12 non-powered/tent sites
Adult |
$15/night |
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Child |
$7.50/night |
Infant |
FREE |
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Enjoy boating, fishing and swimming in the lake and walk the Haast to Paringa Cattle Track.
This small campsite is placed right next to Lake Paringa, a serene lake with good fishing and boating. The lake is set in a mature forest backdrop - a great view.
This is quite a basic campsite which requires you to get your water from a stream. There are mega sandflies here, so definately cover up during dusk and dawn.
North of Haast - enjoy!
Lake Paringa Campsite is categorised as a DOC Standard Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing. Prices vary for some campsites and may include seasonal pricing. Visit the DOC website for exact pricing.
Standard campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services than Serviced campsites. These campsites have toilets, a water supply that could be treated or untreated tap water, or from a stream or lake, and vehicle or boat access. Bring your own soap for washing hands. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Wood BBQs and fireplaces, cold showers, picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided; this will vary from site to site.
Feature | Value | Value |
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Unpowered Site | Adult | $10.00 to $15.00 per night |
Unpowered Site | Child | $5.00 to $7.50 per night |
Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC West CoastCentral government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ West Coast ▷ Haast |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
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Websites |
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Feature | Value | Info |
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Overnight Camping Site Cost |
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Overnight Camping Site CostWhat is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Medium Cost Camping Standard facilities of powered sites and hot showers can be expected. Price is per person per night, based on a powered site for two people. |
Overnight Stay Rules |
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Overnight Stay RulesWhat are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Camping and any vehicle You are permitted to stay overnight and camp (with a tent) or in any vehicle. |
Campsite Managing Organisation |
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Campsite Managing OrganisationWhat type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation. |
Water Supply |
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Water SupplyIs there fresh water available? Water supply available A supply of fresh water is available. Stream water |
Booking Required |
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Booking RequiredIs it necessary to book a campsite in advance in order to stay overnight? First Come, First Served Sites are allocated in a first come, first served basis. Get in early for the best spot. |
Dogs |
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DogsDoes this establishment allow dogs? No dogs allowed The location does not allow dogs under normal conditions. Their may be be exceptions granted under specific circumstances eg. guide dogs. |
DOC Campsite Category |
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DOC Campsite CategoryWhat category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Standard Campsite Department of Conservation Standard Campsites have a more limited range of facilities and services. Toilets (usually composting or pit variety) water supply (tap, stream, or lake) and vehicle or boat access. Wood barbeques and fireplaces, showers (cold), picnic tables, a cooking shelter and rubbish bins may be provided. Standard Campsites generally can not be booked. |
Toilet |
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ToiletIs there a toilet available? Public toilet There are toilet facilities available to the general public. Long drop toilet only |
✓ Beautiful lake setting
✓ Quiet and serene
✓ Good swimming spots
✓ Decent toilets
✓ Wildlife presence (tūī, kea)
𐄂 Many sandflies
𐄂 Limited facilities
Great place.
Beautiful lake view, specially in the morning!
Great campground.
Beautiful spot!
In need on help!
Rating | Count | Percentage | |
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10/10 | 12 |
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13% |
9/10 | 15 |
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16% |
8/10 | 22 |
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24% |
7/10 | 13 |
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14% |
6/10 | 9 |
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10% |
5/10 | 12 |
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13% |
4/10 | 4 |
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4% |
3/10 | 2 |
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2% |
2/10 | 1 |
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1% |
1/10 | 2 |
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2% |
4.0/5
Nice sheltered camp.
If you get here before 5pm you might get a lake view site. There has been flooding near the lake edge, reducing the number of sites (mid Nov) leaving maybe 3 tent sites. There is a near new shelter with 3 picnic tables under it. The water supply for drinking is a stream that is very muddy to access and needs boiling.
Reviewed 18 days ago
5.0/5
Excellent DOC Campsite right on the lake.
Clean flushing toilets, non-potable water on tap but snowmelt drinking water from the stream running into the lake.
Moderate amount of sandflies, no hassle for us.
Reviewed 29 days ago
4.0/5
Lovely spot right on the shore of the lake as a result there are quite a few sand flies.
Flush toilets are fine
Reviewed 9 months ago
4.0/5
In need on help!
We forgot two bike front tires (hid them from keas under the car) in on of the pre-booked sites. Please please please if anyone is driving south tomorrow (15th Feb or 16th) and can take them with you please let us know!
Reach me at
WhatsApp: +46 761911233
Hellgren708@gmail.com
Hoping for a kind stranger!
Reviewed 10 months ago
4.5/5
Very beautiful sites at the lake but awful amounts of sandflies.
If you are prepared it definitely worth to stay there. Toilets are okay.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Great campsite, awesome swimming spots and spotted lots of Tūī.
Only complaint is there were quite a few sandflies, but other than that perfect 🤩
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Gorgeous little spot right beside the lake!
There was just me and a couple other vans when I came in May, so it was nice and quiet. No phone signal but I expected that for somewhere so remote. Toilets were nice as well, and for a site that's on a lakeside and in this region I was expecting sandfly central but there really weren't many at all.
I was woken up by Kea pecking on my roof a few times throughout the night which was a little spooky, but the DOC did warn me via email that they'd be there a few days before and that they are a very inquisitive bunch. Didn't get to see any of them though since they'd vanished by morning.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
2.0/5
At $30 for 2 of us this price was excessive, at least it goes to DOC.
Booked online but no need - loads of space and people in unbooked spots. (Total 5 cars/vans including us).
There are only toilets and a sink with non potable water. The sandflies were awful but it is pretty by the lake. Very humid in the forest here.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Small and basic site but beautiful setting makes up for the $15 per person.
Sandflies are bad later in the evening so make sure you have bug spray.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
3.0/5
Decent enough, but $15pp is rich for the (lack of) services.
No picnic tables or shelter at all. Bathrooms are nice. Water from the stream is...fine? It's pretty disorganized, with people parking every which way. Bonus: plenty of sandflies.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.0/5
Updated flushing toilets, a few sites are bookable and there are a few spots suitable for a tent.
The lake is lovely. It was not busy at the end of January. No kitchen area or shelter. Also used as a boat launch area by locals.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
3.5/5
Very basic facilities.
The sandflies are pretty rough here, so don't expect to spend much time outside or have your windows open. I think this spot is a bit steep for $15 / night / person but there aren't a ton of options when you're coming up the East coast, so you have to take what you can get.
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.0/5
Nice sheltered camp.
If you get here before 5pm you might get a lake view site. There has been flooding near the lake edge, reducing the number of sites (mid Nov) leaving maybe 3 tent sites. There is a near new shelter with 3 picnic tables under it. The water supply for drinking is a stream that is very muddy to access and needs boiling.
Reviewed 18 days ago
5.0/5
Excellent DOC Campsite right on the lake.
Clean flushing toilets, non-potable water on tap but snowmelt drinking water from the stream running into the lake.
Moderate amount of sandflies, no hassle for us.
Reviewed 29 days ago
4.0/5
Lovely spot right on the shore of the lake as a result there are quite a few sand flies.
Flush toilets are fine
Reviewed 9 months ago
4.0/5
In need on help!
We forgot two bike front tires (hid them from keas under the car) in on of the pre-booked sites. Please please please if anyone is driving south tomorrow (15th Feb or 16th) and can take them with you please let us know!
Reach me at
WhatsApp: +46 761911233
Hellgren708@gmail.com
Hoping for a kind stranger!
Reviewed 10 months ago
4.5/5
Very beautiful sites at the lake but awful amounts of sandflies.
If you are prepared it definitely worth to stay there. Toilets are okay.
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Great campsite, awesome swimming spots and spotted lots of Tūī.
Only complaint is there were quite a few sandflies, but other than that perfect 🤩
Reviewed about 1 year ago
4.5/5
Gorgeous little spot right beside the lake!
There was just me and a couple other vans when I came in May, so it was nice and quiet. No phone signal but I expected that for somewhere so remote. Toilets were nice as well, and for a site that's on a lakeside and in this region I was expecting sandfly central but there really weren't many at all.
I was woken up by Kea pecking on my roof a few times throughout the night which was a little spooky, but the DOC did warn me via email that they'd be there a few days before and that they are a very inquisitive bunch. Didn't get to see any of them though since they'd vanished by morning.
Reviewed over 1 year ago
2.0/5
At $30 for 2 of us this price was excessive, at least it goes to DOC.
Booked online but no need - loads of space and people in unbooked spots. (Total 5 cars/vans including us).
There are only toilets and a sink with non potable water. The sandflies were awful but it is pretty by the lake. Very humid in the forest here.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
4.0/5
Small and basic site but beautiful setting makes up for the $15 per person.
Sandflies are bad later in the evening so make sure you have bug spray.
Reviewed almost 2 years ago
3.0/5
Decent enough, but $15pp is rich for the (lack of) services.
No picnic tables or shelter at all. Bathrooms are nice. Water from the stream is...fine? It's pretty disorganized, with people parking every which way. Bonus: plenty of sandflies.
Reviewed about 2 years ago
4.0/5
Updated flushing toilets, a few sites are bookable and there are a few spots suitable for a tent.
The lake is lovely. It was not busy at the end of January. No kitchen area or shelter. Also used as a boat launch area by locals.
Reviewed almost 3 years ago
3.5/5
Very basic facilities.
The sandflies are pretty rough here, so don't expect to spend much time outside or have your windows open. I think this spot is a bit steep for $15 / night / person but there aren't a ton of options when you're coming up the East coast, so you have to take what you can get.
Reviewed over 4 years ago
4.0/5
Nice DOC campsite included in the campervan pass.one of the better ones we stayed in.
Reviewed over 5 years ago
3.0/5
nice place in nature but many sandflies.
we are not sure whats the difference between scenic doc and a all the freedom campsites arround NZ. so 13$ for nothing but the views is too much.
Reviewed over 5 years ago and experienced in January 2019
4.5/5
Stayed because the two free ones further north were already full.
Grateful for a place to stop really! $13 each but that's not bad considering it was a fantastic view and the money goes to Doc so I don't mind seeing as they maintain all these beautiful places.
It poured with rain whilen we were there so didn't have to content with the flies. The section for tents near the lake got waterlogged very quickly, so keep an eye on the weather if you stay here.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
3.0/5
Nothing special about that place and quite small so many people end up staying in the car park.
We just stayed there because it was included in the DOC Campsite Pass.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
1.0/5
I would only advise staying here if you have no where else to go.
The sand flies are nothing like I’ve ever experienced, got bitten to death. Also no service until you get to fox glacier - north or Albert town South way.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
3.5/5
Facilities were good and clean, campsite very small but next to the lake.
The tent location was a bit squishy and possibly exposed, and overall it was very busy on a mid January Thursday.
The view over the lake was great for sunset, we didn't find many sandflies but there had been a small rain shower earlier which may have something to do with it.
Reviewed almost 6 years ago
4.0/5
Lovely view, toilets well kept.
Sandflies in abundance, a lot of people arriving till late at night made it quite noisy.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.5/5
Lovely spot, clean toilets, yes there were a million sandflies but there was also a flock of raucous Kea visiting in the morning that we're pretty special to watch!
Reviewed about 6 years ago
5.0/5
Great place, beautiful view, lots of sites, new toilet block with flushing toilets, pontoon for the kids to play off
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.5/5
20Oct18.
Looked in but didn’t stay.
3 new loos that we’re perfectly fine. Hand washing but soap empty. 2 large sinks.
Not to many sandflies.
$13 per person. It says powered sites are available although we didn’t see any. They were, I think, $21 per person.
Reviewed about 6 years ago
4.0/5
Decent place to stay the night, there aren’t really many other free options in this area.
A DOC ranger will be round VERY early to collect fees if you don’t leave money int he box... so don’t try get away with it cos we thought we could! There’s a nice cafe a little further north on the main road by a salmon farm which serves nice fresh salmon and breakfast. Can’t comment on toilets as didn’t use them. Nice location and nice views of lake
Reviewed over 6 years ago
2.5/5
13$ for each person.
And for that u get a nice lake view, a toilet and MILLIONS of sandflies.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
2.5/5
Lovely Lake, stream & forest, but.....
NO WORKING TOILETS. All 3 toilets were flooded and with floating _____! Campsite too small for the need. No others for many kilometres . Vans park on top of vans on top of cars on top of tents. Noisy half the night. Incompatible to have Jet boats roaring around swimmers. Jet boaters shooting off fireworks in evening and launching in droves in morning. Sandflies.
DOC, this is currently one of your worst.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
4.5/5
One of my favourite campsites on the West Coast because of the location next to the lake.
Sites along the lake are nice, but if you walk a bit to the left of the campsite there's a small river and from there you'll have a beautiful sunset. A great place for a swim. Water (has to be boiled in order to drink) and toilets available. Sandflies. 13 dollar p.p.
Reviewed over 6 years ago
1.5/5
Beautiful spot but very expensive for what it delivers.
The toilets backed up and were unable to cope with the numbers on site. The site also got very crowded. We were in a campervan and arrived early enough to get a decent pitch - but those camping didn’t fare so well; the only space to pitch a tent is a small field right next to the lake, but in the (admittedly heavy) overnight rain that area got quite flooded. Oh, and the sandflies...so many sandflies!!! The DOC inspector was onsite very early to check payments.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
4.5/5
Great campground.
Toilets were brand new and clean, with a sink and access to water. There are great views on the lake and also a little hidden river. Of course there are sandflies but to be honest in this area it’s hard not to have them.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
4.0/5
Great camp spot.
Beautiful lake. Clean flushing toilets and a sink to do washing up.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago
2.5/5
Lake is nice for a swim.
Not a place that I would camp at again. The toilet block was new but horrendously smelly. The sandflies and mozzies made it impossible to cook outside, let alone use the toilet anytime in the evening. I wouldn't class this as a 'scenic' ($13pp) sight - it is standard($8) at best, bordering on basic($6). Perhaps it is the boating access (for fishing) that warrants the price? Better off freedom camping in Haast Pass if you're self-contained and not doing activities at the lake.
Reviewed almost 7 years ago