I once tried freedom camping with a few friends up in the mountains, thinking it would be a relaxing escape. That idea lasted until my makeshift tent caved in on me at 2 AM thanks to a gusty wind. 

The less said about the bathroom situation, the better—I still get shivers remembering it. 

I almost gave up on camping altogether, but it turns out we were just visiting the wrong places. After countless trips, we finally found some genuinely great camping spots around New Plymouth.

Here are the ones we loved the most (and the ones that might just turn you into a happy camper)!

1. Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park 

Address: 1d Beach Street, Fitzroy

Contact Details: +6467582870

Operating Hours: 

• Check In – 2 PM 
• Check Out – 10 AM 

Website

Fitzroy Beach Holiday Park landed on my list for its take on luxury Kiwi glamping. The big three-room canvas tents are pitched right by the communal kitchen and bathroom block, so campers never have to trek far for a hot shower or a midnight snack. 

When my friends and I showed up, everything was already set up for us. We just dropped our bags and hit the beach. 

Inside the tent, there’s a cozy queen bed and two camp stretcher singles. There were also a couple of comfy chairs to sink into after a day in the sun. The front room doubles as a kitchenette, with a fridge, cooker, and a table for lazy breakfasts. 

There’s also plenty to do here. One family I chatted with raved about the kids’ swimming pool and the playground, which kept their little ones busy for hours. Surfers seem to love the Surfriders Club, where they grab their boards and head straight for the waves.

The only downside is that the cancellation policy is strict. One couple I met lost their entire booking fee when their plans changed at the last minute.

Very comfy bed in the glamping tent

“Great location. Kids (6 and 3) had a blast meeting and playing with other kids. We hardly saw them.

Very comfy bed in the glamping tent and loads of space. Lovely not having to deal with packing up a wet tent. Bathroom blocks cleaned regularly throughout the day.

Worth bringing a gazebo for sitting under during the heat of the day as tent gets very warm.”

– Sophia Cullen Quigley, Google Reviews 

The location of the camp itself is perfect

“We stayed 5 nights and it was wonderful! We have previously stayed at their powered site but this is the first time at the ready setup glamping site. Includes comfy beds, small fridge, burner stove, dinnerware and cutlery, linen, towels etc. Located very near amenities and playground. The location of the camp itself is perfect, next to the surf and cycleway and always a good view of Mt Taranaki. There is also a free public pool next to the surflife club for the kids.”

– Terri G, Google Reviews

2. New Plymouth TOP 10 Holiday Park

Address: 29 Princes Street, Fitzroy

Contact Details: +6467582566

Operating Hours: 

• Check In – 1 PM 
• Check Out – 10 AM 

Website

New Plymouth TOP 10 Holiday Park stands out for its private sites. Each spot is tucked behind leafy hedges, so campers actually get some breathing room, whether the wind is howling or the sun is beating down. 

There are two kinds of powered sites here: one for solo campers and another for a whole crew of six. Both come with communal bathrooms and kitchens.

The amenities block was always kept spotless when I visited. The laundry and BBQ area were both easy to use and squeaky clean. A local camper told me the swimming pool and rec room were their go-to for unwinding. 

There’s plenty to do here too. I tried the giant chess set and watched a few kids race to the trampoline and playground. One couple I spoke with swore by the hot tub for tired muscles after a day out. 

The free Wi-Fi, though, disappears fast. Campers only get 2GB a day, so if you plan to stream or upload photos, you’ll probably need your own hotspot.

The location is perfect, and the facilities are spot on

“10/10 recommend! We stayed here for a week and absolutely loved it. The staff were super welcoming, the location is perfect, and the facilities are spot on. It’s nice and quiet, with a great pool and an awesome spa/sauna to relax in after a long day. The walk into the centre of New Plymouth is really lovely, and it’s the ideal distance for heading up the mountain for hikes. Couldn’t fault it at all”

– Daniel Panter, Google Reviews 

Amazing time tenting at this top 10 campground

“We had amazing time tenting at this top 10 campground. The facilities were clean and well kept. The staff were friendly and welcoming. We didn’t catch the name of the man but he had a goatie, he gave us lots of information about our hike we were going on and added in a complementary spa when we returned  back from it.

Special mentions to the beutiful dodge ram by reception that we stopped to take in the beutey of every time we drove past

Will deffently be coming back here.”

– Bayle Smith, Google Reviews 

3. Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park

Address: 2 Belt Road, Moturoa

Contact Details: +6467580228

Operating Hours: 

• Check In – 1 PM 
• Check Out – 10 AM 

Website

Belt Road Seaside Holiday Park made my list for those epic ocean views and direct access to the Coastal Walkway. 

I loved being able to step out and follow the path right along the water, with the sea breeze and the sound of waves keeping me company the whole way.

They’ve got powered, unpowered, and ocean-view campsites. We went straight for a powered ocean-view spot since we had a campervan. 

There was more than enough room to park, set up an awning, and still have space left for a relaxing outdoor dinner. 

I liked how the communal kitchen, bathrooms, TV room, and BBQs were all just a short walk away. A couple camping in tents told me they appreciated how the staff always keep the BBQ and kitchen spotless, and there’s rarely a queue to cook dinner. 

The dog-friendly policy is a win for campers who want to bring their pup, though they don’t allow pets from December 20 to February 7, since that’s when the place fills up with all sorts of campers.

Staff were GREAT and Very Obliging

“We stayed in the caravan, great views and very handy to all the camp facilities which were very clean and tidy. Staff were GREAT and Very Obliging. Meant to stay a couple of nights ended up staying up for 4 nights. Definitely going back for another stay.”

– Maree Macdiarmid, Google Reviews

Beautiful camp site with nice views

“Beautiful camp site with nice views over the sea. Amenities were well equipped and clean. The camp site is clean and quiet. Staff is friendly and helpful.”

– Michael Worth, Google Reviews

4. Lake Rotomanu Freedom Campsite

Address: 130 Clemow Road, Fitzroy

Website

Lake Rotomanu Freedom Campsite is for anyone who wants to wake up right on the water. 

The lake’s views are the kind that make campers pause—mist curling over the surface in the morning, and the mountains reflected so clearly.

This campsite is free for everyone, so I just rolled up with my tent and easily picked a spot for the night. 

The toilets are actually plumbed in—a rare find at a free site. Just note that the floor turns into a mud slick after rain, so I’d suggest packing shoes that can get dirty. 

There’s no communal kitchen or fancy extras, but the laid-back vibe and little nature surprises make up for it. One regular told me they come back every year just for the sunsets and the easy jump onto the coastal walkway. 

I got a kick out of watching the ducks waddle around the edge of the lake. Plus, the water was glassy in the morning—perfect for a quick paddle before breakfast.

Great freedom camping spot 

“Great freedom camping spot for both self contained and non self contained vehicles.

There is easy access to the toilet facilities near by.

The beach and coastal walkway is an easy 10/15 minute walk away – on the other site of lake Rotomanu.

Plenty of spaces to park, so there should aways be room for you to park up.”

– Fraser Bourne, Google Reviews

Very relaxed atmosphere and lovely

“Lovely little spot by the lake, toilets cleaned daily, very relaxed atmosphere and lovely and lovely quiet at night. There is also easy access to the coastal walkway which is humming with walkers and bikers, from the sea you get great views of Mt Taranaki”

– Jose Fowler, Google Reviews 

5. Huatoki Domain NZMCA Park

Address: 81 Huatoki Street, Frankleigh Park

Operating Hours: Open 24 hours

Website

Huatoki Domain NZMCA Park sits right next to the Huatoki stream. I spent two nights here and kept waking up to a chorus of native birds. 

The Huatoki walkway was also just a short stroll from my tent, which gave me an incentive to actually do my morning walks. One camper I met said she loves how peaceful her morning runs feel here, thanks to the laid-back vibe. 

Another regular pointed out that the sheltered valley keeps the wind at bay, which is a big win in Taranaki. 

For the most part, the grassy sites have plenty of shade, and I liked how tents aren’t crammed together. Everyone gets their own patch of space.

A family I chatted with liked how private it felt. They let their kids roam around without worrying about bothering anyone else. 

The only letdown here is the bathroom situation. The bathroom was clean, but the toilets and sinks were very old and didn’t always work properly.. 

Clean facilities

“Well done NZMCA. Clean facilities. Well laid out. A must stop if you need a place to stay over in New Plymouth.”

– Kobus Snyders, Google Reviews

Absolutely loved this place 

“Absolutely loved this place and cannot believe it was free, first class establishment, a must see.”

– Anthony Dawson, Google Reviews