Where to go camping near Adelaide: 5 places to try

Being South Australians, we have always loved to find places close to Adelaide, where we can get away for a quick night’s camping.     We don’t want to always travel hours in the car, especially for an overnight trip, so finding places close is important to us.

If you are looking for some ideas where you can go camping near Adelaide, here are 5 suggestions worth investigating further. 

• Weekend camping is possible, even for just one night.     So don’t get discouraged.  But if you need some tips on making a weekend getaway easier, then read our tips on stress-free camping for a short trip whilst you are here. 

Our main website, Go Camping Australia features loads of reviews and tips too if these 5 suggestions don’t appeal.

Deep Creek Conservation Park

This Park is around 2 hours from Adelaide (or 108 km)  on the way to Jervis Bay (where the ferry goes to Kangaroo Island).

Just follow the signs for the ferry, and you will see a turn off to this Park.   

With a number of campgrounds, there is a camping style to suit every sort of camper.   It has been a firm favourite of ours and has increased in popularity over the past few years.

There are a number of walks to do within the Park, including a hike-in only camping option.

Bookings needed:    Yes
Free:    No
Dogs allowed:    No
Campfires allowed:     Yes, if fire restrictions permit
2WD:    Yes
Toilets:     Yes, drop toilets
Showers:   Only in 1 campground
Suit what sort of camper:    A campsite/campground for every sort of camper, though Trig Campground is more tent based camping.

Read our review of this campground here with full details on how to book etc.

Saunders Gorge

Just over 1 hour from Adelaide, you will find this bush camping location in the Adelaide Hills.

If you want to get back to basics, without travelling too far from home, this is a good place to experience, and probably best in the cooler months, as the Adelaide Hills are prettier and more lush at that time.

Bookings needed:    Yes
Free:    No
Dogs allowed:    No
Campfires allowed:     Yes, if fire restrictions permit
2WD:    Yes  plus 4WD tracks on the property (extra cost)
Toilets:     Yes, drop toilets
Showers:   No
Suit what sort of camper:    A campsite/campground for every sort of camper, though 2 sites are better for tent based camping.

Read our review of this campground here with full details on how to book etc.

Morgan Conservation Park

If you wish to get up to the Murray River without too much driving, then we recommend this location.   Admittedly, there are many places to camp along the Murray, and some might be closer than this, but it does allow you to experience bush camping, with stores nearby if it all goes a bit wrong!

It’s 150km from Adelaide.

Bookings needed:    Yes, but no specific campsite is allocated in the booking process
Free:   No  (please note: an earlier version of this story, said it was free which was an error)
Dogs allowed:    No
Campfires allowed:     Yes unless fire restrictions are in place
2WD:    Yes  but after rain, some parts of the park can be a little slippery
Toilets:     No – you need to be self-sufficient
Showers:   No
Suit what sort of camper:    All styles of camping can be accommodated here.

Read our review of this campground here with full details on how to book etc.

Chalks Campground, Mt Crawford

One hour from Adelaide, this campground in Mt Crawford Forest, is ideal for a fast trip at certain times of the year only.    From December through to the end of March, you cannot camp here due to fire risk. 

It’s not true bush camping, more of a relaxed open oval sort of vibe happening, but you can still chill out here and feel like you have escaped the city (but know it’s only an hour away).

Bookings needed:    No
Free:   No – permit required
Dogs allowed:    Yes, under certain conditions
Campfires allowed:     Banned from 1 November to 30 April and on any fire restriction day
2WD:    Yes
Toilets:     Yes
Showers:   No
Suit what sort of camper:    All styles of camping can be accommodated here.

Read our review of this campground here with full details on how to book etc.

Newland Head Conservation Park