Destinations
Best dog-friendly camping grounds on the South Island
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If travelling with your canine companion is your idea of heaven, then our list of the top six dog-friendly camping grounds on the South Island is for you!
Learn the best places to set up camp and enjoy the pristine New Zealand wilderness with your dog in tow with Camplify. We’ve rounded up the best South Island campgrounds to spend the night with your pup, including each one’s address, price per night and pet-friendly features. Read on to experience the ultimate camping trip with your dog!
6 Best dog-friendly camping grounds on the South Island
1. Ashburton Holiday Park
2 Maronan Road, Tinwald, Ashburton 7778, New Zealand | Powered sites from $38 per night
With pets welcomed on both powered and unpowered sites, Ashburton Holiday Park offers awesome amenities in a scenic setting. Your dog can run free in any of the several off-leash parks in nearby Ashburton!
Meanwhile, humans can enjoy hot showers in one of three pristine ablution blocks, easy meal preparation in the well-equipped kitchens and round-the-clock laundry facilities.
Experience the locals’ passion for fly fishing with your dog by your side or simply explore the incredible Canterbury region together. If travelling with a pet, advance notice and booking is required for this campground.
Dog-friendly features:
Dogs are welcome in all areas of the park while on lead.
Plenty of fresh water available for your dog.
There are numerous off-leash, dog-friendly parks nearby in Ashburton town.
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Check out some more of the best places to go dog-friendly camping in Canterbury!
2. Boyle Campsite
Magdalen Valley Road, Lewis Pass 7392, New Zealand | Adult: $8 per night, Children (5-17): $4 per night, Infant (0-4 years): Free
Boyle Campsite is located on the Te Araroa Trail in Lake Sumner Forest Park. This dog-friendly camping ground is a must for anyone taking road trips with dogs on the South Island! Enjoy the beautiful kānuka forest while staying close to Hanmer Springs thermal pools and popular hiking trails around Lewis Pass.
Bookings are not required in advance, however, there are just 12 non-powered sites available on a first-in-first-serve basis. Dogs are required to remain on a lead at all times and are not permitted on all trails within this nature reserve, so be sure to check current signage before heading out!
Dog-friendly features:
Dogs are welcome on-site but must remain on lead.
Enjoy dog-friendly hikes and river swims.
No speciality dog permit (DOC) required for this location.
3. Tawanui Campsite
Catlins Road, Owaka Valley 9586, New Zealand | Adult: $8 per night, Child: $4 per night
Tawanui Campsite is further south between the Otago region and The Catlins. Spread over a vast area, these unpowered sites allow you and your furry family members the freedom to roam while soaking up the serenity of nature.
Situated next to the Catlins River, this dog-friendly camping ground on the South Island is perfect for fishing and swimming. You can also enjoy picnic tables and flushing toilets on site with water readily available - though it will need to be boiled before use.
Need supplies (or a good coffee?) historic Owaka township is just a 15-minute drive away. Be sure to check out the famous Catlins waterfalls while you and your dog are in the area!
Dog-friendly features:
Huge campsite with plenty of room to run.
Enjoy dog-friendly trails and river swims.
Plenty of water available on-site.
4. Mavora Lakes Campsite
[3532 Mavora Lakes Road, Mavora 9672, New Zealand](https://www.google.com/search?rlz=1C5CHFA_enAU962AU962&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:1&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=APq-WBtlIBaSlpu84YVCur7jk5-ST41ryQ:1650952264459&q=mavora+lakes+campsite&rflfq=1&num=10&rldimm=3752427678338533894# rlfi=hd:;si:3752427678338533894;mv:[[-45.271141899999996,168.17961],[-45.2984022,168.17271839999998]];tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1) | Adult: $10 per night, Children (5-17): $5 per night, Infant (0-4 years): Free
Keen to immerse yourself in Lord Of The Rings splendour with little Fido along for the ride? Then the spectacular natural setting of Mavora Lakes Campsite is sure to deliver - just remember to keep your dog on a leash. One of many filming locations for the famous films, this site offers access to a wealth of outdoor recreational activities, such as fishing, swimming, bird watching, biking, boating and more.
No prior booking is required for any of the 60 powered sites and non-flushing toilet facilities are available. Untreated water is available for use (after boiling), but during the winter you’ll need to bring your own for you and your pup. It’s worth it though - this is one of the most amazing dog-friendly camping grounds on the South Island!
Dog-friendly features:
Some lakeside tracks allow for dogs on lead.
No prior notice needed when travelling with dogs.
Perfect spot for dogs that love to swim.
5. Franz-Josef Top 10 Holiday Park
2902 Franz Josef Highway, Franz Josef / Waiau 7886, New Zealand | Powered sites $49-$52 per night.
No trip to the South Island would be complete without a visit to Franz Joseph! A small town surrounded by rainforest and towered over by glaciers, it truly is the perfect spot for pets and their parents who love the outdoors.
Visit the glaciers in the Southern Alps, trek the rainforests and enjoy the more wild coastline the South-West has to offer. When you get back to camp, enjoy the many facilities this holiday park has to offer such as the spa, sauna, recreational room, kids playground and more.
Bookings are essential when travelling with pets.
Dog-friendly features:
Very dog-friendly park - over 80% of Top Ten Holidays Parks cater to dogs.
Dogs are allowed to roam the park as long as they are on lead.
Short distance from the Waiho River which features dog-friendly walking tracks.
6. Nikau Cove Campsite
3720167, 7282, 7282, New Zealand | Adult: $10 per night, Children (5-17): $5 per night, Infant (0-4 years): Free
Ready to head back up to the northern tip of New Zealand’s South Island? A sheltered bay not far from the Bay of Many Coves, Nikau Cove offers just six non-powered sites. You will need a special permit to bring your dog to this site, but this is readily obtainable via the [DOC office](https://www.doc.govt.nz/parks-and-recreation/places-to-go/marlborough/places/pelorus-and-kenepuru-sounds-area/things-to-do/campsites/nikau-cove-campsite/# contacts).
This dog-friendly camping ground on the South Island is especially great for anyone seeking a peaceful escape away from the hustle and bustle. It offers enforced quiet hours between 9.30pm and 6.30am, as well as limited hours for generators. This means you and your furry friend can enjoy the tranquillity of nature with ease - just make sure your dog can resist the urge to yap and bark!
Dog-friendly features:
Quiet, small campground well suited to older dogs.
Situated on a sheltered bay perfect for swimming.
Numerous dog-friendly tramping tracks nearby.
Hire a dog-friendly van for your South Island camping trip
Feeling inspired to get out and explore the South Island with your pet? Finding dog-friendly camping grounds on the South Island that suit every budget and type of traveller has never been easier. Experience wide-open spaces with breathtaking mountain vistas, splash in the turquoise waters of hidden springs and trek rainforest paths to find waterfalls - all with your furry friend in tow.
Want a longer holiday? We’ve put together our favourite dog-friendly campsites on the North Island too! There is a wealth of pet-friendly campgrounds in New Zealand, making it more fun and convenient than ever to travel with every family member!
And to make your adventure easy, Camplify offers pet-friendly campervan hire on the South Island!
Why Camplify?
We are proud to be New Zealand’s fastest-growing private caravan, campervan and motorhome sharing community. When you hire a van through our platform, it comes with lots of advantages:
Comprehensive hire insurance
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By hiring with Camplify, you are also helping local families who share their van on our platform and supporting many local companies across New Zealand in addition to ours. So we are very grateful to you.
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