Places to camp in Canterbury
Canterbury runs from the coast across the plains to the Southern Alps, with Arthur's Pass, the high country lakes and the Mackenzie Basin. Most of its huts are in the backcountry, while its campsites sit beside lakes and rivers you can drive to. Nights are cold up high, even in summer.
A Frame HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFree
Ahuriri Base HutDOC hut · Ahuriri Conservation ParkFees apply
Alpine Adventure Holiday ParkHoliday park · Hanmer Springs4
Andrews Shelter CampsiteDOC campsite · Arthur's Pass National ParkFree
Anne HutDOC hut · St James Conservation AreaFees apply
Ant Stream BivvyDOC hut · Lochinvar Forest Conservation AreaFree
Ant Stream HutDOC hut · Lochinvar Forest Conservation AreaFree
Anti Crow HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
AoteaHoliday park · 87 Aotea Terrace, Huntsbury SI 8022 New ZealandFees apply
Ashley Gorge Holiday ParkHoliday park · Oxford1
Avalanche Creek Shelter CampsiteDOC campsite · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Avoca HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
Back Basins HideDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
Baikie HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFree
Ball HutDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFees apply
Barker HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Barron Saddle HutDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFees apply
Basins HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFees apply
Bealey HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
Bealey Spur HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFree
Benmore HutDOC hut · Korowai/Torlesse Tussocklands ParkFree
Bob's Camp BivvyDOC hut · Mount Thomas Forest Conservation AreaFree
Boundary Creek HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFree
Boyle CampsiteDOC campsite · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Boyle Flat HutDOC hut · St James Conservation AreaFees apply
Brodrick HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFees apply
Cameron HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFees apply
Camerons HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Camp Stream HutDOC hut · Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation ParkFees apply
Canyon Creek BivvyDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFree
Carlyle HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Carney's Bivvy No. 1DOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFree
Carney's Bivvy No. 2DOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFree
Carrington HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Casey HutDOC hut · Canterbury
Cass Saddle HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
Christopher (Ada) Cullers HutDOC hut · St James Conservation AreaFree
Christopher HutDOC hut · St James Conservation AreaFees apply
Cold Stream HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Comyns HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFree
Cookies HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFree
Copland ShelterDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFree
Crow HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Cullers HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFees apply
Curtis Memorial HutDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers area
Dasler BivDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFree
Devils Den BivvyDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Dianas DrivewayHoliday park · Christchurch1
Dodger HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFees apply
Double HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFree
Doubtful HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Doubtless HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Eade Memorial HutDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFees apply
East Hawdon BivvyDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFree
Edwards HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Elcho HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFees apply
Empress HutDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFees apply
Erceg HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFree
Esk BivvyDOC hut · Lochinvar Forest Conservation AreaFree
Fairlie Holiday ParkHoliday park · Fairlie1
Farmyard Holiday ParkHoliday park · Geraldine4
Forbes BivvyDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFree
Gabriel HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Glenmark Holiday ParkHoliday park · Timaru4
Glenrae HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Glentanner ParkHoliday park · Aoraki Mount Cook4
Godley HutDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFees apply
Green Point HutDOC hut · Gamack Conservation AreaFree
Grough HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFree
Hagens HutDOC hut · Ahuriri Conservation ParkFees apply
Hamilton HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFees apply
Harper Pass BivvyDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Hawdon HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Hawdon Shelter CampsiteDOC campsite · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Hideaway HutDOC hut · Ahuriri Conservation ParkFree
Hope Halfway HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Hope Kiwi LodgeDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Hurunui HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Hurunui No. 3 HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Huxley Forks HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFees apply
Jervois HutDOC hut · St James Conservation AreaFree
Jolliebrook HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Kelman HutDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFees apply
Kennedy Memorial HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFees apply
Klondyke Corner CampsiteDOC campsite · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Lagoon Saddle A Frame HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
Lagoon Saddle HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
Lake Man BivvyDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Lake Middleton CampsiteDOC campsite · Twizel areaFees apply
Lake Pearson (Moana Rua) CampsiteDOC campsite · Craigieburn Forest ParkFees apply
Lake Ruataniwha Holiday ParkHoliday park · Twizel1
Lake Taylor CampsiteDOC campsite · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Lakes Edge Holiday ParkHoliday park · Lake Tekapo1
Lauper BivDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFree
Lawrence BivvyDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFree
Lawrence HutDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFees apply
Leithfield Beach Holiday ParkHoliday park · Leithfield Beach1
Liebig HutDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFees apply
Little River CampgroundHoliday park · Little River1
Loch Katrine CampsiteDOC campsite · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Lower Salmon Creek BivvyDOC hut · Oxford Forest Conservation AreaFree
Lucretia HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Macaulay HutDOC hut · Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation ParkFees apply
Mackenzie Bivvy (East branch)DOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Mackenzie HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Magdalen HutDOC hut · St James Conservation AreaFees apply
Maitland HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFees apply
Manuka HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFree
Mathias HutDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFees apply
McCoy HutDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFees apply
Middle Gorge HutDOC hut · Godley Peaks Conservation AreaFees apply
Minchin BivvyDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFree
Mingha BivvyDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFree
Mistletoe Flats CampsiteDOC campsite · Craigieburn Forest ParkFees apply
Moa Stream HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
Monument HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFees apply
Mueller HutDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFees apply
Murphy's BivvyDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFree
Nina HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
North Esk Hut (dilapidated)DOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
North South Holiday ParkHoliday park · Christchurch Airport4
Officers HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFree
Old Basins HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
Ōtamahua HutDOC hut · Christchurch areaFees apply
Otamatapaio HutDOC hut · Oteake Conservation ParkFees apply
Park Morpeth HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Pinchgut HutDOC hut · Mount Thomas Forest Conservation AreaFees apply
Pines Holiday ParkHoliday park · Hanmer Springs3.5
Pioneer Park CampsiteDOC campsite · Pioneer Park Conservation AreaFees apply
Plateau HutDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFees apply
Pool HutDOC hut · St James Conservation AreaFree
Potts HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFree
Poulter BivvyDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFree
Poulter HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Puketeraki BivvyDOC hut · Oxford Forest Conservation AreaFree
Quailburn CampsiteDOC campsite · Ahuriri Conservation ParkFree
Rakaia River Holiday Park & MotelsHoliday park · Rakaia4
Ranger BivvyDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFree
Rangiora Eco Holiday ParkHoliday park · RangioraFees apply
Reardon HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFree
Red HutDOC hut · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFees apply
Red Stag HutDOC hut · Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation ParkFees apply
Reischek HutDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFees apply
Rod Donald HutDOC hut · Banks Peninsula areaFees apply
Rokeby HutDOC hut · St James Conservation AreaFree
Round Bush CampsiteDOC campsite · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFree
Shamrock HutDOC hut · Ahuriri Conservation ParkFees apply
Snowy Gorge HutDOC hut · Ahuriri Conservation ParkFree
South Brighton Holiday ParkHoliday park · Christchurch1
South Opuha HutDOC hut · Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation ParkFees apply
Spurs HutDOC hut · Te Kahui Kaupeka Conservation ParkFree
St Jacob's HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Stony Stream BivvyDOC hut · Hanmer Forest ParkFree
Sudden Valley BivvyDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFree
Tarn HutDOC hut · Puketeraki Forest Conservation AreaFree
Tasman Holiday Parks - ChristchurchHoliday park · Christchurch City4
Tasman Saddle HutDOC hut · Aoraki/Mount Cook National ParkFees apply
Temple CampsiteDOC campsite · Ruataniwha Conservation ParkFree
Three Mile Stream HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFees apply
Timaru TOP 10 Holiday ParkHoliday park · Timaru4.5
Top Hope HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Top HutDOC hut · Ahuriri Conservation ParkFree
Top HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFree
Tribulation HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFree
Trust/Poulter HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Turnbull BivvyDOC hut · Lochinvar Forest Conservation AreaFree
Unknown Stream HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
Upper Nina BivvyDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Upper South Branch Hurunui HutDOC hut · Lake Sumner Forest ParkFree
Urquhart's HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
Waiau HutDOC hut · St James Conservation AreaFees apply
Waihī Gorge CampsiteDOC campsite · Geraldine areaFees apply
Waikuku Beach Holiday ParkHoliday park · Christchurch City4.5
Waimakariri Falls HutDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFees apply
Watchdog HutDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFees apply
Weka Burnet BivvyDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
West Harper HutDOC hut · Craigieburn Forest ParkFree
West Mathias BivvyDOC hut · Rangitata and Rakaia Rivers areaFree
Wharfedale HutDOC hut · Oxford Forest Conservation AreaFees apply
Woolshed Creek HutDOC hut · Hakatere Conservation ParkFees apply
Worsley BivvyDOC hut · Arthur's Pass National ParkFree
Youngman Stream HutDOC hut · Puketeraki Forest Conservation AreaFees apply
Guides for Canterbury
- Banks Peninsula Camping Weekend From Christchurch
- Christchurch to Lake Tekapo and Aoraki: a 5-day road trip
- Arthur's Pass Camping Route: Christchurch to the West Coast
- Christchurch to Queenstown Drive 2026: Route, Time, Stops and Camping
- DOC Hut & Campsite Bookings 2026: How to Book, Fees, Dates
- NZ Great Walks 2026/27: Huts, Campsites, Booking Dates and Fees
More about Canterbury
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