15,500+ Campsites Verified By Aussie Campers Over 30 Years
15,500+ Campsites Verified By Aussie Campers Over 30 Years
Camps Australia Wide
South Australia’s national parks hold some of the finest camping in the country, from beachfront sites to remote gorges and forest clearings. Most need a booking and a permit, and facilities range from full to none. We have been checking camps around South Australia since 1992, so the guidance here comes from travellers who have actually been there.
National park camping in South Australia
Below is our guide to national park campsites across South Australia, grouped by region and by season. When you are planning the trip, CAMPS 13 lists national park campsites right around the country, and the Camps Australia Wide App puts Personally Checked sites, with GPS coordinates and offline maps, in your pocket.
We are adding our favourite Personally Checked South Australia national park campsites to this page. In the meantime, CAMPS 13 lists national park campsites across the state, and the Camps Australia Wide App helps you find and map verified sites as you travel.
South Australia is a big place, so timing shapes both the weather and how busy it gets. Here is the rough rhythm of the year.
Mild days make spring and autumn ideal across most of the state, from the Fleurieu and the Limestone Coast to the Flinders Ranges. Wildflowers, comfortable touring and quieter than summer.
Good for: The Flinders Ranges, the Fleurieu and the Limestone Coast.
Summer is hot inland, so save the Flinders Ranges and outback for the cooler months and enjoy the coast and the river in the heat. Peak holiday dates fill the popular beach towns.
Good for: The coast and the Riverland in summer.
South Australia breaks roughly into these travelling regions. Here is the lay of the land, then open the Camps Australia Wide App or CAMPS 13 to find sites in the area you are headed.
Victor Harbor, the beaches and the vineyards south of Adelaide.
The seafood coast and the wild west, from Port Lincoln to Ceduna.
Quiet beaches, good fishing and the boot-shaped coast.
Wilpena Pound and the roads north into the desert country.
Robe, Beachport and the Coonawarra wine country in the south east.
Renmark, Berri and the river towns along the Murray.
Fresh from our blog. These update on their own as we publish new South Australia stories, so the page never goes stale.
Prefer a book on the dash? CAMPS 13 is our go-to for free and low-cost camping right around the country, including national park campsites, all personally checked.
Shop CAMPS 13
The Camps Australia Wide App finds Personally Checked sites near wherever you are, works offline when you lose coverage, and lets you filter for your setup. It is $14.99 a year, and most travellers tell us it pays for itself on the first night of the trip.
Get the Camps Australia Wide AppA little planning goes a long way. A few simple habits help every time.
Yes, South Australia has many national park campgrounds, from drive-in sites with facilities to remote bush camps. Most are managed by the state parks service and many require a booking and a fee.
Usually yes. Most South Australia parks require a camping permit or online booking before you arrive, and vehicle entry fees may apply. Sort it before you go, as reception is often poor in the park.
Fees are generally modest and set by the parks service, charged per site or per person, sometimes plus a park entry fee. Check the official parks website for current rates.
Usually not. Dogs are restricted in most national parks to protect wildlife. Look for nearby state forests or reserves if you are travelling with a pet, and check the rules first.
It ranges from toilets, water and fireplaces at popular sites to nothing at all at remote ones. Come self-sufficient, check fire rules, and carry out what you carry in.
Heading across the border? We have it covered there too.
Wherever the road takes you in South Australia, we hope you find a cracking spot and love it out there. For new sites as we check them, our free weekly newsletter is well worth a look.
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