Waikoko Campsite
Kaimanawa Forest Park
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DOC Campsite Pricing
Waikoko Campsite is categorised as a DOC Basic Campsite. The following pricing indicates usual pricing.
DOC Basic Campsite
Basic campsites have very limited facilities so you need to be fully self-sufficient. There are basic toilets and water may be from a water tank that is untreated, stream or lake. Untreated water should be boiled before use to ensure it's safe. Access may be by road or boat.
| Feature | Value | Value |
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| Unpowered Site | Adult | $0.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Child | $0.00 per night |
| Unpowered Site | Infant | $0.00 per night |
Adults are 18+ years, children are 5-17 years, infants are 0-4 years.
Details
| Feature | Value | Info |
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Organisation |
DOC Central North IslandCentral government organisation |
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Location |
North Island ▷ Taupo Region ▷ Turangi |
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Coordinates |
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Basic Camping
Reviews
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4.0/5
convenient if your intention is to make the tongariro We spent a night here, very quiet with a nice landscape, don't expect much, but it's good for being free
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4.5/5
Amazing campsite in the woods.
Shelter for cooking and a drop toilet. Access to a small river close by. Only reason we didn‘t give 10 /10 is that there was no toilet paper, so bring your own to be sure.
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5.0/5
In my view, a fantastic campsite within its category: +Lots of space and perhaps not very popular (only another van; middle of the winter though) +Right next to a stream, in a valley covered by native
forest
+Far enough from roads to not hear a thing, close enough to easily divert here for the night
+Cool walks start from here
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4.0/5
Gravely lot with lots of space, easily like 20 vehicles could fit in here.
On my visit there were 6 or 7 neighbors.
It’s fine here, but I wish I explored the other sites more before settling down at this one. The tree trunk gorge site looked a bit nicer.
No access or visibility to the big waterfall that I could find :( also never saw the actual Pillars, I’m not the only one who was confused by that either.
Rather chilly night in late April 2023, bring a sleeping bag!
Confused as to why somebody took a sh*t down the hill from my spot when there’s a toilet 50m away.
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3.5/5
Nice campsite in the valley.
With a long drop and shelter. It's just one open field so not very cosy.
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4.0/5
Agree with the other reviews.
Just wanted to write an updated one. Nice spot. The fireplace is a wonderful bonus and a lovely stroll by the river.
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3.5/5
Nice spot, short drive from the shuttle car park for the Tongariro crossing.
Long drop toilet, small shelter in the middle where you can make a fire and sit on benches. Lots of space, lots of bugs. Very clean and cold river nearby that you can sit in, not deep enough for swimming though.
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5.0/5
Gorgeous native bush, fine toilet, tranquil river and birds, great stars, sheltered from wind.
Went for a swim by the Pillars of Hercules close by the next day (take the Tree Trunk Gorge path and follow your nose down to river from a side path). Water supply good for washing dishes. Empty on a Monday night.
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5.0/5
Amazing spot, surrounded by forest covered mountains and a stream running close by.
My favorite freedom camping spot.
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3.0/5
Before we got there we wished we wouldn't be the only one as it was somewhere in nowhere.
The camping was full, the drop toilet smelly. Most people didn't even use it. There was a lot of rubbish in the bush. However, it was close to the tongariro crossing and free. The other campers were silent after 10pm.
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3.0/5
Nice setting, but looked like a gypsy camp with all the tourists.
But it's free!!! Thanks DOC.
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4.0/5
convenient if your intention is to make the tongariro We spent a night here, very quiet with a nice landscape, don't expect much, but it's good for being free
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4.5/5
Amazing campsite in the woods.
Shelter for cooking and a drop toilet. Access to a small river close by. Only reason we didn‘t give 10 /10 is that there was no toilet paper, so bring your own to be sure.
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5.0/5
In my view, a fantastic campsite within its category: +Lots of space and perhaps not very popular (only another van; middle of the winter though) +Right next to a stream, in a valley covered by native
forest
+Far enough from roads to not hear a thing, close enough to easily divert here for the night
+Cool walks start from here
-
4.0/5
Gravely lot with lots of space, easily like 20 vehicles could fit in here.
On my visit there were 6 or 7 neighbors.
It’s fine here, but I wish I explored the other sites more before settling down at this one. The tree trunk gorge site looked a bit nicer.
No access or visibility to the big waterfall that I could find :( also never saw the actual Pillars, I’m not the only one who was confused by that either.
Rather chilly night in late April 2023, bring a sleeping bag!
Confused as to why somebody took a sh*t down the hill from my spot when there’s a toilet 50m away.
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3.5/5
Nice campsite in the valley.
With a long drop and shelter. It's just one open field so not very cosy.
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4.0/5
Agree with the other reviews.
Just wanted to write an updated one. Nice spot. The fireplace is a wonderful bonus and a lovely stroll by the river.
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3.5/5
Nice spot, short drive from the shuttle car park for the Tongariro crossing.
Long drop toilet, small shelter in the middle where you can make a fire and sit on benches. Lots of space, lots of bugs. Very clean and cold river nearby that you can sit in, not deep enough for swimming though.
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5.0/5
Gorgeous native bush, fine toilet, tranquil river and birds, great stars, sheltered from wind.
Went for a swim by the Pillars of Hercules close by the next day (take the Tree Trunk Gorge path and follow your nose down to river from a side path). Water supply good for washing dishes. Empty on a Monday night.
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5.0/5
Amazing spot, surrounded by forest covered mountains and a stream running close by.
My favorite freedom camping spot.
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4.5/5
Nice spot with a little cabin in the middle where u can make a fire.
Toillet OK. You can make nice walks in the surrounding :-)
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3.5/5
Pretty decent place for a free camp.
Close to the main road, decent drop toilet, kitchen/shelter...it’s basically a big parking lot. Not many tent sites, but do-able. Quiet, no sandflies.
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3.5/5
Very remote and peaceful location.
Relatively close to the alpine crossing starts. Room for plenty of vehicles. Big strucure in middle with wood fire and sinks. Drop toilet not great, no loo roll, plenty of bugs and no light. Wife refused to use it. Nice little stream at the bottom. Could see plenty of stars on a clear night. No bins so please take litter with you
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5.0/5
Stayed Eve before tongariro crossing - less than 20 min drive to the pick up point for the following morn.
Camp had long drop, sheltered area for cooking (let the wind hold back your baked bean dreams no longer) and level areas parking up.
Visited May 2019 and only two other vehicles but guess it’s busier high season
Great spot.
Beaut stars at night 😍
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4.5/5
Great overnight spot.
Heaps of spots available but it fills up quick because it’s perfect stop over for the alpine crossing. Only one toilet with no light but does have a uncover area where you can have a fire if you have wood.
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4.5/5
Campsite was great!
We got there around 6:30 and there were still some spots open. The water tasted great, and the toilet was pretty clean. We hiked Tongariro the next day, and it was an easy drive in the morning. Just a few noisy folks, but all was quiet by about 9pm.
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3.0/5
Before we got there we wished we wouldn't be the only one as it was somewhere in nowhere.
The camping was full, the drop toilet smelly. Most people didn't even use it. There was a lot of rubbish in the bush. However, it was close to the tongariro crossing and free. The other campers were silent after 10pm.
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5.0/5
Calm big grassy place !
Perfect.
Clean toilets.
Gravel road ok.
Thanks NZ for this campsite.
We love you !
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5.0/5
We stayed here the night before our tongariro crossing!
Perfect place!
Toilet is there and a little shelter.
Easy access
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3.5/5
We came late and it was PACKED!
First stop was the first one on the street on the right (packed and all partying at 9.30pm) we moved on to this one and it was also full. We found a spot, but get there early!
No cooking, dirty sink for dishes (water wasn’t working).
But: great location and free :-)
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3.0/5
Nice setting, but looked like a gypsy camp with all the tourists.
But it's free!!! Thanks DOC.
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3.0/5
Its a very popular campsite as a stopover before the Tongariro crossing, even in low season it was fairly packed.
Nonetheless it is still a lot better than the surrounding free DOC campsites and has access down to the river (where if you're lucky you might see some native blue ducks riding the rapids).
It is essentially a car park with a communal covered area for cooking in the centre (no cooking facilities though) and a long drop toilet. There is a rainwater tank/sink for washing up and a hilarious water sign that leads you down to the river. The river water is delicious (locals okayed it and said it was good to drink).
