Source: Department of Conservation, data as of 11 August 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0. Data credits
West Coast at a glance
| DOC campsites | 14 |
|---|---|
| Most sites | Lake Māhinapua Campsite (100) |
| Most campsites in | Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve 2, Franz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere 1, Gillespies Beach 1 |
| Free campsites | 1 |
| Campsites with a fee | 13 |
| Adult nightly rates listed | $10 to $20 |
| Bookable online through DOC | 12 |
| Campsite categories | Standard campsite 11, Backcountry campsite 3 |
| Campervan access | 10 |
| Reached only on foot or by boat | 3 |
| Dogs allowed in some form | 4 |
| Flush toilets | 5 |
| Showers (hot or cold) | 1 |
| Unpowered sites | 366 |
| Landscape | Rivers and lakes 8, Forest 4, Coastal 2, Alpine 1 |
| DOC huts in the region | 140 |
Camping with DOC in West Coast
West Coast DOC campsites are spread thinly along the region rather than clustered in one park; no single area holds more than 2. Of the 14, 13 charge a fee, between $10 and $20 a night for adults, and 12 can be booked online through DOC. Most are standard campsites that a campervan can reach: 10 list campervan access.
Lake campsites stand out. Lake Māhinapua Campsite is the largest, with 100 sites, at $18, with flush toilets, cold showers and a boat ramp; it is the only campsite in the region with showers. Hans Bay – Lake Kaniere Campsite costs $15 and has a boat ramp and jetty. Lake Ianthe Matahi Campsite in the Harihari area is $10 with a boat ramp, and Lake Paringa Campsite is $18.
Several campsites have barbecues: Kōhaihai in Kahurangi National Park ($10), Marble Hill in Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve ($15), Lyell ($18) and Slab Hut Creek in Victoria Forest Park ($15). Goldsborough Campsite is another $10 option, with flush toilets. Otto/MacDonalds Campsite, listed under Franz Josef Glacier, is $18 with flush toilets. Gillespies Beach Campsite costs $18 to $20 and lists car access only, not campervan access.
The 3 campsites with no road access need walking boots. Ballroom Overhang Campsite in Paparoa National Park is the only free campsite in the region and is reached on foot, with a non-flush toilet. Lake Daniell Campsite in Lewis Pass Scenic Reserve ($10) and Welcome Flat Campsite in Westland Tai Poutini National Park ($15) are backcountry campsites with untreated tap water.
Flush toilets are listed at 5 campsites. No campsite lists treated tap water or powered sites, so carry water treatment. Dogs are allowed in some form at 4. With 140 DOC huts in the region, there are also plenty of roofed options for longer trips.
Campsites
| Name | Type | Access and facilities | Fee |
|---|---|---|---|
| Lake Māhinapua CampsiteMāhinapua Scenic Reserve | Standard campsite | Campervan, Car, Caravan, Flush toilets, Cooking shelter, Cold showers, Boat ramp | Adult $18 per night |
| Kōhaihai CampsiteKahurangi National Park | Standard campsite | Campervan, Car, Caravan, Flush toilets, Wheelchair access, Untreated tap water, Barbecue | Adult $10 per night |
| Goldsborough CampsiteGoldsborough (Waimea) - Kumara area | Standard campsite | Campervan, Car, Caravan, Flush toilets, Wheelchair access, Untreated tap water | Adult $10 per night |
| Hans Bay – Lake Kaniere CampsiteLake Kaniere Scenic Reserve | Standard campsite | Campervan, Car, Caravan, Flush toilets, Cooking shelter, Boat ramp, Jetty | Adult $15 per night |
| Marble Hill CampsiteLewis Pass Scenic Reserve | Standard campsite | Campervan, Car, Caravan, Wheelchair access, Non-flush toilets, Untreated tap water, Barbecue | Adult $15 per night |
| Otto/MacDonalds CampsiteFranz Josef Glacier/Kā Roimata o Hine Hukatere | Standard campsite | Campervan, Car, Caravan, Flush toilets, Cooking shelter, Boat ramp, Wheelchair access | Adult $18 per night |
| Lyell CampsiteLyell area | Standard campsite | Campervan, Car, Caravan, Wheelchair access, Non-flush toilets, Untreated tap water, Barbecue | Adult $18 per night |
| Slab Hut Creek CampsiteVictoria Forest Park | Standard campsite | Campervan, Car, Caravan, Stream water, Barbecue | Adult $15 per night |
| Lake Ianthe Matahi CampsiteHarihari area | Standard campsite | Campervan, Car, Caravan, Cooking shelter, Boat ramp, Wheelchair access, Non-flush toilets | Adult $10 per night |
| Lake Paringa CampsiteHaast, Paringa and Moeraki rivers area | Standard campsite | Campervan, Car, Caravan, Boat ramp, Wheelchair access, Non-flush toilets, Untreated tap water | Adult $18 per night |
| Ballroom Overhang CampsitePaparoa National Park | Backcountry campsite | On foot, Non-flush toilets | Free |
| Lake Daniell CampsiteLewis Pass Scenic Reserve | Backcountry campsite | On foot, Cooking shelter, Non-flush toilets, Untreated tap water | Adult $10 per night |
| Gillespies Beach CampsiteGillespies Beach | Standard campsite | Car, Cooking shelter, Non-flush toilets, Untreated tap water | Adult $18 to $20 per night |
| Welcome Flat CampsiteWestland Tai Poutini National Park | Backcountry campsite | On foot, Non-flush toilets, Untreated tap water | Adult $15 per night |
Check before you go
Fees, closures and access change. The DOC page for each place, current DOC alerts and signs on site take priority over this summary.
The full map is in KiwiCamping
All 14 campsites on one map
KiwiCamping shows every DOC campsite in West Coast on the map with fees, facilities and DOC alerts, and puts the ones you pick into a trip with distances and dates. Bookable holiday parks, stays and tours are free in the app. DOC campsites, huts, dump stations and the guides open with the Pass.