Dog-friendly campsites in New Zealand
Every place we have mapped where you and the dog can spend the night: the Department of Conservation campsites that allow dogs, the holiday parks and community campgrounds that welcome them, and the glamping stays for a night with a real bed. Dog access, fees, facilities and the permit story for every one.
The DOC dog permit, explained
28 of the 77 dog-friendly DOC campsites sit inside conservation areas where dogs need a DOC dog permit, arranged before you arrive, never at the gate. The permit is per-dog and exists to protect kiwi and other ground-dwelling wildlife, so DOC may ask for proof of avian aversion training in sensitive areas.
How it works, in three steps:
- Apply before you travel. A permit can take up to five days. Every permit campsite’s page on this site has a button that drafts the application email to the DOC office that manages that area, with a line for each detail they need.
- Add your dog’s details. Microchip number, council registration and your trip dates. One email covers one dog.
- Wait for DOC to confirm. They reply with the permit or tell you what else they need. Carry it (paper or on your phone) at the campsite.
Not sure who to ask? Call DOC on 0800 275 362 and name the campsite. Sites below marked Permit needed are the 28 this applies to; the 45 sites marked dogs allowed need no permit at all. The handful with no published rule are marked check the rules: ring the DOC office first.
All 77 dog-friendly DOC campsites
Grouped by what your dog needs there: a permit sorted ahead of time, nothing at all, or a check of the site’s own rules. Every card opens the full site sheet with fees, facilities and the nearest dog-friendly tracks.
DOC permit needed for dogs
These sites sit inside areas where dogs need a Department of Conservation permit, sorted before you arrive, not at the gate. Apply through DOC ahead of time. Every site below has a button that drafts your permit email to the right DOC office. 28 sites.
Moawhitu Campsite
Permit neededMid Okahu Road Campsite
Permit neededSanctuary Campsite
Permit neededVerns Camp
Permit neededPiropiro Campsite
Permit neededPokaka Mill Campsite
Permit neededAussie Bay Campsite
Permit neededButchers Flat Campsite
Permit neededFerndale Campsite
Permit neededKenepuru Head Campsite
Permit neededMill Flat Campsite
Permit neededMoetapu Bay Campsite
Permit neededNikau Cove Campsite
Permit neededNydia Campsite
Permit neededPicnic Bay Campsite
Permit neededRobin Hood Bay Campsite
Permit neededArmy Road Campsite
Permit neededArohena Campsite
Permit neededClements Clearing Campsite
Permit neededClements Road End Campsite
Permit neededKaimanawa Road Campsite
Permit neededKakaho Campsite
Permit neededKakapo Campsite
Permit neededTe Iringa Campsite
Permit neededUrchin Campsite
Permit neededWaikoko Campsite
Permit neededHans Bay – Lake Kaniere Campsite
Permit neededLake Māhinapua Campsite
Permit neededDogs allowed
Dogs are welcome at these campsites, no permit needed. Keep them close through nesting season and around other campers and wildlife. 45 sites.
Awaroa/Godley Head Campsite
Dogs allowedBoyle Campsite
Dogs allowedGlencoe Campsite
Dogs allowedLake Middleton Campsite
Dogs allowedLake Taylor Campsite
Dogs allowedLoch Katrine Campsite
Dogs allowedMistletoe Flats Campsite
Dogs allowedTemple Campsite
Dogs allowedWooded Gully Campsite
Dogs allowedAnaura Bay Campsite
Dogs allowedEveretts Campsite
Dogs allowedGlenfalls Campsite
Dogs allowedWaikari River Mouth Campsite
Dogs allowedOhinepane Campsite
Dogs allowedPohangina Base Campsite
Dogs allowedRarangi Campsite
Dogs allowedKōhaihai Campsite
Dogs allowedBoundary Creek Campsite
Dogs allowedDanseys Pass Campsite
Dogs allowedHomestead Campsite
Dogs allowedKinloch Campsite
Dogs allowedMacetown Campsite
Dogs allowedPapatowai Campsite
Dogs allowedPurakaunui Bay Campsite
Dogs allowedSkippers Campsite
Dogs allowedTawanui Campsite
Dogs allowedTrotters Gorge Campsite
Dogs allowedTwelve Mile Delta Campsite
Dogs allowedMavora Lakes Campsite
Dogs allowedPiano Flat Campsite
Dogs allowedBooms Flat Campsite
Dogs allowedDickey Flat Campsite
Dogs allowedHotoritori Campsite
Dogs allowedBoielles Campsite
Dogs allowedBucks Road Campsite
Dogs allowedCatchpool Valley Campsite
Dogs allowedCorner Creek Campsite
Dogs allowedHoldsworth Campsite
Dogs allowedKiriwhakapapa Campsite
Dogs allowedPutangirua Pinnacles Campsite
Dogs allowedWaiohine Gorge Campsite
Dogs allowedŌtaki Forks Campsite
Dogs allowedGillespies Beach Campsite
Dogs allowedGoldsborough Campsite
Dogs allowedLyell Campsite
Dogs allowedCheck the rules first
A handful of sites carry their own conditions, a park boundary, a special rule, or simply no dog policy published. Read the DOC page before you drive. 4 sites.