These are my top recommended campsites and campgrounds for exploring Karijini National Park.

Looking for the best places to stay and accommodation in Karijini National Park? From rugged bush camps and free hidden gems to glamping tents and central campgrounds, here’s everything you need to know about camping in Karijini National Park (which if not already, has to be on your Western Australia roadtrip!!). This blog includes the best bases for visiting the park’s famous gorges, swimming spots and hikes.

One thing that surprised us about Karijini National Park was just how big it is. Distances between the gorges are much longer than you’d expect, and some areas are only accessible by 4WD. Because of this, we used a few different campsites or accommodation in Karijini options throughout our trip. We chose different bases depending on which hikes, swimming spots and gorges we planned to explore and I recommend you do the same when planning your trip.

I recommend four nights and three days for the best Karijini itinerary, which I cover in my blog: The Complete Karijini National Park Itinerary: Stunning Gorges & Best Campsites.

Whether you’re after a classic Karijini bush campground, a completely off-grid hidden gem (my personal favourite camping spot in the whole of Western Australia!), or somewhere with proper showers and air conditioning after a long hike, these are the best places to stay in and around Karijini National Park.

So lets get into it…

Karijini National Park Camping Map

Dales Campground, Karijini National Park

Dales Gorge Campground was our first base in Karijini National Park, and honestly it felt like the definition of remote Australian outback camping.

The campsites are rugged, spacious and spread out across red gravel dirt, surrounded by sparse bushland with massive hills enclosing the park in the distance. There’s this strange feeling of being completely shut off from the outside world –  and quite literally too, because there’s no drinking water, showers or bins onsite.

What’s crazy is that when we were at the campsite looking across the open landscape, we’d never know that hidden between us and those distant hills are ancient gorges dropping almost 100 metres into the earth. We quite literally did not realise this until the next morning when we headed to Dales Gorge for our first hike.

One of the biggest advantages of staying at Dales Campground is the location. The campground is only around 1 – 2km from Fortescue Falls and Dales Gorge, making it one of the best campgrounds in Karijini National Park for exploring the eastern side of the park. We walked directly to the gorge trails, lookouts and swimming spots from our camp.

During high season, this campground books out months in advance, so definitely plan ahead if you’re visiting between June and September.

Facilities and pricing

• Unpowered campsites only
• Pit/drop toilets
• BBQ areas
• Chemical dump point
• Some generator-friendly areas

Pricing:

• Adults: $15 per night
• Children: $5 per night
• Under 5: Free
• Concession: Around $10 per night

You need to book directly through the official Parks WA website.

Hidden Gem – Buddhas Overnighter Near Hamersley Gorge

Now… next up is an absolute hidden gem for campers wanting a truly authentic, off-grid outback camping experience outside of Karijini National Park. We were recommended this campsite from our friends, and after doing our research on WikiCamps Australia, we knew it was worth the detour! If you’re self sufficient, you could definitely extend your Karijini itinerary and truly shut off from the outside world here!

Buddhas Overnighter sits outside the main central gorges of Karijini National Park, making it much quieter, more remote and far less crowded than the main campgrounds. It’s around 1-2 hours from the central gorges, but completely worth it if you have a 4WD and a little extra time.

The campground is close to Hamersley Gorge, home to the famous Spa Pool – a natural rock pool with cascading water and swirling red-orange rock formations.

The drive includes roughly 55km of gravel road, so a 4WD is highly recommended (be really careful, we got a chipped window screen driving on this road). Most travellers use Buddha’s as a quieter base for visiting Hamersley Gorge and Spa Pool rather than for exploring the entire national park. But honestly, if you’re self-sufficient and not in a rush, this is the kind of place you could stay for days.

We visited during high season and still felt like we had the entire place to ourselves.

Top tip

When you first arrive, keep driving past the initial camping area. The further in you go, the more secluded the spots become. We ended up camped amongst nothing but red dirt mounds, open skies and some of the clearest stars we viewed during our entire WA road trip.

Facilities and pricing

There are basically no facilities here, so you need to be completely self-contained. We were not but for only one night it was okay. 

• Open bush camping areas
• Flat dirt sites suitable for swags, tents and vans
• Fire pits left by previous campers (please check fire restrictions first)
• Quiet location away from the busier Karijini National Park campgrounds

And best of all –  it’s completely free. We felt like we’d hit the jackpot when we arrived (even with a new chip in our window screen!)

Honestly, this ended up being one of the highlights of our entire Karijini road trip.

Karijini Eco Retreat, Karijini National Park 

Then we have Karijini Eco Retreat… if you’re looking for somewhere more central within Karijini National Park, for a real ‘gorge-side glamping’ experience, then here is probably the best accommodation option in the park.

We originally wanted to treat ourselves to one night in their glamping tents. Think safari-style eco tents with proper beds, ensuites and air conditioning (bliss!), but because we travelled during high season, everything had booked out months in advance.

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Located on the western side of the park near Joffre Gorge, it’s the only glamping-style accommodation inside Karijini National Park and is 100% Aboriginal-owned by the Banjima, Yinhawangka and Nyiyaparli people through Gumala Enterprises.

It’s perfectly positioned for exploring:

• Joffre Gorge
• Hancock Gorge
• Weano Gorge
• Handrail Pool

After hiking Joffre Gorge, we actually took a short detour and stopped into the retreat for an iced coffee to cool down before heading back across the gorge to our car.

Facilities and pricing

• Basic unpowered campsites
• Eco cabins and premium eco tents
• Ensuite bathrooms and air conditioning in premium tents
• Hot solar showers and flushing toilets
• Camp kitchens and BBQ areas
• Restaurant and licensed bar
• Small kiosk/shop with ice, snacks and coffee

Pricing ranges from:

• Up to $500+ per night for luxury eco tents
• Around $20pp per night for camping

Karijini Overflow Campground, Karijini National Park

Next up is Karijini Overflow Campground. Because of the extreme temperatures in the north west of Western Australia, most people visit Karijini during peak season. This means accommodation and campgrounds book out incredibly quickly.

If you don’t organise accommodation months in advance (like us!), there’s a good chance you’ll end up using the Karijini Overflow Campground at some point during your trip.

Even though it’s an overflow campground, we still needed to book online in advance. Sites are unallocated, meaning you simply arrive and set up wherever there’s space available.

Similarly to Dales Gorge Campground, the overflow campground has that classic rugged Karijini scenery – red dirt, endless bushland and distant hills surrounding the landscape.

One thing we’ll never forget from staying here was hearing dingoes howling throughout the night. Dingoes are common in Karijini and this part of Western Australia, so always keep food packed away when camping and avoid leaving anything unattended around your camp.

Facilities and pricing

Facilities are very basic:

• Drop toilets
• Unpowered sites only
• No showers
• No drinking water
• Bin drop-off area near the entrance
• Running water for washing pots

Pricing starts from around $15pp per night.

Bookings are required through the official Parks WA website.

Mt Bruce Campsite, Near Karijini National Park

Finally, another great camping option near Karijini National Park is the Mount Bruce campsite area, especially if you’re planning to hike Mount Bruce at sunrise (a popular thing to do when visiting the Pilbara area).

Mount Bruce is the second-highest mountain in Western Australia – which I find pretty impressive considering just how huge WA is.

The camping here is very basic bush camping, but because it’s located outside the main national park campgrounds, it tends to feel quieter and less busy.

Honestly though, the main reason people stay here is for the hike itself.

The Mount Bruce hike is:

• Grade 5 difficulty
• Around 9km return
• Takes roughly 6 – 7 hours
• Offers incredible views across the Pilbara region

You’ll need to be fully self-contained, and I’d definitely recommend having a 4WD.

There’s no formal booking system, so during peak season it’s worth arriving earlier in the afternoon to secure a good camping spot before sunset. I’d also recommend planning to do the hike early in the morning or sunrise, Karijini National Park can get HOT, and you do not want to be climbing Mt Bruce at midday. 

Summary

Karijini National Park is beautiful and has some of the most unique camping experiences in Western Australia, but where you stay can completely shape your trip. Because the park is so huge, I’d definitely recommend splitting your stay between a couple of different campgrounds to reduce driving time to specific hikes, and experience different sides of the park.

If you want:

• The classic Karijini camping experience → stay at Dales Gorge Campground
• A quieter, off-grid hidden gem → Buddhas Overnighter was our absolute favourite
• Comfort, showers and glamping → Karijini Eco Retreat
• A backup option during peak season → Karijini Overflow Campground
• A sunrise hiking base → Mt Bruce campsite

No matter where you stay, expect red dirt, huge open skies, ancient gorges and some of the most unreal landscapes in Australia. Karijini honestly ended up being one of our favourite places we visited in WA – and somewhere we’d go back to in a heartbeat.

FAQs About Camping in Karijini National Park

Do you need to book Karijini campgrounds in advance?

Yes – especially during peak season between June and September. Dales Gorge Campground and Karijini Eco Retreat often book out months ahead.

Is Karijini National Park suitable for 2WD vehicles?

Many of the major attractions are accessible by 2WD on sealed roads, but some areas like Hamersley Gorge and hidden camping spots such as Buddha’s Overnighter are best accessed with a 4WD. I would recommend having a 4WD if possible, as some of the hikes themselves require a 4WD to access. You can compare and book car rentals from Perth here.

What is the best campground in Karijini National Park?

It depends what you’re looking for. Dales Gorge Campground is best for central gorge access, while Karijini Eco Retreat is ideal if you want showers, food and more comfort. But our personal favourite was Buddhas Overnighter. 

Is there free camping near Karijini National Park?

Yes – Buddhas Overnighter and some Mt Bruce camping areas offer free bush camping near Karijini National Park. You can also download WikiCamps Australia to explore more camping options.

How many days do you need in Karijini National Park?

I’d recommend at least 3-5 days to properly explore the major gorges, hikes and swimming spots across the park. We spent three days here but if time wasn’t an issue, I could have stayed for much longer, this is why I recommend a full days and three nights itinerary in my detailed post here. You can also explore things to do in Karijini National Park here.

Planning your Western Australia roadtrip? Check out my Stunning Camping Station Stays for the Ultimate Perth to Exmouth Adventure blog, where I cover my recommended farm stays along Western Australia’s coral coast between Exmouth and Perth. 

Following Cyclone Narelle, some campgrounds and roads may still have temporary closures. Please always check local conditions and destinations before traveling.