Mangapapa Campsite

You can only access this campsite from the Whanganui River.

In the Great Walks season (1 October 2019 – 30 April 2020):

• Adult (18 years and over): $20 per night
• Child (under 17 years): free but booking still required

Outside the Great Walks season (1 May 2020 - 30 September 2020):

• Adult (18 years and over): free
• Child (under 17 years): free

Bookings are required if you want to stay between 1 October – 30 April as part of the Whanganui Journey.

Book Mangapapa Campsite online.

• Maximum 2 consecutive nights stay for Whanganui Journey river trip campers
• No fires are permitted at this campground
• Boil, filter or treat water if you doubt its purity
• There is no cellphone coverage on the Whanganui River.
• Wasps are a known hazard and are particularly common from January until May. Carry antihistamine if you are allergic to their stings
• New Zealand's weather can be highly unpredictable - expect weather changes and be prepared for them. More information: Check the Whanganui rural area weather forecast of the MetService website.

On the Whanganui River, be aware that:

• Heavy rain and flooding can occur at any time of year on the Whanganui River and the weather can change quickly. You will need to be prepared for rain, cold and windy conditions.
• Don’t canoe the river when water levels are predicted to rise or it is in flood - you won't be charged for staying an extra night at a campsite or hut due to high river levels. If you capsize, you may not be able to get back in, or swim to the river’s edge.
• Canoeing into the wind can be demanding – allow extra travelling time between stopovers in windy conditions.
• Always pull your canoe up high on the bank and tie it to something secure. It may not be raining on the river, but rain elsewhere in the large catchment can cause the river to rise several metres overnight.

More information:

For a comprehensive gear list, read New Zealand Recreational Canoeing Association’sGuide to the Whanganui River.

Trip intentions

Before you go into the outdoors, tell someone your plans and leave a date to raise the alarm if you haven't returned. To do this, use the New Zealand Outdoors Intentions process on the AdventureSmart website. It is endorsed by New Zealand's search and rescue agencies and provides three simple options to tell someone you trust the details about your trip.