Kingston Lake Camp

Kingston Lake Camp

33 Rankers Reviews

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Kingston Lake Camp

With Queenstown banning all freedom camping, this is the closest free campsite to the city.

Thirty minutes south of Queenstown, along the shores of Lake Wakatipu lies this magnificent spot. As daylight breaks, the morning fog slowly lifts off the lake and you can see Queenstown and the surrounding mountains in the distance.

Trees cover the sloped grassy parking areas starting lakeside and going up the hill 100m – enough space for 30-40 campers. After a rainfall, the camping area is very muddy and campers can easily get stuck: we assisted a couple of folks in getting out.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

Queenstown Lakes District Council

Council organisation

Location

South IslandQueenstown RegionKingston

Categories

  • Activity__freedom_campingFreedom Camping
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Coordinates

-45.2936982367992

168.760778808594

Latitude
-45.2936982367992
Longitude
168.760778808594

Nearby

Reviews

    ✓ Stunning lake views

    ✓ Plenty of space

    ✓ Clean toilets

    ✓ Access to beach

    ✓ Free campsite near Queenstown

    𐄂 Uneven ground

    𐄂 Smelly drop toilets

    • We stayed 2 nights here.
    • Fantastic free camp!
    • Super cool Camp.
    • Beautiful spot next to the lake.
    • Supernice location.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 17
    52%
    9/10 9
    27%
    8/10 6
    18%
    7/10 1
    3%
    6/10 0
    0%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 5.0/5

    It’s very muddy and slippery at this time of year.

    Be careful many van got stuck. The freecamp down the road has two dry sites as a substitute with rubbish and internet connectivity.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

    Gas's avatar

    Gas

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful spot next to the lake.

    Lot of space. Clean toilets.

    Reviewed 27 days ago

  • 5.0/5

    Fantastic free camp!

    Thanks Kingston! We were able to get close to where the beach starts, but goodness, we witnessed 3 folks get bogged, locals and tourists. Don't arrive when it's dark, especially in winter, if it's going to get cold over night, don't go down the wee slopes, get out of your vehicle and have a look where you're going first. Big-rigs might struggle in here, however our friends towing a 24ft caravan did manage to fit and stay! Toilets and bins provided. Self-contained only, although there were a couple in tents. Keep it clean! Keep it free! @tasmantravels

    Reviewed 5 months ago

  • 3.5/5

    Beautiful view of lake and semi even ground.

    Lots of space to park up and can enter any time. Toilets stink and are a hole under the seat so be prepared.

    Reviewed 6 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    This is such a beautiful campsite.

    There has always been enough space, there are trash bins and toilets (athough we didn't use the toilets). Such a lovely sleep at the sound of waves breaking at the shore.

    We stayed here two times; before our way to Milford sound and again on after Milford sound.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful spot, the views we're amazing!

    A lot of spaces, but not very flat.

    Clean toilets!

    Reviewed 9 months ago

    Ann's avatar

    Ann

  • 4.5/5

    Great site right on the lake front with lovely views and beach access.

    Toilet is clean, well supplied with hand gel. Natural toilet so no water or flush although did not smell and well maintained and modern.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Super cool Camp.

    Beautiful Lake and nice people!

    2 Toilets, only one can be looked.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

    Val's avatar

    Val

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful spot by the lake.

    Toilets on site. Plenty of space and pretty busy in the summer.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Supernice location.

    Fresh toilets. Lots of spots, the ones closest to the lake were around 10-15 so be there early. Blue and cold water.. :)

    Reviewed 11 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Brilliant spot nearby the lake, and...

    One of the few available spot near Queenstown so very much appreciated.

    Good toilet.

    The ground was a bit uneven so a bit challenging a night to know where you go. Lots of spots.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago and experienced in September 2023

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful spot next to the lake.

    Lot of space. Clean toilets.

    Reviewed 27 days ago

  • 5.0/5

    It’s very muddy and slippery at this time of year.

    Be careful many van got stuck. The freecamp down the road has two dry sites as a substitute with rubbish and internet connectivity.

    Reviewed about 1 month ago

    Gas's avatar

    Gas

  • 5.0/5

    Fantastic free camp!

    Thanks Kingston! We were able to get close to where the beach starts, but goodness, we witnessed 3 folks get bogged, locals and tourists. Don't arrive when it's dark, especially in winter, if it's going to get cold over night, don't go down the wee slopes, get out of your vehicle and have a look where you're going first. Big-rigs might struggle in here, however our friends towing a 24ft caravan did manage to fit and stay! Toilets and bins provided. Self-contained only, although there were a couple in tents. Keep it clean! Keep it free! @tasmantravels

    Reviewed 5 months ago

  • 3.5/5

    Beautiful view of lake and semi even ground.

    Lots of space to park up and can enter any time. Toilets stink and are a hole under the seat so be prepared.

    Reviewed 6 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    This is such a beautiful campsite.

    There has always been enough space, there are trash bins and toilets (athough we didn't use the toilets). Such a lovely sleep at the sound of waves breaking at the shore.

    We stayed here two times; before our way to Milford sound and again on after Milford sound.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • 4.5/5

    Beautiful spot, the views we're amazing!

    A lot of spaces, but not very flat.

    Clean toilets!

    Reviewed 9 months ago

    Ann's avatar

    Ann

  • 4.5/5

    Great site right on the lake front with lovely views and beach access.

    Toilet is clean, well supplied with hand gel. Natural toilet so no water or flush although did not smell and well maintained and modern.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful spot by the lake.

    Toilets on site. Plenty of space and pretty busy in the summer.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Super cool Camp.

    Beautiful Lake and nice people!

    2 Toilets, only one can be looked.

    Reviewed 9 months ago

    Val's avatar

    Val

  • 5.0/5

    Supernice location.

    Fresh toilets. Lots of spots, the ones closest to the lake were around 10-15 so be there early. Blue and cold water.. :)

    Reviewed 11 months ago

  • 5.0/5

    Brilliant spot nearby the lake, and...

    One of the few available spot near Queenstown so very much appreciated.

    Good toilet.

    The ground was a bit uneven so a bit challenging a night to know where you go. Lots of spots.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago and experienced in September 2023

  • 4.5/5

    Loved this spot.

    Amazing views of the lakes and mountain. Good for a swim. Peaceful. Would be a 10, but some of the worst long drop toilets we experienced.

    Reviewed about 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    Great place for a free overnight stop.

    Nice views of the lake and several flat spots to park. Road is close but the noise didn't seem to bad. Several other vans around but plenty of room for everyone.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    We stayed 2 nights here.

    On the way to Milford Sound and back. It snowed on all the surrounding mountains. Amazing views. Basic toilet and plenty of bins around. No water.

    Need to come early for a better spot as this is the closest free site to Queenstown.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice little spot.

    Stunning scenery. Best to come a bit earlier to get flat areas. In saying that, we stayed in July and there were plenty of 'nearly' flat areas. The pebble beach is a nice walk with small boulders that I assume were once smoothed by glacier ice. Toilets are nice and new but are long-drop so expect the smell. Clearly not a current update for how full it was. It was nowhere near as full as the app said!

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    Fantastic location.

    Beautiful walks around the lake.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    Nice place on a hillside right beside the lake and only about half an hour from Queenstown.

    I came late and left early though, so didn't really get to experience the gorgeous views until driving back through this area a few days later. The toilets I used were pretty rank though. Drop toilets, so smelly as usual, but these ones were also teeming with sandflies. Having said that, I'd still recommend this place if you're on a budget.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful spot just 30 mins from Queenstown.

    Plenty of spaces at the end of March, beginning of April. Clear lake, excellent views and tall trees. Didn't use any of the facilities as we were selling contained. Great free campsite.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.0/5

    The site is great, toilets some of the cleanest we’ve seen and lots of space.

    It does get busy and the spots right next to the lake fill up early in the day. We stayed for 2 nights and moved from our spot by the lake on the 2nd night because of the sandflies- there were so many despite other reviews mentioning there were none. The ground was also quite uneven so we found that the spots in the trees were better. Stunning views of the lake throughout the day and of the stars at night. The lake was great for swimming in.

    Reviewed over 1 year ago

  • 4.5/5

    This was a great little spot.

    Plenty of room and gorgeous mountain and lake views. There’s even a small beach. My only issue is the toilet was a bit stinky…

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Amazing place, number one so far and plenty of space for everyone.

    Water is perfect for morning (or later) swim and the toilet is fine.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Cool spot and nice view!

    No cell service so bring ya cards :) also get in early for a better spot…

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    We didn't get to camp here but it's gorgeous!

    Right on the beach with lots of trees for shade. The wayer looked crystal clear.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Such a beautiful spot, right on the lake.

    Toilets were a bit smelly but the view far outweighed it all

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Decent little campsite with good views.

    Toilets are relatively clean, though are drop toilets.

    The campsite is big, but due to trees and uneven ground, there's not that much space for parking up.

    Reviewed almost 2 years ago

    Mil's avatar

    Mil

  • 5.0/5

    The best spot so far!

    Absolutely stunningly beautifull! Plus, there is a lot of space + clean toilets + no sandflies + reception. Only downside is the road noise, but we gladly put up with that (:

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Simply amazing.

    Incredible views, park right by the lake. Clean drop toilets, bins available.

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    You HAVE to come here.

    No sandflies, right next to water. Was incredibly clean and amazing

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Minimal flat parking so need to get there early.

    Great views and spotlessly clean toilets!

    Reviewed about 2 years ago

  • 5.0/5

    Amazing campsite!

    Beautiful views, clean toilets. Only 30 minutes out of Queenstown (closet free campsite to Queenstown). I would highly recommend

    Reviewed over 2 years ago