Best Queenstown Campsites (+ Map)

Planning to go camping in Queenstown, but don’t know where you should park your campervan or pitch your tent?

I’m here to help!

As a Queenstown local and keen camper, I’m happy to share my favourite camping spots with you.

From holiday parks with all of the perks to beautiful, back-to-basics DOC campgrounds, there are some fantastic places to camp around Queenstown.

And while Queenstown isn’t exactly known for its freedom camping options, there are some designated sites for freedom camping both in town and nearby.

In this guide, I’m sharing the best campsites in and around Queenstown, plus a handy map to help you plan your trip.

A heads-up: this blog is reader-supported, and this post contains affiliate links. If you make a booking through one of my links, I may earn a small commission at no extra cost to you. Thank you for helping me continue to write, take photos, and share my favourite places in New Zealand!

Queenstown Campsites Map

Map legend:

🧡 Orange tent = Holiday parks in & around Queenstown
💙 Blue tent = DOC campsites near Queenstown
🚐 Green caravan = Freedom camping spots around Queenstown (certified self-contained vehicles only)

Note: Freedom camping is only permitted in designated spaces and during specified hours. I’ve pinned the general location for each spot, but please check the signage and current QLDC or DOC restrictions before staying overnight.

Thinking of Hiring a Campervan for your Queenstown Camping Trip?

I recommend checking out Motorhome Republic to compare campervan rentals in New Zealand.

There are quite a few campervan companies with depots in Queenstown, including JUCY, Britz, Maui, Mighty, & Apollo.

🚐 Check campervan prices & availability on Motorhome Republic ➡️

Holiday Parks in Queenstown

At a Queenstown holiday park, you can expect to find unpowered and powered campsites, along with camping cabins.

As to be expected from holiday parks around New Zealand, these campgrounds also offer facilities like camp kitchens, drinking water, BBQs, bathroom blocks with toilets and hot showers, and laundry facilities.

Note that while all of these holiday parks have communal camp kitchens with essentials like toasters, cooking hobs, and water boilers, you’ll usually need to supply your own cookware and plates, cutlery, etc. 

Driftaway Queenstown

📍Distance from Queenstown town centre: 6km

Driftaway is, in my opinion, the nicest holiday park in Queenstown.

In fact, I rate this campground as one of the best holiday parks in all of New Zealand! It’s certainly one of NZ’s best campervan campsites.

As the newest campground in Queenstown, the facilities at Driftaway are sleek, modern and, quite frankly, world-class when it comes to camping. 

The kitchen is gorgeous, the BBQs have lakefront views, and the bathrooms are even equipped with good hairdryers and a straightener (I’m not kidding!).

Located on the sunny Frankton arm, this campground is only a 10-minute drive away from Queenstown’s town centre.

If you don’t feel like driving once you’ve set up camp, you can easily take the bus or water taxi into town, or walk along the lakeside Frankton Track (which takes about an hour each way). ❗️2026 Update: the Frankton Track is currently closed.

Driftaway is also convenient to Queenstown Airport and all of the supermarkets and shops in Frankton (Pak ‘n Save is good for stocking up on groceries!).

When you camp here, you’ll be just steps away from Frankton Beach, which is a great place to hang out for an afternoon while picnicking and soaking up the sun. 

For a treat, book one of the campground’s private hot tubs, which look out over the lake and mountains. 

🛏️ Driftaway also offers camping cabins & villas. Check prices & availability on booking.com ➡️

Creeksyde Holiday Park

📍Distance from Queenstown town centre: <1km 

Creeksyde Holiday Park is an excellent place to camp when you want to be right in the heart of Queenstown.

This campground’s location couldn’t be better. You can simply park up your campervan here and easily walk to the main town centre for activities, dining, and nightlife.

The grounds at Creeksyde are quirky and eclectic, and they pride themselves on being an eco-friendly campground.

Another nice feature at this campground is that the campsites have hedges for privacy dividers between sites, so you won’t feel like you’re camping in a parking lot.

If you don’t feel like going out to eat for every meal, there are two of Queenstown’s best supermarkets within close walking distance to camp: McKibbon’s of Royalburn (my favourite shop for local produce!) and Fresh Choice.

Note: Creeksyde Holiday Park does not offer tent camping sites, only sites for campervans, caravans, or motorhomes. They also have studio units and other accommodation on offer.

Queenstown Top 10 Holiday Park

📍 Distance from Queenstown town centre: 7km

Located in Queenstown’s Arthur’s Point neighbourhood, Queenstown TOP 10 Holiday Park is set in a peaceful spot in a pretty alpine setting.

It’s under a 10-minute drive from this campground to the Queenstown town centre, and they offer free shuttle buses throughout the day so you don’t have to drive yourself and deal with parking in town. There’s also a public bus stop close by.

The campground is also close to some of Queenstown’s top attractions, including the Shotover Jet and Onsen Hot Pools. 

You’ll also be right near one of my favourite Queenstown breweries: Canyon Brewing, which is just a 10-minute walk from camp. 

This is the closest campground to the Coronet Peak ski field, so if you’re campervanning in winter, it’s a convenient spot to stay for skiing!

As to be expected from a TOP 10 Holiday Park, this campground is extremely tidy, clean, and well-run. The grounds are green and leafy, and it’s a relaxed and family-friendly place to stay.

🛏️ Queenstown TOP 10 also offers cabins & other accommodation. Check prices & availability on booking.com ➡️

Hampshire Holiday Park – Queenstown Lakeview

📍 Distance from Queenstown town centre: <1km

Hampshire Holiday Park – Queenstown Lakeview is in an excellent location in the Queenstown town centre. 

When you camp here, you’ll be just steps away from the Skyline Gondola and also within close walking distance of Queenstown’s shops, eateries, and main attractions.

It’s so nice to be able to park up your campervan and walk to everything in town without a worry. 

The campsites here are quite close together and don’t have much privacy, so the location is why I’d stay here. For those of you searching for convenient campervan sites in Queenstown, this campground is a solid choice.

Personally, I think this campground is best suited for campervans and motorhomes rather than tents, but people do tent camp here, too. I prefer one of the DOC campsites for tent camping near Queenstown (see more on Queenstown DOC campsites below!).

🛏️ Hampshire Holiday Park also offers camping cabins & other accommodation. Check prices & availability on booking.com ➡️

DOC Campsites Near Queenstown

The DOC campsites around Queenstown are where to go if you want a back-to-basics camping experience amidst nature.

Unlike the holiday parks in Queenstown, these DOC campsites are located outside of town in remote, peaceful settings.

Before heading out to one of these DOC campsites, make sure you have everything you need for your camping trip, including food, drinking water, a camp stove, and plates/cutlery/cooking gear. 

You won’t find many amenities at these campsites besides water taps (with water you need to boil or treat before drinking) and non-flush toilets, so it’s best to arrive prepared. There are no showers or camp kitchens at these campsites, nor are there powered campsites.

One more note: I would expect no cell service at these campsites, so plan to go off-grid while you stay at these spots.

12 Mile Delta Campsite

📍 Distance from Queenstown town centre: 12 km

12 Mile Delta Campsite is the closest DOC campground to Queenstown, and what a gorgeous spot it is.

Located along the scenic drive from Queenstown to Glenorchy, 12 Mile Delta is just a 15-minute drive from the Queenstown town centre. 

When you camp at 12 Mile Delta Campsite, you’ll be right on the shores of Lake Wakatipu.

12 Mile Delta was actually used as a filming site for the Lord of the Rings movies—it’s where Ithilien camp was filmed. So if you’re a LOTR buff, you’ll definitely want to camp here.

If you’re a hiker, you’ll absolutely love the fact that there are two excellent hiking trails starting right from camp!

The Mt Crichton Loop Track and 12 Mile to Bob’s Cove Track can both be accessed from 12 Mile Delta Campsite. ❗️(2026 update: Mt Crichton Loop Track currently requires a creek crossing, and slips are present on the trail. Check the DOC website for updates).

These hiking trails are some of the best walks around Queenstown, and it’s so convenient to be able to access them from your campsite.

Note: 12 Mile Delta Campsite does not take bookings; it’s first-come, first-served.

Moke Lake Campsite

📍 Distance from Queenstown town centre: 14km

Not only is the Moke Lake Campsite one of the best campgrounds in Queenstown—it’s also one of the most gorgeous campsites in the South Island!

This scenic campsite is only a 20-minute drive from Queenstown and is a worthy destination in its own right.

The Moke Lake campground is perched right along the shores of Moke Lake, which is surrounded by mountains and feels so peaceful.

When you camp at Moke Lake, you’ll feel a world away from the hustle and bustle of Queenstown. The night skies are clear here, and the stargazing is amazing.

From the campground, you’ll be able to easily access the excellent walking trail around Moke Lake, an easy 6km loop walk that takes around two hours to complete.

It’s worth noting that the road into Moke Lake is unpaved, and it’s narrow and winding in parts. Please take care when driving in and out of here. Bring everything you need with you so you don’t have to drive in and out of camp multiple times.

You should be able to access the campground in a 2WD vehicle most of the year, but I’d avoid camping here in winter as the road can become challenging and it’s best for 4WD only in the winter months.

Note: In the past, Moke Lake was first-come, first-served; however, you now need to book a campsite here. I recommend doing so online before arriving.

More Campgrounds Near Queenstown

Hampshire Holiday Park – Arrowtown

📍 Distance from Queenstown town centre: 20km

The Hampshire Holiday Park – Arrowtown is a great place for camping near Queenstown.

Located just a 20-minute drive from Queenstown, Arrowtown is a charming historic town filled with beautiful scenery and lovely local shops and eateries.

Formerly known as the Arrowtown Holiday Park, this is the only camping ground in Arrowtown. It’s in a convenient location within walking distance of the cute town centre.

From the campground, you can embark on a number of activities, including hiking trails, cycle trails, and great dining and drinking options, too.

My favourite thing to do in Arrowtown is to bike along the Arrow River Trail to go wine tasting in the nearby Gibbston wine region. Hire e-bikes and spend the whole day biking, wine tasting, and relishing the gorgeous scenery!

For a great day hike, consider tackling the Sawpit Gully Trail. If you’re after an easier walk, you can walk along the Arrow River Trail, which is mostly flat and houses some secret swimming holes up the trail.

Every season has its charms, but the best time to camp at the Arrowtown Holiday Park is in late April when Arrowtown’s autumn colours are at their full peak.

After a day of exploring Arrowtown, enjoy a drink and snack at the Fork & Tap pub, or indulge in a local craft beer and delicious burger at Slow Cuts.  

🛏️ Arrowtown’s Hampshire Holiday Park also offers cabins & units. Check prices & availability on booking.com ➡️

Mrs Woolly’s Campground, Glenorchy

📍 Distance from Queenstown town centre: 45km

Mrs Woolly’s Campground is located in beautiful Glenorchy, about a 45-minute drive from Queenstown.

This is the only campground in Glenorchy itself, and it’s set in a convenient spot right off the Queenstown-Glenorchy Highway. The setting is gorgeous—there are mountain views every way you look!

Next to the campground is Mrs. Woolly’s General Store, a delightful shop and cafe featuring locally-sourced goods and delicious food. They have great cabinet food, hot pies, and good coffee. If you forgot something for your camp dinner, the shop also sells some basic food items.

From Mrs Woolly’s Campground, you can walk to the cute little township of Glenorchy, where you’ll find just a couple of shops and eateries. It’s not much farther to walk to the waterfront, which is home to Glenorchy’s historic red boat shed.

While here, you should head over to the Glenorchy Lagoon Walkway, which is one of the best short walks in Glenorchy. 

This campground is a good base for exploring the area around Glenorchy.

If you’re a keen hiker, I highly recommend driving out to the start of the Routeburn Track to do a day hike on the Routeburn. It’s one of the best hikes on the South Island and you’ll be so close to it when you camp here!

Another great option near the Routeburn is the peaceful Lake Sylvan Track.

Note: Mrs. Woolly’s campground operates seasonally and is closed during winter. Check their opening dates before planning to head out here, and also make sure to book ahead, as it’s a popular spot.

Freedom camping in Queenstown

I’ll be honest with you: freedom camping in Queenstown is a touchy subject.

It’s been a contentious issue for years, with concerns about freedom campers leaving behind rubbish, bathing and washing dishes in our lakes, and using the outdoors as a toilet.

Before I lived in Queenstown, I thought the news was exaggerating some of these problems. But now I’ve witnessed them firsthand, on many occasions.

All I can say is please follow the rules and be respectful if you plan to go freedom camping around Queenstown, or anywhere else in New Zealand for that matter. 

That out of the way, here’s an overview of freedom camping around Queenstown.

Freedom campsites in and around Queenstown

Queenstown Lakes District Council (QLDC) introduced new freedom camping rules in December 2025, with designated overnight parking spaces in multiple locations around Queenstown.

To stay at any of these designated sites, you need to be in a certified self-contained vehicle with a valid green warrant displayed.

Here are the QLDC-designated freedom campsites in and around Queenstown. 

Note: I’ve tried to share Google Maps pins for each of these places, because it’s surprisingly frustrating to find that information online.

However, it’s important to read the signage when you arrive to see exactly where you can and cannot park overnight.

You can also check the QLDC Responsible Camping Map for more info.

Queenstown town centre

• Boundary Street Carpark, Queenstown (15 designated spaces from 6.00pm-8.00am)
• Lakeview Carpark, Queenstown (10 designated spaces from 6.00pm-8.00am) – 2.1 m vehicle height restriction
• Gorge Road Carpark, Queenstown (2 designated spaces from 6.00pm-8.00am)
• Industrial Place Carpark, Queenstown (6 designated spaces from 6.00pm-8.00am)

Frankton & Lake Hayes

• Gray Street Carpark, Frankton (4 designated spaces from 6.00pm-8.00am)
• Queenstown Events Centre Carpark, Frankton (9 designated spaces from 8.00pm-7.00am)
• Howards Drive Carpark, Lake Hayes (3 designated spaces from 6.00pm-8.00am)

Further afield

• Hansen Place Carpark, Arrowtown (3 designated spaces from 6.00pm-8.00am)
• Gibbston Highway/SH6 Carpark, Gibbston (2 designated spaces from 6.00pm-8.00am)
• Glenorchy Domain Carpark, Glenorchy (3 designated spaces from 6.00pm-8.00am)
• Kingston Road/SH6 Carpark (50 designated spaces from 5.00pm-10.00am) – This is one of my favourite freedom campsites in the South Island, and the best free spot out of all of the ones listed here, if you ask me!

There are also a couple of other freedom camping spots on DOC-managed conservation land around Queenstown:

• Kawarau Bridge Historic Reserve (DOC restrictions)
• Crown Range Road Summit (DOC restrictions)

These locations have their own camping restrictions, so make sure to check the DOC information before staying overnight.

Some things to know about freedom camping around Queenstown

• Freedom campsites can’t be booked ahead, so they operate on a first-come, first-served basis. It’s good to have a backup plan in case you arrive at a site and it’s full. I’d avoid showing up after dark (signage will be hard to read, and the site could be full by then).
  
  
• You should read all signage and follow the instructions on where you can and can’t park, and how long you can stay.
  
  
• If you try to go freedom camping where it’s not allowed, or camp in a van that isn’t certified self-contained, you risk waking up to a hefty fine attached to your campervan. So, I wouldn’t risk it.
  
  
• Most of these freedom campsites are carparks, rather than scenic campsites. You’ll likely be camping while wedged in between other vans, and there may not be a toilet at the site (meaning you’ll need to use the one in your van).

My top tip: If you’re a visitor coming to Queenstown for a short stay, I’d book a DOC campsite or holiday park instead of trying to go freedom camping. I just don’t think it’s worth the time, effort, and stress of trying to secure a freedom campsite, especially during the busy summer months.

Tips for Camping in Queenstown

• Make sure to book your campsite in advance (aside from freedom campsites), especially if you plan to camp in peak season (summer, holiday weekends, and school holidays in particular).
  
  
• If you’re camping at a freedom campsite or DOC campsite, there may not be rubbish facilities available, so please ensure you pack out any rubbish when you leave.
  
  
• Not sure what the difference is between a DOC campsite, holiday park, etc? Then check out my guide to camping in New Zealand.
  
  
• Last but not least: please leave no trace when camping in and around Queenstown. This includes using toilets provided at campsites or using your campervan’s toilet. Please don’t use the outdoors as your toilet, and don’t wash dishes or bathe with soap in Lake Wakatipu or in the other lakes and rivers around Queenstown.

Thanks for Reading my Guide to the Best Campsites in Queenstown!

I hope this guide has helped you plan your Queenstown camping trip. 

As always, please leave a comment if you have any questions or feedback for me. I really love hearing from you!

Where to Go After Your Queenstown Camping Trip?

There are so many options for road trips from Queenstown.

To get you started, here are a couple of my favourite road trip itineraries from Queenstown:

• You could head north and drive from Queenstown to Christchurch, stopping to camp in Wanaka, Aoraki Mount Cook, and Lake Tekapo along the way.
  
  This route will be packed with stunning mountain scenery and alpine lakes, and plenty of great campsites, too—especially the campsites around Mount Cook National Park!
  

• Or head south to Te Anau and Milford Sound, where you’ll find some beautiful campsites in Te Anau and along the road to Milford Sound.
  
  Then go beach camping in the Catlins before driving from the Catlins to Dunedin.  After spending some time in Dunedin, drive back to Queenstown from Dunedin.

⛺️ Happy camping!