Hipapatua / Reid's Farm Recreation Reserve Free Campsite
Taupo
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Hipapatua / Reid's Farm Recreation Reserve Free Campsite
Free Campsite on the Waikato River just out of Taupo.
Free camping is permitted on this recreation reserve. All campers, including those in certified self-contained vehicles, can stay for a maximum of three nights and/or four days in any 14 night period before they need to move on.
Area A - Summer (larger)
Area A is open from Labour Weekend until end of April and has camping areas available. Area A is usually closed for camping in winter for annual maintenance. Lower toilets (near river) Open. Upper toilets (by road) Closed. There is a day area that is only open between 7am-7pm.
Area B - Winter (smaller)
Area B is open from end of April until Labour Weekend. Lower toilets (near river) Open. Upper toilets (by road) Open.
This campsite is close to town, and can be a popular party venue, especially on New Year's Eve. It's used a lot by travellers and sometimes by school groups. It can be a bit boggy after lots of rain. Quite a few sandflys as it is right on the river.
There is a permanent fire ban on this campsite (NO FIRES), and a complete liquor ban between noon on 27 December and 7am on 4 January.
This is a very popular spot for people learning how to white water kayak, and is the end point for guided kayak tours on the Waikato River.
Facilities are basic - the only water supply is the Waikato River, so we suggest that all drinking water is boiled first. There are no showers or cooking facilities.
Campers must take all their rubbish with them as a 'pack it in, pack it out' arrangement is in place to help protect the land and river. Campers should take their rubbish to the nearest refuse location - find out more about refuse locations and prices at www.taupo.govt.nz/rubbish.
Toilets have disability access.
Details
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Organisation |
Taupo District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Taupo |
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Operating Season And Hours |
The main lower camping area at Hipapatua Recreational Reserve (Reid’s Farm) closes for annual maintenance work between May and September every year. Signage at the reserve will direct campers to the smaller, upper camping area, which remains open during these months. Day use of the lower reserve, as well as river access, will not be affected by these works. |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Basic Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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3.0/5
Here during winter (is first gate before the proper Hipapatua reserve) it was absolutely freezing, had ice form inside the van.
Bring a hotwater bottle. The toilet was a portaloo, and it seemed to be cleaned daily.
Get here fast because the camp area is small and it fills up fast.
Beautiful view of river if you park near the edge.
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2.5/5
ADRESS IS WRONG!
it’s down the street a bit. So many people drive the wrong way. Other than that busy campsite with nasty toilets but easy access to the town. So still happy :)
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2.0/5
The photos look nothing like the spot but there was a lower area near the river that may have been the photos in the reviews.
But….couldn't figure out how to get there.
Kinda weird. Also the spot is a bit further than the address below.
The ground wasn’t level which was annoying. Kinda hard to find a spot. Port-a-poty w no TP. The view was nice tho.
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4.0/5
Lage freedom camping area close to river and huka falls, felt safe parking here for the night.
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3.5/5
Very basic, just portable toilets available.
Pretty busy during the weekend, need to arrive early to get a good spot. Close to town and free so it’s good for overnight free camping.
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4.5/5
It's an excellent spot with ample space and portable toilets.
Trees on the side offer protection from rain and wind. A short walk down to the river reveals additional dump stations and even a designated area for dishwashing.
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4.0/5
The first night we arrived late and we didn’t get a flat spot.
The second night, we got a good spot.
This a good place to stay close to the town and to sleep.
There is a portable toilet (I didn’t go)
And there is a lot of campers who are going there so I recommend even during winter to arrive before sunset.
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3.5/5
Parked in the small car park allowing for overnight camping, lots next to river were closed off.
Quiet. Not very level. Toilet in small building was totally blocked up. Portaloo was alright. Was nice that it was close to town.
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4.0/5
The perfect spot to stay the night!!
Loads of space for vehicles and tents, just some muddy patches from all the rain! There are about 4 portaloos around the area but they were overflowing with faeces so I definitely recommend walking (2mins) down to the river area and using the toilets there! Such a beautiful location!!
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3.5/5
Really the only freedom camp if you want to stay near central Taupo.
The lower half of the campsite is closed off right now with the nicer toilets, but they have two sets of porta loos in the upper lot. We didn’t use them because we assumed they’d be disgusting. The lot is still a good size and everyone seemed to find a spot even when arriving late at night. If you stop by the visitor center and ask about FC they will also show you some of the free 24 hour lots in town, so those are always an option despite not being listed on any of these apps!
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2.5/5
It’s free and easy access to Huka Falls so I can’t complain too much, but this isn’t an amazing spot to spend the night.
The port-a-potties are ok but it was noisy and with a rowdy crowd, and very busy without much room. If you can, wake up early and move to the day use area when it opens for the better bathrooms and washing up area to start the day.
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3.0/5
Here during winter (is first gate before the proper Hipapatua reserve) it was absolutely freezing, had ice form inside the van.
Bring a hotwater bottle. The toilet was a portaloo, and it seemed to be cleaned daily.
Get here fast because the camp area is small and it fills up fast.
Beautiful view of river if you park near the edge.
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2.5/5
ADRESS IS WRONG!
it’s down the street a bit. So many people drive the wrong way. Other than that busy campsite with nasty toilets but easy access to the town. So still happy :)
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2.0/5
The photos look nothing like the spot but there was a lower area near the river that may have been the photos in the reviews.
But….couldn't figure out how to get there.
Kinda weird. Also the spot is a bit further than the address below.
The ground wasn’t level which was annoying. Kinda hard to find a spot. Port-a-poty w no TP. The view was nice tho.
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4.0/5
Lage freedom camping area close to river and huka falls, felt safe parking here for the night.
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1.5/5
Just awful.
Rubbish everywhere, looked like it was going to be party central, people with huge bruiser dogs. We left in a BIG hurry. Ugh.
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3.5/5
Very basic, just portable toilets available.
Pretty busy during the weekend, need to arrive early to get a good spot. Close to town and free so it’s good for overnight free camping.
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4.5/5
It's an excellent spot with ample space and portable toilets.
Trees on the side offer protection from rain and wind. A short walk down to the river reveals additional dump stations and even a designated area for dishwashing.
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3.0/5
They changed the location slightly.
You have to drive the main road 100m further up, don’t enter the reserve.
There is a fancy portaloo with toiletpaper, soap and a waterpump to wash hands.
Ground is pretty uneven and it gets very full even now in spring.
Down at the river is the possibility to wash dishes in a big sink, but only accessible during the day.
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4.0/5
The first night we arrived late and we didn’t get a flat spot.
The second night, we got a good spot.
This a good place to stay close to the town and to sleep.
There is a portable toilet (I didn’t go)
And there is a lot of campers who are going there so I recommend even during winter to arrive before sunset.
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3.5/5
Parked in the small car park allowing for overnight camping, lots next to river were closed off.
Quiet. Not very level. Toilet in small building was totally blocked up. Portaloo was alright. Was nice that it was close to town.
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4.0/5
The perfect spot to stay the night!!
Loads of space for vehicles and tents, just some muddy patches from all the rain! There are about 4 portaloos around the area but they were overflowing with faeces so I definitely recommend walking (2mins) down to the river area and using the toilets there! Such a beautiful location!!
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1.5/5
Very full and overall a bit grungy.
There are some disgusting portaloos scattered around which I wouldn't even consider using! Long drop Toilets located in the day parking section down the hill but felt like I was being gassed in there. The other spot outside of town is much nicer and well worth the 10 minute drive.
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3.5/5
Really the only freedom camp if you want to stay near central Taupo.
The lower half of the campsite is closed off right now with the nicer toilets, but they have two sets of porta loos in the upper lot. We didn’t use them because we assumed they’d be disgusting. The lot is still a good size and everyone seemed to find a spot even when arriving late at night. If you stop by the visitor center and ask about FC they will also show you some of the free 24 hour lots in town, so those are always an option despite not being listed on any of these apps!
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3.0/5
A big area, calm night.
It could become muddy after rain, long drop toilets are quite ok, just some people dont close the lid so sometimes it was very stinky. Non potable water supply for washing the dishes or filling the solar shower. Our neighbours were a bit weird, looks like they live there.
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1.0/5
Camped in the free area in a non-powered campervan.
Boggy wet ground / mud bath and toilets (portaloos) that are worse than any DOC ones I’ve seen, by which I mean almost overflowing and there was a fish head in the sink.
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2.5/5
We mainly stayed at this ground as it is the only freedom camp around Taupo.
The grounds felt quite shabby with some old tentrs and campers standing around. There are portaloos that were in poor condition. There was a lake close by with long drops which we used instead. It got pretty busy at the end of the day.
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4.0/5
It gets very busy on a weekend and waterlogged in heavy rain but on the weekend we were there it was peaceful.
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3.0/5
It's a campsite on a good location.
The campsite itself is nog so special. It's just a parking area with a lot campers. It's fine for one or two nights. Be there before 18u because everyone is going there. The public toilets are really dirty.
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3.0/5
Quiet spot, toilets did not look (or smell) appealing so we did not use.
We arrived late (8pm) and still spaces available. The area with a view of the river was closed off. Good for one night.
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3.5/5
Some of the ground is quite muddy.
It has two portaloos as toilets which were both surprisingly clean. I would suggest to get in early because it does fill up quickly but lots of people did manage to fit. The river is very nice nearby. Would have preferred this campsite if the lower area was open.
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3.0/5
Der Platz an sich war nicht so schön, aber die Lage am Fluss ist der Hammer.
Am Fluss gibts ein Klo, aber ohne Spülung.
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3.5/5
This place is well situated to walk into town or to go to other tourist sites the portaloos that are on site or absolutely overflowing the block toilets on the day reserve were in slightly better conditions
but no one is clean them in a long time bring your own toilet roll we got there around 4 and there was quite a few spots still available this one is popular so ain't to check in earlier rather than later especially during a holiday weekend
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2.5/5
Very overcrowded, cars and vans were parked everywhere.
Cars were blocking in other users which wouldn’t be great in an emergency. Make sure you get there early to grab a spot it was very busy. There was ‘security’ at the gate but don’t think this was to police the numbers of people coming in. There were portaloos on site, not the toilets in the pictures.
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3.0/5
Campsite is just above the river - carpark by the river closes in the early evening.
It’s a 1 min walk to the riverside for some beautiful views, and huka falls is a 20 min walk away. Campsite has a good amount of shade, but fills up quickly so would recommend getting there before 6pm! Has 2 portaloos but no other facilities.
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1.0/5
Toilets look kinda new, but i havent seen any more disgusting in the whole country.
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3.5/5
Great area and parking.
There are portaloos in the overnight camping area that really should not be there- they are filthy and completely full. Better nothing than those.