Area & getting there
Teetotal Campsite
DOC's published campsite reference point, not a surveyed entrance or individual pitch.
Official location information: Department of Conservation (new tab)Location source & precision
- Reference coordinates
- -41.79280, 172.83370 (latitude, longitude)
- Precision
- Published DOC reference coordinates; not a claim of survey accuracy. Source positional accuracy is not specified.
- Source
- Teetotal Campsite: published Location coordinates (new tab)
Department of Conservation - Location source checked
Read the full guideArrival, planning and local advice
- DOC's new booking notice applies to stays from 1 October 2026.
- This is non-powered camping just outside Nelson Lakes National Park.
- Dogs may stay under control, but cannot enter the national park.
- Confirm seasonal water supply; campfires are banned all year.
- Approach
- Off SH63, 1 km west of St Arnaud; gravel access
- Stay types
- Tent, campervan and caravan access listed
- Adult fee
- NZ$15 per adult 18+ per night, non-powered
- Booking change
- Online reservations for stays from 1 October 2026
- Facilities
- Non-flush toilets; untreated tap water when available
- Water warning
- DOC brochure says no winter water; confirm supply and bring drinking water
Teetotal suits a St Arnaud trip built around straightforward camping and nearby mountain biking. It is outside the national park, an important distinction for visitors travelling with dogs. Start with the current campsite listing rather than older first-come advice.
Follow the new booking arrangements
DOC's dated notice introduces reservations for stays from 1 October 2026. The main page now requires booking, while older printed material describes self-registration. For a stay before that transition, confirm the applicable process directly with DOC.
The adult non-powered rate is NZ$15 nightly. Save the confirmation and any payment instructions together, so another member of your group can retrieve them if your phone is unavailable.
Prepare for a basic campsite
The gravel approach leaves SH63 about one kilometre west of St Arnaud. Non-flush toilets are listed, but power is not available. Plan charging around your vehicle or portable battery rather than an assumed campsite socket.
DOC's brochure warns that water is unavailable in winter. Bring a filled drinking-water container and confirm when the supply is operating. Any untreated tap water needs boiling; a functioning tap alone does not establish drinking-water safety.
Plan dog-friendly time separately
Controlled dogs are allowed at Teetotal, but not inside Nelson Lakes National Park. Before booking, decide how everyone will enjoy the trip without treating the campground's permission as permission for every nearby trail.
Avoid leaving the dog-care decision until the walking party is ready to depart. Compare the actual destinations on your itinerary, not just whether a directory displays a dog-friendly filter match.
Choose a ride and respect local boundaries
Teetotal's bike network ranges from easy to expert, with a shared walking-and-biking connection to St Arnaud. Choose a route from current track information and leave enough daylight for an unhurried return and camp setup.
A fenced, signposted firing range is in the wider recreation area; stay outside it. Campfires are banned year-round. Pack repellent and review rain-ready camping equipment before relying on a completely outdoor evening.
Source: Department of Conservation. Information is paraphrased under DOC's CC BY 4.0 reuse terms.
Common questions
Is Teetotal still first come first served?
Older printed advice says so, but DOC's dated notice introduces bookings for stays from 1 October 2026. Use current online instructions and confirm arrangements for any earlier stay.
Can I bring my dog?
Dogs may stay under control at Teetotal, outside the national park. That does not allow them onto national-park walks; plan separate outings accordingly.
Can I rely on the taps in winter?
No. DOC's campground brochure warns of no winter water. Confirm supply for your dates, bring drinking water, and boil any untreated tap supply before use.
