DOC campsites in Fiordland

Camping with DOC in Fiordland

Every one of Fiordland's 13 DOC campsites sits in Fiordland National Park, and they fall into three clear groups: roadside standard campsites, Great Walk campsites, and free basic sites by the water.

The roadside group is the simplest to plan. Cascade Creek, Henry Creek, Totara, Deer Flat, Kiosk Creek, Walker Creek and Upper Eglinton are standard campsites at a flat $18 a night for adults. Cascade Creek Campsite is the largest in the region, with 120 sites, a cooking shelter and wheelchair access. Walker Creek and Upper Eglinton list campervan and car access but not caravans. Facilities are basic across the group: non-flush toilets and stream water at most.

Brod Bay, Iris Burn and Lake Mackenzie are Great Walk campsites, reached only on foot. The adult rate is $10 to $28 for NZ residents and $10 to $42 for international visitors, the top of the region's $10 to $42 range. Each has a cooking shelter, non-flush toilets and untreated tap water.

The 3 free campsites are all basic. Hall Arm Campsite is reached only by boat. South Arm Campsite (Lake Manapouri) lists boat and car access, and Monowai Campsite takes campervans and has a boat ramp. Together with the Great Walk sites, that makes 4 campsites with no road access.

Some things are missing across the whole region: none of the 13 lists flush toilets, showers, treated tap water or powered sites, and none allows dogs. Carry water treatment and plan to be self-sufficient. Campfires are permitted at 7 campsites under fire season rules, mostly among the roadside group. Of the 13, 10 can be booked online through DOC. The landscape is rivers and lakes and forest, and the region has 55 DOC huts for multi-day trips.