Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
Southern end of lake
4.4 224 reviews
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ReviewLittle Secrets
Cymen Crick
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Rewards early arrivals
Rewards early arrivals
Perhaps the busiest Freedom Camping spot of them all.
I don't like crowds, but I still rate it here when I arrive early and it's on a nice day (thus rewarded with a most magic sunset).
If it's peak season and you don't arrive early, then I'd drive 20 minutes to a quieter place (maybe check nearby Lake Ruataniwha).
Here's how I'd go about staying here.
There's 3 parking areas. An early arrival means the best chance of grabbing one of middle parks. These are the best.
For larger Motorhomes, I'd choose the flat lake view spots at the top carpark as you won't fit in the middle one.
The middle carpark has a grassy area in front and easy access to the lake.
If you haven’t swum in glacial waters before, this is your chance. Being a lake, it’s not as cold as a glacial stream, but oh, it’s so pure and yes FRESH...haha... and memorable, do it :)
There's also some walks along the lakefront and regardless of how busy it gets, you can always find a little lakeside rocky nook to yourself and ponder your place in the universe.
You only really want to choose the bottom carpark, near the toilets if everywhere else is chocka full. There’s no views from the bottom carpark. You're also most likely arriving late and it's more about being somewhere to lay your head for the night before the next days adventure.
Please be aware of the space you take up. It's a way better vibe for all when things are respectful. Do the right thing and karma comes back your way.
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Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
Lake Pukaki Freedom Camping
This is one of the great Freedom Camping locations. On the right afternoon / evening, life is good as you watch the sun go down.
There's lots of space, but earliest arrivals get the best spots.
The lake makes for an invigorating swim (in glacial water....yeeeeaaaah)
Self Contained Vehicles only
Has toilets
No lighting fires
Use the rubbish bins provided
Maximum night stay N/A
This map pin is accurate. The only legal freedom camping spot on Lake Pukaki is at this one, near the power station (see photo). All previous freedom camping spots down Haymans Road are now not allowed.
Accommodation
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Standard
Lake Pukaki Overnight Campervan Parking
Free Campsite
Amazing views over Lake Pukaki for self-contained campervans. Basic facilities for no cost.
Details
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Organisation |
Toitū Te Whenua (LINZ)Central government organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Mount Cook - MacKenzie ▷ Twizel |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
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Reviews
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This place is just beautiful, amazing view.
Antoine Germaine -
What a view!
Caron -
We wish we’d read ALL reviews. 🌲
Jill McGrath -
Amazing views!!
Kane F -
Amazing and wide parking area right by the lake.
Linda
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Great spot to stay if you are exploring mount cook area.
4 long drop toilets (sometimes they smell awful) but seem to be cleaned or at least swept out. No water no showers. Tons of parking, 3 lots at least. Not a ton of flat ground so if you want a level spot, get there earlier. The best spots fill up immediately. No shade, no tree cover, mad dusty if there is wind. Phone service is 1/4 bars most of the time, if you walk up onto the hills you’ll have better service. Over all not bad! The views are the best part about this spot
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Five stars if the toilets (4) weren't so smelly in the morning.
They were clean though and had to service a lot of people. Views of the lake, the stars and the mountains were amazing. Get in early for a good spot. Slight road noise. Lake good for a swim.
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If you read the other reviews and wonder if the view is worth the partly smelly long drop toilets and uneven parking spaces: It is
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Hilly, dirt open spaces with people parking every which way.
Nice lake to camp by but it's a bit of a mess if you arrive late to find level ground. Didn't even try to use the toilets as we were in the top of the sections.
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Au bord du lac littéralement !
On s'est baignés en arrivant. Vue sur le Mount Cook à couper le souffle, sublime, couleurs du ciel incroyables et coucher de soleil mystique. On a pu se garer où on voulait en arrivant vers 15h (c'est mieux d'arriver avant 16h, plein de places à cette saison, attention peu d'emplacements sont à plat). Aire pour la nuit totalement gratuite avec des toilettes sèches ("vault") pas toutes extras niveau odeurs mais ont le mérite d'exister. Pas de poubelle ni autres commodités. Cependant incontournable !!!
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About 200 vans competing for the flattest, straightest spots — you must arrive early to secure a decent one.
Toilets? Four long-drops, ridiculously far away — there’s actually a Komoot-worthy hike just to reach them. Nothing else.
Crowded, festival-like vibes, but snag a spot with a view and Lake Pukaki is stunning — like Tekapo, but with slightly fewer selfie sticks.
5/10 endurance meets epic scenery. 🚐🌄
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Amazing view of the lake!.
Gravel parc place near the road. A lot of vans parc there. No sandflies.
The toilets could be really far from the entrance if you choose the wrong one. Better to check the whole area before settle down.
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Busiest place I've stayed my entire trip!
There's a huge area available but it seemed to be getting filled. The views of the mountains were spectacular and I went a lovely swim in the lake. The toilets often had a queue outside
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Great spot to camp with views of the lake.
Great location for exploring around. Was VERY busy when we were there but even then were able to find a space fairly easily. Worth noting it's fairly exposed to the wind. Clean long drop toilets. No water supply. Great free spot to stay but just come prepared as limited supplies.
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Ce free Camp est super, la vue est à couper le souffle.
Il est prisé, il y a beaucoup de monde.
Les emplacements à plat sont très recherché.
Très beau spot,
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Awesome for sleeping stop over during long travels, great view in the morning.
Lots of space and lots of other campers 👍
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Beautiful view.
Very quiet place. There is plenty of parking. Even in this season it fills up very quickly. The parking is in a cascade and the phone signal is only at the highest point. This is at the cost of it being a bit windier than when you are standing lower. The toilets are very clean.
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Our nights had no wind, and every spot is perfect if you know how to place boulders to drive onto to get level..
A lovely place to watch the Sun sink into the snow tops.
WOW !
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Awesome location but self contained regulations mean nothing as many non self contained campers observed during our stay.
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Great spot.
Awesome view. Those who are into photography will love this spot for the view during sunrise or doing astrophotography at night. The place can be quite busy, so better arrive early to secure a good spot. I just noticed that some people don't know how to park properly, and will park parallel the lake to "own" the lake view while others have already parked facing the lake (or with the rear of the van facing the lake).
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Plenty of space for camper vans.
Toilets ok. One night stay, didn't explore as it was raining nonstop. Fine for a stop off
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The marked spot is very nice.
Not as close to the water as some would like but it has a beautiful view. While it may be tempting, make sure not to park up Hayman road instead of this spot. Every morning officials drive around early and give out $400 fines for doing so.
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Great spot to stay if you are exploring mount cook area.
4 long drop toilets (sometimes they smell awful) but seem to be cleaned or at least swept out. No water no showers. Tons of parking, 3 lots at least. Not a ton of flat ground so if you want a level spot, get there earlier. The best spots fill up immediately. No shade, no tree cover, mad dusty if there is wind. Phone service is 1/4 bars most of the time, if you walk up onto the hills you’ll have better service. Over all not bad! The views are the best part about this spot
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Five stars if the toilets (4) weren't so smelly in the morning.
They were clean though and had to service a lot of people. Views of the lake, the stars and the mountains were amazing. Get in early for a good spot. Slight road noise. Lake good for a swim.
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If you read the other reviews and wonder if the view is worth the partly smelly long drop toilets and uneven parking spaces: It is
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Hilly, dirt open spaces with people parking every which way.
Nice lake to camp by but it's a bit of a mess if you arrive late to find level ground. Didn't even try to use the toilets as we were in the top of the sections.
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Au bord du lac littéralement !
On s'est baignés en arrivant. Vue sur le Mount Cook à couper le souffle, sublime, couleurs du ciel incroyables et coucher de soleil mystique. On a pu se garer où on voulait en arrivant vers 15h (c'est mieux d'arriver avant 16h, plein de places à cette saison, attention peu d'emplacements sont à plat). Aire pour la nuit totalement gratuite avec des toilettes sèches ("vault") pas toutes extras niveau odeurs mais ont le mérite d'exister. Pas de poubelle ni autres commodités. Cependant incontournable !!!
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About 200 vans competing for the flattest, straightest spots — you must arrive early to secure a decent one.
Toilets? Four long-drops, ridiculously far away — there’s actually a Komoot-worthy hike just to reach them. Nothing else.
Crowded, festival-like vibes, but snag a spot with a view and Lake Pukaki is stunning — like Tekapo, but with slightly fewer selfie sticks.
5/10 endurance meets epic scenery. 🚐🌄
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Amazing view but crowded.
You will always find a spot which is good but it is very crowded. 4 toilets are available but you’ll have to walk for 5’. Nice in the morning when people start to leave. The view is amazing!
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Fantastic spot.
Its a pity its a bit of a free for all. Some campers park with no common sense taking up many spaces. And whover arrives later has to adapt. Some markings of some sort would iptimise space and make sure its fair for everyone
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Amazing view of the lake!.
Gravel parc place near the road. A lot of vans parc there. No sandflies.
The toilets could be really far from the entrance if you choose the wrong one. Better to check the whole area before settle down.
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Busiest place I've stayed my entire trip!
There's a huge area available but it seemed to be getting filled. The views of the mountains were spectacular and I went a lovely swim in the lake. The toilets often had a queue outside
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Gorgeous views on a clear day, fantastic for star gazing due to being in the dark sky reserve.
Long drop toilets available which were just ok, but a bit of a walk unless you park right down at the bottom. Not many flat spaces but plenty of room.
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Great spot to camp with views of the lake.
Great location for exploring around. Was VERY busy when we were there but even then were able to find a space fairly easily. Worth noting it's fairly exposed to the wind. Clean long drop toilets. No water supply. Great free spot to stay but just come prepared as limited supplies.
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Il faut y trouver sa place qui 'est pas garantie d'être plate.
Le rond-point près des toilettes est plutôt bien.
Jolie vue depuis le site
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Ce free Camp est super, la vue est à couper le souffle.
Il est prisé, il y a beaucoup de monde.
Les emplacements à plat sont très recherché.
Très beau spot,
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Awesome for sleeping stop over during long travels, great view in the morning.
Lots of space and lots of other campers 👍
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Beautiful spot, good toilets, wonderful that it is free.
Giving 1 star to lower down the rating, because it so crowded..
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Beautiful view.
Very quiet place. There is plenty of parking. Even in this season it fills up very quickly. The parking is in a cascade and the phone signal is only at the highest point. This is at the cost of it being a bit windier than when you are standing lower. The toilets are very clean.
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Our nights had no wind, and every spot is perfect if you know how to place boulders to drive onto to get level..
A lovely place to watch the Sun sink into the snow tops.
WOW !
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Awesome location but self contained regulations mean nothing as many non self contained campers observed during our stay.