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Camping guide · updated 16 Oct 2026
Camping near Nelson
There are 97 DOC campsites within 150 km of Nelson, and 12 of them are free. 40 can be reached by car. The closest is Pelorus Bridge Campground, about 24 km away in a straight line.
Drive-in campsites (40)
| Campsite | Distance* | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pelorus Bridge Campground Pelorus Bridge Scenic Reserve | 24 km | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
| Butchers Flat Campsite Mount Richmond Forest Park | 28 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Mill Flat Campsite Mount Richmond Forest Park | 32 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Onamalutu Campsite Mount Richmond Forest Park | 41 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Harvey Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 42 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Elaine Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 47 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Canaan Downs Campsite Canaan Downs Scenic Reserve | 49 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Aussie Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 54 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Momorangi Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 55 km | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
| Tōtaranui Campground Abel Tasman National Park | 55 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Cobb River Campsite Cobb Valley | 58 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| French Pass Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 60 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Siberia Flat Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 61 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Picnic Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 64 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Courthouse Flat Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 64 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Nikau Cove Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 65 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Rarangi Campsite Blenheim area | 65 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Robin Hood Bay Campsite Blenheim area | 66 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Waimaru Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 66 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Whatamango Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 66 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Whites Bay Campsite Blenheim area | 66 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Moawhitu Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 68 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Teetotal Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | 69 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs allowed, first come, first served |
| Kerr Bay Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | 70 km | Serviced $25 per adult (tent site) | drive-in, hot showers, bookable |
| West Bay Campsite - Buller Zone Nelson Lakes National Park | 70 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| West Bay Campsite - Jetty Zone Nelson Lakes National Park | 70 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Kenepuru Head Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 71 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Kawatiri Campsite Kawatiri area | 73 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs allowed, first come, first served |
| Lake Rotoroa Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | 82 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Molesworth Cob Cottage Campsite Molesworth Recreation Reserve | 91 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Marfells Beach Campsite Marfells Beach area | 92 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Coldwater Stream Campsite Upper Wairau River area | 93 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Kōhaihai Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 100 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Lake Tennyson Campsite Molesworth Recreation Reserve | 114 km | Basic Free | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Lyell Campsite Lyell area | 118 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Acheron Accommodation House Campsite Molesworth Recreation Reserve | 128 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
| Catchpool Valley Campsite Catchpool Valley & Ōrongorongo Valley | 137 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Deer Valley Campsite Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve | 146 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, first come, first served |
| Corner Creek Campsite Remutaka Forest Park | 147 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, dogs on a leash, bookable |
| Marble Hill Campsite Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve | 149 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | drive-in, bookable |
Walk-in and boat-access campsites (57)
| Campsite | Distance* | Type and fee | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|
| Apple Tree Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 38 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Coquille Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 38 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Tinline Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 38 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Akersten Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 39 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Observation Beach Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 39 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Watering Cove Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 39 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Anchorage Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 40 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Te Pukatea Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 40 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Torrent Bay Village Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 41 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Nydia Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 44 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Bark Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 44 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Mosquito Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 44 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Onetahuti Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 47 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Moetapu Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 48 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
| Putanui Point Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 49 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Pipi Beach Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 50 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, first come, first served |
| Tawa Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 50 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Awaroa Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 50 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Waiharakeke Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 52 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Jacobs Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 53 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Davies Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 55 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Tōtaranui Great Walk Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 55 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Anapai Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 57 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Ferndale Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 58 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Mistletoe Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 58 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | boat access, bookable |
| Waiona Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 58 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| Mutton Cove Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 59 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Whariwharangi Bay Campsite Abel Tasman National Park | 60 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Cowshed Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 63 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
| Kauauroa Bay Campsite Pelorus Sound/Te Hoiere and Kenepuru Sound area | 63 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| Lucky Bay Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 64 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| Black Rock Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 66 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Kumutoto Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 66 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Mill Arm Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 67 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| Ratimera Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 70 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | boat access, bookable |
| Penguin Bay Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 71 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| South Arm Campsite French Pass and D'Urville Island Scenic Reserves | 71 km | Basic Free | boat access, first come, first served |
| Bay Of Many Coves Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 73 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Camp Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 74 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | walk-in, bookable |
| Ngaruru Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 78 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Blumine Island/ōruawairua Campsite Blumine Island Scenic Reserve | 80 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Schoolhouse Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 81 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Angelus Hut Campsite Nelson Lakes National Park | 82 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Aorere Shelter Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 82 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Cannibal Cove Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 84 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Brown Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 84 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Wharehunga Bay Campsite Queen Charlotte Sound/Tōtaranui area | 85 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | boat access, bookable |
| Perry Saddle Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 85 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Gouland Downs Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 89 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Saxon Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 92 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| James Mackay Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 99 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Scotts Beach Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 101 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Katipo Creek Shelter Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 102 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Heaphy Campsite Kahurangi National Park | 103 km | Great Walk Great Walks prices, see DOC page | walk-in, bookable |
| Matiu/somes Island Campsite Matiu/Somes Island | 132 km | Standard $10–20 per adult | bookable |
| Graces Stream Campsite Catchpool Valley & Ōrongorongo Valley | 138 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | first come, first served |
| Lake Daniell Campsite Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve | 141 km | Backcountry Varies, see DOC page | walk-in, first come, first served |
*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 Nelson 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 Nelson?
From DOC's list, Pelorus Bridge Campground is the closest, about 24 km away in a straight line.
Are there free campsites near Nelson?
Yes, 12 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