7 best Palmerston North camping grounds

Looking for the best Palmerston North camping grounds? Also known as the ‘Rose City’, Palmerston North is a picturesque base from which to explore the nearby Tararua and Ruahine Ranges. Or set up camp to stroll around the Victoria Esplanade Gardens, visit fantastic museums, go rafting in the adjacent Manawatu River and more.

If you’re keen to add a stay to your itinerary, we’ve researched the best Palmerston North camping grounds for you. With Palmerston North offering something for everyone from young families to solo adventurers, there’s never been a better time to visit this North Island gem!

Best campgrounds near Palmerston North

1. Palmerston North Holiday Park

133 Dittmer Drive, West End, Palmerston North 4410, New Zealand | Powered sites from $30

Located on 4.5 hectares of pristine parkland, this Palmerston North Holiday Park offers peaceful relaxation just minutes from the town centre.

Experience a wide selection of great cafes and local shopping or perhaps a round of golf at the nearby Manawatu Golf Club. For keen swimmers, the aquatic centre is located directly in front of the park and the breathtaking Manawatu Gorge is just a short drive away.

The excellent onsite facilities include a communal kitchen, BBQs and ample outdoor seating, toilets and hot showers and more. This Palmerston North camping ground is ideal for larger groups and can also accommodate boats and larger vehicles with ease!

2. Ashhurst Domain

Ashhurst Domain, State Highway 3, Ashhurst 4810 | Powered sites available from $10 per night

Just 14km east of town, this Palmerston North camping ground is ideal for those seeking to stay in lush natural surroundings. With over 54 hectares to explore and a wealth of great facilities, this campground welcomes families and solo travellers alike.

Also located a stone's throw from Manawatu Gorge, this is the perfect spot from which to explore the Gorge on foot or even join a local horse trekking adventure with Timeless Horse Treks. Offering horse and wagon rides, you can experience the Manawatu River in a truly unique way.

Enjoy well-equipped BBQ and picnic spaces, a kids’ playground, sports grounds, designated walking tracks, river access, showers, toilets, a dumping station and more. Particularly well known for its abundance of bird life, this location is a must for any avid birdwatchers.

3. Himatangi Beach Holiday Park

30 Koputara Road, Himatangi Beach 4891, New Zealand | Powered sites from $24 per night

An easy half-hour drive from Palmerston North, the Himatangi Beach Holiday Park offers a tranquil beachside location with the option to enjoy town too.

For an experience a little out of the ordinary, you may like to visit the nearby DeMolen Foxton Windmill, a fully operational replica of a 17th-century Dutch flour mill.​​ The 1878 Hyderabad Shipwreck is also a fascinating experience and can be explored from Waitarere beach, just two beaches down from Himatangi.

With fantastic communal showers and toilets, a shared kitchen, filtered water, laundry (small charge applied), trampolines for the kids, BBQs and a dump station, this park has it all. Walk to the beach for a coffee or explore the sand dunes to wrap up a day spent exploring Palmerston North.

4. Lutrells White Pine Gardens & Museum

1235 Pohangina Road, Pohangina, New Zealand | Bookings are limited and can be made by phone or email

A truly unique offering, this Palmerston North camping ground offers just two powered sites. Stay in unspoiled wetlands, enjoy the Kahikatea forests, native plant arboretum and the onsite museum detailing New Zealand’s pioneering history.

You may also visit nearby County Fayre Tea Rooms for a delicious high-tea, the vast gardens at Tiro Roa Gardens and Nursery, and Beehive Creek Walk, a 2-3 hour trek through farmland and forests.

The site is wheelchair accessible and has picnic areas and bathrooms available. Bookings are strictly by phone or email and are very limited due to the small number of sites available.

5. Dudding Lake Motorcamp & Picnic Park

State Highway 3, Marton 4789, New Zealand | Powered sites $10 per adult, per night

Also known as the Jewel of the Rangitikei, Dudding Lake is located just over 30 minutes outside of Palmerston North. This campground is perfect for outdoor adventures like swimming, boating, jet-skiing and fishing - the lake is stocked with both perch and trout.

If the numerous lakeside activities don’t wear you out, why not visit the nearby Marton Golf Club or the town of Marton? Famous for its high-quality wool, butter and well-preserved Victorian-era buildings it's a small but lively town.

Enjoy a peaceful lakeside campsite, powered and with access to a kitchen, laundry and shower facilities. For easy payment of booking fees, there is EFTPOS fasciitis on-site also. While no open fires are permitted at this location, gas BBQs are allowed.

6. Feilding Holiday Park

66 Arnott Street, Feilding 5600, New Zealand | Powered sites $25 per adult, per night

Feilding has won New Zealand's most beautiful town a jaw-dropping 15 times! This affordable and family-friendly holiday park makes it easy to enjoy this gorgeous town and is perfectly positioned between Palmerston North and Manfield.

If attending the New Zealand Grand Prix is on your bucket list, this location is ideal. The Manfeild Circuit Chris Amon sports circuit is close by and hosts this event annually. It also hosts several entertaining motorsports, equestrian and agricultural events regularly so be sure to check its events schedule.

Set in a leafy, peaceful location, this holiday park has so much to offer both in location and comfort. Facilities include laundry, playground, free wi-fi, toilets and showers, a tv lounge, a dump station and great restaurants nearby.

7. Totara Reserve

92 Churchill Drive, Pohangina 4884, New Zealand | Powered sites from $37 for two adults per night

A pristine natural environment, Totara Reserve is definitely one of the best Palmerston North camping grounds. Kayak, trek, spot native animals and birds in abundance, fish, swim and more - all just a little over half an hour from the town centre of Palmerston North.

For a unique and magical experience, we recommend taking time to visit Pohangina Valley Glow Worms less than five minutes drive away from the Reserve. The nearby Pettifar and Gilchrist Loop Tracks also offer a chance to explore ancient forests as you descend to the river bank.

Totara Reserve’s Kereru site offers easy access to the river for swimming while older Kahikatea offers a quieter, more nostalgic experience. Both site locations offer ablution blocks and BBQ facilities, however, all water must be brought in or boiled before use.

Hire a van for your Palmerston North camping trip

Whether you have weeks to spare or just a quick weekend away, Palmerston North offers pristine countryside, wild coastlines and postcard-perfect townships. The only challenge you’ll face is choosing your favourite Palmerston North camping ground! If you’re also on the hunt for easy and affordable campervan hire in the Manawatu-Wanganui region, Camplify can help.

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