The best camping in MacDonnell Ranges
Desert mountains, gorges and waterholes, and a biodiverse national park in the Northern Territory.
MacDonnell Ranges camping guide
Where to go
West MacDonnell National Park
While the MacDonnell Ranges span further than the boundaries of the West MacDonnell National Park, the park is an ideal part of the mountains in which to go camping. With biking and hiking trails—including the epic 138-mile (223-km) Larapinta Trail—and swimming holes throughout the park, campers can choose from various outdoor activities. Campsites range in accessibility and amenity levels, but always bring your own water. There’s also a well-equipped resort and holiday park at Glen Helen.
Alice Springs
Sitting roughly in the middle of the MacDonnell Range, the outback city of Alice Springs is an ideal base for day trips into the range. The town offers a range of camping and accommodation facilities, including well-equipped holiday parks with swimming pools, playgrounds, both powered and unpowered sites, kitchen facilities, bathrooms–and no need to bring your own water. From your campground in Alice Springs, drive west into the West MacDonnell National Park to hike or swim, or east into the East MacDonnell Ranges for more hiking, swimming, and Aboriginal rock art sites.
East MacDonnell Ranges
Spreading east from Alice Springs, the East MacDonnell Ranges are not a national park but they do contain several nature parks, historical parks, and conservation reserves, even with fewer camping options than the western area of the ranges. Visit on a day trip while camping in Alice, or camp at the well-equipped Ross River Resort. From there, the Trephina Gorge Nature Park, N’Dhala Gorge Nature Park, and Ruby Gap Nature Park are accessible, especially for travellers with four-wheel-drive vehicles.
Finke Gorge National Park
Although not part of the MacDonnell Ranges itself, the Finke Gorge National Park is south of the West MacDonnell National Park and south of the Larapinta Drive highway, so is easily accessible to campers in the region. Running through the park is the Finke River, one of the oldest rivers in the world. Camping is allowed in designated areas of the park. Some campsites have running water, gas cooking facilities, and other amenities, while others are more basic.
