Campsites around Arthurs Pass National Park

A variety of camp-sites in Arthur's Pass...

There are a number of camp sites within Arthur's Pass National Park, all of them are accessible from SH73 so you tend to share them with freedom campers and tourists in camper vans. There is one on the western side and six on the eastern side of the pass.

Kelly Creek Camp-site: West Coast

Kelly Creek camp-site is on the western side of the main divide about 2 kilometres past Otira settlement. It is a very basic camp-site located next to the car-park along Kelly's Creek. The Cockayne Nature Walk is co located at the car park, this is a nice 20-30 minute ramble through the local bush. This is also the start point for the track to Carroll Hut which sits on the ridges over looking Kelly's Creek. 

Kelly's Creek car-park and camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

• Located 20 km west from Arthur's Pass DOC visitor centre on Highway 73.
• FREE
• NO Advance Bookings - first in, first served!
• Camper vans permitted (no powered sites)
• Facilities: Long drop toilet, water is from Kelly's Creek (treat before use)
• No pets permitted under any circumstances.
• Take your rubbish with you!
• Note: Roadside shelter was removed in December 2007!

Map: Kellys Creek Car-park and Cockayne Nature Walk

There are a lot of car break-ins at this car park so hide any valuables out of sight if you leave your car here for any length of time.

Avalanche Creek, Camp-site and day shelter

The main camp-site and the one closest to Arthur's Pass township is the Avalanche Creek shelter and camp-site. There is space here for about 10 small tents as well as lots of space for camper vans to park. The shelter is large and can easily hold a sizeable number of people. 

Note: you may not sleep inside the shelter and this is regularly policed by the local DOC Rangers.

Avalanche Creek Shelter and camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

• Located across road from the Arthur's Pass DOC visitor centre
• NO Advance Bookings - first in, first served!
• Camper vans permitted (no powered sites)
• Cost $8 pp / night. Payable at site, or DOC Visitor Centre opposite.
• Facilities: Water, toilets, day-use shelter with tables, rubbish disposal.
• No pets permitted under any circumstances.
• No open fires permitted!
• Warning: Do not leave your tent unattended as the Kea will dismantle it for you!

Map: Avalanche Creek Campsite

The shelter is a substantial affair, you could easily get 40 people inside at one time as it has numerous tables and benches. Camping sites are on the lawn to the front, side and rear of the shelter. 

Avalanche Creek Shelter and camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

Plenty of space for camper vans at the Avalanche Creek Shelter, Arthur's Pass National Park

Avalanche Creek Shelter, Arthur's Pass National Park

Interior of the Avalanche Creek Shelter, Arthur's Pass National Park

Interior of the Avalanche Creek Shelter, Arthur's Pass National Park

Interior of the Avalanche Creek Shelter, Arthur's Pass National Park

 

Useful information board in the Avalanche Creek Shelter, Arthur's Pass National Park

 The Avalanche Peak Track starts close to this shelter, it is located right next to the DOC visitor center on the opposite side of SH73.

Greyney's Shelter

Greyney's Day Shelter is the start point for a number of tracks: the Old Coach Road, the Mingha-Deception Track and the route to Edwards Hut. This used to be a DOC camp-site but since recent road realignment camping is no longer permitted here.

The picnic area at Greyney's Shelter, Arthur's Pass National Park

Self contained camper vans CAN use this site, there are clearly marked spaces they are allowed to occupy.  The very busy SH73 is right next to the shelter site so it is a bit noisy. There is no water anywhere near here so you need to bring supplies with you.

• Located 5 km east from Arthur's Pass DOC visitor center on State Highway 73.
• FREE
• Camper vans permitted (no powered sites)
• Facilities: Day use shelter, long drop toilet
• No pets permitted under any circumstances.
• Take your rubbish with you!
• Fires in shelter fireplace only!

Map: Greyney's picnic & shelter site

Greyneys Day Shelter, Arthur's Pass National Park

Interior of Greyneys Day Shelter, Arthur's Pass National Park

 Klondyke Corner shelter & camp-site

 The Klondyke Corner shelter and camp-site is located on the edge of the national park just off SH73. The shelter is available to all visitors and is open on three sides with a fourth wall which includes an open fireplace. The camp-site is very basic there is no water so it is really meant to be used by camper vans or self contained campers. 

Klondyke Corner Shelter at the edge of Arthur's Pass National Park

• Located 8 km east from Arthur's Pass DOC visitor centre on Highway 73.
• FREE- no charge to camp
• NO Advance Bookings - first in, first served!
• Camper vans permitted (no powered sites)
• Facilities: Day use shelter, long drop toilets
• Take your rubbish with you!
• No pets permitted under any circumstances.
• No open fires permitted!
• Warning: Do not leave your tent unattended as the Kea will dismantle it for you!

Map: Klondyke Corner Campsite

Klondyke Corner camp-site in Arthur's Pass National Park

Klondyke Corner camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

Klondyke Corner Shelter with Bealey Spur in background

It would be a bit dusty here if any breeze was blowing...

Hawdon Valley shelter & camp-site

There is a vast section of Arthur's Pass National Park to the east of the Waimakariri River in the Hawdon, Andrews and Poulter River Valleys. All of these areas have many excellent tramping destinations and there are also two camp-sites. 

Looking North west into the Hawdon River Valley, Arthur's Pass National Park

The Hawdon Valley camp site is the largest in the whole park and comprises a area of bush with a huge open space around it. You could easily pitch a thousand tents here and still have space to spare. The valley is accessed from the Mt White bridge turn-off about 30 km's east of Arthur's Pass. 

Turn off to the Hawdon Valley, Hawdon Camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

• Located 27 km east from Arthur's Pass DOC visitor centre. Turn off onto Mt White Road and follow signs.
• FREE- no charge to camp
• NO Advance Bookings - first in, first served!
• Camper vans permitted (no powered sites)
• Facilities: Long drop toilet, day-use shelter.
• No pets permitted under any circumstances.
• Take your rubbish with you!
• No open fires permitted! There is a fireplace in the shelter that may be used.

Map: Hawdon and Andrews Valley Camp-sites

Crossing the Mt White bridge to the Hawdon Valley

Entrance to the Hawdon Camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

The Hawdon Shelter and upper terrace, Hawdon Camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

Hawdon Shelter, Hawdon Valley, Arthur's Pass National Park

Below are some photos of the camping area and particular spots where it might be good to pitch a tent...

Masses of space at the Hawdon Camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

Example of the spots at the Hawdon Camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

Some campers in residence over a recent weekend...Hawdon Camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

Hawdon Camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

No fires allowed at the Hawdon Camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

The ubiquitous DOC long drop...Hawdon Camp-site, Arthur's Pass National Park

This camp-site will be very busy at the start of any long weekend, over Easter and in the Christmas/New Years break. It is sand-fly heaven so if you are camping here get used to raising your tent at the speed of light or they will consume you alive....

Andrews Shelter shelter & campsite

There is a camp-site and enclosed day shelter at the end of the Andrews River on the Andrews-Binser Saddle Route. The Andrews Shelter is on the road to Mt White Station it is approximately 6 kilometres from the Mt White bridge over the Waimakariri River.  The shelter is quite nice, the camp site is a scratch affair, it is basically the flat area surrounding the shelter. 

Andrews Shelter on the Mt White Station Road, Arthur's Pass National Park

• Located 29 km east from Arthur's Pass DOC visitor centre. Turn off onto Mt White Road and follow signs.
• FREE- no charge to camp
• NO Advance Bookings - first in, first served!
• Camper vans permitted (no powered sites)
• Facilities: Long drop toilet, day-use shelter.
• No pets permitted under any circumstances.
• Take your rubbish with you!
• No open fires permitted!

The Red Beast parked at the Andrews Valley car-park in 2012...

Andrews Shelter from the Mt White Station road, Arthur's Pas National Park

Andrews Shelter and the surrounding flat camping ground, Arthur's Pass National Park

Arthur's Pass National Park: the shelter and camping area at Andrews Shelter

The Andrews Valley Track is next to the shelter

Again...lots and lots and lots of sand-flies here.....

Bealey Hut and camp site

At the start/end of the section between Lake Coleridge and SH73 at Cora Lynn Station lies Bealey Hut, this is in the Craigieburn Forest Park. As well as the six bunk hut there is a large flat area in front of the hut which can be used as a camp site. The hut is about 5 minutes walk up the track making it roughly equidistant from the West Harper River Valley and its huts and Arthur's Pass township. 

The entrance to the track to Lake Coleridge from the Cora Lynn Station access road

Bealey Hut is an old SF70 design hut, it was originally built for the New Zealand Forestry Service 0 and was utilised by the foresters working in the nearby area. It is an old hut but is still perfectly serviceable, it is dry, and has an open fireplace so you can try to warm it in winter.

The six bunk Bealey Hut, Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track

Bealey Hut built in 1960 and still useful!

Interior of Bealey Hut, Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track

Interior of Bealey Hut, Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track

 As you can see there is a lot of flat ground around the hut on which to pitch a tent, there are also some nice spots in the nearby forest. There is no charge for using this area to camp as the hut is a basic or free hut due to its age.

Start of the track to Lake Coleridge at Cora Lynn Station

• Located 14 km east from Arthur's Pass DOC visitor center. Turn off onto Cora Lynn station  and follow signs for Cass-Lagoon Saddle track.
• FREE- no charge to camp/stay in hut
• NO Advance Bookings - first in, first served!
• Facilities: Long drop toilet, water from tank.
• No pets permitted under any circumstances.
• Take your rubbish with you!
• No open fires permitted!

Flat ground for tents outside Bealey Hut, on the Cass-Lagoon Saddle Track, Craigieburn Forest Park

I hope this information is of some use to those of you who intend to camp while in Arthur's Pass.