Campsites in Canterbury

Canterbury offers some of the most varied camping in New Zealand, from windswept coastal reserves and quiet riverside flats to remote backcountry huts tucked into the Southern Alps. Whether you're after a beachside spot or a high-country base, Canterbury campsites suit everyone from casual travellers to self-sufficient overlanders chasing the braided rivers and alpine valleys.

Ahuriri Base Hut

Ahuriri Bridge Campsite

Amberley Beach Camping Ground

Amberley Beach Camping Ground is a basic beachside overnight stop in North Canterbury's Hurunui, handy on the Picton to Christchurch run.

Andrews Shelter Campsite

Andrews Shelter Campsite is a no-frills Arthur's Pass beech-forest basecamp for trampers, with cooking shelter, stream water and toilets near the Casey Hut.

Ashley Gorge Holiday Park

Avalanche Creek Shelter Campsite

Balmoral Recreation Reserve Camping Ground

Balmoral Recreation Reserve Camping Ground is a spacious, low-cost grass campsite near Culverden in North Canterbury, rarely busy with basic facilities.

Basins Hut

Boat Harbour Reserve

Boundary Creek Hut

Boyle Campsite

Chamberlain's Ford Reserve

Chamberlain's Ford Reserve is a free riverside campsite on the Selwyn River near Christchurch, with good wind shelter, a BBQ station and tidy facilities.

Coe's Ford Reserve

Coe's Ford Reserve is a free Canterbury campsite on the Selwyn River near Christchurch, with three grassy fields, toilets and easy river access.

Craigieburn Shelter

Culverden Domain Camping Ground

Curtis Memorial Hut

Curtis Memorial Hut is a cosy Canterbury high-country hut in the Havelock open hunting area between the Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers, reached by river crossing.

Deer Valley Campsite

Dodger Hut

Dodger Hut is a basic 1958 backcountry hut up Canterbury's Hopkins Valley, reached by a river-crossing route through classic high-country river flats.

Falstone Creek Camping Ground

Fishermans Bend

Godley Head Campsite

Godley Head Campsite in Canterbury sits on a historic WWII battery at the entrance to Lyttelton Harbour, with sweeping coastal views and scenic headland walks.

Gore Bay Camping Ground

Grey River Campsite

Hamilton Hut

Harper River Campsite

Harper River Campsite is a flat, sheltered gravel site in Canterbury with a long-drop toilet, shelter and running water, popular with hikers and families.

Hawdon Shelter Campsite

Hawdon Shelter Campsite is a scenic Canterbury spot on a grassy plateau in Arthur's Pass National Park, with sheltered sites overlooking the river flat.

Hurunui River Mouth Reserve Camping Ground

Hurunui River Mouth Reserve is a quiet, family-friendly Canterbury campground with river views, basic toilets and non-powered zero waste sites.

Klondyke Corner Campsite

Klondyke Corner Campsite is a spacious DOC site in Arthur's Pass National Park, Canterbury, with braided river views and big alpine mountain scenery.

Knottingley Park

Lake Camp

Lake Camp is a basic back country campground in Canterbury's Ashburton Lakes, set beside Lake Clearwater with stunning lake and mountain views.

Lake Middleton Campsite

Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite

Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite is a scenic high-country lakeside spot in Canterbury's Craigieburn Forest Park, with gravel and grassy sites and big mountain views.

Lake Poaka Campsite

Lake Poaka Campsite is a basic, scenic lakeside tent spot near Twizel in Canterbury's Mackenzie country, with a hydro canal just over the fence.

Lake Taylor Campsite

Lake Taylor Campsite is a scenic lakeside spot in Canterbury's Lake Sumner Forest Park, great for fishing, water sports and easy 4WD access.

Leithfield Beach Motor Camp

Loch Katrine Campsite

Loch Katrine Campsite is a scenic DoC lakeside flat in Canterbury's Lake Sumner Forest Park, with walking, fishing and a rough 4x4 access track.

Loch Laird Reserve

Macaulay Hut

Macaulay Hut is a warm, well-stocked stone hut at the head of the Macaulay River valley near Lake Tekapo, a top-rated Mackenzie Country backcountry base.

Mathias Hut

Mccoy Hut

Mistake Flat Hut

Mistletoe Flats Campsite

Moa Stream Hut

Monument Hut

Monument Hut is a classic six-bunk backcountry hut in Canterbury's Ruataniwha Conservation Park, near the Hopkins Valley track with plenty of tent space.

Motunau Beach Camping Ground

Mt Nimrod Campsite

Ohau C Reserve

Orari Campsite

Orari Gorge Camp Site

Otaio Gorge Campsite

Parsons Rock Reserve

Peel Forest Campground

Pioneer Park Campsite

Pleasant Point Domain Motor Camp

Puhi Puhi Campsite

Puhi Puhi Campsite is a basic grassy riverside site in Canterbury, just off State Highway 1, with long-drop toilets, stream water and a short bush walk.

Pumpkin Reserve

Rakaia Gorge Campground

Red Hut

Red Stag Hut

Red Stag Hut is a clean four-bunk Canterbury hut in Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation Park, with an outdoor bath tub and glacier access beyond a river crossing.

Round Bush Campsite

Round Bush Campsite is a highly rated lakeside spot in Canterbury's Ruataniwha Conservation Park, with beech forest, mountain views and boat launching.

Sailors Cutting Reserve

Scotties Hut

St Andrews Domain

Te Aka

Te Moana Gorge Camping Area

Temple Campsite

Unknown Stream Hut

Urquhart's Hut

Victoria Park

Waihi Gorge Camping Area

Waihi Gorge Campsite

Waikari Camping Ground

Waitaki Wildlife Reserve

Waitangi East

Waitangi West

Watchdog Hut

White Horse Hill Campground

Wooded Gully Campsite

Wooded Gully Campsite in Canterbury's Mount Thomas Forest is a spacious stream-side spot with plains views, clean facilities and nearby hiking tracks.