The Cotter Campground is just a 25-minute drive from the city and the perfect spot for beginners.
18 August 2025
In Brief:
- This article lists the best camping locations near Canberra.
- This article lists easy, moderate and more difficult camping options for all skill levels.
Canberra and surrounds offer the ideal backdrop for unforgettable outdoor experiences.
The nearby national parks and reserves offer camping spots for all skill levels.
Whether you’re into kayaking, bird watching, swimming, playgrounds, or scenic walking trails – local campgrounds have it all.
Explore our handpicked list of camping spots.
Honeysuckle Campground (ACT)
Drive length: 50-minute drive from the city.
Facilities: toilets, covered shelter, large groups, non-powered campsites, barbecue, carpark, family friendly, fireplace, picnic tables, limited camper trailer/caravan sites wheelchair access.
Walking tracks: access to Mount Tennent, Orroral Valley and Booroomba Rocks.
No dogs allowed. No bins, please take your rubbish with you.
Orroral Campground (ACT)
Drive length: 50-minute drive from the city.
Facilities: toilets, non-powered campsites, barbecue, family friendly, fireplace, limited camper trailer/caravan sites, picnic tables and shelter.
Walking track: access to Orroral Heritage walking track.
No dogs allowed. No bins, please take your rubbish with you.
Mount Clear Campground (ACT)
Drive length: 1 hour and 20-minute drive from the city.
Facilities: toilets, non-powered campsites, barbecue, family friendly, fireplace, picnic tables and shelters.
Walking track: access to Horse Gully Hut.
No dogs allowed. No bins, please take your rubbish with you.
Northern Border Campground (ACT)
Drive length: 20 minutes from the city, plus a 6.5km walk or ride along the Canberra Centenary Trail. It is located near the NSW border, north of Gungahlin.
Facilities: toilets, non-powered campsites, picnic tables, shelter.
Walking track: Sections 2 and 3 of the Canberra Centenary Trail.
No dogs or horses allowed. No vehicle access. No bins, please take your rubbish with you.
Bungonia National Park Campground (NSW)
Drive length: 1 hour and 30-minute drive from the city.
Facilities: toilets, hot showers, non-powered sites, covered shelter, barbecues, carpark, family friendly, picnic tables. Campfires not permitted.
Walking tracks: access to the Lookdown lookout, green track and Adam’s lookout.
No dogs allowed.
Blue Range Campground (ACT)
Drive length: 40-minute drive from the city.
Facilities: toilets, non-powered campsites, covered shelter, barbecue, family friendly, fireplace, picnic tables, wheelchair access.
Walking tracks: access to Sherwood Homestead from Blue Range Recreation Area and Sherwood Homestead from East West Road.
Dogs on-leash at recreation area only. No bins, please take your rubbish with you.
Cotter Campground (ACT)
Drive length: 25-minute drive from the city.
Facilities: toilets, showers, water, covered shelter, barbecue, wash-up facilities, non-powered campsite, limited camper trailer/caravan sites, family friendly, communal fireplace, picnic tables, wheelchair access.
Walking tracks: access to Cotter Dam Discovery Trail, the Bullen Track, and the Mount McDonald via Cotter Catchment Lookout Track.
No dogs allowed.
Coree Campground (NSW)
Drive length: 1 hour and 10-minute drive from the city.
Four-wheel-drive access only.
Facilities: picnic tables, toilets. Water is not available at this campground, bring your own drinking water.
Walking track: access to Mount Corree summit Trail. This is a 4WD trail, walkers should be mindful that vehicles regularly drive on the summit trail.
No dogs allowed. No bins, please take your rubbish with you.
Flea Creek Campground, Brindabella National Park. Image Credit: MVanderveer
Flea Creek Campground (NSW)
Drive length: 1 hour and 12-minute drive from the city.
Four-wheel-drive access only.
Facilities: toilets.
Walking tracks: access to the Goodradigbee River available from the Flea Creek day use area, an easy walk from the campground.
No dogs allowed. No bins, please take your rubbish with you.
Lowells Flat Campground (NSW)
Drive length: 2-hour drive from the city.
Not suitable for 2WD vehicles or vehicles towing camper trailers and caravans.
Four-wheel-drive access only. No trailers.
Facilities: toilets. Water is not available at this campground, bring your own drinking water.
No dogs allowed. No bins, please take your rubbish with you.
McIntyres Campground (NSW)
Drive length: 2-hour drive from the city.
Not suitable for 2WD vehicles or vehicles towing camper trailers and caravans.
Four-wheel-drive access only. No trailers.
Facilities: toilets. Water is not available at this campground, bring your own drinking water.
Walking tracks/s: no.
No dogs allowed. No bins, please take your rubbish with you.
Wee Jasper Reserves(multiple) (NSW)
Drive length: 1 hour and 30 minutes from the city.
Facilities: toilets, showers, non-powered sites, covered shelters, barbecues, carpark, family friendly, fireplace, picnic tables.
Walking tracks: Fitzpatrick Trackhead to Wee Jasper Nature Reserve and Summit.
Dogs allowed.
Before you go
Prepare by:
- taking enough food and water for the duration of your trip
- checking road conditions and your car’s capability
- checking weather, alerts and closures before setting out
- checking water quality before swimming
- making a campground booking online.
Remember:
- mobile phone reception may be unreliable
- abide by campfire usage guidelines (fires are only permitted in designated fireplaces. Bring your own firewood etc)
- you can bring your own gas barbecue
- check the recreational fishing rules (which will differ depending on if you’re camping in the ACT or NSW).
Read more like this:
- 10 lesser-known walks to try in the ACT.
- Five great Canberra bike rides.
- Ten free or low-cost ways to get active in Canberra.
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