Lake Camp
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Lake Camp
Lake Camp is situated in a wide tussock covered mountain valley surrounded by high, generally snow covered, mountain peaks at the headwaters of the Ashburton River close to opposite to the Lake Clearwater township.
The road to Lake Clearwater is well signposted from Mount Somers on State Highway 72. This road take you directly to the small settlement of Lake Clearwater, You can find lake Camp across the highway.
This is a freedom camping spot for self-contained vehicles.
Details
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Organisation |
Ashburton District CouncilCouncil organisation |
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Location |
South Island ▷ Canterbury ▷ Methven |
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Categories |
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Directions To Coordinates |
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Coordinates |
Freedom Camping
Nearby
Reviews
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4.0/5
Amazing site but low clearance vehicles should stick close to the main road.
Some roads are deeply rutted and could damage your vehicle or get you stuck.
L![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(45,29,217)" /><path d="m 150 521 Q 272 28 -221 150 Q 272 272 150 -221 Q 28 272 521 150 Q 28 28 150 521 z" fill="rgb(116,128,152)" /><path d="m 150 320 Q 125 175 -20 150 Q 125 125 150 -20 Q 175 125 320 150 Q 175 175 150 320 z" fill="rgb(139,127,103)" /><path d="m 150 191 Q 278 22 109 150 Q 278 278 150 109 Q 22 278 191 150 Q 22 22 150 191 z" fill="rgb(210,226,38)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Freecamp on the grass on the side on the lake.
The view is gorgeous in the morning.
Trash/recycling bins! Toilets clean but stinky.
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(57,98,91)" /><path d="m 150 550 Q 134 166 -250 150 Q 134 134 150 -250 Q 166 134 550 150 Q 166 166 150 550 z" fill="rgb(212,10,3)" /><path d="m 150 384 Q 102 198 -84 150 Q 102 102 150 -84 Q 198 102 384 150 Q 198 198 150 384 z" fill="rgb(43,245,252)" /><path d="m 150 341 Q 100 200 -41 150 Q 100 100 150 -41 Q 200 100 341 150 Q 200 200 150 341 z" fill="rgb(198,157,164)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
My new favourite camp site!
I stayed here 5 nights, self contained, until the weather drove me out. I was sad to leave. The area is just breathtakingly beautiful. This is a great base to explore the region
E![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(102,60,94)" /><path d="m 150 667 Q 197 103 -367 150 Q 197 197 150 -367 Q 103 197 667 150 Q 103 103 150 667 z" fill="rgb(136,110,109)" /><path d="m 150 308 Q 218 82 -8 150 Q 218 218 150 -8 Q 82 218 308 150 Q 82 82 150 308 z" fill="rgb(119,145,146)" /><path d="m 150 120 Q 227 73 180 150 Q 227 227 150 180 Q 73 227 120 150 Q 73 73 150 120 z" fill="rgb(153,195,161)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Freedom camping at its best!
Stunning views! Even has a new block of three long drop toilets with tiled floors, sensor lighting, ventilation, and hand sanitiser. The lake has a large amount of ice currently (July 2024), but the temperature is warm as long as you're in the sun - cools down quickly in the shade. Take levellers as there is slight slope in two directions and a few ruts at this time of year (although the ground is still solid). Can also camp at other end of the lake down on the lake edge. Toilets at that end are on the road in but still not too far to walk (slightly uphill)
K![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(78,64,226)" /><path d="m 150 515 Q 164 136 -215 150 Q 164 164 150 -215 Q 136 164 515 150 Q 136 136 150 515 z" fill="rgb(239,247,104)" /><path d="m 150 462 Q 150 150 -162 150 Q 150 150 150 -162 Q 150 150 462 150 Q 150 150 150 462 z" fill="rgb(16,8,151)" /><path d="m 150 230 Q 253 47 70 150 Q 253 253 150 70 Q 47 253 230 150 Q 47 47 150 230 z" fill="rgb(177,191,29)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Le plus beau Free Camp depuis que je suis en New Zélande.
Vraiment esprit van life avec une vue de ouf sur le lac et les environs
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5.0/5
Good campsite, nice view and beautifull area.
This campsite is open to everyone (SC and not SC, sign on the entrance). Its free and located directly on the left when you enter the small village. There is an other campsite next to Lake Clearwater for 10$.
Q![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(99,142,164)" /><path d="m 150 746 Q 137 163 -446 150 Q 137 137 150 -446 Q 163 137 746 150 Q 163 163 150 746 z" fill="rgb(170,29,7)" /><path d="m 150 339 Q 111 189 -39 150 Q 111 111 150 -39 Q 189 111 339 150 Q 189 189 150 339 z" fill="rgb(85,226,248)" /><path d="m 150 272 Q 238 62 28 150 Q 238 238 150 28 Q 62 238 272 150 Q 62 62 150 272 z" fill="rgb(156,113,91)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Beautiful large space by the lake, easy for a swim and trees for shelter from any wind and sun.
Toilets were really good, looked like they’d barely been used. The site is huge and had maybe 8 vehicles on it, everyone at least 15m from each other. Be careful if it’s very wet, I can see some spots getting boggy. It’s a good 20+ min drive on a poorly maintained gravel road but a beautiful spot! Almost the middle of nowhere
H![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(98,1,134)" /><path d="m 150 603 Q 131 169 -303 150 Q 131 131 150 -303 Q 169 131 603 150 Q 169 169 150 603 z" fill="rgb(192,196,79)" /><path d="m 150 399 Q 90 210 -99 150 Q 90 90 150 -99 Q 210 90 399 150 Q 210 210 150 399 z" fill="rgb(63,59,176)" /><path d="m 150 171 Q 231 69 129 150 Q 231 231 150 129 Q 69 231 171 150 Q 69 69 150 171 z" fill="rgb(157,254,121)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Beautiful peacefull campingsite and 3 very clean toilets, the best campingsite!
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4.5/5
Nice spot!
The view is beautiful near the Mount Sunday or Edoras (The Lord of the Rings). Non flush toilets are in the site and are clean. I recommend it!
M![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(2,93,155)" /><path d="m 150 539 Q 176 124 -239 150 Q 176 176 150 -239 Q 124 176 539 150 Q 124 124 150 539 z" fill="rgb(48,50,40)" /><path d="m 150 459 Q 117 183 -159 150 Q 117 117 150 -159 Q 183 117 459 150 Q 183 183 150 459 z" fill="rgb(207,205,215)" /><path d="m 150 220 Q 86 214 80 150 Q 86 86 150 80 Q 214 86 220 150 Q 214 214 150 220 z" fill="rgb(253,162,100)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Beautiful spot.
There are new toilets here now so tent camping is allowed. Boats and skirts on this lake, very nice spots amongst the trees on lake edge
I![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(147,182,246)" /><path d="m 150 643 Q 74 226 -343 150 Q 74 74 150 -343 Q 226 74 643 150 Q 226 226 150 643 z" fill="rgb(94,0,19)" /><path d="m 150 368 Q 113 187 -68 150 Q 113 113 150 -68 Q 187 113 368 150 Q 187 187 150 368 z" fill="rgb(161,255,236)" /><path d="m 150 257 Q 242 58 43 150 Q 242 242 150 43 Q 58 242 257 150 Q 58 58 150 257 z" fill="rgb(108,73,9)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Nice drive in on gravel roads.
We were there between Christmas and New Years.
Bit of a challenge to find a flat quiet place. This place is popular! We found a small patch of grass close to the boat ramp right on the lake. Quiet enough at night. Would stay here again.
RK![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(116,117,31)" /><path d="m 150 531 Q 167 133 -231 150 Q 167 167 150 -231 Q 133 167 531 150 Q 133 133 150 531 z" fill="rgb(50,50,171)" /><path d="m 150 480 Q 152 148 -180 150 Q 152 152 150 -180 Q 148 152 480 150 Q 148 148 150 480 z" fill="rgb(205,205,84)" /><path d="m 150 239 Q 235 65 61 150 Q 235 235 150 61 Q 65 235 239 150 Q 65 65 150 239 z" fill="rgb(139,138,224)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Stayed one night here, smooth dirt road on way in.
Long drop toilet very clean and modern with toilet paper and sanitizer.
Great views as you are parked right next to the lake.
First time using our van since getting a self containment certificate. Can't fault this place for a free site.
RP![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(245,158,102)" /><path d="m 150 654 Q 175 125 -354 150 Q 175 175 150 -354 Q 125 175 654 150 Q 125 125 150 654 z" fill="rgb(199,120,143)" /><path d="m 150 483 Q 112 188 -183 150 Q 112 112 150 -183 Q 188 112 483 150 Q 188 188 150 483 z" fill="rgb(56,135,112)" /><path d="m 150 238 Q 123 177 62 150 Q 123 123 150 62 Q 177 123 238 150 Q 177 177 150 238 z" fill="rgb(10,97,153)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Lovely peaceful spot, very good long drop loos clean and well lit.
Careful of soft muddy ground but plenty of space. What an amazing lake for photos on a still day and check lake clearwater nearby even more stunning.
m![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(94,124,58)" /><path d="m 150 663 Q 66 234 -363 150 Q 66 66 150 -363 Q 234 66 663 150 Q 234 234 150 663 z" fill="rgb(92,191,31)" /><path d="m 150 485 Q 176 124 -185 150 Q 176 176 150 -185 Q 124 176 485 150 Q 124 124 150 485 z" fill="rgb(163,64,224)" /><path d="m 150 223 Q 214 86 77 150 Q 214 214 150 77 Q 86 214 223 150 Q 86 86 150 223 z" fill="rgb(161,131,197)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Awsome place to relax,or even get out and about within the hills with many walks,the lake is so amazing and the weather is the next level calm for most part I extremely recommend to cheek this place out
...but do remember to keep it the way you find it "clean"
T![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(237,192,183)" /><path d="m 150 705 Q 229 71 -405 150 Q 229 229 150 -405 Q 71 229 705 150 Q 71 71 150 705 z" fill="rgb(230,252,160)" /><path d="m 150 322 Q 285 15 -22 150 Q 285 285 150 -22 Q 15 285 322 150 Q 15 15 150 322 z" fill="rgb(25,3,95)" /><path d="m 150 265 Q 106 194 35 150 Q 106 106 150 35 Q 194 106 265 150 Q 194 194 150 265 z" fill="rgb(18,63,72)" /></svg>)
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4.5/5
Our first time freedom camping in NZ.
We visited Mt. Sunday which is near to this place. Only two campervan including us during our stay. View was spectacular, secluded, cold & very strong wind. Uneven ground. I can't sleep well due to the sound of wind. Nevertheless, it was the best of all freedom camping we had because of the view and not crowded.
AR![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(22,168,212)" /><path d="m 150 683 Q 217 83 -383 150 Q 217 217 150 -383 Q 83 217 683 150 Q 83 83 150 683 z" fill="rgb(36,217,235)" /><path d="m 150 336 Q 145 155 -36 150 Q 145 145 150 -36 Q 155 145 336 150 Q 155 155 150 336 z" fill="rgb(219,38,20)" /><path d="m 150 177 Q 244 56 123 150 Q 244 244 150 123 Q 56 244 177 150 Q 56 56 150 177 z" fill="rgb(233,87,43)" /></svg>)
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3.0/5
We arrived on a hot Sunday, not knowing that this place is a waterski area.
So many boats were on the lake and it was quite noisy. Due to the hot and dry weather conditions it was also extremely dusty whenever a car passed by. However, when the crowd had left it became perfectly nice and with a great view. The last 9 km on the road are very bumpy - not a nice drive on this gravel road.
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(94,133,80)" /><path d="m 150 538 Q 47 253 -238 150 Q 47 47 150 -238 Q 253 47 538 150 Q 253 253 150 538 z" fill="rgb(43,173,179)" /><path d="m 150 532 Q 217 83 -232 150 Q 217 217 150 -232 Q 83 217 532 150 Q 83 83 150 532 z" fill="rgb(212,82,76)" /><path d="m 150 333 Q 233 67 -33 150 Q 233 233 150 -33 Q 67 233 333 150 Q 67 67 150 333 z" fill="rgb(161,122,175)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(58,132,63)" /><path d="m 150 645 Q 233 67 -345 150 Q 233 233 150 -345 Q 67 233 645 150 Q 67 67 150 645 z" fill="rgb(72,164,231)" /><path d="m 150 551 Q 187 113 -251 150 Q 187 187 150 -251 Q 113 187 551 150 Q 113 113 150 551 z" fill="rgb(183,91,24)" /><path d="m 150 105 Q 257 43 195 150 Q 257 257 150 195 Q 43 257 105 150 Q 43 43 150 105 z" fill="rgb(197,123,192)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(211,118,114)" /><path d="m 150 661 Q 296 4 -361 150 Q 296 296 150 -361 Q 4 296 661 150 Q 4 4 150 661 z" fill="rgb(165,126,92)" /><path d="m 150 422 Q 88 212 -122 150 Q 88 88 150 -122 Q 212 88 422 150 Q 212 212 150 422 z" fill="rgb(90,129,163)" /><path d="m 150 347 Q 176 124 -47 150 Q 176 176 150 -47 Q 124 176 347 150 Q 124 124 150 347 z" fill="rgb(44,137,141)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(5,249,151)" /><path d="m 150 645 Q 169 131 -345 150 Q 169 169 150 -345 Q 131 169 645 150 Q 131 131 150 645 z" fill="rgb(37,94,100)" /><path d="m 150 370 Q 70 230 -70 150 Q 70 70 150 -70 Q 230 70 370 150 Q 230 230 150 370 z" fill="rgb(218,161,155)" /><path d="m 150 241 Q 46 254 59 150 Q 46 46 150 59 Q 254 46 241 150 Q 254 254 150 241 z" fill="rgb(250,6,104)" /></svg>)
![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(171,57,3)" /><path d="m 150 602 Q 107 193 -302 150 Q 107 107 150 -302 Q 193 107 602 150 Q 193 193 150 602 z" fill="rgb(30,0,5)" /><path d="m 150 553 Q 266 34 -253 150 Q 266 266 150 -253 Q 34 266 553 150 Q 34 34 150 553 z" fill="rgb(225,255,250)" /><path d="m 150 101 Q 251 49 199 150 Q 251 251 150 199 Q 49 251 101 150 Q 49 49 150 101 z" fill="rgb(84,198,252)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Amazing site but low clearance vehicles should stick close to the main road.
Some roads are deeply rutted and could damage your vehicle or get you stuck.
L -
4.5/5
Freecamp on the grass on the side on the lake.
The view is gorgeous in the morning.
Trash/recycling bins! Toilets clean but stinky.
M -
5.0/5
My new favourite camp site!
I stayed here 5 nights, self contained, until the weather drove me out. I was sad to leave. The area is just breathtakingly beautiful. This is a great base to explore the region
E -
5.0/5
Freedom camping at its best!
Stunning views! Even has a new block of three long drop toilets with tiled floors, sensor lighting, ventilation, and hand sanitiser. The lake has a large amount of ice currently (July 2024), but the temperature is warm as long as you're in the sun - cools down quickly in the shade. Take levellers as there is slight slope in two directions and a few ruts at this time of year (although the ground is still solid). Can also camp at other end of the lake down on the lake edge. Toilets at that end are on the road in but still not too far to walk (slightly uphill)
K -
5.0/5
Le plus beau Free Camp depuis que je suis en New Zélande.
Vraiment esprit van life avec une vue de ouf sur le lac et les environs
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5.0/5
Good campsite, nice view and beautifull area.
This campsite is open to everyone (SC and not SC, sign on the entrance). Its free and located directly on the left when you enter the small village. There is an other campsite next to Lake Clearwater for 10$.
Q -
5.0/5
Beautiful large space by the lake, easy for a swim and trees for shelter from any wind and sun.
Toilets were really good, looked like they’d barely been used. The site is huge and had maybe 8 vehicles on it, everyone at least 15m from each other. Be careful if it’s very wet, I can see some spots getting boggy. It’s a good 20+ min drive on a poorly maintained gravel road but a beautiful spot! Almost the middle of nowhere
H -
5.0/5
Beautiful peacefull campingsite and 3 very clean toilets, the best campingsite!
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4.5/5
Nice spot!
The view is beautiful near the Mount Sunday or Edoras (The Lord of the Rings). Non flush toilets are in the site and are clean. I recommend it!
M -
5.0/5
Beautiful spot.
There are new toilets here now so tent camping is allowed. Boats and skirts on this lake, very nice spots amongst the trees on lake edge
I -
4.5/5
Nice drive in on gravel roads.
We were there between Christmas and New Years.
Bit of a challenge to find a flat quiet place. This place is popular! We found a small patch of grass close to the boat ramp right on the lake. Quiet enough at night. Would stay here again.
RK -
5.0/5
Stayed one night here, smooth dirt road on way in.
Long drop toilet very clean and modern with toilet paper and sanitizer.
Great views as you are parked right next to the lake.
First time using our van since getting a self containment certificate. Can't fault this place for a free site.
RP -
4.0/5
Lovely peaceful spot, very good long drop loos clean and well lit.
Careful of soft muddy ground but plenty of space. What an amazing lake for photos on a still day and check lake clearwater nearby even more stunning.
m -
5.0/5
Awsome place to relax,or even get out and about within the hills with many walks,the lake is so amazing and the weather is the next level calm for most part I extremely recommend to cheek this place out
...but do remember to keep it the way you find it "clean"
T -
4.5/5
Our first time freedom camping in NZ.
We visited Mt. Sunday which is near to this place. Only two campervan including us during our stay. View was spectacular, secluded, cold & very strong wind. Uneven ground. I can't sleep well due to the sound of wind. Nevertheless, it was the best of all freedom camping we had because of the view and not crowded.
AR -
5.0/5
Loved camping here!
Not many others around. The gravel road there wasn’t in bad shape. The stars were beautiful reflecting on the lake at night! Very quiet and peaceful!
KL![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(135,207,138)" /><path d="m 150 720 Q 163 137 -420 150 Q 163 163 150 -420 Q 137 163 720 150 Q 137 137 150 720 z" fill="rgb(135,232,0)" /><path d="m 150 403 Q 188 112 -103 150 Q 188 188 150 -103 Q 112 188 403 150 Q 112 112 150 403 z" fill="rgb(120,23,255)" /><path d="m 150 216 Q 200 100 84 150 Q 200 200 150 84 Q 100 200 216 150 Q 100 100 150 216 z" fill="rgb(120,48,117)" /></svg>)
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5.0/5
Really nice spot not many people and near the water.
The gravel road is a bit annoying and the coordinates are wrong, just drive until you see the toilets
F![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(71,86,102)" /><path d="m 150 647 Q 178 122 -347 150 Q 178 178 150 -347 Q 122 178 647 150 Q 122 122 150 647 z" fill="rgb(190,212,129)" /><path d="m 150 360 Q 147 153 -60 150 Q 147 147 150 -60 Q 153 147 360 150 Q 153 153 150 360 z" fill="rgb(65,43,126)" /><path d="m 150 143 Q 258 42 157 150 Q 258 258 150 157 Q 42 258 143 150 Q 42 42 150 143 z" fill="rgb(184,169,153)" /></svg>)
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4.0/5
Great freedom camping spot.
Popular with locals at weekends. Luckily we went during week day. Toilets long drop. But ok.
SH![](data:image/svg+xml;utf8,<svg width="300" height="300" viewBox="0 0 300 300" xmlns="http://www.w3.org/2000/svg"><rect id="bg" width="300" height="300" fill="rgb(247,95,238)" /><path d="m 150 629 Q 241 59 -329 150 Q 241 241 150 -329 Q 59 241 629 150 Q 59 59 150 629 z" fill="rgb(144,23,73)" /><path d="m 150 321 Q 163 137 -21 150 Q 163 163 150 -21 Q 137 163 321 150 Q 137 137 150 321 z" fill="rgb(111,232,182)" /><path d="m 150 203 Q 143 157 97 150 Q 143 143 150 97 Q 157 143 203 150 Q 157 157 150 203 z" fill="rgb(8,160,17)" /></svg>)
