Arthurs Pass Camping – Complete Guide
Camping in Arthurs Pass is one of the cheapest accomodation options while travelling on a budget. Most campsites in Arthurs Pass range from $10 per person/per. Along with being affordable the campsite locations are some of the most beautiful Arthur’s pass accomodations.
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- Arthurs Pass camping locations
- How to pay for camping in Arthurs Pass
- Wildlife issues in Arthurs Pass
- Fires and pets at the Arthurs Pass campsites
Arthurs Pass Camping Locations:
1) Avalanche Creek Shelter campsite:
Cost: The cost of this campsite is $10 per person/per night (pp/night) for an adult. $5 pp/night for a child and free for those that are 4 and under.
Facilities: Flushable toilets, non treated water on tap (boil before use), shelter area for cooking, non-powered sites.
Vehicle Access: Cars, campervans and caravans are able to access this campsite.
Location: Click here to see the exact location of this campsite.
Pre-Booking: You are able to pre book in person at the Arthurs Pass visitor centre or over the phone but a service fee ($10) will apply to these options. Alternatively you can book online here for this campsite. I recommend paying in person at the campsite. Check out the section below on how to pay for your campsite in Arthurs Pass.
2) Andrews Shelter Campsite
Cost: Free
Facilities: long drop toilets (non flush), non treated water from the stream (boil before use), shelter area for cooking, non-powered sites.
Vehicle Access: Cars, campervans and caravans are able to access this campsite.
Location: Click here to see the exact location of this campsite.
Pre-Booking: Bookings not required as it is a free campsite. So instead it is on a “first in, first served” basis.
3) Hawdon Shelter campground:
Cost: The cost of this campsite is $10 per person/per night (pp/night). $5 pp/night for a child and free for those that are 4 and under.
Facilities: Long drop toilets (non flush), non treated water on tap (boil before use), shelter area for cooking, non-powered sites.
Vehicle Access: Cars, campervans and caravans are able to access this campsite.
Location: Click here to see the exact location of this campsite.
Pre-Booking: You are able to pre book in person at the Arthurs Pass visitor centre or over the phone but a service fee ($10) will apply to these options. Alternatively you can book online here for this campsite. I recommend paying in person at the campsite. Check out the section below on how to pay for your campsite in Arthurs Pass.
4) Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) Campsite
Cost: The cost of this campsite is $10 per person/per night (pp/night). $5 pp/night for a child and free for those that are 4 and under.
Facilities: Long drop toilets (non flush), non treated water on tap (boil before use), non-powered sites.
Vehicle Access: Cars, campervans and caravans are able to access this campsite.
Location: Click here to see the exact location of this campsite.
Pre-Booking: You are able to pre book in person at the Arthurs Pass visitor centre or over the phone but a service fee ($10) will apply to these options. Alternatively you can book online here for this campsite. I recommend paying in person at the campsite. Check out the section below on how to pay for your campsite in Arthurs Pass.
5) Mistletoe Flats Campsite (formerly known as Craigieburn Shelter campsite)
Cost: The cost of this campsite is $10 per person/per night (pp/night). $5 pp/night for a child and free for those that are 4 and under.
Facilities: Long drop toilets (non flush), non treated water on tap (boil before use), shelter for cooking, non-powered sites.
Vehicle Access: Cars only. For campervans/caravans it is best to visit the Lake Pearson campsite instead (details above).
Location: Click here to see the exact location of this campsite.
Pre-Booking: You are able to pre book in person at the Arthurs Pass visitor centre or over the phone but a service fee ($10) will apply to these options. Alternatively you can book online here for this campsite. I recommend paying in person at the campsite. Check out the section below on how to pay for your campsite in Arthurs Pass.
6) Klondyke Corner Campsite
Cost: The cost of this campsite is $10 per person/per night (pp/night). $5 pp/night for a child and free for those that are 4 and under.
Facilities: Long drop toilets (non flush), non treated water on tap (boil before use), shelter area for cooking, non-powered sites.
Vehicle Access: Cars, campervans and caravans are able to access this campsite.
Location: Click here to see the exact location of this campsite.
Pre-Booking: You are able to pre book in person at the Arthurs Pass visitor centre or over the phone but a service fee ($10) will apply to these options. Alternatively you can book online here for this campsite. I recommend paying in person at the campsite. Check out the section below on how to pay for your campsite in Arthurs Pass.
7) Greyneys Shelter Campsite
Cost: Free
Facilities: Long drop toilets (non flush), shelter for cooking, non-powered sites.
Vehicle Access: Cars, campervans and caravans are able to access this campsite.
Location: Click here to see the exact location of this campsite.
Pre-Booking: Bookings not required as it is a free campsite. So instead it is on a “first in, first served” basis.
How to pay for camping in Arthurs Pass
For many campsites in Arthurs Pass, you can pay the camp fees online over on the DoC website (department of conservation) before visiting or at the Arthur’s Pass Visitor Centre.
The most common practice (because it’s the easiest option) is to bring the correct amount of cash with you to pay at the dropbox at the campsite.
The dropbox can commonly be found at the campsite information poster as you enter the campsite. There, you will find instructions on how to pay and you will also be given a tag to display on your car/tent to show rangers that you have paid correctly.
Wildlife issues in Arthurs Pass
Wasps: Wasps are a big issue in Arthurs pass between January and March. During these months it is best to wear light coloured clothing and carry antihistamine tablets as a precaution.
Keas: Keas are New Zealand’s Alpine Parrots and can be found in Arthur’s Pass. These beautiful birds are notoriously cheeky and will rip your tent or steal your gear if you leave it unattended. The kea that stole a go-pro is a key example of this.
To avoid cheeky kea’s from tampering with your stuff, make sure to clean up all food scraps and store food appropriately. And most importantly! Never feed the Keas! But otherwise, enjoy these beautiful birds. They will cause you no harm and might even walk up near you. They are quite curious birds!
Sandflies: Sandflies are genuinely the bane of my existence. They are the worst part about travelling in New Zealand. The sandfly bites are itchy and annoying so make sure to pack heaps of bug spray as well as aloe vera and soothing creams to relax yourself when you inevitably get bitten.
