Three Mile Dam campground

Three Mile Dam campground sits beside a historic high-country dam near Kiandra and Selwyn in northern Kosciuszko National Park. It is an appealing base for fishing, walking, mountain biking and spring wildflowers, but alpine conditions and a long winter gate closure make timing more important than at a typical drive-in campground.

Seasonal access and winter parking#

Outside winter, NSW National Parks lists 2WD access on unsealed roads, with parking available at most camping areas. Snow chains are recommended from the June to October long weekends and are required after snow.

The gates close from the June long weekend to the October long weekend. Camping remains possible for walkers, but vehicles must stay at Goldseekers track carpark on Link Road. Do not interpret an online booking as permission to pass a closed gate. Check the official visitor information and local alerts before leaving.

Sites, booking and stay limits#

The Three Mile Dam campground page lists tents, caravans, camper trailers and camping beside a vehicle. Sites are unpowered and unmarked, so there is no numbered pad to guarantee a particular lakeside position.

Bookings are required. NSW National Parks currently lists no camping fee but charges a booking fee; winter park-entry charges can apply on Link Road. The maximum stay is 14 days at this campground and 21 days across the national park.

With no marked sites, first arrivals do not gain permission to block broad areas or camp outside the established footprint. Choose firm ground that fits the vehicle and shelter without crowding the water's edge. Keep turning space clear for other campers and avoid driving across wet sub-alpine vegetation.

Facilities, water and fires#

Facilities include non-flush toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecues and parking. Bring your own firewood and a fuel stove. Total fire bans override campground fireplaces, and weather can make any fire unwise even when a formal ban is not in force.

Dam water is available, but it must be treated or boiled before drinking. Carry a dependable supply for drinking and cooking so low water, poor quality or a treatment problem cannot end the trip.

Alpine weather and activities#

Conditions can change quickly at this elevation. Bring warm layers, a waterproof shelter and a sleep system suited to temperatures below a lowland forecast. In winter, the walk from Link Road adds exposure and requires a realistic plan for carrying every item.

Wind off the water can make a seemingly mild evening feel much colder. Tree shelter may help, but avoid pitching under damaged limbs and do not assume a low site beside the dam will stay dry. Arrive with daylight to compare ground, shelter and access before committing to a position.

The dam was built during Kiandra's gold-mining era and later linked with the Snowy Mountains Hydro-Electric Scheme. Nearby options include Goldseekers track, Kiandra heritage precinct, fishing and cross-country skiing. Confirm licences and seasonal rules for fishing separately from the campsite booking.

What campers say#

Public reports consistently value the scenery and space, but individual site impressions vary. One detailed 4WDing Australia trip report describes camps both near the water and set higher among trees, with the higher ground offering different views and shelter.

An Anycamp review found the campground quiet even during a holiday visit. These are traveller observations, not promises about crowds, road condition or wildlife. A recent OutdoorAus discussion also shows why the seasonal vehicle gate is easy to misunderstand; follow the current NPWS wording instead.

Before you leave#

Book first, check the seasonal gate and recent snow, then decide whether your setup suits drive-in or walk-in access. Bring water, firewood and a fuel stove, lodge a trip intention when appropriate and download offline mapping. If your dates are unavailable, CampWatch can monitor cancellations, but it cannot reopen a winter gate or replace a final alert check.