Lake Tennyson Campsite
Basic campsiteLocated in Molesworth Recreation Reserve, CanterburyOpen
Current advisories
Tophouse Road washout detour
30 July 2026
Due to a significant washout on Tophouse Road, a temporary detour is in place between the St James Homestead and the Edwards Valley Track. Ensure you follow the temporary detour to avoid further erosion. The temporary detour is not a formed track, so additional care is required. First published on 5 November 2025. Last reviewed on 31 July 2026.
Awatere Valley Road partial closure
29 September 2026
Awatere Valley Road is currently closed to all traffic between Jordan Bridge and Limestone Bridge due to washouts and slips. From 1 October 2026, visitors travelling to Acheron Road, Molesworth Cob Cottage Campsite, and Acheron Accommodation House Campsite must use the southern entry/exit via Acheron Road/Hamner Springs. This closure also affects access to hunting blocks: Mt Severn Boundary Upper Severn Upper Saxton Allow extra travel time and check road conditions before you travel. First published on 30 September 2026.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai alerts.
- Sites
- 10
- Booking
- Not bookable
- Power
- None
- Toilet
- Non-flush
- Water
- Yes
- Dogs
- No dogs
Getting there
Lake Tennyson Campsite is accessed from the Wairau-Hanmer Springs Hydro Road (Rainbow Road).
From Hamner Springs: Follow Clarence Valley Road, then turn left into Tophouse Road, which becomes Wairau-Hanmer Springs Hydro Road. Follow this to the signposted turn off to Lake Tennyson. This road is suitable for cars but not for vehicles over 7 m long.
From St Arnaud: Turn off SH63 onto Wairau-Hanmer Springs Hydro Road. Follow this to the signposted turn off to Lake Tennyson. This is a 4WD toll road with access restrictions – see the Rainbow Station for details.
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Map
Map data © OpenStreetMap contributors. Topo map: LINZ, CC BY 4.0. 42.21154° S, 172.74010° E
About this place
This isolated campsite beside Lake Tennyson offers trout fishing, kayaking, boating and walking opportunities.
Know before you go
Keep alpine lakes and tarns free of lindavia (lake snow)
The invasive alga lindavia is present in Lakes Rotoiti and Rotoroa. It causes lake snow – a sticky mucus that hangs below the surface of the water. Make sure all your gear is completely dry for 48 hours before swimming or taking water from any alpine lake or tarn, including Rotomaninitua/Lake Angelus. U se a biosecurity cleaning station at Coldwater Hut, Lakehead Hut and Sabine Hut to disinfect any boots, socks, clothing, towels or drink bottles that are wet or damp from lake or river water. Do not touch the water in Rotomairewhenua/Blue Lake and Rotopōhueroa/Lake Constance. Be extra careful if you’ve recently swum or filled a drink bottle from Lakes Rotoiti or Rotoroa. More ways to stop the spread
Source: DOC Te Papa Atawhai.
Nearby stops
Waiau Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Canterbury • 7.4 km
Waiau Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the St James Conservation Area in Canterbury.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Island Gully Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • Marlborough • 10.1 km
Island Gully Hut is a standard four-bunk hut located in the South Marlborough area.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Paske Hut
Standard • 6 bunks • Marlborough • 11.2 km
Paske Hut is a standard six-bunk hut located in the Nelson Lakes area.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Lake Guyon Hut
Standard • 4 bunks • Canterbury • 11.3 km
Lake Guyon Hut is a standard four-bunk hut located in the St James Conservation Area in Canterbury.
Heating • Mattresses • Toilets - non-flush
Fowlers Hut
Canterbury • 11.5 km
Fowlers Hut is a backcountry hut located in the Canterbury region. It provides basic accommodation for hikers and tramping parties in the area.
Walks nearby
Contact
Nelson Lakes National Park Visitor Centre
Regional DOC service centre.
Notes from people who have been
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Sources
- DOC Campsites (API) · CC BY 4.0Crown Copyright: Department of Conservation Te Papa Atawhai. Data sourced from the DOC Developer Portal (api.doc.govt.nz).
- DOC Campsites · CC BY 4.0Data sourced from the Department of Conservation (DOC), New Zealand.
- OpenStreetMap Campsites · ODbL (Open Database License)Contains information from OpenStreetMap, made available under the ODbL.