls Campsite Mōhaka River area | 44 km | Basic Free | drive-in, dogs on a leash, first come, first served |
| Cameron Campsite Kaweka Forest Park | 51 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Kuripapango (Ox Bow) Campsite Kaweka Forest Park | 52 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Mangatutu Hot Springs Campsite Kaweka Forest Park | 52 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Rosie Bay Campsite Te Urewera | 81 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Te Iringa Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 84 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Waikaremoana Holiday Park Lake Waikaremoana area | 85 km | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
| Mokau Landing Campsite Te Urewera | 86 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Clements Clearing Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 87 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Kakapo Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 87 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Army Road Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 88 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Te Taita A Makoro Campsite Te Urewera | 91 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Orangihikoia Campsite Te Urewera | 92 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Mimiha Campsite Te Urewera | 94 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Sanctuary Campsite Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park | 94 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Mid Okahu Road Campsite Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park | 98 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Kaimanawa Road Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 101 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Urchin Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 101 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Waikoko Campsite Kaimanawa Forest Park | 101 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Pohangina Base Campsite Pohangina Valley area | 102 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, hot showers, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Whakaipo Campsite Taupō area | 122 km | Basic Free | drive-in, dogs allowed, first come, first served |
| Whakapapa Holiday Park Tongariro National Park | 122 km | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
| Te Pakau (Eight Acre) Campsite Te Urewera | 127 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Mangawhero Campsite Tongariro National Park | 128 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Mangahuia Campsite Tongariro National Park | 129 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Pokaka Mill Campsite Tongariro Forest Conservation Area | 131 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Omahuru Campsite Te Urewera | 132 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Rerewhakaaitu, Brett Road Campsite Lake Rerewhakaaitu Recreation Reserve | 139 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Rerewhakaaitu, Ash Pit Rd Campsite Lake Rerewhakaaitu Recreation Reserve | 140 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Manganuku Campsite Ōpōtiki area | 140 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Kakaho Campsite Pureora Forest Park | 146 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
Walk-in and boat-access campsites (14)
| Campsite | Distance* | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Everetts Campsite Mōhaka River area | 49 km | Basic Free | walk-in, dogs on a leash, first come, first served |
| Mangatainoka Campsite Kaweka Forest Park | 58 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Waiopaoa Campsite Te Urewera | 76 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Korokoro Campsite Te Urewera | 78 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Maraunui Campsite Te Urewera | 81 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Waiharuru Campsite Te Urewera | 84 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Verns Camp Whirinaki Te Pua-a-Tāne Conservation Park | 88 km | Basic Free | walk-in, first come, first served |
| Piripiri Campsite Pohangina Valley area | 104 km | Basic Free | first come, first served |
| Waihohonu Campsite Tongariro National Park | 111 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Oturere Campsite Tongariro National Park | 112 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Mangatepopo Campsite Tongariro National Park | 120 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Simpsons Domain Campsite Hunterville area | 121 km | Basic Free | first come, first served |
| Hot Water Beach Campsite Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve | 145 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
| Lake Tarawera Outlet Campsite Lake Tarawera Scenic Reserve | 150 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
*Straight-line distance from the city centre; the drive is longer.
Want a roof instead? Compare holiday parks on Holiday Parks NZ or stays near Napier on our Stays page.
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
What is the closest campsite to Napier and Hastings?
From DOC's list, Lake Tūtira Campsite is the closest, about 29 km away in a straight line.
Are there free campsites near Napier and Hastings?
Yes, 27 of the DOC campsites within 150 km are free basic campsites.
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