Camping in Taroko is an experience you shouldn’t miss if you have camping gear and plan to visit the area. The three main Taroko Gorge campgrounds are within few minutes of Tianxiang, the main village in the gorge. If you do not have your own car or scooter, you should camp at Baiyang camping spot, because it’s only 800 meters away from Tianxiang.
Camping in Taroko – Map
I have personally camped at these three campgrounds in the past, and I think that all of them have their ups and downs. If I had to choose a favorite one though, it would probably be Heliu Campground, because it’s the only one which has wooden platforms, and I think they’re good to stay dry if it rains a lot and the ground gets totally soaked.
The 3 Main Taroko Gorge Campgrounds
Baiyang campground 白楊露營區 is convenient if you are using public transportation in Taroko Gorge and don’t have your own car or scooter. It’s only a 10-minute walk north of Tianxiang. It’s not really a campground – it’s the parking lot at the Baiyang trailhead and you sleep on concrete. Cold showers and toilets available, FREE. You must leave by 10am. Seldom anyone here on weekdays.
Lushui campground 綠水露營區 is 2 kilometers East from Tianxiang. It’s the one camping spot that feel the most “wild” as there are no platforms or concrete and you sleep on real soil – yeah! This campground is also free, and there are no toilets and no showers. The nearest toilets are at the Lushui Service Station next to the campground. There is also a restaurant (downstairs from the Geological Exhibition Hall) and the Lushui hiking trail next to this campground. There is a bus stop nearby too.
Heliu Campground is really nice and it’s also the busiest camping spot in Taroko Gorge even though it’s the only one that’s not free – each platform costs 200NT$ per night. Cold showers and toilets available. 2.6km from Tianxiang, so it’s better if you have your own wheels. There is a bus stop next to the campsite.
Other camping spots in Taroko NP
Other places to camp in Taroko National Park include the parking lot at Hehuanshan, as well as designated campsites on hiking trails. Pitching your tent by the side of the road is probably not recommended and/or illegal, but plenty of people do it, myself included. I’ve camped around the park at undesignated places a dozen times in the past, and have never had any problem with locals or cops. Needless to say, keep a low profile and be respectful of the environment wherever you camp, and pack away all your trash – leave zero traces.
Enjoy your camping experience in Taroko!
Check out more info about Taroko National Park.