Forest Camping in the Adelaide Hills — Less Than an Hour from the City
| Location | Mount Crawford Forest Reserve, Adelaide Hills |
| Region | Adelaide & Adelaide Hills |
| Campsite Type | Basic bush camping |
| Facilities | Pit toilets, fire rings, picnic tables |
| Access | Sealed road from Williamstown (10 km) |
| Fees | Free |
| Key Feature | Free camping in a mature pine and native forest close to Adelaide |
Adelaide’s Closest Forest Camping
Mount Crawford Forest Reserve offers the rare luxury of free bush camping within an hour’s drive of Adelaide. The reserve encompasses a mix of pine plantation and regenerating native woodland in the central Adelaide Hills, with several designated camping areas spread along forest tracks. The sites are basic — flat clearings with fire rings, picnic tables, and pit toilets — but the forest setting is peaceful and the proximity to Adelaide makes it ideal for a quick overnight escape.
The forest is popular with mountain bikers, horse riders, and bushwalkers. A network of fire trails and single tracks threads through the reserve, offering riding and walking options from gentle forest strolls to challenging hill climbs. Birdlife is abundant, with Adelaide rosellas, kookaburras, and yellow-tailed black cockatoos common visitors to the campground.
Planning Your Stay
Mount Crawford is located approximately 55 kilometres north-east of Adelaide via Williamstown. No bookings are required — camping is first-come, first-served. Bring all water, food, and firewood (fire restrictions apply in summer). The forest is managed by ForestrySA and is open year-round.