Last updated October 2026
Clements Mill Road runs into Kaimanawa Forest Park east of Taupō, and the Department of Conservation has five free campsites along it: Te Iringa, Clements Clearing, Kakapo, Army Road and Clements Road End. All five are Basic campsites with no bookings, so sites go to whoever arrives first.
Clements Clearing is the largest, with 25 sites, while the other four have between four and six each. The campsites are about 31 to 34 km from Taupō in a straight line, reached on a gravel road that DOC says suits small caravans only.
You can have a fire in the fire pits when there is no fire ban, and dogs need a DOC permit.
Practical Information
- Campsites
- Te Iringa, Clements Clearing, Kakapo, Army Road, Clements Road End
- Location
- Clements Mill Road, Kaimanawa Forest Park
- Distance from the city
- About 31 to 34 km from Taupō (straight line)
- Sites
- Clements Clearing 25; Army Road 6; Te Iringa, Kakapo and Clements Road End 4 each (non-powered/tent)
- Fees
- Free
- Bookings
- Not required; first come, first served
- Access
- Car, campervan and caravan on a gravel road; small caravans only
- Facilities
- Non-flush toilets and fire pits; water from the stream (none at Te Iringa)
- Fires
- In the designated fire places only, and only when there is no fire ban
- Dogs
- With a DOC permit only
About the Clements Mill Road Campsites
To get there, head east from Taupō on State Highway 5. About 27 km out, turn right into Taharua Road, follow it for 9.5 km, then turn right into Clements Mill Road. From there the road runs on into the forest park for 21 km to its end, and the five campsites are spread along it.
DOC classes all five as Basic campsites. That means non-powered tent and vehicle sites, a non-flush toilet, a fire pit, and in most cases water taken from the stream. There are no fees and no booking system, so if a site is full you carry on to the next one.
DOC lists hunting, tramping and walking at several of them, mountain biking from Te Iringa, and fishing and rafting in the river near Kakapo and Army Road. Two of them sit at the start of longer tracks: Te Iringa at the Te Iringa Track and Clements Road End at the Hinemaiaia Track.
Tell someone your plans before you go, and check DOC’s pages for alerts and fire bans.
The Five Campsites
Te Iringa Campsite
Four sites, 4 km from the start of Clements Mill Road, at the start of the Te Iringa Track. DOC describes the track as popular for hunting, tramping and mountain biking. There is no water here, so bring your own.
Clements Clearing Campsite
DOC calls this a basic but large campsite and a good base for exploring the area. It has 25 sites, a non-flush toilet, fire pits and stream water, and DOC lists both alpine and forest landscape for it.
Kakapo Campsite
Four sites, 10 km from the start of the road, in an area of tall forest, scrubland and tussock. Activities DOC lists include hunting, short walks, tramping, and fishing and rafting in the river.
Army Road Campsite
Six sites where Clements Mill Road meets Army Road, 12.5 km from the start. DOC describes the terrain as diverse, with the same mix of hunting, walking, tramping, fishing and rafting.
Clements Road End Campsite
Four sites at the end of the road, 21 km in, where the Hinemaiaia Track starts. It has a non-flush toilet, a fire pit and stream water.
Road Access and Rules
Clements Mill Road is gravel, and DOC says it is suitable for small caravans only. Fallen trees can block access during high winds, so check conditions after a storm.
Fires are allowed only in the designated fire places and only when no fire ban is in force; check DOC’s fire rules and any current bans before you light one.
Dogs need a DOC permit, which you can get from the nearest DOC office, and horses are not allowed at any of the five campsites. DOC’s Tūrangi Office looks after the area.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Do the Clements Mill Road campsites cost anything?
No. All five DOC campsites are free.
Do I need to book?
No. They work on a first come, first served basis.
Which campsite is the biggest?
Clements Clearing, with 25 sites. Army Road has 6, and Te Iringa, Kakapo and Clements Road End have 4 each.
Can I take a caravan?
Only a small one. DOC says Clements Mill Road is suitable for small caravans only, and it is gravel.
Is there water?
Stream water at most of the campsites, but none at Te Iringa, so bring your own there.
Can I have a campfire?
Yes, in the designated fire places, but only when there is no fire ban.
Can I bring my dog?
Only with a DOC permit, from the nearest DOC office.
Spotted something incorrect on this page? Let us know.
Related links 2
- Department of Conservation: Clements Clearing Campsite: campsite information, alerts and bookings. Campsite information: Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai 2026. Licensed under CC BY 4.0.
- Department of Conservation: Kaimanawa Forest Park: the park’s other campsites (Te Iringa, Kakapo, Army Road and Clements Road End), tracks, hunting and alerts.