Huka/Aratiatia Rapids Scenic Reserve

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Ranker's Qualmark Silver Award is evidence of a sophisticated tourism operation that consistently exceeds visitor expectations.

Huka/Aratiatia Rapids Scenic Reserve...

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24 Rankers Reviews

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13 Taupo

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Taupo, Taupo Region

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Details

Feature	Value	Info
Organisation	DOC Central North Island Central government organisation
Location	North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo
Categories	Freedom Camping Free

Feature

Value

Info

Organisation

DOC Central North Island

Central government organisation

Location

North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo

Categories

Freedom Camping
Free

Feature	Value	Info
Overnight Camping Site Cost	Free Camping Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities.	Overnight Camping Site Cost What is the approximate per-person cost to camp or park your vehicle overnight? Free Camping It costs nothing to stay overnight. In general this means that you should not expect any facilities.
Overnight Stay Rules	Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must display the "Responsible Camper" sticker.	Overnight Stay Rules What are the accommodation rules for overnight stays at this campsite? Self-contained motorhomes only Overnight stays are only permitted if your vehicle is certified as being 'self-contained'. The vehicle must display the "Responsible Camper" sticker.
Campsite Managing Organisation	DOC Managed Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.	Campsite Managing Organisation What type of organisation operates this campsite? DOC Managed This campsite is managed by the Department of Conservation. DOC is a New Zealand government organisation.
Maximum Stay Duration	4 nights Maximum Stay Duration How many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 4 nights You are permitted to stay at this campsite for up to four nights in a row. Four nights maximum in a single calendar month.	Maximum Stay Duration How many consecutive days can you stay overnight at this establishment? 4 nights You are permitted to stay at this campsite for up to four nights in a row. Four nights maximum in a single calendar month.
Dump Station	No dump station Dump Station Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles.	Dump Station Dump stations allow the safe disposal of sewage and greywater from self-contained vehicles. Does this site have a dump station? No dump station This location has no dump stations for the disposal of waste water from recreational vehicles.
Booking Required	First Come, First Served Booking Required Is 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.	Booking Required Is 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.
Powered Sites	No powered sites Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.	Powered Sites Does this establishment have powered sites? No powered sites This campsite does not offer any powered sites with an electricity supply.
Vehicle Access	Vehicle accessible Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle.	Vehicle Access Can vehicles drive in? Vehicle accessible This location is accessible in a vehicle.
Campfire Rules	Fires prohibited Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted.	Campfire Rules What are the rules for open air fires? Fires prohibited There is a total fire ban -no fires are permitted.
WiFi Internet	No WiFi WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.	WiFi Internet What type of WiFi internet access is available? No WiFi There is no WiFi access available.
Dogs	Dog allowed Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? Dog allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash.	Dogs Does this establishment allow dogs? Dog allowed The location allows dogs. There may be conditions that may be met eg. dogs must be on a leash.
Large Vehicle Access	Large vehicle accessible Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.	Large Vehicle Access Can large vehicles such as motorhomes, housebuses and caravans gain access? Large vehicle accessible The site is accessible with large vehicles such as motorhomes and 5th wheelers.
DOC Campsite Category	DOC Restricted Freedom Camping Site DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Restricted Freedom Camping Site Department of Conservation Restricted Freedom Camping Sites are for Self Contained Vehicles only with restrictions over length of stay. Some of these locations may have a toilet, but this can't be expected.	DOC Campsite Category What category does this Department of Conservation (DOC) campsite fall into? DOC Restricted Freedom Camping Site Department of Conservation Restricted Freedom Camping Sites are for Self Contained Vehicles only with restrictions over length of stay. Some of these locations may have a toilet, but this can't be expected.

Reviews

Showing 13 reviews of 24.

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Leet

Ranking: 8/10

Winter review:
A concrete car park by the picturesque Waikato River next to the Aratiatia Rapids.
Easily accessible from a main road.
Us and only a handful of campervans.
Peaceful & quiet.
A simple drop toilet.

Reviewed 22 days ago

Curtis

Ranking: 10/10

Arrived here in the dark and still easy enough to find. Few other vans there but very quiet. Nice to wakeup next to the dam and can watch the first release into the rapids at 10am just next door!

Reviewed 3 months ago

Juni

Ranking: 9/10

We stayed here four nights (the max you can in any one month) in mid summer. An easy 15ish minute drive from Taupo town center with loads of car parks as it is a parking lot. Lots of other campers but even on the busiest night there was still space. Right next to a dam with walks around. The dam opens at 10 am and every 2 hours till 4pm so if you’re still around the place in the morning many people will arrive to visit the dam but most leave within 20-30 minutes after the opening. Next to a river so good for kayaking but we didn’t try to swim. Toilet is a long drop that can be sparse of toilet paper so bring your own. Also take care of the metal door as it’s quite loud when opened/closed as it’s heavy. Overall an easy and pleasant, safe spot for camping. Gets a bit chilly at night so a sweater and extra blanket is a good idea.

Reviewed 8 months ago

Keybags

Ranking: 10/10

Nice quiet spot by the dam overlooking the river.
Plenty free parking for campers.
Did drop quite chilly overnight due to low lying fog, so may need an extra blanket.
Long drop toilet

Reviewed over 1 year ago

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Tessie

Ranking: 9/10

Enjoyed our overnight stay in this all time favourite place Pretty outlook over the lake ( unobstructed in some parks 😊) 24/7 outdoor toilet. Fantastic opportunities to see the lake water released up to three times a day - a spectacular view from three different sites. Blackberries (a plenty ) and raspberries ( a few ) free for the picking . Enjoyed this spot very much.

Reviewed over 1 year ago

Rey

Ranking: 7/10

Lots of parking slots
Can see lotsnof stars
Quiet
4G signal
Drop toilet with toilet paper
Quiet
Busy at day time

Reviewed over 1 year ago

Carl Bright

New Zealand

Ranking: 10/10

Nice location to park up, plenty of room

Reviewed about 2 years ago

Natalie

Ranking: 10/10

Lots of freedom campers here, no specific parks which is a bonus as you can park anywhere you want. The long drop (toilet) remained open the entire night. Great camping spot & pure darkness - no street lights or anything. We had a great sleep here & would come back again.

Reviewed about 2 years ago

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Dave

Ranking: 8/10

Quiet and plenty of spaces. Only 15 mins from Taupo and even less to Huka Falls. Worked really well for us. No facilities, just one toilet on site, although we didn’t need them.

Reviewed about 2 years ago

Lauren

Ranking: 10/10

Fantastic spot. Easy access to Craters mtb Park, Huka falls and hot water stream. Parked up here for a couple of nights to explore the area by bike and on foot. Very quiet at night, toilet currently closed.

Reviewed about 2 years ago

Peter

Ranking: 9/10

Quiet flat car park at the start of a lovely walk. Got there late at night and only one other van there. Perfect for a self contained van.

Reviewed over 2 years ago

Mark Jarvis

Ranking: 7/10

Quiet location. Long drop toilet had lots of mosquitoes in as close to the water. Not many of the spaces are level which might be an issue for some. Right next to the rapids however and so u can enjoy the opening of the dam which is well worth experiencing.

Reviewed almost 3 years ago and experienced in September 2019

Adam

Ranking: 7/10

Very convenient location, fairly large car park.
Be prepared for bugs!!! As soon as the sun went down we got ambushed.

Reviewed almost 3 years ago

DOC Managed

Thanks to all the good people working for the NZ Department of Conservation - for all your hard work - making NZ more beautiful, accessable and healthy! Cheers 😍

Cymen Crick

Rankers Owner

Taupo Region ▷ Taupo

Land Activities

4WD Adventures

Bungy Jumping / Swing

Canyoning

Caving

Cycling & Mountain Biking

Horse Trekking

Outside the Square

Railbiking / Railcarting

Snow and Ice

Sphereing

Walking and Trekking

Water Activities

Boat Cruises

Diving

Fresh Water Canoeing / Kayaking

Jet Boating

Marine Animal Encounters

Air Activities

Visitor Centres

i-SITE Visitor Information Centres

Visitor Information Centres

Animal Attractions

Art & Culture Attractions

Natural Attractions

Stargazing

Camping Grounds

Camping Grounds / Holiday Parks

Basic Facility Camping

Freedom Camping

Land Transport

Motorhomes / Campervans / RV

Rental Cars

Shuttle Buses

Water Transport

Air Transport

North Island

Northland

Auckland Region

Coromandel

Bay of Plenty

Waikato

Tairāwhiti Gisborne

Rotorua Region

Taupo Region

Ruapehu

Hawkes Bay

Taranaki

Manawatu - Wanganui

Wairarapa

Wellington Region

South Island

Marlborough

Nelson Region

West Coast

Kaikoura Region

Canterbury

Central Otago

Mount Cook - MacKenzie

Wanaka Region

Queenstown Region

Coastal Otago

Fiordland

Southland

Huka/Aratiatia Rapids Scenic Reserve...

Huka/Aratiatia Rapids Scenic Reserve

Overnight Campervan Parking

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Details

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Camping Site Cost

Overnight Stay Rules

Overnight Stay Rules

Campsite Managing Organisation

Campsite Managing Organisation

Maximum Stay Duration

Maximum Stay Duration

Dump Station