Camping in the Nina Valley
If you read my blog you will know I was recently up in the Nina Valley near Lewis Pass. i was heading up the valley to visit Nina Hut but on the way I passed a backcountry campsite some people might be interested in.
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| Nina Valley access off SH7 Lewis Pass Highway |
The Nina Valley Campsite is located on a river flat about 45 minutes from SH7 and you can see it is marked on the Topo map for the area. It is hardly befitting the name campsite as it is basically a flat piece or ground next to the river with no facilities.
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| Map: Nina Valley Campsite |
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| Emerging onto the river flats at the Nina River |
If you are staying here you will be drawing your water from the nearby Nina River...it is safe to use the water from the river as there are no sources of pollution up this valley as there are no industries or farms.
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| Nina Valley Campsite is next to the Nina River |
There are a number of excellent swimming holes in the river with some up to 3 meters deep. In the summer and when it is not raining this is a relatively safe place to swim but I would be cautious if the river was high or discolored.
I actually thought about a pack rafting trip down the Nina River the last time I visited. I think the river is probably navigable from Duchess Stream down to the Lewis River. It is certainly deep enough from Lucretia Stream.
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| Looking down the Nina River from near the campsite |
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| ...deep swimming pools in the Nina River... |
The river flats which make up the campsite are a couple of hectares in size and could easily accommodate a dozen or more tents. There is no toilet here which I think is a problem...you would have to go dig a cat-hole in the forest. This is not a good long term solution as it would soon despoil the whole area.
Luckily not many people use the campsite.
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| The basic Nina Valley Campsite |
There are a couple of spots set back into the forest edge which would be the best places to pitch your tent but even out on the flats would be fine. The valley is narrow here so I don't think you would get very strong winds blowing through.
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| Some tent sites in the Beech at Nina Valley Campsite |
The river would be the real draw at this campsite...it is there in front of you right along the flats. It would be possible to have a fire as there is wood in the nearby Beech forest. Just be aware that there are often fire bans in place in Lake Sumner Forest Park as the area can be quite dry especially in late summer.
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| Day trampers at the Nina River |
If you are coming in from SH7 the entrance to the campsite is off the Nina Valley Track. The track passes through the river flat on its way up river and there are marked entrances at both ends of the open flats.
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| The Nina Valley Track from the campsite |
There are also opportunities to camp further up the valley on an extensive set of river flats above the Nina River bridge. The mid reaches of the Nina Valley near Lucretia Stream is much wider and there are some lovely spots along the river banks and amongst the fingers of Beech forest.
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| River flats (true right) above Nina Valley Bridge |
To access the flats on the true left of the river you need to follow the Lucretia Stream Route from the Nina Valley Bridge. Go straight ahead instead of crossing the bridge and after about 20 minutes walking you will emerge onto another large river flats.
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| Past the sign is the Lucretia Stream Track |
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| View of the river flats on the left of the Nina River |
I have plans to go for a camping trip to this valley hopefully before the summer ends. I just need a few nice fine days first which is easier said than done with the pattern of weather we seem to have this year.
Facilities: The campsite has a large open space for tents but no toilet, water is from the nearby Nina River. Sites are first come-first served and there is no charge as this is a basic backcountry campsite.
YouTube: Nina Valley Campsite
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