Campsites in Canterbury

Canterbury stretches from the wide braided rivers and high country of the Southern Alps to the beaches of the east coast, giving overlanders huge variety. You'll find campsites ranging from remote backcountry huts and shelters tucked into mountain valleys to riverside reserves, coastal spots, and family-friendly holiday parks. It's ideal terrain for basing yourself between adventures.

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 near Christchurch in Canterbury, with good wind shelter, clean toilets and a free BBQ station.

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 small, well-liked Canterbury backcountry hut in the Havelock hunting area, reached by a river crossing, with mattresses and heating.

Deer Valley Campsite

Dodger Hut

Dodger Hut is a basic 1958 backcountry hut up Canterbury's Hopkins Valley, reached by a river-crossing route best done with three vehicles.

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, well-sheltered gravel spot in Canterbury with a long-drop, shelter and running water, good for a night or two.

Hawdon Shelter Campsite

Hawdon Shelter Campsite is a grassy Arthur's Pass plateau site overlooking the river flat, with a cooking shelter, long drops and room to spread out.

Hurunui River Mouth Reserve Camping Ground

Hurunui River Mouth Reserve is a quiet Canterbury coastal camping ground with river views, basic toilets and non-powered zero waste sites.

Klondyke Corner Campsite

Klondyke Corner is a spacious DOC campsite near Arthur's Pass, set by the braided Bealey and Waimakariri Rivers with big mountain views.

Knottingley Park

Lake Camp

Lake Camp is a basic Ashburton Lakes reserve on the edge of Lake Clearwater, with mountain and lake views, room to spread out, and jet boating allowed.

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 Canterbury lakeside spot in the Mackenzie country, with canal views over the fence and handy access to nearby tracks.

Lake Taylor Campsite

Lake Taylor Campsite is a lakeside high-country spot in Lake Sumner Forest Park, Canterbury, great for fishing with easy access and a very windy setting.

Leithfield Beach Motor Camp

Loch Katrine Campsite

Loch Katrine Campsite is a scenic lakeside DoC spot in Lake Sumner Forest Park, reached by an unmaintained 4x4 track, with fishing, walks and open camping.

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 Mackenzie Country, near the start of the Hopkins Valley track with plenty of camping space.

Motunau Beach Camping Ground

Mt Nimrod Campsite

Ohau C Reserve

Orari Gorge Camp Site

Otaio Gorge Campsite

Parsons Rock Reserve

Peel Forest Campground

Pioneer Park Campsite

Pioneer Park Campsite in Canterbury is a quiet, bush-clad spot with short walks, campfires and dogs allowed, and historic Burkes Cottage nearby.

Pleasant Point Domain Motor Camp

Puhi Puhi Campsite

Puhi Puhi Campsite is a basic riverside grassy site in Canterbury, just off SH1, 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 hut in Canterbury's high country with an outdoor bath tub, reached by a river crossing and a short climb.

Round Bush Campsite

Round Bush Campsite is a lakeside spot in Ruataniwha Conservation Park, Canterbury, with beech forest to the water's edge, 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.