Walls of Jerusalem Camping

Camping in Walls of Jerusalem National Park

 There are two established campsites in Walls of Jerusalem National Park with toilets, tent platforms and rainwater tanks, plus a basic campsite at Lake Adelaide. But it’s also possible to wild camp in some areas of the park (although not within the Central Walls area). All of the campsites are free to use (provided you have a valid Parks Pass) and the entire park is a fuel stove-only area, which means no open fires. It’s essential that you carry all rubbish out of the park with you and stow your food securely to prevent native wildlife from accessing it.

Wild Dog Creek Campsite

Overlooking Wild Dog Creek, this well-equipped campsite is located around 6 kilometres (roughly two hours) from the Walls of Jerusalem National Park car park. In addition to 12 timber tent platforms, which will accommodate either one or two tents, there are also several grassy spots where you can overnight. Keep in mind that while there are additional tent platforms, these are reserved for commercial guided groups only.

From the Wild Dog Creek Campsite, you can easily access Herod’s Gate and Damascus Gate, as well as the Central Walls area. It’s also the Parks and Wildlife Service’s preferred option for hikers to minimise environmental degradation in the park.

Dixon’s Kingdom Hut and Campsite

From the Wild Dog Campsite, it’s another 4 kilometres (1-1.5 hours) to Dixon’s Kingdom, which nestles in a spectacular grove of ancient pencil pines. It features a historic hut and a grassy area for setting up tents, as well as a toilet and a small creek running through the valley. This campsite can get soggy after heavy rain and the Parks and Wildlife Service recommend that you don’t erect your tents beneath the overhanging trees.

It was here that the Dixon family lived during the 1930s and 1940s while grazing cattle through the area. While it is possible to stay inside the hut during emergencies, the Parks and Wildlife Service asks that you don’t camp within 15 metres of it. Inside are several signboards detailing the history of Dixon’s Kingdom that are well worth a look.

Lake Adelaide Campsite

 Located at the northern end of Lake Adelaide, this basic campsite has no facilities (this means no toilets or rainwater) but is an idyllic spot to stay in the warm, summer months if you’re keen to swim. You must camp at least 50 metres away from the lake’s edge and bury all of your toilet waste at least 15 centimetres deep AND at least 100 metres from the water. You can source water from the lake (although it’s highly recommended that you treat it before drinking). However, you mustn’t wash dishes in any of the waterways at the Lake Adelaide Campsite.

 Wild Camping Walls of Jerusalem

It’s possible to wild camp in Walls of Jerusalem National Park, just not within the Central Walls area between Herod’s Gate and Damascus Gate. The Parks and Wildlife Service asks that you don’t camp directly next to water sources and be aware that much of the region gets quite boggy, so look for spots that are not only flat but also dry. To minimise environmental degradation in the park, it’s best to stay at one of the designated campsites, if possible.