Camping Near Thames: Kauaeranga Valley Campsites, Holiday Park and Freedom Camping
The best camping near Thames is in the Kauaeranga Valley, where the Department of Conservation (DOC) runs nine campsites beside the river, 14 km from town. They cost $10 per adult a night and must be booked in advance. For powered sites, showers and a pool, Dickson Holiday Park is 3 km from the town centre. Freedom camping is only allowed in certified self-contained vehicles.
Key takeaways
- DOC has nine campsites in the Kauaeranga Valley: eight for tents and one powered site for self-contained motorhomes.
- Bookings are required. DOC keeps no spaces for campers who arrive without one.
- Only Hotoritori and Booms Flat allow dogs.
- Freedom camping on council land is for certified self-contained vehicles only, never tents.
What are the campsites in the Kauaeranga Valley?
Follow Kauaeranga Valley Road from Thames for 14 km to the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre. The campsites line the gravel road beyond it, most of them on the river. All the tent sites are standard, non-powered DOC campsites. Distances are from the visitor centre.
| Campsite | Distance past visitor centre | Sites | Dogs | Good to know |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Shag Stream | Near the visitor centre | 30 | No | Popular swimming hole; replica kauri dam a 20-minute walk away |
| Hotoritori | 3 km | 15 | Yes, on a leash | Riverside; one of the few sites with reasonable mobile coverage |
| Whangaiterenga | 5 km | 50 | No | Where the Whangaiterenga Stream meets the river; Outlook 76 walk starts here |
| Booms Flat | 6 km | 65 | Yes, on a leash | Largest site; Booms Tramping Track to Crosbies Hut starts here |
| Catleys | 6 km | 30 | No | On the river banks |
| Wainora | 7 km | 30 | No | Start of the Cookson Kauri Walk |
| Totara Flat | 7.5 km | 30 | No | Beside the river, close to the Pinnacles track |
| Trestle View | 9 km | 15 | No | End of the road, next to the main Pinnacles car park |
| Kahikatea (powered) | Near the visitor centre | 18 powered | No | Certified self-contained vehicles only |
Site numbers and dog rules are from each campsite's DOC page. If you want to walk to the Pinnacles, Trestle View and Totara Flat are closest to the track. For a swim close to facilities, Shag Stream is beside the visitor centre.
How do you book a Kauaeranga Valley campsite?
- Book online with DOC. Search for the Kauaeranga Valley campsites on the DOC bookings site. Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027, and you can book for up to three weeks.
- Book before you travel. If no availability shows online, the valley is full. DOC keeps no spaces for walk-ins.
- Pick your campsite on arrival. A booking is for a site in the valley, so you can choose which campground to stay at when you get there.
- Last-minute? Same-day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain. Phone or in-person bookings at the visitor centre cost an extra $10 service fee.
If you arrive after hours, DOC says you can pay by cash in the envelopes provided at the visitor centre, to the right of the main doors, or through the online booking system. The DOC Campsite Pass is valid at these campsites, but pass holders still need to book online first.
How much does camping in the Kauaeranga Valley cost?
| Per night (DOC) | Adult (18+) | Child (5 to 17) | Under 5 |
|---|---|---|---|
| Standard tent campsites | $10 | $5 | Free |
| Kahikatea powered site | $13 | $6.50 | Free |
Where can you take a campervan or motorhome?
DOC's Kahikatea campsite, a five-minute walk from the visitor centre, has 18 powered sites for certified self-contained vehicles only. Motorhomes need a current electrical warrant of fitness, shown to visitor centre staff, and the keys for the power must be collected from the visitor centre before 4 pm. Facilities there are limited.
For campervans at the standard campsites, DOC's Kauaeranga brochure asks them not to empty toilet cassettes in DOC toilets, and points to the dump station at the BP service station in Thames.
Is there a holiday park in Thames?
Yes. Dickson Holiday Park is at 115 Victoria Street, 3 km from the centre of Thames, beside a stream in native bush on the site of the old Tararu gardens. It has been run by Elena Casares and Matthias John since July 2022.
- Places to stay: campsites, vintage caravans, cabins, a backpacker-style shared dorm and a self-contained flat.
- Facilities: a large swimming pool open from Labour Weekend to Easter, a creek with waterholes along the boundary, communal kitchens, coin-operated showers, a waste station and bike storage.
- Dogs: generally welcome on a lead at all times, though not inside some of the roofed accommodation.
- Contact: 07 868 7308, or book through the Dickson Holiday Park website.
If you would rather have a bed than a tent, compare motels and lodges in our guide to where to stay in Thames.
Can you freedom camp in Thames?
Only in a certified self-contained vehicle. Under the Thames-Coromandel District Council freedom camping bylaw, in force since 5 December 2022, freedom camping on council land is not allowed in tents. You can stay from 5 pm to 9 am for up to two consecutive nights, unless signs say otherwise.
The bylaw bans freedom camping in 84 areas, mostly reserves and roads, and limits it to signposted spots in 25 more. The council lists them, with maps, on its freedom camping page. Camping outside the marked campsites is not allowed in the Kauaeranga Valley either.
Can you stay at Pinnacles Hut instead?
Yes. Pinnacles Hut, a walk of 2.5 to 3 hours from the road end, has 80 bunks and a warden, and must be booked with DOC in advance. Our Pinnacles walk guide covers the route, hut fees and bookings.
What should you know before camping in the valley?
- No fires. Fires are not allowed at any time. Gas or spirit cookers are fine.
- Bring water. DOC's brochure says there is no tap water at the campsites. Boil or treat stream water, or fill up with filtered water outside the visitor centre.
- Take your rubbish home. The valley is pack in, pack out, with no rubbish or recycling services.
- Expect little signal. Mobile coverage is limited past Hotoritori.
- Clean your gear. Scrub soil off shoes and gear and use the cleaning stations to protect kauri from kauri dieback.
For day walks from the campsites, such as the Cookson Kauri Walk and Edwards Lookout, see our walks and tracks guide. Planning a longer trip up the coast? Try our Coromandel road trip from Thames.
Frequently asked questions
Where can I camp near Thames?
The main options are the Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites in the Kauaeranga Valley, 14 km from Thames, and Dickson Holiday Park, 3 km from the town centre on Victoria Street. Certified self-contained vehicles can also freedom camp on some council land under the district bylaw.
Do I need to book Kauaeranga Valley campsites?
Yes. DOC says bookings are required and no spaces are kept for campers who arrive without one. You book a site in the valley online, then choose your campsite on arrival. Same-day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.
How much does it cost to camp in the Kauaeranga Valley?
DOC lists $10 per adult and $5 per child (5 to 17) per night at the standard campsites, with under-5s free. The powered Kahikatea site for self-contained vehicles is $13 per adult and $6.50 per child.
Which Kauaeranga campsites allow dogs?
Only Hotoritori and Booms Flat allow dogs, on a leash. Dogs are not allowed at the other campsites, on the Kauaeranga Kauri Trail to the Pinnacles, or at Pinnacles Hut.
Can you freedom camp in Thames?
Only in a certified self-contained vehicle. On council land in the Thames-Coromandel district, tents are not allowed, and you can stay between 5 pm and 9 am for up to two nights unless signs say otherwise. Many reserves and roads are off limits.
Are there powered sites near Thames?
Yes. Dickson Holiday Park in Thames has campsites alongside cabins and caravans, and DOC's Kahikatea campsite near the Kauaeranga Visitor Centre has 18 powered sites for certified self-contained motorhomes.
Sources: DOC Kauaeranga Valley campsite pages and Kauaeranga Valley brochure; Dickson Holiday Park; Thames-Coromandel District Council freedom camping bylaw. Checked 14 October 2026.