Camping with dogs in New Zealand

DOC campsite categories

DOC runs more than 200 campsites across the country, sorted into four categories by the facilities on offer. We map 78 of them where dogs are welcome.

• Basic: A toilet and sometimes water, in remote and beautiful spots. No booking, and usually the cheapest, often just a small nightly fee. These tend to be the most dog-friendly because they are quietest.
• Standard: Toilets, a water supply and sometimes a cooking shelter. Mostly first-come, first-served, with modest nightly fees.
• Scenic: Better facilities, flush toilets, tap water, rubbish collection and sometimes hot showers, in popular locations. Booking may be needed in peak season.
• Serviced: The full setup: powered sites, hot showers, kitchens and laundry. Booking is usually required.

Booking and fees

How you book depends on the category and the time of year.

• Book ahead online: Scenic and Serviced campsites take bookings through doc.govt.nz. Book early for summer, popular sites fill fast.
• Turn up early: Basic and most Standard campsites do not take bookings, so arrive early on weekends and public holidays.
• Pay on site or online: Pay when you book, at a self-registration kiosk, or into an honesty box at remote sites.
• Consider a pass: If you camp often, a DOC campsite pass can work out cheaper across a season.
• Family rates: Under-5s are not charged, and youth (5–17) usually pay about half the adult rate.
• Dogs: Dogs do not add to the nightly fee at campsites that welcome them, but you must hold a valid DOC dog permit.

Not every campsite allows dogs

Plenty of DOC campsites sit inside national parks or beside kiwi zones, and those are closed to dogs. Of the 78 dog-welcoming campsites we map, 28 need you to hold a DOC dog permit before you arrive. Every campsite page shows its dog policy up front, so you know before you drive.

What to pack for your dog

Camping with a dog needs a few extras beyond your usual kit.

• Tie-out stake or cable: Gives your dog room to move around camp while staying secure, essential at shared sites.
• Insulated bed or mat: Keeps your dog off cold ground; in winter, add a dog sleeping bag or fleece.
• Collapsible bowls: Separate bowls for food and water; silicone ones pack flat.
• Food, plus a spare day: Pack at least one extra day's worth in case the trip runs long.
• Poo bags: Bring plenty and carry all waste out, never bury it at a campsite.
• Quick-dry towel: For drying off after river crossings or rain.
• Waterproof coat: Nights get cold even in summer at altitude.
• LED collar or light: Helps you keep track of your dog after dark.

Campsite etiquette

Considerate campers keep sites open to dogs. Barking and mess are the two complaints that get dogs banned.

• Manage noise: Keep your dog quiet, especially at night and early morning. If they bark, bring them into your tent or vehicle.
• Respect other dogs: Ask before letting your dog approach another, and keep yours on a lead in communal areas.
• Give people space: Keep your dog away from other tents, cooking areas and gear, and fill in any holes they dig.
• Guard the wildlife: Keep your dog secured at dawn and dusk, when native birds and lizards are most active.
• Leave shared facilities clean: Do not wash your dog at campsite taps or near kitchen areas or water tanks.

Fire rules on conservation land

Fire is a serious risk in New Zealand's dry summers and a threat to both bush and wildlife.

• Fire season: From roughly October to April, restrictions apply across most of the country, open fires may be limited or banned depending on conditions.
• Check before you light: Look up the current fire danger at Check It's Alright. At Very High and above, open fires are prohibited.
• Use designated fireplaces only: Where a campsite has a fire pit, use only that. Some sites ban fires entirely, check the listing.
• Gas is safer: Gas cookers are generally allowed even during fire bans, used on a non-flammable surface clear of vegetation.

Leave No Trace with a dog

The Leave No Trace principles apply doubly with a dog along. Here is how to adapt them.

• Plan ahead: Check dogs are allowed, carry everything your dog needs, and know their limits.
• Stay on durable surfaces: Keep your dog on established tracks and campsite areas, away from wetlands and stream banks.
• Pack out waste: Seal and carry out all dog waste, it carries pathogens not native to local ecosystems, so never bury it.
• Leave what you find: Do not let your dog dig or chase wildlife; fill any holes before you leave.
• Respect wildlife: Dogs are predators. Even a curious one can stress native animals into abandoning nests. Keep yours close and controlled.