Bartletts Ford Campground

MWT

MWT

About this campsite

Bartletts Ford Campground offers free riverside camping for self-contained vehicles on the Pohangina River near Palmerston North with summer swimming and basic facilities.

Bartletts Ford Campground is a riverside reserve on the Pohangina River in the Manawatū-Whanganui region, approximately 30 minutes north-east of Palmerston North. This basic freedom camping site welcomes self-contained vehicles with no fees charged, operating on a donation basis. The reserve provides river access for swimming during summer months, with public toilets available seasonally from November through March. Dogs are permitted off-leash but must remain under control. Facilities are minimal, so campers should come fully equipped. The site offers a quieter alternative to larger valley reserves while providing scenic river-corridor recreation for day visitors and overnight stays.

Location

Bartletts Ford Campground•MWT

Explore on our map Get Directions Open in Maps

Weather Forecast

via Open-Meteo

TODAY☁️

13° / 8°

💧 55%

FRI☁️

13° / 8°

💧 61%

SAT🌦️

14° / 7°

💧 96%

SUN☁️

14° / 6°

💧 1%

MON🌤️

15° / 3°

💧 8%

Common questions about Bartletts Ford Campground

Is Bartletts Ford Campground free to camp at?

We have Bartletts Ford Campground in MWT recorded as a free camp, but we have not confirmed that with the operator, so treat it as unconfirmed. Sites change hands and councils bring in fees, so check the current rate before you commit to the drive.

Can you book Bartletts Ford Campground online?

We hold no online booking link for Bartletts Ford Campground, so it is not bookable through this page. For sites like this, turning up early in the day is the surest way to get a spot, particularly in peak season.

Where is Bartletts Ford Campground?

Bartletts Ford Campground sits in MWT. The map on this page shows the exact spot, and the coordinates travel straight into your navigation app. Check road conditions before you set out if you are towing, since access tracks can change with the weather.

Nearby Campsites

within 50km

7.4 km away

MWT

Tōtara Reserve - Kahikatea

Kahikatea camping ground at Tōtara Reserve offers powered and non-powered sites with facilities. Currently closed due to flood damage—contact operator to confirm status.

10.6 km away

MWT

Apiti Domain campground

Apiti Domain campground in Manawatū-Whanganui provides free camping for self-contained and non-self-contained vehicles, with a five-night limit per month.

13.4 km away

MWT

Pohangina Base Campsite

Standard DOC campsite in Ruahine Forest Park with power, hot showers and flush toilets. Base for exploring Manawatu-Whanganui's Pohangina Valley area.

20.1 km away

MWT

Putai Ngahere Domain

Putai Ngahere Domain (Vinegar Hill) near Ohingaiti offers paid summer camping and free off-peak sites, managed by Manawatū District Council in a pet-friendly setting.