Image: Daryl Stephens | DOC
Angelus Hut in summer.
Angelus Hut

Located in Nelson Lakes National Park in the Nelson/Tasman region

This is a serviced 28-bunk hut in the Nelson Lakes area.

Angelus Hut at 1,650 metres, sits on the shores of Lake Angelus surrounded by spectacular mountain views. Angelus Hut Campsite is located outside the hut. Both the hut and campsite need to be booked year around. 

From May to October in most years, the lake is frozen, snow blankets all four routes, and you may have to dig your way to the hut.

Facilities

  • No cookers – bring your own.
  • No rubbish bins – take your rubbish out with you.

Fees

Backcountry Hut Passes

Passes are valid for use in this hut from 1 May to 30 September. Passes won't be accepted from 1 October to 30 April.

Adult (18+ years): $30 per night.
Child/youth (5–17 years): $15 per night
Infant (0–4 years): free

How to pay with your Backcountry Hut Pass.

Bookings

Bookings for 1 July 2025 to 30 June 2026

Bookings open at 9.30 am on Tuesday 13 May 2025.

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.

Bookings for stays up to 30 June 2025

Bookings are currently open.

Bookings are required all year. 

Book Angelus Hut 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.

Your hut booking is for any bunk bed, not for a specific bunk bed – select your bunk bed on arrival.

Tracks to this hut

Location

NZTopo50 map sheet: BS24
Grid/NZTM2000 coordinates: E1579151, N5362601

Altitude: 1,650 m above sea level

A hut warden will be on-site throughout the peak season.

Check the weather and current conditions before you go

Check the weather and the Mountain Safety Council's camera to help you plan and prepare.

Weather forecast

Angelus Hut weather forecast - NIWA website

Webcam for current conditions

View the Angelus Basin webcam

The Mountain Safety Council have installed a webcam that faces southwest of the Angelus Basin. It provides data for avalanche forecasts and offers trampers a view of current conditions.

The image below is the latest available image from the webcam. The time it was taken is shown in the lower left corner:

The most recent image taken from the Mountain Safety Council's webcam in Angelus Basin showing the conditions at that time.

Be aware there may be times when images from the webcam are unavailable or inconsistent due to the remote location.

View previous images on the Mountain Safety Council's website.

Understand if you are ready for this tramp

Watch the NZ Mountain Safety Council’s walk-through video which takes you through how to prepare for this track. Including facilities, key decision points, hazards and typical conditions for the area. 

Nelson Lakes - thefts from vehicles

Isolated carparks are prone to theft. Don't leave any valuables in your vehicle. A bag storage facility is available at the Rotoiti/Nelson Lakes Visitor Centre. 

Keep alpine lakes and tarns free of lindavia (lake snow)

The invasive alga lindavia is present in Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. It causes lake snow – a sticky mucus that hangs below the surface of the water.

Make sure all your gear is completely dry for 48 hours before swimming or taking water from any alpine lake or tarn, including Rotomaninitua/Lake Angelus.

Use a biosecurity cleaning station at Coldwater Hut, Lakehead Hut and Sabine Hut to disinfect any boots, socks, clothing, towels or drink bottles that are wet or damp from lake or river water. 

Do not touch the water in Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake and Rotopōhueroa/Lake Constance.

Be extra careful if you’ve recently swum or filled a drink bottle from Lakes Rotoiti or Rotoroa.

More ways to stop the spread

There may be avalanche danger 

Nelson Lakes National Park has a variety of avalanche paths in the Travers, Sabine, Matakitaki and numerous side valleys. For information on current avalanche danger, refer to the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory.

If you are going into avalanche terrain, always:

  1. Have the relevant avalanche skills and training.
  2. Check the ATES rating and the New Zealand Avalanche Advisory before you go.
  3. Go with a buddy. Both of you should carry and know how to use an avalanche transceiver, a snow shovel and a probe.