Ōtaki Forks Campsite
Ōtaki Forks area • Wellington/Kapiti
Alerts
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
- One of the main entrances to Tararua Forest Park, the campsite is surrounded by open river terraces and regenerating bush.
- Facilities
- Non-powered/tent sites
- Toilets - flush
- Water from tap - not treated, boil before use
- Wheelchair accessible
- Toilets
- Water supply
- Activities
- Fishing, Kayaking and canoeing, Swimming, Walking and tramping
- Dogs
- Dogs on a leash only.
- Landscape
- Forest, Rivers and lakes
- Access
- Campervan, Car, Caravan
- Unpowered sites
- 150
About this campsite
School House Flat Campsite is the main summer camping area in Ōtaki Forks with 150 sites. There are many large grassy areas to camp.
Facilities include two large cooking shelters and three toilet blocks. Fires are not allowed at any time. Gas cookers and Gas BBQs are allowed.
There are three access points to the Waiotauru River from the campsite and great swimming holes nearby.
No rubbish facilities are provided at this campsite. You need to take all your rubbish including food scraps with you when you leave.
There is no phone or internet reception in the Ōtaki Forks area.
A campsite ranger is on site from December to April.
Fees and bookings
Fees
- Adult (18+ years): $10 per night
- Child (5–17 years): $5 per night
- Infant (0–4 years): free
Passes
The DOC Campsite Pass can be used at this campsite.
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.
Bookings
Bookings are open for summer stays only. Winter bookings available at Boielles Campsite.
- If no availability shows online for your dates, the campsite is fully booked.
- There is no phone or internet reception at Ōtaki Forks so you will need to book before arriving.
- Paying with cash is available, pay either to the ranger on site or deposit into the 'Iron Ranger'.
- 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.
Getting there
1 km south of Ōtaki, turn into Otaki Gorge Rd. Campsite is 19 km east of Ōtaki township, at the end of Ōtaki Gorge Rd.
Heavy vehicles note that the road is gravel and very narrow in some places with steep sections. There is one shallow concrete stream ford.
Location
NZTM2000 coordinates: E1787182, N5471884
Latitude: -40.88273913, Longitude: 175.22165329
Nearby
Weather
Forecast at the campsite