Hot Water Beach Campsite

Notice

Check the DOC website for current alerts and conditions before you go. This site gets current alert info from DOC, but is not an official source of information.

About: Relax in the natural hot springs in Te Rātā Bay. Enjoy water sports or explore the tracks in other areas around Lake Tarawera.
Facilities: Non-powered/tent sites
Shelter for cooking
Toilets - non-flush
Toilets
Dogs: No dogs.
Landscape: Rivers and lakes
Access: Boat, Foot
Unpowered sites: 30

About this campsite

This is a popular campsite on the Tarawera Trail.

Note that campsites 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 25, 28, 29 and 30 are closed due to rockfall or unstable conditions above these sites. Do not use or enter these sites for your safety.

Fees and bookings

Fees

Adult (18+ years): $18 per night
Child (5–17 years): $9 per night
Infant (0–4 years): free

Passes

The DOC Campsite Pass cannot be used at this campsite.

Bookings

Bookings are open for stays up to 30 June 2027.

If no availability shows online for your dates, the campsite is fully booked.
No spaces are kept for campers arriving without a booking.
Phone and in‑person bookings made at a visitor centre incur a $10 service fee.
Same‑day bookings are available online until 8 pm if spaces remain.

Book Hot Water Beach Campsite online.

Getting there

Walk in via the Tarawera Trail.

Tracks to this campsite

Tarawera Trail

Location

NZTM2000 coordinates: E1900487, N5761583
Latitude: -38.24410046, Longitude: 176.43375623

Know before you go

Be careful of patches of hot sand at the beach and scalding water areas within the foreshore of the camp.

Lakeshore mooring posts are limited.

This campsite is very popular

This campsite is extremely popular during the summer months. If you are planning a trip at this time, have a back-up option in case Hot Water Beach Campsite is full.

Water

Do not use water from the lake near the beach or stream for drinking or food preparations. The water may contain the naturally occurring chemical arsenic, found in volcanic and geothermal areas.

Water collected from the main part of the lake could contain other contaminants and must be boiled for drinking. It is recommended you bring your own water.

Rockfall and unstable conditions risk

Campsites 1, 2, 4, 5, 6, 25, 28, 29 and 30 are closed to camping due to rockfall or unstable conditions above these sites. Do not use or enter these sites for your safety.

Danger signs have been placed to warn against entering this hazard area of the camp. The beachfront is the safest way between camp and thermal pools.

The rest of the campground remains open for bookings.

Dogs are not allowed in areas administered by DOC in the Rotorua area.

Water safety

If you plan to enjoy the water, learn how to stay safe when swimming, boating and fishing.