Pet-friendly campgrounds NZ: best dog camping spots

Photo by Christoph Wesi on Unsplash

Hitting the open road for an RV adventure takes on a whole new element when you bring your furry friends along. You get the companionship of having your dog (or adventurous cat) with you on the road, and your pet gets to explore new territory, accompany you on beautiful hikes, or swim by your side at one of New Zealand’s glorious beaches.

While travelling with your pet is a win/win situation, it requires careful planning and consideration of other campers. New Zealand’s north and south islands both offer plenty of pet-friendly campgrounds and holiday parks. Here’s a round-up of the best ones and what you can expect from them.

Clark Beach Holiday Park, Clarks Beach

Just a 40-minute drive from Auckland, Clarks Beach is a small coastal town on the North Island, on the mouth of the Waiuku River. A small but well maintained holiday park, it offers a host of amenities and plenty of water-based activities like kayaking, fishing and swimming, and is just a short walk from the centre of the local town. It’s also 30 minutes from Rainbow’s End, New Zealand’s premier theme park.

Clarks Beach Holiday Park offers both powered and unpowered van sites, with access to toilets, showers, and a camp kitchen. Up to two dogs can stay with you, but only on request - the dog-friendly campsites are limited and book out quickly. Call to confirm one is available before you arrive.

Wentworth Valley Campground, Whangamata

Image credit: Wentworth Valley Campground

Situated on the beautiful Coromandel Peninsula on New Zealand’s North Island, Wentworth Valley Campground is a relaxed, picturesque camping site owned by the Department of Conservation, but currently managed by a commercial operator.

Nestled on the banks of the Wentworth River, this campsite used to be the home of a bustling gold mining village. Now it has 60 campsites, including powered sites for campervans or caravans, hot and cold showers, a bbq area, and fresh drinking water. Dogs are welcome year-round and there is plenty to do, including freshwater swimming holes and waterfalls within walking distance of the campground, not to mention the natural wonders of the Coromandel Peninsula at your fingertips.

Otorohanga Motor Camp, Otorohanga

Still on the North Island, Otorohanga is a quaint New Zealand town three hours drive south of Auckland, through green lush hills. Otorohanga is the site of the Kiwi House, an impressive native bird park where you can see kiwis in all their adorable glory. Otorohanga is also a short drive from the Waitomo Caves, one of New Zealand’s geological wonders.

Otorohanga Motor Camp is small but cheap and friendly. They offer all the basic van camping facilities you would expect, including toilets and showers, a camp kitchen, a laundry and a dump point. The motor camp is situated next door to the local gym and pool, and close to the Otorohanga Mini-Putt course. Otorohanga Motor Camp prides itself on being a 100% pet-friendly campground.

Corner Creek Campsite, Wairarapa

On the edge of Rimutaka Forest Park sits Corner Creek Campsite. It’s located on the southern coast of the North Island, almost two hours drive out of Wellington. The coastline is rugged and enticing and offers so many outdoor adventure activities. Hiking, surfing, mountain biking, fishing and hunting are all available for you and your four-legged friends. There’s even the potential for seal spotting along the beaches, and the site is a five-minute walk from the magnificent Palliser Bay.

The Corner Creek Campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation and is, much like the coastline, rugged. 12 non-powered sites are available on a ‘first in, best dressed’ basis. Dogs are allowed but need to be on a leash at all times.

Tirohanga Beach Motor Park

Image credit: Tirohanga Beach Motor Park

If you’re looking for a family-friendly beach holiday on the North Island, Tirohanga Motor Park is a great place to make camp for a few days. With large, cheap powered and unpowered sites available, there is plenty to do within the grounds of the motor park and close by as well, including plenty of ways to explore the local beaches and coastline.

With a large playground, safe swimming beach, and plenty of hiking trails available, Tirohanga Beach Motor Park is also a short walk away from the township of Opotiki, with its eclectic range of cafes and op-shops. Tirohanage is not only family-friendly but pet-friendly as well, offering a special pet camping area with its own beach access.

Otaki Forks Campsite, Tararua Forest Park

Otaki Forks Campsite is an inland campsite on the North Island, on the edge of Tararua Forest Park and the Tararua Range, one of New Zealand’s most impressive and expansive mountain ranges. Otaki Forks Campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. It’s a large, open property with 150 non-powered sites available (some of which may be closed seasonally - check their website for information while planning your trip). There are plenty of spots here for hiking, kayaking, fishing and swimming, and a lot of gorgeous landscapes to take in.

Sites are available on a ‘first in, best dressed’, and fires aren’t permitted. Dogs are permitted year-round but must be on a leash at all times.

Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park, Rotorua

Image credit: Yoann Laheurte (Unsplash)

Moving on to New Zealand’s south island, you’re still spoilt for choice amongst the plethora of quirky pet-friendly camping options available. The Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park offers a unique camping experience with access to their own private thermal mineral pools. The holiday park is also a short distance from Rotorua’s famous Pohutu Geyser and the Whakarewarewa Forest with its selection of hiking and mountain biking trails.

Rotorua Thermal Holiday Park offers powered sites for caravans, camper vans or tents. These sites give you access to bathrooms, showers, a dump point, swimming pool, and the communal camp kitchen with ample cooking facilities. The holiday park welcomes pets on request.

Picnic Bay Campsite, Portage

On the northern tip of the South Island is the beautiful Kenepuru Sound, with its high mountain ranges and crystal blue flooded valleys. The Picnic Bay Campsite is a small but beautiful site that allows you to take full advantage of this breathtaking natural phenomenon.

Caravans and campervans are welcome here, but get in early - there are only four unpowered sites available and they are on a ‘first in, best dressed’ basis. There are limited facilities available, and fires are not permitted at any time There is a boat launch ramp available here, as well as numerous hiking trails and great kayaking and fishing spots.

Dogs are allowed here with a Department of Conservation dog permit. These are easy to get and available from the relevant Department of Conservation office.

Twelve Mile Delta Campsite, Queenstown

Image credit: Sitoo (on Flickr)

For a full ‘Lord of the Rings’ style camping experience, you can’t go past the Twelve Mile Delta Campsite. This site was used as a filming location for Lord of the Rings, and the scenery is just as picturesque and beautiful as you remember from the movie.

There is plenty to do here, with the banks of Lake Wakatipu and it’s fishing, boating and swimming just a few short minutes walk away. There are also many campsites available - 100 to be exact. Bookings are not required and with so much space, the site only fills up at very peak times. Dogs are always welcome in this campsite but they do need to be kept on a leash.

Waiau Motor Camp, Waiau

Image credit: Waiau Motor Camp

The Waiau Motor Camp is located on the South Island, an hour and a half drive from Christchurch, near the east coast. The tiny town of Waiau is located on the banks of the Waiau River and makes a peaceful, pleasant space to stop on your New Zealand van life road trip.

Waiau motor camp offers powered and unpowered sites, bathroom and kitchen facilities, a dump point, laundry and TV lounge. They also offer free wifi and are 100% pet-friendly. There’s plenty of wide-open space to explore around Waiau, and hiking and photo opportunities in this area are top-notch.

New Zealand is almost made for exploring with your pets. With so many pet-friendly campsites available, and Camplify’s pet-friendly campervan options at your disposal, there is no excuse to leave your furry four-legged friends behind on your next big New Zealand road trip.

Want some more inspiration? Check out the best dog-friendly campsites on the North Island and dog-friendly camping grounds on the South Island ! Plus, learn how to contain dogs while camping .

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