Best Camp Spots in Taupō: Local Favourites Around the Lake

Camping around Taupō is about more than finding a place to park the van or pitch a tent, it’s about the experiences that come with it. Imagine waking to the sight of mist rolling across the lake, soaking in steaming hot pools after a day of adventure or cooking dinner under a sky full of stars. Taupō’s campgrounds are as varied as the travellers who visit from resort-style parks packed with pools and family fun, to quiet bays where the loudest sound is the lap of the water, to free riverside reserves alive with the buzz of fellow campers.

No matter your style whether you’re a family needing facilities, a couple chasing lakefront sunsets or a backpacker looking for a budget-friendly stopover, you’ll find a spot here that feels just right. These are some of the places we think are worth rolling into when you make Taupō part of your journey.

Taupō DeBretts Spa Resort

One of the most popular stays in Taupō, DeBretts combines camping with relaxation. There are powered and non-powered sites, modern facilities and full access to the famous hot pools right next door. Families love it here for the slides and playgrounds, while couples can sneak away into the private spa pools or book a treatment.

• Address: 76 Napier–Taupō Road, Taupō 3330
• Features: Powered & non-powered sites, cabins, mineral hot pools, playground, hydro-slides, spa & wellness centre, café, BBQs, laundry, Wi-Fi.
• Local Tip: Book ahead in peak summer, it’s one of the busiest spots in town.

Motutere Bay Top 10 Holiday Park

Though technically outside Taupō township, this TOP 10 park sits right on the lakefront and offers some of the best views you’ll find. It’s quieter than the in-town options and has direct access to swimming, kayaking, and lakeside walks.

⚠️ Reality check: Because it sits right on State Highway 1, it can get noisy at times and crossing the road to the office takes care. Still, the lakefront setting more than makes up for it and it remains a lovely campground with one of the best spots for sunrise and sunset.

• Address: 2819 State Highway 1, Motutere, Taupō 3382
• Features: Lakefront powered & non-powered sites, cabins, boat ramp, kayak hire, kitchen, BBQs, laundry, dump station, Wi-Fi.
• Local Tip: Request a lakefront site, sunrise and sunset here are unbeatable.

Lake Taupō Holiday Resort

This holiday park is known for its resort-style facilities, think a thermally heated lagoon pool with a swim-up bar, plus plenty of entertainment for kids. It can be noisy at times, especially in school holidays but the facilities really do make up for it.

• Address: 41 Centennial Drive, Taupō 3378
• Features: Powered & non-powered sites, lagoon-style heated pool, swim-up bar, playgrounds, tennis courts, on-site café, shop, BBQs, Wi-Fi.
• Local Tip: If you’re after peace and quiet, this may not be your first choice but families will love it.

Hipapatua Recreational Reserve (Reid’s Farm)

Hipapatua Recreational Reserve (Reid’s Farm)

For those chasing freedom camping close to Taupō, Hipapatua Recreational Reserve, better known as Reid’s Farm, is a long-time favourite. Set beside the Waikato River, it’s a beautiful spot with easy access to the river, walking tracks and Taupō township.

There are actually two camping areas at Hipapatua, an upper and lower campground, and it’s worth knowing the difference before you arrive.

The lower campground is the larger of the two and offers more open, flatter areas for campervans and tents. However, it can become very boggy after rain and is closed between May and September to give the ground a chance to recover.

The upper campground is smaller and not quite as flat, but it remains open year-round, making this the area to head for during the winter months.

Facilities are fairly basic, so don’t arrive expecting a holiday park, but that is all part of the appeal. It’s a relaxed riverside place to park up and a great base for exploring Taupō.

Tohu Tip: If there has been plenty of rain, take a good look at the ground before choosing your spot, particularly in the lower campground. Soft grass and a heavy campervan are not always a good combination.

Aratiatia Rapids Freedom Camping

We recently spent two nights freedom camping at Aratiatia Rapids, and this is another Taupō spot we would happily stay at again. The setting is beautiful, with a lovely waterfront area beside the Waikato River and Aratiatia Rapids right on your doorstep.

The camping area is not completely flat, although the slope is fairly gentle. We found that parking with our pillows at the higher end of the campervan made it comfortable enough for sleeping.

On our first night we parked closer to the road and found it quite noisy until around 7pm. The following night we moved further into the camping area, which was noticeably quieter. It was surprisingly busy even during the week, with campervans continuing to arrive at all hours of the night, so don’t necessarily expect to have the place to yourself.

Despite that, we really enjoyed staying here. There are good walking and cycling tracks nearby, plenty of space to get outside and explore, and being able to wander over to Aratiatia Rapids makes it a pretty special place to spend a couple of nights.

Tohu Tip: Head further into the camping area if you can rather than parking beside the road. It was noticeably quieter for us, and when choosing your site, think about which way your bed faces before settling in for the night.

Taupō TOP 10 Holiday Park

A reliable favourite, Taupō TOP 10 is just a short walk from town yet still feels tucked away and peaceful. I’ve stayed here myself and found it a pleasant and well-run park, clean facilities, friendly staff and plenty of space to relax. It’s a good all-rounder if you want to be close to Taupō’s attractions without giving up comfort.

• Address: 41 Centennial Drive, Taupō 3330
• Features: Powered & non-powered sites, cabins, swimming pool, spa pools, BBQs, kitchen, laundry, dump station, Wi-Fi.
• Local Tip: Handy if you want to be close to town while still enjoying the comforts of a holiday park.

Camping around Taupō isn’t just about where you park up, it’s about thememories you make once you’re there. From watching the sun rise over the lake to swapping stories with fellow travellers, every spot offers its own kind of magic. Whether you choose the comfort of a holiday park or the simplicity of freedom camping, Taupō will leave you with moments that linger long after you’ve packed up and moved on.

🌍 Travel Planning Resources

These are the tools we personally use and trust when planning our travels from finding a place to stay to booking activities, transport and insurance. Let your “Tohu” guide you “Trust the Journey” and follow what feels right for you.

• ✈️Flights – Compare great deals with Trip.com then Kiwi.com for flexible, affordable options.
• 🚐 Campervans – Compare rental deals with Motorhome Republic across Aotearoa and beyond.
• 🛏️ Stays – Compare hotels on Trip.com and TripAdvisor or Booking.com.
• 🚐 Rental Cars – Compare prices and book through Airport Rentals by Motorhome Republic for trusted brands and easy airport pickup.
• 🎟️ Activities – Browse tours and experiences on Viator, Get Your Guide, or TripAdvisor
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• 🔒 Protect Your Privacy with a VPN – We recommend Surfshark VPN for secure and private browsing while travelling. It’s fast, affordable and works worldwide, perfect for public Wi-Fi at airports, cafes and hotels.
• 📱 Travel eSIM – Stay connected with Airalo
• 💼 Lounge Access – Treat yourself with Priority Pass for UK or US
• 🎶 Events & Concerts – Book tickets worldwide through Ticketmaster.

🧭 Note: Some booking links can be a bit shy when you’re using a VPN. If one doesn’t open, try pausing your VPN or switching to a different server location or secure Wi-Fi network to get things flowing again.