Blue Mountains campground and track closures (live list, 2026)

If you're planning a Blue Mountains camping trip in 2026, check the current NPWS alerts before you leave. The closure picture has changed substantially since this article was first published in March: some earlier works have finished, while campground, road and pest-control notices continue to change.

The most important current issues for campers are altered access to Ingar campground, urgent Amphitheatre and Fern Bower track closures from 14 to 18 September, the scheduled Dunphys campground and Green Gully Road closure from 12 to 26 October, and the Blue Pool walking track closure through 27 November 2026. Murphys Glen remains open. The stated August–September period for the 1080 operation has ended, but NPWS keeps the warning notice live through 4 October.

For the authoritative live status, use the NPWS Blue Mountains local alerts page.

Campground closures and access changes right now#

Murphys Glen campground#

NPWS now lists Murphys Glen campground as open at all times, subject to alerts, and its local-alerts page reports no current alerts. The campground is bookable again. Bedford Road access is generally suitable for 2WD vehicles without a trailer; NPWS recommends 4WD when towing and warns that wet weather can change access.

Short-dated and scheduled closures#

Current and scheduled closures include:

• Amphitheatre and Fern Bower walking tracks are scheduled to close for urgent repairs from 14 to 18 September. A separate notice keeps part of Fern Bower closed through 30 October, while the broader park summary also names Amphitheatre through that date. NPWS does not provide one unambiguous Amphitheatre status after 18 September, so check the live alert before relying on access.
• The earlier one-off Govetts Leap precinct closure on 11 and 12 September is no longer listed. A separate current Lyndsay Complex hazard-reduction alert affects Fairfax Heritage walking track from 11 September; follow NPWS and RFS directions while that alert remains live.
• Dunphys campground, Galong Cabins and Green Gully Road are scheduled to close from 12 to 26 October for roadworks.
• Oaks Single Track is scheduled to close on weekdays from 5 to 16 October for maintenance.

Ingar campground#

Ingar is not listed as closed, but access from Woodford changed on 10 August 2026. Campers approaching from Woodford must currently walk from the Bedford Road gate, adding about 2.3km to the approach.

Dunphys campground#

The earlier Green Gully closure that kept Dunphys out of action until May has ended. NPWS currently lists Dunphys campground as bookable, with 15 campsites. However, NPWS has scheduled Dunphys campground, Galong Cabins and Green Gully Road to close from 12 to 26 October 2026 for roadworks, with no vehicle, pedestrian or cyclist access during that period.

The temporary southern management closure that ran from 16 to 22 August no longer appears on the current NPWS alerts page. The separate aerial-baiting operation was scheduled to finish on 6 September, but NPWS keeps its warning notice live through 4 October, so remote travellers should continue to follow signs and current alerts.

Galong Cabins#

Galong Cabins remain closed through 2026 for maintenance upgrades. Check the live NPWS alerts for any revised reopening information.

Major road and infrastructure closures#

Several long-running access restrictions remain material for camping and walking plans:

• Mount Hay Road is closed from 9 June to 17 December 2026 for major upgrade works. NPWS says there is no vehicle or pedestrian access to Lockleys Pylon, Fortress Ridge, Butterbox Canyon, Fortress Canyon, Mount Hay and associated tracks during the closure.
• Jenolan Karst Conservation Reserve remains closed until 31 December 2026. Six Foot Track access at the Jenolan boundary is therefore affected.
• Blue Pool walking track is closed from 28 August to 27 November 2026 for upgrade works, with no access to Blue Pool.

These are operational closures and dates can change, particularly after weather events, so treat the NPWS alerts page as the source of truth.

Walking track closures that affect camping plans#

Current NPWS notices include substantial track restrictions across Katoomba, Leura, Wentworth Falls, Woodford and Blackheath. Among the most relevant:

• Federal Pass is closed between the bottom of Furber Stairs and Scenic World Valley Stations for bridge replacement, changing access between several major tracks.
• Fern Bower is partly closed between Amphitheatre Track and Leura Forest until 30 October 2026. Amphitheatre Track itself is open.
• National Pass west of Wentworth Falls middle crossing remains closed after a major landslide.
• Wentworth Pass and Slack Stairs remain closed for elevated boardwalk repairs.
• Valley of the Waters below Silvia Falls is closed because of rockfall hazards.
• Govetts Descent and parts of Rodriguez Pass remain closed because of rockfalls and landslides.

If your campsite is only one part of a walking-heavy trip, check the route as well as the campground. A campground can be open while the track you planned to use is not.

Pest-control operations#

The Blue Mountains 1080 aerial-baiting operation was scheduled from 24 August to 6 September 2026 for wild-dog and fox control. NPWS keeps the warning notice active through 4 October. The notice is not a park-wide campground closure, but 1080 is lethal to cats and dogs. Domestic pets are not permitted on NPWS-managed land, and NPWS warns that pets and working dogs must not enter baiting locations. Follow signs while the notice remains active.

These operations are a good example of why a static annual closure list can go stale quickly. Always check the live alert immediately before a remote trip.

Fire restrictions#

The seasonal fire-ban wording that applied when this article was first published in March is no longer a useful statement of current conditions. Fire rules can vary by campground and can tighten quickly during elevated fire danger or a Total Fire Ban.

Before using a campfire, solid-fuel barbecue or stove, check both the NPWS Blue Mountains alerts and current NSW RFS fire information.

Campgrounds you can still consider#

Current official pages list Euroka, Murphys Glen, Ingar and Dunphys as camping options, subject to the access restrictions above and any short-notice alerts.

For campers willing to drive further, Ganguddy-Dunns Swamp in Wollemi National Park is another option, but you should check that park's own alerts rather than assuming conditions match the Blue Mountains.

If a bookable campground is full, set up a CampWatch alert and we'll text you when a cancellation opens up a spot.

How to check Blue Mountains closures before your trip#

The best source for current closures is the NPWS Blue Mountains local alerts page. It covers campgrounds, tracks, roads, pest-control operations and facilities.

Before leaving:

• check the alerts page the day before your trip and again before entering a remote area
• check the individual campground page as well as the park-wide alert
• call the Blue Mountains Heritage Centre on 02 4787 8877 if an alert is unclear
• plan a backup route or campground when your trip depends on a single access road

This article was refreshed against official NPWS information on 13 September 2026. The completed Govetts Leap precinct closure no longer appears; the short-dated Amphitheatre and Fern Bower works and October Dunphys and Oaks closures now require attention. Conditions can change after publication.