Free camping in Canterbury

34 free and low-cost places to camp in Canterbury, with facilities and directions, and the ones we’d go back to first.

Our picks

Freedom camping · Twizel
Lake Pukaki camping area
Lakeside camp with the famous turquoise water and Aoraki views.
Freedom camping
Freedom camping · PukakiHidden gem
Pines Camp (LINZ freedom camping)
Free LINZ camping area on SH8 by Lake Pukaki, 3 nights a month, toilets provided, no tents.
DOC campsite · Omarama area
Ahuriri Bridge Campsite
Camp on the bank of the Ahuriri River under the shade of willow trees. Fish, walk or ride from here.
DOC campsite · Arthur's Pass National Park
Andrews Shelter Campsite
A popular starting point for trampers heading to the new Casey Hut.
DOC campsite · Twizel area
Lake Poaka Campsite
Use this campsite as a base for recreational activities around the Twizel area or as an overnight stay in a picturesque setting.
DOC campsite · Ruataniwha Conservation Park
Round Bush Campsite
Beautiful beech forest, hung with mistletoe in summer, grows right up to the lake edge.
DOC campsite · Ruataniwha Conservation Park
Temple Campsite
North of Lake Ōhau, within a beautiful beech forest in a large, flat area. Tramp the North and South Temple Stream tracks.

Freedom camping is allowed on much public land, but each council sets its own rules and many sites are for certified self-contained vehicles only. Fines run up to NZ$1,000, so check the sign or the council’s map before you stay.

Every other place we know

Free camp · Arundel · Free
Arundel Bridge campsite
Toilets
Directions
Free camp · Mount Somers · Free
Bowyers Stream
Directions
Free camp · Free
Casey Campsite
Directions
Free camp · Selwyn Huts · Free
Coes Ford Recreation Reserve
Directions
Holiday park · Cust · Free
Cust Donain - Self Contained Camping Area
Toilets
Directions
Holiday park · Kaikōura · Free
Donegal
Toilets · Drinking water · Wi-Fi
Directions
Holiday park · Lake Tekapo · Free
Edwards Stream Overnight (self contained only / freedom camp)
Toilets
Directions
Holiday park · Culverden · Free
Freedom Camping
Toilets · Dump station
Directions
Free camp · Waipara · Free
Glenmark Reserve
Directions
Free camp · Arthur's Pass · Free
Greyneys
Directions
Holiday park · Little River · Free
Lake Forsyth - Overnight Campervan Site
Directions
Free camp · Twizel · Free
Lake Wardell
Directions
Free camp · Milford Huts · Free
Milford Huts
Directions
Holiday park · Lyttelton · Free
Naval Boat Point Ramp Freedom camp
Directions
Holiday park · Kaikōura · Free
Pohowera (South Bay)
Directions
Holiday park · Saint Andrews · Free
RV park for SC
Directions
Free camp · Coopers Creek · Free
Ryde Falls Camp
Directions
Holiday park · Kaikōura · Free
Scarborough Street
Directions
Holiday park · Akaroa · Free
Self-contained only
Directions
Free camp · Alford Forest · Free
Taylors Stream
Directions
Free camp · Doyleston · Free
Timber Yard Point Lakeside Domain
Directions
Free camp · Free
Trustpower Campsite
Directions
Holiday park · Willowbridge · Free
Waihao Box
Toilets
Directions
Free camp · Free
Waitohi Bush Reserve
BBQ
Directions
Holiday park · Winchester · Free
Winchester Bridge - Overnight Camping
Toilets
Directions
Free camp · Free
Campsite
Directions
Holiday park · Parkside · Free
Caravan park
Directions

From OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL), the Department of Conservation (CC BY 4.0) and Roadtrip’s own research. Check prices, rules and booking with the site.