Camping near the Blue Pools at a glance
The Blue Pools car park is on State Highway 6 (SH6), about 10 km past Makarora toward Haast. Two Department of Conservation (DOC) campsites lie along the same road: Cameron Flat and Pleasant Flat. Both are booked online. DOC runs them and sets the prices, so check its booking page for the current rules before you drive out.
This guide is independent. It lists the sites that are open for booking, the ones that are not, and the rules for sleeping in a vehicle by the roadside.
Cameron Flat and Pleasant Flat compared
Prices are per person and night, not per vehicle. Stand: 2026.
| Campsite | Adults 18+ | Children 5 to 17 | Children 0 to 4 | Location and access |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Cameron Flat | NZ$15 | NZ$7.50 | Free | On SH6 north of Makarora, about 15 minutes by car. Sealed road to the toilets, then gravel. |
| Pleasant Flat | NZ$15 | NZ$7.50 | Free | About 45 km east of Haast. Sealed access road. |
DOC accepts its Campsite Pass at both sites. Pass holders still have to book online before they arrive.
How booking works
The rules are the same at both campsites.
Book before you arrive
DOC does not hold pitches for walk-ins. If the online calendar shows a full site, it is full. Same-day bookings are possible online until 8 p.m., if space is left.
You choose your spot on site
There are no numbered pitches in the booking. You pick a place when you arrive.
Phone and in-person bookings cost extra
A booking made by phone or at a visitor centre carries a NZ$10 service fee. A ranger may also charge NZ$10 if you turn up without a booking. No extra fee is listed for booking online.
Check the facilities
The booking page lists what each site offers. Read it before you rely on water, power or showers. Bring insect repellent, because sandflies can be strong near the water.
Tours and day trips around the Blue Pools
Guided walks, scenic flights and jet boat rides around Wānaka, Makarora and the Haast Pass, with live prices and availability.
Sites you should not plan around
Some names appear on old maps and blogs but are not bookable campsites.
Boundary Creek
DOC lists Boundary Creek among its long-term or permanently closed facilities. Do not plan a night there.
Davis Flat
Davis Flat is a car park and the access point for the Bridle Track, not a booked campsite. DOC warns that heavy rain can wash out the area. If rain is forecast, do not leave a vehicle there overnight.
Under the trees at Pleasant Flat
DOC warns against pitching under trees at Pleasant Flat. Choose open ground.
Freedom camping in the Queenstown Lakes district
The Queenstown Lakes District Council has a Freedom Camping Bylaw 2025 that took effect on 1 December 2025. These are the main points for 2026:
- Vehicle: only certified self-contained vehicles may freedom camp. Tents and non-certified vehicles do not qualify.
- Places: freedom camping is banned in urban areas except at designated sites. On rural roads it is allowed only under the bylaw's conditions. A lay-by is not automatically a legal campsite.
- Times: as a general rule you arrive after 6 p.m. and leave before 8 a.m. Some sites differ. Your vehicle and gear must stay inside the marked area.
- Signs: follow the signs on site and the council's Responsible Camping Map for each location.
- Fines: breaking the rules costs from NZ$400.
These are council rules for its own district. They do not automatically apply on DOC land or in the Westland district on the West Coast, so check the local signs and rules there. If you drive on to Franz Josef, the sister guide has stays and campsites on that side: where to stay in Franz Josef.
Backcountry camping at Siberia
Siberia Hut lies deep in Mount Aspiring National Park. It is not near the Blue Pools car park and not reachable by road. Plan it as a separate trip.
The hut has 20 bunks and needs a booking from 22 October to 30 April. From 22 October 2026, camping outside the hut also needs a booking: NZ$10 per adult aged 18 and over and NZ$5 per child aged 5 to 17 per night. Children under 5 are free. Do not assume you can just turn up. Our Makarora guide covers the Wills Valley and other backcountry options near the road.
Plan the rest of your trip
More guides for the same corridor.
Blue Pools Track
Distance, swing bridges, sandflies and the rules at the water.
Where to stay
Wānaka, Makarora and Haast compared as bases.
Weather and conditions
Rain on both sides of the pass and what it means for the road.
Getting there
Drive times from Queenstown, Wānaka and Haast.
Camping near the Blue Pools: frequently asked questions
Where can I camp near the Blue Pools?
The two DOC campsites on SH6 are Cameron Flat, about 15 minutes north of Makarora, and Pleasant Flat, about 45 km east of Haast. Both are booked online.
How much does camping cost in 2026?
At both campsites an adult aged 18 or over pays NZ$15 per night, a child aged 5 to 17 pays NZ$7.50 and children aged 0 to 4 are free. The price is per person, not per vehicle.
Can I arrive without a booking?
DOC does not keep pitches for people without a booking. Book online first. Same-day bookings work until 8 p.m. if space is left.
Can I camp at Boundary Creek or Davis Flat?
No. DOC lists Boundary Creek as closed long term or permanently. Davis Flat is a car park for the Bridle Track, not a booked campsite, and it can wash out in heavy rain.
Is freedom camping allowed?
Only in certified self-contained vehicles and only where the Queenstown Lakes bylaw allows it. Fines start at NZ$400. Follow the signs, and check the local rules if you leave the district.
Do I need a booking for Siberia Hut?
Yes, from 22 October to 30 April the hut needs a booking, and from 22 October 2026 so does camping outside it. Between 1 May and 21 October the hut needs no booking, but the fees are still due.