Image: Matt Searles | ©
Peel forest.
Peel Forest Campground

Located in Peel Forest Park Scenic Reserve in the Canterbury region

Peel Forest Campground has campsites and four cabins.
  • Number of sites - 47
  • Number of powered sites - 34
  • Number of cabins - 4

Map of campground zones (PDF, 110K)

Facilities and services

Campsite

  • Hot showers (campers only).
  • Wheelchair accessible kitchen, shower and toilet block.
  • Communal kitchen with electric elements. Bring your own chilly bin, BBQ, pots, pans, crockery and cutlery. There is one shared fridge/freezer.
  • Clothes washer and dryer.
  • Public card phone on site. Mobile phone coverage highly variable.
  • Camp hosts will be present on site.

Cabins

Cabins are (basic standard) comfortable, warm and dry. 

Provided with cabin booking: 

  • single beds or single bedded bunks with mattress
  • power/lighting
  • jug/kettle
  • electric heating.

Not provided with cabin booking but can be found in amenities block or shared kitchen:

  • Hot showers (campers only).
  • Wheelchair accessible kitchen, shower and toilet block.
  • Communal kitchen with electric elements. Bring your own chilly bin, BBQ, pots, pans, crockery and cutlery. There is one shared fridge/freezer.
  • Clothes washer and dryer.
  • Public card phone on site. Mobile phone coverage highly variable.
  • Camp hosts will be present on site.

What to bring for campsite and cabins

  • Bedding –  bring your own sheets, pillow cases, pillows, blankets, sleeping bags.
  • Towels and tea towels - bring your own.

Fees

Campsites

Non-powered site

  • Adult (18+ years): $20 per night
  • Child (5 - 17 years): $10 per night
  • Infant (0 - 4 years): free

Powered site

  • Adult (18+ years): $23 per night
  • Child (5 - 17 years): $11.50 per night
  • Infant (0 - 4 years): free

Maximum number of people per site is 6. 

Cabins

  • $60 per cabin (based on 1 to 2-person occupancy).
  • Additional guests (more than 2-person occupancy per cabin) are charged an additional $10 per guest.

DOC passes cannot be used to make cabin bookings.

For booked cabins, the access code will be emailed to you 3 days prior to your arrival.

Campsite Pass

The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite except between 26 December to 8 February inclusive.

Campsite Pass bookings must be booked online before occupying a site. If you do not book, bookings may be made by campground staff (if present) and will incur a $10 service charge. Sites may not be available if you do not book. 

There's a $3 fee per Campsite Pass user to book a powered site.

The DOC Backcountry Hut Pass is not applicable at this campsite. 

Te Araroa – The Trail Pass

Te Araroa Trail walkers should register and purchase the Te Araroa Trail Pass.

Bookings

Bookings are open for stays from 18 October 2025 to 30 April 2026.

All bookings are first-come first-served. We do not have waiting lists for bookings for future seasons or facilities that are already booked-out.

18 October - 30 April

The campground is open. Bookings are required.

1 May - 17 October

The campground is closed. The adjoining Clarke Flat is opened as a standard campsite.

Book Peel Forest Campground online

A $10 service fee applies to phone and in-person booking. This is a limited service – book online first. An in-person booking is dependent on there being space available.

For booked cabins, the access code will be emailed to you 3 days before arrival.

22 km north of Geraldine. Follow Main North Rd (Scenic Highway 72) for 8 km, turn left after the Orari Bridge into Geraldine to Arundel Rd, after 3 km, take the second left into Peel Forest Rd for 13 km.

Location

NZTM2000 coordinates: E1460733, N5138885

Campsite rules

To ensure you and other campers enjoy your stay, be considerate of others and be aware of the rules below.

  • Unacceptable conduct (eg nudity, violence, excessive noise) and/or behaviour deemed to be publicly offensive will result in immediate removal of those concerned with no refund given.
  • A 1.5 m gap must be keep between the sides of all tents and site boundary.
  • No fires permitted under any circumstance including charcoal barbeques, braziers or fireworks. Gas cooking only.
  • Recycling bins are available. Recycling items must be washed/clean before being placed in bins.
  • No pets, including caged birds, cats and dogs, allowed as the campground is in a scenic reserve. 
  • Noisy generators or compressors are not permitted. Generators are not to be used after 10 pm.
  • Music players must be used with headphones or played at a volume not audible to the neighbouring campsite. 
  • The facilities are provided exclusively for campers use.

Safety

  • An unfenced stream and access road runs through the campground. You are responsible for the supervision of children in your care while in the campground.

Vehicles

  • All caravans and campervans that require power must have a current Electrical Warrant of Fitness (WOF).
  • Chemical toilets must not be emptied into campground toilets or drains. 
  • The campground speed limit is 10 km/hr
  • Vehicles and trailers must not be left on adjoining sites.

Walk to swamp forest, old logging sawpits, Acland Falls or the Rangitata River.

Fish, jet boat or raft the river. Explore the Rangitata Valley.