Best pet friendly campsites in NSW

Sarah had the whole weekend sorted. Tent packed, esky loaded, her kelpie Max riding shotgun with his head out the window. Then she pulled up to the campground entrance and saw the sign: No domestic pets permitted. Three hours of driving, and she hadn't checked the one thing that mattered.

If you've ever tried to find pet friendly campsites in NSW, you know the frustration. Most of the state's best campgrounds sit inside national parks, and national parks ban dogs outright. Not a leash rule — a full ban.

But here's the thing: there are genuinely brilliant spots where your dog is welcome. You just need to know where to look. We've pulled together 10 of the best pet friendly campsites across NSW — coastal, bush, near Sydney, and completely free — with the real details on dog rules, facilities, and what to expect when you arrive.

The pet friendly camping rules you need to know first#

Before you start scrolling through campsites, a quick primer on the rules will save you a wasted drive.

National parks: no. Dogs are not allowed in any NSW national park, state conservation area, nature reserve, or historic site. The only exception is trained assistance animals. This rule is enforced by NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service and exists to protect native wildlife.

State forests: yes, all of them. Every state forest in NSW welcomes dogs. Camping is free at most sites. Dogs must be under effective control at all times.

Regional parks: sometimes. A handful of NPWS-managed regional parks allow dogs in designated areas. Goolawah Regional Park near Crescent Head is the most notable example.

Holiday parks and private campgrounds: varies. Each park sets its own policy. Many welcome dogs year-round; some restrict them during school holidays and peak seasons. Always check before booking.

For the full breakdown, our guide to camping rules in NSW national parks covers everything in detail.

Best pet friendly campsites near the beach#

Coastal camping with dogs is rare in NSW. Most beachside campgrounds sit inside national parks, which means no pets. These three are the exceptions worth planning a trip around.

1. Mystery Bay Campground — near Narooma#

Drive from Sydney: 5 hours south | Cost: $25-40/night | Dog policy: On-leash in campground; beach access before 9am and after 5pm (Nov-Apr), all day May-Oct

Mystery Bay is the one NSW dog owners keep coming back to. Managed by Eurobodalla Shire Council (not NPWS), this clifftop campground overlooks a sheltered bay with rock pools, a sandy beach, and some of the south coast's best snorkelling.

The sites are grassy and spread out, so you're not crammed next to your neighbours. Facilities are basic — pit toilets, no powered sites, no showers — but the setting more than makes up for it. On our last visit, we watched a cattle dog called Ned wade belly-deep into the rock pools at dusk while his owner cooked dinner on the camp stove. That's the vibe.

Tip: Book early. Mystery Bay fills up months ahead for summer weekends and school holidays. Bookings are through the Eurobodalla Council website.

If you're exploring the broader region, our south coast camping guide covers the full area — though most nearby NPWS campgrounds won't allow your dog.

2. Delicate Campground — Crescent Head#

Drive from Sydney: 5 hours north | Cost: $24/night (2 adults) | Dog policy: On-leash in campground; off-leash on designated beach sections

Delicate Campground is one of the rare spots managed by NPWS where dogs are actually allowed. The trick? It sits inside Goolawah Regional Park, not a national park.

You get 40 unpowered sites behind the dunes, cold showers, and direct access to a long, uncrowded beach where dogs can run off-leash in designated areas. The surf break at Crescent Head is a short drive away, and the surrounding coastal bushland is home to wallabies and sea eagles.

Tip: Bring extra water. There's no potable water supply at the campground, and the nearest shop is a 15-minute drive in Crescent Head.

3. Merry Beach Caravan Park — Kioloa#

Drive from Sydney: 3.5 hours south | Cost: From $35/night (unpowered) | Dog policy: On-leash; max 2 dogs per booking; year-round

Merry Beach is a privately operated caravan park right next to Murramarang National Park. Dogs are welcome in designated camping zones all year — no peak-season restrictions. You get powered and unpowered sites, hot showers, fire pits, and a short walk to the beach.

The location is the real selling point. You're surrounded by national park bushland with kangaroos and rosellas, and Pebbly Beach (famous for its tame kangaroos) is a 10-minute drive south. Just remember: your dog stays out of the national park.

Tip: Ask for a site in the back section of the park — it's shadier and quieter, and closer to the beach walking track.

Many campers pair a stay at Merry Beach with a visit to nearby NPWS campgrounds like Depot Beach or Pretty Beach (sans dog). If those campgrounds are booked out, CampWatch monitors cancellations at 350 NSW campgrounds and sends you an SMS alert when a spot opens up.

Pet friendly campsites within 3 hours of Sydney#

You don't need a five-hour drive to camp with your dog. These spots are all a reasonable distance from Sydney.

4. Turon Gates — Capertee#

Drive from Sydney: 3 hours west | Cost: From $25/night | Dog policy: On-leash; dogs welcome in all camping areas

Turon Gates is a private bush retreat spread across 6,000 acres in the Turon River valley, near the village of Capertee. You pick your own campsite along a one-kilometre stretch of the river — no assigned plots, no crowds.

The river is shallow enough for dogs to wade and splash, and the surrounding bush feels genuinely remote. Hot showers, basic camp kitchen, and a handful of cabins are available if you want an upgrade.

A mate brought his border collie Banjo here last autumn. By the second afternoon, Banjo had claimed a shallow bend in the river as his personal swimming hole and wouldn't leave until dark. That's the kind of place this is.

Tip: The access road is unsealed for the last few kilometres. A standard car will make it in dry conditions, but after heavy rain you'll want clearance.

5. Wollondilly River Station — Wombeyan Caves#

Drive from Sydney: 2.5 hours south-west | Cost: $20-30/night | Dog policy: Off-leash; dogs must be under control

If you want a stripped-back camping experience where your dog can roam, Wollondilly River Station delivers. Any pet is welcome, and dogs are allowed off-leash across the property provided they're under your control.

The sites are flat and grassy along the Wollondilly River. No powered sites, no camp kitchen — just campfires, starry skies, and the river for a morning swim. The nearby Wombeyan Caves are worth a visit, though dogs can't come along (the caves are inside a conservation area).

Tip: Bring all your own firewood. The property doesn't sell it, and collecting wood onsite isn't encouraged.

6. Lake Lyell Recreation Park — near Lithgow#

Drive from Sydney: 2 hours west | Cost: $30-35/night | Dog policy: On-leash at all times

For a quick weekend trip from Sydney, Lake Lyell is hard to beat. This council-managed reserve sits on the shores of a dam about 15 minutes south of Lithgow. Powered and unpowered sites with hot showers, BBQ areas, and lake access for kayaking and fishing.

Dogs must stay on-leash, but there's plenty of room to walk along the lake foreshore. The Blue Mountains are right next door if you want a day trip (leave the dog at camp or with a travel companion — dogs can't enter the national park).

Tip: Sites along the waterfront go first. Book ahead for long weekends, or arrive Thursday for walk-in availability.

For more options close to the city, our guide to the best campgrounds near Sydney covers the full range — though most are in national parks and don't allow pets.

Pet friendly bush and mountain campsites#

Prefer rivers and ridgelines to sand and surf? These inland spots offer some of the best dog-friendly camping in the state.

7. Riverwood Downs — near Barrington Tops#

Drive from Sydney: 3 hours north | Cost: From $30/night | Dog policy: On and off-leash areas; dogs welcome everywhere on the property

Riverwood Downs is 750 acres of river frontage, mountain pools, and walking trails at the foot of Barrington Tops. Dogs are welcome across the entire property, with both on-leash and off-leash zones.

The standout? The onsite "Hound's Breath Cafe" — a bar and grill with a dedicated dog menu. Yes, your kelpie can order a meal while you grab a beer. It's as ridiculous and brilliant as it sounds.

Tent sites, powered sites, and glamping options are all available. The property also has mountain pools deep enough for swimming, and five kilometres of river frontage to explore.

Tip: The nearby Barrington Tops National Park is spectacular but dogs can't enter. Plan a day hike without your pup and spend the rest of the trip at Riverwood.

8. Old Bara Campsite — near Mudgee#

Drive from Sydney: 3.5 hours north-west | Cost: From $25/night | Dog policy: Off-leash; dogs must be under control

Old Bara is a private cattle farm near Mudgee that opens its riverside paddocks to campers. Dogs can go off-leash if they're under control. The Cudgegong River runs through the property with swimming holes and sandy banks.

No powered sites, no fancy facilities — just campfires, creek water, and plenty of space. A quieter, cheaper alternative to the Mudgee wine region's boutique accommodation.

Tip: Combine with a dog-friendly day trip into Mudgee for the farmers' markets (Saturday mornings) and a pub lunch.

Free pet friendly campsites in NSW state forests#

Every state forest in NSW allows dogs, and most campgrounds are free. If you're camping on a budget, these two are the pick.

9. Coachwood Camping Area — Chichester State Forest#

Drive from Sydney: 3 hours north | Cost: Free | Dog policy: Dogs welcome; must be under control

Coachwood is tucked under the edge of Barrington Tops National Park in Chichester State Forest. A canopy of temperate rainforest shelters the campground, with tree ferns, coachwood trees, and a swimming hole on the Telegherry River that makes the drive worthwhile on its own.

Facilities are basic: long-drop toilets, fire pits, picnic tables. No showers, no power, no phone reception. But the atmosphere — that lush, green, misty rainforest — is something you won't find at a holiday park.

Tip: Coachwood fills up by Friday afternoon on popular weekends. Arrive early or try midweek. There are three other free campgrounds nearby in the same state forest if Coachwood is full.

10. Wingello State Forest — Southern Highlands#

Drive from Sydney: 2 hours south | Cost: Free | Dog policy: Dogs welcome; must be under control

Wingello is one of the closest free camping options to Sydney. The plantation pine trees give it an almost Canadian feel — tall, straight trunks and a soft carpet of needles underfoot. Mountain biking trails wind through the forest, and there's enough space that you won't feel crowded.

Facilities are minimal: a toilet block and not much else. You'll need to be completely self-sufficient. But at two hours from Sydney and zero dollars a night, it's hard to argue with the value.

Tip: Check the Forestry Corporation NSW website for fire season closures before heading out. Some state forests close during total fire ban days.

If you're camping near any of these state forests and want to add a night at a nearby national park campground (without the dog), CampWatch can alert you when a campsite becomes available.

How to keep your dog safe at these campsites#

A few hazards are worth knowing about before you head out with your dog.

1080 poison. Sodium fluoroacetate (1080) baits are used in state forests and rural areas across NSW to control foxes and wild dogs. They're lethal to domestic dogs. Before visiting any state forest, check for warning signs at the entry point and look up active baiting programs on the NSW Local Land Services website. If in doubt, keep your dog on-leash and don't let them eat anything off the ground.

Paralysis ticks. Common along the NSW coast and hinterland, particularly from September to March. Check your dog thoroughly every evening — behind ears, between toes, under the collar, around the face. Remove any tick immediately with fine-tipped tweezers. Symptoms include wobbliness, vomiting, and difficulty breathing. Know where the nearest vet is before you leave home.

Snakes. Most active at dawn and dusk, October through April. Keep your dog on-leash during these times, stick to cleared paths, and avoid long grass and rock piles.

Heat. Dogs overheat faster than humans. Bring extra water, provide shade at camp, and skip long walks during the hottest part of the day.

Pet friendly camping NSW: your questions answered#

Can I take my dog to a national park in NSW?#

No. Dogs (except trained assistance animals) are not allowed in any NSW national park, state conservation area, nature reserve, or historic site. This is a statewide rule enforced by NPWS to protect native wildlife. Some regional parks, like Goolawah Regional Park, are exceptions — but they're rare.

Are there any dog-friendly beach campgrounds in NSW?#

A few. Mystery Bay (council-managed, near Narooma), Delicate Campground (Goolawah Regional Park, near Crescent Head), and Merry Beach Caravan Park (private, near Kioloa) all offer beach or near-beach camping with dogs. Coastal options are limited because most beachside campgrounds sit inside national parks.

Is it safe to camp with dogs in state forests?#

Generally yes, but check for active 1080 baiting programs before you go. Warning signs are posted at forest entrances and access roads. The NSW Local Land Services website lists current baiting notifications by region. Paralysis ticks are also a risk in coastal forests — check your dog every night.

Do I need to book these pet friendly campsites?#

It depends on the site. State forest campgrounds (Coachwood, Wingello) are first-come, first-served with no bookings. Mystery Bay and Delicate Campground take online bookings and fill up during peak periods. Private campgrounds (Turon Gates, Merry Beach, Riverwood Downs) all take bookings and are recommended, especially for weekends and holidays.

Find your next pet friendly campsite#

Dog-friendly camping in NSW takes a bit more homework than picking any campground off the map. The national park ban catches people off guard, and the best pet friendly campsites fill up fast during peak season.

But the options on this list are the real deal — from the clifftop views at Mystery Bay to the rainforest swimming hole at Coachwood to 6,000 acres of bush at Turon Gates. Your dog deserves a proper camping trip, and NSW has the spots to make it happen.

Planning a trip that mixes pet friendly camping with a nearby national park stay? CampWatch monitors 350 NSW national park campgrounds for cancellations and availability changes. Set up a free SMS alert and we'll let you know the moment a spot opens up — so you can book the national park site for one night and spend the rest of the weekend at a dog-friendly campground nearby.