Best Twizel camping grounds: 9 New Zealand spots

Want a convenient campsite from which you can explore Mount Cook National Park? Or maybe you want to go salmon or trout fishing in some of the Southern Hemisphere’s most popular fishing spots? Then you’re going to want to stay at one of the best camping grounds near Twizel, New Zealand!

The township of Twizel is famed for its scenery, surrounded by snow-capped mountains, blue lakes and the rolling plains of the Mackenzie Basin. Our list of Twizels best camping grounds consists of lakeside spots with stunning views and outstanding facilities. And the best part is, most of them are free!

But before you set off, make sure you are aware of the Mackenzie Region, Waitaki Regional Council and Department of Conservation freedom camping rules.

Camping grounds near Twizel: 9 spots you can’t miss

1. Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking

Address: State Highway 8, Pukaki 7999

Price: Free

Sitting on the water’s edge, the Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking area is less than 10 minutes drive from Twizel. It’s a spectacular camping ground with views over the lake to Mt Cook/Aoraki (New Zealand’s tallest mountain) and a clear night sky that reveals a universe of sparkling stars.

The Lake Pukaki Overnight camping ground is only open to self-contained vehicles and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum stay is one-night. Facilities include several drop toilets. Just be aware that this campsite can get windy at times.

2. The Pines

Address: Hayman Rd, Tekapo 7999

Price: Free

Also sitting on the edge of Lake Pukaki, The Pines freedom camping ground is less than 20 minutes drive from Twizel. It’s a massive site that offers similarly stunning views over the lake and Mt Cook/Aoraki as well as clear night skies. Take a dip in the cool waters on a hot summer's day, ride the Pukaki Cycle Track or throw in a line and try your hand at salmon and trout fishing nearby.

The Pines camping ground is only open to self-contained vehicles and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. Facilities include several drop toilets with toilet paper provided. Be aware that this campsite can get windy at times. Dogs are allowed.

3. Lake Wardell Rest Area Overnight Campervan Parking

Address: [Pukaki Canal Rd, Pukaki 7999](https://www.google.com/search?tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:1&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=APq-WBvVqfBoFZLHeC7L44ag-eDjkDN2Jw:1647273840739&q=Lake+Wardell+Rest+Area+Overnight+Campervan+Parking&rflfq=1&num=10# rlfi=hd:;si:3026682311273090528,l,CjJMYWtlIFdhcmRlbGwgUmVzdCBBcmVhIE92ZXJuaWdodCBDYW1wZXJ2YW4gUGFya2luZ0jDu-fT5YCAgAhaRhACEAMQBBAFEAYYABgBIjJsYWtlIHdhcmRlbGwgcmVzdCBhcmVhIG92ZXJuaWdodCBjYW1wZXJ2YW4gcGFya2luZyoCCAOSAQRsYWtlmgEjQ2haRFNVaE5NRzluUzBWSlEwRm5TVU5aTTA5dWFGSlJFQUWqAS0QASopIiVyZXN0IGFyZWEgb3Zlcm5pZ2h0IGNhbXBlcnZhbiBwYXJraW5nKAA,y,2tSW2mFGWdk;mv:[[-44.18529916329979,170.14783912712937],[-44.20237633728244,170.10410839135056],null,[-44.19383836887211,170.12597375923997],15])

Price: Free

One of our favourite camping grounds near Twizel, the Lake Wardell Rest Area is a large but quiet camping ground less than 10 minutes drive from town. It’s positioned on the shore of a small lake and is surrounded by pines that offer some shelter from the winds. Fishermen will enjoy this spot, only a 1-minute walk from the canal.

The Lake Wardell camping ground is only open to self-contained vehicles and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum stay is 3 nights. Facilities include a drop toilet with toilet paper provided. This site has good mobile reception.

4. Lake Poaka Campsite

Address: Tekapo-Twizel Road, Pukaki 7999

Price: Free

The Lake Poaka camping ground sits between the lake and the Pukaki canal and is less than 15 minutes drive from the town of Twizel. It offers more than 20 camping sites set over a massive area. It’s surrounded by a wildlife reserve full of birdlife and boasts views over the green farmland and the mountains in the distance.

This campsite is open to any vehicle (not just self-contained vehicles) and is operated by the Department of Conservation (DoC) on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum stay is 4 nights. Facilities include long drop toilets. This site has good mobile reception.

5. Round Bush Camp

Address: Lake Ohau Rd, Lake Ohau 9412

Price: Free

The Round Bush camping ground is about 30 minutes drive from the township of Twizel but it is one of the most tranquil and scenic in the area. Situated on the edge of Lake Ohau, this site is home to lots of birdlife and is perfect for those wanting to go swimming, paddleboarding or kayaking. Mountains set the backdrop for your view across the lake.

This campsite is open to any vehicle (not just self-contained vehicles) and is operated by the Department of Conservation (DoC) on a first-come, first-served basis. Facilities include long drop toilets. Be aware that you have to travel down a long gravel road to access this site and you will want to bring mosquito repellent for the nighttime.

6. Lake Middleton Campsite

Address: [1589 Lake Ohau Road, Lake Ōhau 9412](https://www.google.com/search?q=Lake%20Middleton%20Campsite&oq=Lake+Middleton+Campsite&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i59j69i60l3.410j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:1&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=APq-WBtaUut5o6H-OiMFfOR3Q_L4gixuMw:1647362251892&rflfq=1&num=10&rldimm=9050417755249759458&lqi=ChdMYWtlIE1pZGRsZXRvbiBDYW1wc2l0ZUjnhZvB8ayAgAhaJRACGAAYARgCIhdsYWtlIG1pZGRsZXRvbiBjYW1wc2l0ZSoCCAOSAQpjYW1wZ3JvdW5kmgEjQ2haRFNVaE5NRzluUzBWSlEwRm5TVU56YUZCcVNtTjNFQUWqARAQASoMIghjYW1wc2l0ZSgA&phdesc=QqIjUavSciQ&ved=2ahUKEwiCm9zOxsj2AhV6wosBHbx8APUQvS56BAgCECI&rlst=f# rlfi=hd:;si:9050417755249759458,l,ChdMYWtlIE1pZGRsZXRvbiBDYW1wc2l0ZUjnhZvB8ayAgAhaJRACGAAYARgCIhdsYWtlIG1pZGRsZXRvbiBjYW1wc2l0ZSoCCAOSAQpjYW1wZ3JvdW5kmgEjQ2haRFNVaE5NRzluUzBWSlEwRm5TVU56YUZCcVNtTjNFQUWqARAQASoMIghjYW1wc2l0ZSgA,y,QqIjUavSciQ;mv:[[-43.896407499999995,170.5003217],[-44.657999499999995,169.7793404]];tbs:lrf:!1m4!1u2!2m2!2m1!1e1!2m1!1e2!3sIAE,lf:1,lf_ui:1)

Price: $8 per night (per adult)

The Lake Middleton Campsite is about 25 minutes drive from Twizel and is situated on the lake's edge amongst mature fir trees. It’s a great camping ground for those wanting to partake in fishing, walking and mountain biking in the Ruataniwha Conservation Park.

This campsite is open to any vehicle (not just self-contained vehicles) and is operated by the Department of Conservation (DoC) on a first-come, first-served basis. You can register and pay on arrival at the registration booths. Facilities include flush toilets, boat launching, tap water and recycling bins. Dogs are allowed.

7. Lake Ruataniwha Reserve

Address: [Max Smith Drive, Twizel 7999](https://www.google.com/search?q=Lake%20Ruataniwha%20Reserve&oq=Lake+Ruataniwha+Reserve&aqs=chrome..69i57j69i61j69i60.301j0j7&sourceid=chrome&ie=UTF-8&tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:1&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=APq-WBsUxeXLw1IfPl92XWPraK9yEqP7QA:1647276371743&rflfq=1&num=10&rldimm=3026682311273092368&lqi=ChdMYWtlIFJ1YXRhbml3aGEgUmVzZXJ2ZUix9IkCWh8QAhgAGAEiF2xha2UgcnVhdGFuaXdoYSByZXNlcnZlkgEEbGFrZaoBDxABKgsiB3Jlc2VydmUoAA&phdesc=ycNCarERrxk&ved=2ahUKEwjiyO3Xhsb2AhUi3mEKHa3lC1EQvS56BAgCEF4&rlst=f# rlfi=hd:;si:8874879679631573023;mv:[[-44.26133942446645,170.052965335437],[-44.2783945515593,170.00923459965819],null,[-44.2698676066379,170.0310999675476],15])

Price: Free

The Lake Ruataniwha Reserve is a freedom camping ground only 5 minutes drive from Twizel. It is a large grassy campsite on the edge of a lake and overlooks mountains in the distance. There is a heap of walking tracks around the lake and cycle tracks into Twizel along the canal. However, note that camping is banned at this site between 24th December and the second Monday in January.

This camping ground near Twizel is only open to self-contained vehicles and operates on a first-come, first-served basis. The maximum stay is 3 nights. Camping is not allowed within 20m of the lake foreshore. There are no facilities at this campsite.

8. Falstone Creek Camping Ground

Address: [Falston Rd, Totara Peak 7999](https://www.google.com/search?q=Falstone+Camping+Ground&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=APq-WBuSDgBeo78_MEwgE_dgjfUdDH995A%3A1647276379221&ei=W3EvYpyTDaHhwAPW9Y-wDw&oq=Falstone+Camping+Ground&gs_l=psy-ab.3..0i512k1j0i22i30k1.782615.782615.0.783792.1.1.0.0.0.0.472.472.4-1.1.0....0...1c.2.64.psy-ab..0.1.471....0.OwRvKBAv028# rlfi=hd:;si:1184429189815366506,l,ChdGYWxzdG9uZSBDYW1waW5nIEdyb3VuZEjNtNO8iq6AgAhaJRACGAAYARgCIhdmYWxzdG9uZSBjYW1waW5nIGdyb3VuZCoCCAOSAQpjYW1wZ3JvdW5k,y,qXOV_dqxKPs;mv:[[-44.378307351920974,170.22302924559284],[-44.41602324153636,170.13556777403522],null,[-44.39716833549029,170.17929850981403],14])

Price: $20 per night (per family)

The Falstone Creek camping ground is a popular site on the edge of Lake Benmore, about a 30 minutes drive from Twizel. Camp underneath the large fir trees and take a swim or launch your boat on the lake.

This campsite is open to any vehicle (not just self-contained vehicles) and is operated by the Waitaki District Council. You can register and pay on arrival at the registration booth. Facilities include flush toilets, a boat ramp and a dump station. Dogs are allowed.

9. Ohau C Camping Ground

Address: [Mcaughtries Road, Glenbrook, Twizel 7999](https://www.google.com/search?tbs=lf:1,lf_ui:2&tbm=lcl&sxsrf=APq-WBv9N5_WsewQYAxW3-bROeTEEe6xRQ:1647277641940&q=ohau+c+camping+ground&rflfq=1&num=10&rldimm=16619632641289527219# rlfi=hd:;si:4092493734491156451,l,ChVvaGF1IGMgY2FtcGluZyBncm91bmRI6YCoxfmsgIAIWicQABABEAIQAxgAGAEYAhgDIhVvaGF1IGMgY2FtcGluZyBncm91bmSSAQtzdW1tZXJfY2FtcJoBJENoZERTVWhOTUc5blMwVkpRMEZuU1VSSGVYVmlWREozUlJBQg;mv:[[-44.3415192,170.1964542],[-44.3490999,170.1814234]])

Price: $30 per night (per family)

The Ohau C camping ground is only a 15-minute drive from the township of Twizel and is positioned on the edge of Lake Benmore. It’s a large campsite offering stunning views over the Lake and Mount Cook in the background. Perfect for those wanting to do some fishing, water skiing or wakeboarding.

This campsite is open to any vehicle (not just self-contained vehicles) and is operated by a private operator. You can book online or over the phone. Facilities include flush toilets, a boat ramp, jetty, dump station and rubbish station. Dogs are allowed.

The facilities open on the third weekend of September each year and close over the last weekend of April each year. The camping ground still operates throughout the rest of the year but the facilities are closed.

Hire a campervan for your Twizel camping trip

Now that you’ve got a list of all the best camping grounds near Twizel, it’s time to arrange campervan hire in Canterbury!

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