Rocky Paddock Campground

Rocky Paddock Campground sits deep in the Mount Crawford pine plantation, about an hour from Adelaide, with 30 sites spaced out under mature pines. In normal seasons it is one of the few forest camps in the region where you can genuinely bring the dog for the whole stay.

The pet policy

Dogs are permitted in the plantation forest campsites and picnic areas but must stay on a lead and under effective control at all times. They are banned from the Native Forest Reserves that border the plantation, so keep walks to the plantation fire trails, and note ForestrySA terms cap leads at 3 metres.

There is no separate pet fee, only the standard per-vehicle camping charge, and all sites must be booked and paid online through ForestrySA before you arrive. There is no first-come, first-served option.

Worth knowing before you go

ForestrySA has closed Rocky Paddock for the remainder of the 2026 camping season for urgent safety works: ageing pine trees are being removed and the site fully redeveloped, and existing bookings were cancelled and refunded. Check the ForestrySA camping page for the reopening before planning a trip, and consider their other Mount Crawford campsites in the meantime.

When it reopens, expect the usual basic setup: hybrid toilets, picnic tables, fire pits and rainwater tanks, with rainwater not treated for drinking, so bring water for you and the dog. Wood fires have generally been allowed from May to October, subject to fire bans, and the camping season runs from April into November.

Max: when this one reopens, stick to the plantation tracks near camp. The native forest reserve boundary is not obvious on the ground and rangers do check.

Getting there

Access is via Warren Road then Tower Road into the forest off Gordon Road, with parking on-site beside your tent or camper and a 2WD fine on the main tracks. Williamstown is the nearest township for supplies, about a 15 minute drive.

Who it suits

Owners after a proper bush camping trip rather than a polished caravan park, with dogs happy on a lead around camp rather than off-leash. It is less suited to nervous dogs unsettled by campfires, neighbouring campers or wildlife moving through the pines at night.

Pair it with

While the campground is closed, the Fromms Farm stay nearby keeps you in the same forest region, and the Williamstown fenced dog park gives the dog a run on the drive up. For coffee, The Kiosk by Dasporto in Williamstown is the local stop.

More options are on the South Australia pet friendly stay guide and the Mount Crawford destination page.