Deep Creek Camping: All 6 campgrounds Compared + Map
Last updated: August 2026
Six campgrounds, one national park, and hardly any phone reception to look any of it up once you’re there. Here’s your guide to Deep Creek Camping, comparing all six campgrounds.
Sleeping under the stars in one of South Australia’s ancient forests, surrounded by wildlife, and feeling like you’re far away from civilisation.
Only a couple of hours from Adelaide, you’ll find Deep Creek National Park. A stunning national park that’s the ultimate nature escape. It’s wild, peaceful and one of our favourite places to camp in South Australia. Camping in Deep Creek is a must-do when exploring this National Park.
We’ve been back here three times now, and after staying at pretty much every campground in the park, I figured it was time to put together all the info you might need to plan your own Deep Creek adventure.
➤ If you’re heading this way, start with our guide to the best things to do on the Fleurieu Peninsula to start planning your trip.
If you’re in a hurry
Quick version if you’re in a hurry:
Campgrounds start at $27.50 per night. Your campsite fee covers vehicle entry.
Before you go: What’s open after the 2026 bushfire
A bushfire came through Deep Creek in February 2026 and burnt more than 4,500 hectares, around 40% of the national park. All four drive-in campgrounds have reopened: Stringybark, Tapanappa, Trig and Cobbler Hill.
Still closed at time of writing (31 August 2026)
- Wuldi Krikin Ngawanthi (Eagly Waterhole): hike-in campground
- The Deep Creek Waterfall Hikes from both Tapanappa Lookout and Tent Rock Road
- The Deep Creek Circuit Hike
- The Aaron Creek Hikes
- Talisker Conservation Park
→ Always check park alerts before you book.
How many campgrounds are there in Deep Creek?
There are four drive-in campgrounds spread out over Deep Creek National Park that are accessible with a 2WD or 4WD. Some of them are suitable for caravans and camper trailers. On top of that, there are two walk-in campgrounds along the Heysen Trail.
Just a heads up, all the sites are unpowered, so make sure you are fully charged when heading into the bush.
That’s 64 drive-in sites in total across the four campgrounds, plus 20 walk-in spots. It sounds like plenty until a long weekend or school holidays arrive. Tapanappa has just 17 sites, and Cobbler Hill only 6.
Do I need a permit to camp at Deep Creek National Park?
Yep, you do. For Deep Creek camping, you’ll need
- A Deep Creek Camping permit: starts at $27.50 per night
- NO seperate vehicle entry fees apply: it’s included in the campsite fee
→ Both permits can be booked online through the National Parks and Wildlife website.
There’s no gate to pay at and no ranger station selling permits, so sort both out before you enter the national park. Rangers do come and check. Download your permits to your phone before you go.
How far ahead to book?
For summer, Easter and South Australian school holidays, as far ahead as the system will let you. Cobbler Hill’s six sites and Tapanappa’s spots go first. Outside those windows, you can often get something a few days or weeks out, and midweek is quiet.
Deep Creek Campgrounds Compared
|
Campground |
Sites |
Caravans? |
Toilets |
Showers |
Campfires |
Best For |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
|
Stringybark |
16 |
Yes |
Flushing |
Hot showers |
Yes, in fire pit |
Comfort, families, first-timers |
|
Trig |
25 |
Some sites |
Long drop |
No |
Yes, in fire pits |
Hikers, larger groups |
|
Tapanappa |
17 |
No – campervans and small camper trailers only |
Long drop |
No |
Yes, fire pit per site |
Views and sunrises |
|
Cobbler Hill |
6 |
Sites 1 and 2 only |
Long drop |
No |
Yes, in fire pits |
Blowhole Beach |
|
Wuldi Krikin Ngawanthi (Eagle Waterhole) |
10 (walk-ins) |
No |
Nearby toilet |
No |
No fires |
CLOSED – Bushfire recovery |
|
Yapari Ngawanthi (Cliffs) |
10 (walk-ins) |
No |
Nearby toilet |
No |
No fires |
Heysen Trail Walkers |
All sites are unpowered. None have drinking water. Fires are only permitted outside the fire danger season.
Which Deep Creek Campground should you choose?
Deep Creek Camping
Cobbler Hill Campground
This campground is close to Blowhole Beach, an epic spot that’s only accessible by 4WD or a bit of a walk. Sites 1 and 2 are caravan-friendly, but if you’re after views, sites 4, 5 and 6 are magic and our favourite Deep Creek Camping spot within the National Park. These three sites are also very exposed, and keep in mind that it can get very windy up there. Make sure you check the weather before your Deep Creek camping trip.
Fires allowed in fire pits when restrictions aren’t in place.
Sites
6 sites, some suitable for caravans, camper trailers.
Amenities
Long drop toilet
Things to do
This is the closest campground to Blowhole Beach and the following walking trails:
- Blowhole Beach Loop – Moderate, 5.3 km, loop walk
- Heysen Trail Cobbler Hill to Tapanappa Campground – Hard, 13.5 km – 4h20 one way
- Aaron Creek Hike via Cobbler Hill Campground – Moderate, 7.2 km, 2.5 hours return → CLOSED for Bushfire recovery
Trig Campground
We haven’t actually stayed here as they were doing upgrades last time, but we’ve scoped it out. And a bonus, the walks from here are stunning. The Deep Creek Cove Hike starts right here from the campground and it’s our favourite hike in this National Park.
It’s quite a large campground with 25 sites available, divided into two sections. Some suitable for caravans and camper trailers, with fire pits. This campground is very spacious, and it’s ideal for a group trip. If you’re here to walk, waking up at the trailhead is hard to beat.
Campfires
Campfires allowed when no restrictions are in place
Amenities
Long drop toilet and picnic shelter
Things to do:
Our favourite hike from Deep Creek, which I would recommend, starts right at the campground: Deep Creek Cove Hike. This is a 6.3 km hike, graded as moderate, and will take about 2.5 hours. There are also other hikes nearby:
- Deep Creek Waterfall – Moderate, 4.2 km, 1.5 hours return → CLOSED for bushfire recovery
- Deep Creek Circuit Hike – Hard, 10.6 km, loop → CLOSED for bushfire recovery
Stringybark Campground
Tucked away in the forest, Stringybark Campground is probably the most comfortable. This is Deep Creek camping at its finest. It has 16 camp sites, and it’s the only campground with hot showers and flushing toilets. It feels like this campground is located in the middle of the park, which makes it an ideal base to explore Deep Creek National Park. Also here you can enjoy a campfire in designated fire pits outside of the fire restriction season.
If you’re new to camping or you travel with kids, book this one. Hot showers at the end of a day exploring the national park change the whole trip, and it’s the most sheltered campground in the park when the wind comes up off the Southern Ocean.
Campfires are allowed in fire pits when no restrictions are in place
Amenities
Flushing toilets, hot showers, picnic tables.
Things to do
Exploring the park and nearby walking trails:
- Forest Circuit Walk – Easy, 2.6 km, 1 hour loop
- Stringybark Loop Walk – Easy – 1km, 30 min loop
- Spring Wildflower Walk – Easy – 4.7 km, 1h30 return
Tapanappa Campground
This one is all about the views. If you’re an early riser, you’ll love waking up here. The sunrise over the cliffs is next level. Just cross the road and you’ll have spectacular views of the coastline. The ideal spot for your morning coffee! The well-known Tapanappa Lookout is only a short drive from the campground, and there are plenty of hikes that start here as well.
This campground has 17 sites, some are suitable for small camper trailers or campervans, but I would say that this campground is not suitable for caravans. Each campsite has a fire pit where you can enjoy a nice campfire when you can.
Amenities
Long drop toilets
Things to do
Tapanappa Lookout, which is only a short drive and a great lookout to watch the sunrise or sunset.
Other hiking trails:
- Deep Creek Waterfall via Tapanappa Lookout – Moderate, 6.9 km, 2,5 hours return → CLOSED for bushfire recovery
- Deep Creek Cove via Tapanappa Lookout – Moderate, 3.22 km, 1h40 return
- Boat Harbor Hike: Hard, 7.8 km, 4 hours return.
Deep Creek Walk-In Campgrounds
There are also two walk-in campgrounds within the National Park, both on the Heysen Trail. This is Deep Creek camping at its purest, going back to basics. If you go camping, no separate vehicle access fee applies; it’s included in the campsite fee. You’ll have to park at one of the day use areas.
Wuldi Krikin Ngawanthi (Eagle Waterhole)
CURRENTLY CLOSED for bushfire recovery. Check park alerts before planning a Heysen Trail section around it.
Tucked deep into the wilderness, with nearby cascading waterfalls, a spectacular coastline of cliffs and secluded coves.
- 10 campsites available – max 20 people, all on wooden platforms
- No campfires allowed
- Amenities: camp shelter with tables, bench and basin and nearby toilet
Yapari Ngawanthi (Cliffs campground)
On the Wild South Coast Way, this one has an elevated platform with fantastic ocean views over the treetops.
- 10 campsites available – max 20 people, mix of wooden platforms and earth
- No campfires allowed
- Amenities: camp shelter with tables, bench and basin and nearby toilet.
Deep Creek Camping Map
Here’s every campground, trailhead, 4WD track and beach in the park on one map.
A few things the map won’t tell you:
Where to stay near Deep Creek if you’d rather not camp
Deep Creek camping is our pick, but it isn’t for everyone. There are plenty of choices around Deep Creek that you wouldn’t realise. Off-grid cabins, holiday homes, all just outside the National Park or in nearby towns such as Delamere, Second Valley and Cape Jervis.
If you’re specifically after a caravan park, there isn’t one inside Deep Creek, and there are no powered sites anywhere in the national park. The closest caravan park is at Normanville.
Deep Creek Camping FAQs
Which Deep Creek campground has showers?
Only Stringybark. It’s the sole campground in the park with hot showers and flushing toilets. Every other one has a long drop toilet and no showers.
Can you take a caravan to Deep Creek?
Yes, to Stringybark, some sites at Trig and sites 1 and 2 at Cobbler Hill. Tapanappa suits campervans and small camper trailers but not caravans. All sites are unpowered.
How much does it cost to camp at deep creek?
Deep Creek camping starts at $27.50 per night, and the campsite fee includes vehicle entry fees. You can book online through the National Parks SA website before you arrive.
Do you pay park entry as well as camping fees at deep creek national park?
No. The $14.40 vehicle entry fee is waived when you book a campsite, so your campsite booking covers both. You only pay vehicle entry separately if you’re visiting for the day without camping.
Our Deep Creek Camping Guide
And that’s a wrap for Deep Creek Camping! This National Park will leave you with nothing but lifelong memories. It’s the kind of spot that leaves you feeling grounded and recharged. Great for couples, friends or family. With so many things to do, full of wildlife and trails to explore in and around the park, you’re more than covered to spend an entire weekend here.
Happy camping!
More Deep Creek and Fleurieu Peninsula Guides
Are you heading to the Fleurieu Peninsula? Start with our complete guide to the best things to do Fleurieu Peninsula. And for more details, read through our other guides:
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