Forest Pools

Forest Pools

Waipapa

12 Rankers Reviews

6 Face-to-Face

10 Kerikeri

Check Availability

Maps

FREE Header

Camping NZ NEW

Welcome to New Zealand's most comprehensive database of freely available camping information. This is the only travel map of its kind in NZ.

Photos

Information

Forest Pools

The Forest Pools area is situated in the bush right next to the Waipapa River, a wicked place to swim, tramp and relax. Camping used to be allowed here but is not longer - it is a day visit area only.

Details

Feature Value Info

Organisation

DOC Northland

Central government organisation

Location

North IslandNorthlandKerikeri

Categories

  • Activity__walking_and_trekkingWalking
  • Free

Directions

To Coordinates

Directions

Kaitaia Office

Coordinates

-35.2769462618272

173.686122894287

Latitude
-35.2769462618272
Longitude
173.686122894287

Nearby

Reviews

    • Very good spot, located close to Puketi Forest.
    • Good location, especially because it's free!
    • This is a beautiful spot.
    • Beautiful place to stay overnight.
    • Really quiet and nice place to stay.
    Rating Count Percentage
    10/10 3
    25%
    9/10 4
    33%
    8/10 4
    33%
    7/10 0
    0%
    6/10 1
    8%
    5/10 0
    0%
    4/10 0
    0%
    3/10 0
    0%
    2/10 0
    0%
    1/10 0
    0%
  • 4.5/5

    No longer a place to stay overnight which is a shame.

    I remember coming for weekends with the whanau back in the 80's.

    Still worth a stop for a swim and a bush walk. Clean water flowing from the forest - some tannins give it a deep golden colour.

    Only downside about this place is some people leave their rubbish and dog sh*t.

    Reviewed 10 months ago and experienced in March 2023

  • 4.0/5

    It was lovely except for the beer bottle someone left behind on the river bank

    Reviewed almost 4 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Beautiful place with a nice river to go take a dip in!

    Toilets are dirty.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    Very good spot, located close to Puketi Forest.

    The campsite is just beside a river where you can have a swim or you can also access some tracks. Great free spot.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in December 2014

  • 5.0/5

    Beautiful place to stay overnight.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014

  • 4.5/5

    Really quiet and nice place to stay.

    Toilet available. FREE.

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014

  • 5.0/5

    Perfect spot, right next to a river, lots of walking tracks, tables, do not drive down to the river without a 4WD!

    Reviewed over 9 years ago and experienced in March 2014

  • 3.0/5

    Disgusting toilets, however lovely fresh clean river and a few nice walks through the bush.

    Basic but relaxing.

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in April 2014

  • 4.0/5

    Good location, especially because it's free!

    2-3km of gravel road to reach it, toilets situated between the campgroung and the river, along the path.

    But, beware of the sandflies : first meeting with them, and my ankles still reminded it for at least 3 weeks!

    But beautiful location, that's the most important

    Reviewed over 10 years ago and experienced in November 2013

  • 5.0/5

    Greates free camping spot I have seen during my travels.

    Next to a river, very beautiful. Only for self contained vehicles, no facilities in place.

    Reviewed almost 11 years ago

  • 4.0/5

    Around 2km gravel road off the main road, campsite is easy to find (just look at the signs).

    Basic campsite, but free :)

    A few vans every night in summer season. it is a good stop if you want to rest for the night.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago

  • 4.5/5

    This is a beautiful spot.

    It is a basic DOC capsite with a composting toilet and river water. There is a large grass area to camp on surrounded by bush and with an unspoilt clear river running past. The river comes out of the Puketi Forest has 10 Km of walking track beside it upstream of the campsite. The site is free. DOC does need to give the toilet an upgrade.

    Reviewed over 12 years ago and experienced in December 2011