Camping Blue Mountains: your guide to the best campgrounds

The Blue Mountains sit barely 90 minutes west of Sydney, and camping blue mountains style is about as good as it gets for a weekend escape. Ancient eucalypt forest, sandstone cliffs that drop into deep valleys, and campgrounds where kangaroos wander through your site at dusk. It's the kind of place that reminds you why you go camping in the first place.

The problem? Everyone else thinks so too. Blue Mountains campgrounds are some of the most in-demand in NSW, especially Euroka, which sells out weeks ahead for peak weekends. With only a handful of national park campgrounds and most of them small, scoring a site takes planning, timing, and sometimes a bit of luck.

Here's your guide to the best Blue Mountains campgrounds, what each one offers, and how to actually get a booking.

Blue Mountains campgrounds at a glance#

Campground	Sites	Price per night	Facilities	Access	Booking difficulty
Euroka	~40	~$25	Toilets, BBQs, picnic tables	2WD, walk-in tents	Hard
Murphys Glen	5	Free ($6 booking fee)	Pit toilets, BBQs	2WD (4km unsealed)	Moderate
Ingar	8	Free ($6 booking fee)	Toilets, BBQs, fire pits	Walk-in only (5km+)	Easy
Acacia Flat	~30	Free ($6 booking fee)	Toilets only	Steep hike (3km)	Easy
Perrys Lookdown	5	Free ($6 booking fee)	None (day use only)	2WD (dirt road)	Easy

All campgrounds within Blue Mountains National Park require a $8 per vehicle per day entry fee at the Bruce Road entrance to the Glenbrook area. Annual passes are also available.

Euroka campground#

Euroka campground is the Blue Mountains' most popular camping spot, and for good reason. Sitting near Glenbrook on the eastern side of the park, it's the closest national park campground to Sydney. It's also one of the few places in NSW where you're almost guaranteed to see kangaroos grazing around your tent.

The campground is spread across five grassy areas — Appletree Flat, Bennett Ridge, Darug, Nioka, and Red Gum — with around 40 sites in total. Tall gums surround each clearing, giving the whole place a sense of being deep in the bush despite being less than two hours from the CBD.

The Nepean River runs nearby, perfect for a swim on a warm afternoon. Most campers spend at least one session down at the water, especially in the warmer months.

Facilities are basic but solid. You'll find toilets, BBQs, and picnic tables. There's a rainwater tank for washing but it's not suitable for drinking, so bring your own water supply.

No showers and no powered sites. Mobile coverage is patchy to non-existent, which is either a dealbreaker or a bonus depending on your outlook.

What you need to know about Euroka:

• Check-in 2pm, check-out 10am
• Gate hours: October to April 8:30am-7pm, May to September 8:30am-6pm
• Up to six guests per booking
• Tent sites only — walk 5 to 15 metres from the car park to your site
• No campfires in total fire ban periods (check before you go)

Euroka fills fast, especially for Friday and Saturday nights in spring and autumn. If the booking calendar is showing nothing but sold-out dates, set up a free CampWatch alert and you'll get a text when someone cancels. Cancellations happen more often than you'd think, particularly in the week leading up to a weekend.

Things to do near Euroka#

The Glenbrook area is packed with walks and lookouts. Tunnel View lookout gives you sweeping views across the Nepean Gorge, and it's an easy walk from camp.

The Red Hands Cave track leads to Aboriginal hand stencils dating back thousands of years — it's about a 7km return walk and well worth it.

Mountain bikers can take on the Oaks firetrail. And the Nepean River is right there for swimming, though check conditions before you jump in.

Murphys Glen campground#

Murphys Glen campground is one of those spots that feels like a proper secret. Tucked near Woodford in a volcanic diatreme — a natural amphitheatre formed by an ancient volcanic explosion — it's surrounded by towering eucalypts, turpentines, and angophoras. There are only five sites, and on a weekday you might have the whole place to yourself.

The setting is genuinely special. Bedford Creek runs nearby, and a short rainforest walk takes you down to the water. Birdwatching is excellent here. It's the kind of campground where you can sit in your camp chair, look up at the canopy, and hear nothing but bellbirds.

Facilities are minimal. Pit toilets and BBQs, but no drinking water and no bins — you'll need to carry everything in and out. Access is via Bedford Road from near Woodford Railway Station: 1km of sealed road followed by 4km of unsealed. It's manageable in a 2WD in dry conditions, but check after rain.

What you need to know about Murphys Glen:

• Free camping (just a $6 booking fee)
• Five sites total — book ahead for weekends
• No drinking water, no rubbish bins, no showers
• Bring a fuel stove as backup for campfire restrictions
• The unsealed road can get muddy — check conditions after heavy rain

The best part about Murphys Glen? It's genuinely affordable. With no camping fee and a setting that rivals campgrounds costing four times as much, it's one of the best budget camping options near Sydney.

Ingar campground: the one most people miss#

If you want proper seclusion, Ingar campground delivers. Set among scribbly gums near Wentworth Falls, with a small dam and creek for swimming, Ingar has eight sites and virtually no crowds. The catch? There's no vehicle access. You need to walk in.

The shortest route is 5km along the Bedford Creek trail, with some steep sections. There's also the Andersons trail from Tableland Road, but that's 13km and not for casual walkers. Either way, you're carrying your gear in, which means this campground suits experienced campers who pack light.

What you get at the end of the walk is worth it. Each site has a fire pit and picnic table. The dam offers swimming on warm days. At night, you might spot sugar gliders, possums, and bandicoots. There's no mobile phone reception, which makes it one of the most disconnected camping experiences you can have this close to Sydney.

Ingar essentials:

• Free camping ($6 booking fee only)
• Eight sites, unmarked — pick your spot
• Non-flush toilets, BBQs, picnic tables
• No drinking water — bring at least 3 litres per person per day
• No vehicle access — walk-in only
• Best for experienced campers comfortable carrying gear

More Blue Mountains camping options#

Acacia Flat campground#

For the adventure seekers, Acacia Flat sits on the floor of the Grose Valley near Blackheath. Getting there means a steep 3km descent from Perrys Lookdown — and a steep climb back out with all your gear. Around 30 unmarked sites are available, with toilets as the only facility. You'll need to carry everything including water.

The reward is one of the most spectacular camping locations in NSW. You're deep in the valley, surrounded by blue gum forest, with towering sandstone walls on either side. It's the kind of place that makes you feel genuinely remote.

Acacia Flat is best tackled with a lightweight setup. Leave the heavy esky at home and pack a compact stove, dehydrated meals, and a quality sleeping mat. The climb back out is the hard part — give yourself plenty of time and take it slow.

Holiday parks and caravan parks#

If you prefer hot showers and a camp kitchen, the Blue Mountains has solid holiday park options:

• Katoomba Falls Tourist Park — powered and unpowered sites from around $70/night, cabins from $150/night. Central location, walking distance to Echo Point and the Three Sisters.
• Blackheath Tourist Park — similar pricing, quieter setting. Close to Govetts Leap lookout and the Grand Canyon walking track.

These are good options for families with younger kids or anyone who wants facilities without the drive to a remote campground. They also make a decent base if you want to explore the upper mountains during the day and return to a hot shower at night.

Old Ford Reserve#

Worth a quick mention — Old Ford Reserve at Megalong Creek near Katoomba offers free camping in a beautiful valley setting. It's managed by Blue Mountains City Council rather than NSW Parks, with toilets and 2WD access. Popular with locals and often available when the national park campgrounds are booked out.

How to book a Blue Mountains campground#

Booking a campground in Blue Mountains National Park goes through the NSW National Parks booking system. Here's how the process works:

1. Head to the NSW National Parks website and find your campground
2. Select your dates and group size
3. Pay online — fees range from a $6 booking fee (Murphys Glen, Ingar) to around $25/night (Euroka)
4. You'll receive a booking confirmation by email

Bookings open up to 12 months ahead depending on the campground, and popular dates — school holidays, long weekends, and pleasant autumn weekends — fill fast.

For a complete walkthrough, check our guide to how to book a campsite in NSW national parks.

What to do when everything is booked#

If Euroka or another Blue Mountains campground is showing sold out for your dates, you've got a few options:

• Try midweek: Sunday through Thursday availability is usually easier to find, even in peak season
• Check back often: Cancellations happen regularly, especially 1-2 weeks before the trip date
• Set up a CampWatch alert: CampWatch checks Euroka campground availability every 10 minutes and sends you a text when a spot opens up. It's free and takes about 30 seconds to set up. Learn more about how CampWatch alerts work.
• Consider alternatives: Murphys Glen and Ingar are less competitive and often have availability when Euroka is full

Blue Mountains camping tips#

The Blue Mountains sit at 1,000 metres elevation in places, which means the weather behaves differently to Sydney. Come prepared.

• It gets cold: Winter nights regularly drop below zero. Even in autumn and spring, you'll want a sleeping bag rated to at least 5 degrees. Summer evenings are cool compared to the coast.
• Bring your own water: Most Blue Mountains campgrounds have no drinking water. Budget 3 litres per person per day minimum, more in summer.
• Check fire restrictions: Total fire bans are common, especially in summer. Check the NSW Rural Fire Service website before packing firewood.
• Pack layers: Mountain weather can change fast. Sunshine and rain in the same afternoon is normal.
• Arrive early on weekends: Gate hours at the Glenbrook entrance apply. If you're heading to Euroka or Murphys Glen, plan your arrival around the gate opening times.
• No mobile coverage at most campgrounds: Download offline maps and let someone know your plans before heading in.
• Book early for Euroka: If you want a specific weekend at Euroka, book as soon as the dates open. For everything else, set up a CampWatch alert and wait for a cancellation.

The Blue Mountains are also one of the best campground regions near Sydney, so if your dates are flexible, it's worth checking what's available across the whole area.

Make the most of camping in the Blue Mountains#

Camping blue mountains style is hard to beat — ancient bushland, world-class walks, and campgrounds where the wildlife comes to you. Whether you go for the kangaroos at Euroka, the seclusion of Ingar, or the budget-friendly charm of Murphys Glen, you're in for a proper bush camping experience less than two hours from Sydney.

The trickiest part is getting a booking, especially at Euroka. Plan ahead, be flexible with your dates, and if your preferred campground is sold out, set up a free alert on CampWatch so you don't miss a cancellation. The Blue Mountains aren't going anywhere — but that perfect camping weekend might open up sooner than you think.