Red Lagoon

Red Lagoon: crowds and conditions

Typical pattern: moderate; weekends busier. Been there recently? Post today’s status and it shows here for the next traveller.

Status options for this lake: Full / gates open · Low water level · Entry closed.

Best time to visit Red Lagoon

Season: August to December when reservoirs are full and gates may open.

Busiest days: Weekends and long holidays.

Crowd: Moderate; weekends busier.

Typical week: Mon light · Tue light · Wed light · Thu light · Fri light · Sat busy · Sun busy.

How to reach Red Lagoon — distance from nearby cities

Coordinates: -44.31038, 169.87580. Road distances are estimates; the road-trip planner uses real routes and adds stops worth the detour.

Places to visit near Red Lagoon

• Ben Ohau Range · viewpoint · Mackenzie · ~12 km · Must-see
• Ahuriri Conservation Park · sanctuary · Waitaki · ~18 km · Must-see
• Clay Cliffs · attraction · Waitaki · ~25 km · Must-see
• Benmore Peak · viewpoint · Central Otago · ~26 km · Must-see
• Ruataniwha Conservation Park · sanctuary · Mackenzie · ~39 km · Must-see
• Hāwea Conservation Park · sanctuary · Queenstown-Lakes · ~43 km · Must-see
• Lindis Pass Scenic Reserve · viewpoint · Central Otago · ~45 km · Must-see
• David Glacier · viewpoint · Queenstown-Lakes · ~53 km · Must-see
• Mount Brewster · viewpoint · Westland · ~54 km · Must-see
• Brewster Glacier · viewpoint · Queenstown-Lakes · ~55 km · Must-see
• Glentanner Peak · viewpoint · Mackenzie · ~58 km · Must-see
• Te Manahuna · viewpoint · Mackenzie · ~58 km · Must-see
• Fantail Falls · waterfall · Queenstown-Lakes · ~59 km · Must-see
• Haast Pass / Tioripatea · waterfall · Queenstown-Lakes · ~59 km · Must-see
• Mauka Atua · viewpoint · Mackenzie · ~62 km · Must-see
• Ward Glacier · viewpoint · Waitaki · ~63 km · Must-see
• Blue Pools Track · trek · Queenstown-Lakes · ~63 km · Must-see
• Thunder Creek Falls · waterfall · Queenstown-Lakes · ~63 km · Must-see

See everything within a day’s drive of Red Lagoon

Other lakes, dams & reservoirs near Red Lagoon

• Raupō Lagoon · lake · Waitaki · ~3 km
• Raupo Lagoon · lake · Queenstown-Lakes · ~3 km
• Swan Lagoon · lake · Waitaki · ~5 km
• Swan Lagoon · lake · Queenstown-Lakes · ~5 km
• Lake Middleton · lake · Queenstown-Lakes · ~5 km
• Ōpakia / Lake Middleton · lake · Waitaki · ~5 km
• Lake Ōhau · lake · Mackenzie · ~11 km
• Dumb-bell Lake · lake · Queenstown-Lakes · ~15 km
• Dumb-bell Lake · lake · Waitaki · ~15 km
• Lake Ruataniwha · lake · Mackenzie · ~19 km

All lakes, dams & reservoirs in Canterbury

Frequently asked