The best mountainous campgrounds in New Zealand

New Zealand’s mountainous camping scene pulls you right into the action—think ridgeline views, crisp alpine air, and valleys that cut through farmland and native bush. With over 30 sites tailored to mountain lovers, you’ll find campsites that let you wake up to the sound of a river or step straight onto a hiking trail. Prices average at $30 a night, with options dipping as low as $20. Pack for campfires, as many sites allow them, and expect basics like toilets and showers. Top picks include Hideaway Ranch (2 reviews), Twin Coast Cycle Trail Nature Lodge (1 review), and Dream Weavers Farm (1 review). Locals head out for fishing, swimming, and long hikes—just bring sturdy boots and a sense of adventure.

100% (5)

Top-rated campgrounds

New Zealand’s mountainous camping scene pulls you right into the action—think ridgeline views, crisp alpine air, and valleys that cut through farmland and native bush. With over 30 sites tailored to mountain lovers, you’ll find campsites that let you wake up to the sound of a river or step straight onto a hiking trail. Prices average at $30 a night, with options dipping as low as $20. Pack for campfires, as many sites allow them, and expect basics like toilets and showers. Top picks include Hideaway Ranch (2 reviews), Twin Coast Cycle Trail Nature Lodge (1 review), and Dream Weavers Farm (1 review). Locals head out for fishing, swimming, and long hikes—just bring sturdy boots and a sense of adventure.

100% (5)

Top-rated campgrounds

1. Hampshire Holidays Parks Arrowtown

171 sites · Tents, RVs, Lodging · Arrowtown

Steeped in history and charm, Arrowtown is a must-see. Hampshire Holiday Parks – Arrowtown offers the perfect location to explore this unique goldmining town. Arrowtown is an old gold mining town near Queenstown which was built on the banks of the Arrow River in 1862. The town is renowned for its stunning autumn colours and rich history. Our Arrowtown Holiday Park is a great base so you can explore this unique town and the surrounding area. Hampshire Holiday Parks - Arrowtown is just a few minutes’ walk from the town centre with its beautiful, restored buildings, specialty restaurants and unique shops. Arrowtown centre – 600m Chinese settlement – 1km Arrowtown Golf Club – 2km Queenstown – 20 minutes Coronet Peak Ski Resort – 20 minutes Wanaka – 50 minutes Our Arrowtown Holiday Park has a variety of accommodations that will suit all budgets – from our fully self-contained tourist flats, ensuite studios, lodge rooms, to powered sites, tent sites and electric vehicle sites.

2. Tui’s Rest POP

3 sites · RVs · Picton

Sleep under the stars and wake up to the songs of Tui’s and Bell Birds. Tui’s Rest offers a quiet escape from the hustle and bustle of busy caravan parks. Our spacious grassed section lies amidst natural bush surrounds while being in the heart of Picton \ Waikawa - Marlborough Sounds. We are located minutes away from Picton town centre, the Ferry terminal, Waikawa Marina and Bays. You can take the Boons Valley creek walk starting at your door step or venture across the way to the Snout Track, Victoria Domain, Karaka Point and many more walks and lookouts. We are a 1/4 acre suburban section with three (3) non-smoking sites available for Fully Self Contained Camper vans (sorry NO Caravans or Boats) on the spacious lawn. Facilities onsite are limited to potable water. No power, toilets nor rubbish removal supplied.

3. Terako Downs POP

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20 sites · Tents, RVs · Waiau

Creatives at heart, Debbie and Frits both love the arts. They love listening to music, collecting vintage pieces (both clothing and artefacts that you can view in their museum!) & hosting dinner parties and events. Their idea for opening Terako Downs was born from their love of sharing. Coming out of owning a business in Dunedin, they felt it a shame not to share their artefacts and the beauty of the property. And they also wanted to be able to pay for the lawn mowing guy.

4. Twin Coast Cycle Trail Nature Lodge

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1 site · Lodging · Ōkaihau

Reset Retreat is an eco-retreat nestled away on 25 acres of private, native forest filled with Northland Brown Kiwis, glow worms, freshwater springs, Rurus, and resident native birds. We are right on the Twin Coast Cycle Trail and have access to several kilometers of private hiking trails that are yours to explore. You will have your own private guest wing and balcony with gorgeous views over this hidden valley. At night, you can sit by the fire and take in the stars, glow worms and kiwi calls. By day, you can explore the cycle trail and all the awesome local tourism Northland has on offer. You will have your own covered balcony and outdoor cooking space (pictured), your own entry and room (pictured), and private ensuite with shower. We have worked hard as Kaitiaki of this land over the last three years, working alongside the Northland Council to protect the kiwis, forest and animals here. As a result (alongside Kiwis) you can also see Titiwai/glow worms, Kererū, Tui, Tomtits, we have spotted longtailed bats outside our house on dusk, Ruru, Riroriro, Cave and Tree Wetas, the rare and gorgeous, large, green Puriri Moths, Piwakawakas, Peacocks, and a host of other native and non-native animals, insects and plants. Reset Retreat is fully off-grid – that means our power comes from the sun, our water comes from the rain, our internet comes from Starlink satellites and our heat comes from our fireplace (with a heat transfer system that disperses the heat throughout the house).

5. Hideaway Ranch

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6 sites · Tents, RVs · Maungaturoto, NZ

Hideaway Ranch is a family owned farm that raises beef cattle. It is steep to broken country with many patches of bush. The bush is filled with a variety of native birds and introduced species such as pheasants, peacock and quails. During rainier seasons, there is a creek flowing through the property which we’ve named The Oasis. This is a lovely spot for a picnic. A steep trek will give you one of the best sweeping views of the Kaipara. We are currently developing improved access for 4wd camp sites. Access by plane is available to our private airstrip. Please Note access my be limited during wet weather, just get in contact to confirm. Thanks

6. Dream Weavers Farm

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4 sites · RVs · Kawakawa

Beautiful farm with horses, cattle, sheep, goats, cooks and more. Surrounded by native bush with views. Camp next to our clear water river with water holes where you may have a dip or swim and walk your dog. Dream Weavers Farm is a quiet retreat away from it all where you can get back to nature and relax and unwind. Sites are for self contained campers priced at $25 per camper for up to 2 people and a pet or child. Extra campers and guests will incur a extra fee thankyou.

Stories from the community

S

Savannah

December 2024

5 m Class B

Group trip

1 night at Terako Downs POP

Terako Downs is a perfect stop, off the beaten path a bit but one of the only campsites I could find to accommodate us in the area. We got in around 1030 pm, we would have liked to have gotten there sooner. Other travellers were there and having a fireplace hang out. So worth popping into the museum/kitchen area to see about socialising. Debbie greeted us in the morning, such a friendly, interesting lady! Great vibes at Terako Downs 🤙 Portable toilet 🚻 available

S

Savannah

December 2024

5 m travel trailer

Group trip

Weekend Trip to Dream Weavers Farm

This spot was great! Big field with easy access and plenty of space & a little Creek at the end. Would stay again! Thank you 😊

J

James

November 2024

1 night at Twin Coast Cycle Trail Nature Lodge

Unreal spot to stay. Heaps of wild life and very peaceful. Went down through a forest walk and watched the sunset on a hill and found glow worms in the forest 2 minutes away from the room. Very tidy rooms and accommodating to all needs. Highly recommend.