Urchin Campsite
Kaimanawa Forest Park
Reviews
Lizzievarley
Ranking: 7/10
Small campsite in the thick of the forest. Beautiful surroundings! It was a bit busy over easter weekend but we found a spot for our van. It's a reasonable drive in on a gravel road. There is a toilet (with loo paper!) but no running water. Some amazing walking tracks nearby. I'd definitely recommend.
Juliet
Ranking: 8/10
The road was pretty sketchy for our 7m camper and Google map has it in the wrong place. Once you arrive it’s a lovely little spot but we decided not to stay as four car loads just turned up to camp and we thought it would be pretty noisy! Would try another time though.
Sam Brydon
Ranking: 8/10
Beautiful spot. Uncrowded in the height of summer. Surrounded by beautiful beech forest and great walks/ mountain bike tracks. Lots of birds, kaka song. Lots of space. BUT the long drop was unusable, piled up just below the seat and a stench that had me retching. Consequently lots of loo roll and sanitary wrappers in the nearby bit of wood. Grim.
EvaBelle
Ranking: 10/10
Can be difficult to find when looking at google maps, be careful to look at the signs when driving deeper into the trees. Lots of space, beautiful surrounding bush, walking tracks nearby, a basic toilet. Would definitely go back!
Gabriella Strom
Ranking: 10/10
Clean long drop, small open fire area and table, good secluded camping spots next to great tracks, 10/10
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Annie Pask
Ranking: 8/10
We stayed one night in our car. Joined by one other car later in the night. One long drop toilet no lighting but had toilet paper! Nice wee spot surrounded by bush. Feels remote but is actually quite close to main roads. We lit a small fire using some of the fallen branches from the bush around us. We really enjoyed it!
Laurie
Ranking: 8/10
Nice camp ground and quiet stayed 2 days set up hammock in trees had a fire going basic toilet No water bring your own , nice loop walk in forest but not marked and track to tree trunk gorge starts there
Luis Vigil Vidal
Ranking: 8/10
You are right in the middle of the forest...secluded area and quite calm. At 20:00 it begins to get busy and fill up. There are like 10 spaces. Basic drop loo. Just keep in mind is bumpy road to arrive, maybe not best for big caravans. Very good option for free camp next to Tongariro.
Sarah
Ranking: 9/10
Nice quiet campground, got a little lost when I turned into the first campground but so happy I found this one. Long drop toilet, couple of fire pits and benches. Good place for stargazing
HollyB4
Ranking: 8/10
Good area. Designated spots for fires, good sized tables. . Enjoyed the walks and the wildlife.
Toilet was a bit grubby and dark once door shut and area smelt a little.
Pim Brackenie
Ranking: 9/10
Very scenic spot in the middle of the forest. No shower, but simple toilet facilities available. You have to drive 15 minutes on a gravel road to get here, but it was doable with an old campervan. Really worth it, however, beware of the bugs that show up at night. From here it is 25 minutes driving to the Tongariro shuttle pick up point.
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Simon Springett
Ranking: 8/10
Was a nice spot off of the beaten track. Great trails starting from the campsite. Lot’s of space and very clean long drop toilets. No water.
Luis Vigil Vidal
Ranking: 7/10
Very convenient if doing Tongariro next morning. Drop toilet, quite clean. Dirty road to get there but ok, we did it with a Toyota Hiace campervan and no problema. But maybe with heavy rain not good idea. Couple of easy trecks nearby and fireplaces. Around 10-15 spots! It got quite full by 19:00
Christine Allgaier
Ranking: 7/10
It's a nice little camp with space for about 10 cars. The drop loo was just awful, barely usable. But if you're there for the crossing it's a perfect space for one night since only 20 minutes from the finishing car park. Bring your own water since the next spot was about 2km to walk.
Tony Maroulis
Ranking: 10/10
You need to turn at the power plant sign and from there it is signposted. Basic toilets, large field with multiple fire pits. Running water is at the stream, a bit of a walk down a forest path. Lots of insects buzzing but they do not bite.
Zoe
Ranking: 9/10
Definitely one of the best spots in the area. Good fire pits, wide open grassy areas with trees for shade and access to the beautiful Tree Trunk Gorge walking/mountain biking track. Top notch
Kevin Blom
Ranking: 9/10
Short drive from Tongairo Park, clean toilet and nice walks nearby.