← ReGear Journal

Central North Island

Lake Rotokura: a quiet forest walk near Ohakune

ReGear

Plan Lake Rotokura near Ohakune: an easy forest outing past Dry Lake, access and parking, cultural care, what to bring and accurate aerial maps.

Lake Rotokura with Ruapehu beyond the forest.

Lake Rotokura is a calm alternative to the region’s bigger mountain walks. The path passes Dry Lake before reaching beech forest and a lake that can reflect Ruapehu on a clear, still day.

Quick facts

  • DOC allows about 30 minutes return; leave extra time for quiet viewing.
  • About 2 km return on the mapped approach, an approximate planning distance.
  • Easy-to-intermediate forest walking.
  • No dogs; no fishing at Rotokura.

Getting to the start

From SH49 between Ohakune and Waiouru, turn onto Karioi Station Road about 12 km from Ohakune. Continue roughly 1 km to the Rotokura car park. Plan a toilet stop in town and carry drinking water.

Location and route maps

Lake Rotokura location relative to Ohakune on real aerial imagery, with north up.
Lake Rotokura mapped walking track highlighted orange on real aerial imagery, with its entrance marked and north up.

DOC track information and official map.

The walk, step by step

  1. Take the marked track from the car park.
  2. Pass Dry Lake, with grassy picnic space above it.
  3. Continue through beech forest to Lake Rotokura.
  4. Return by the same approach to the car park.

Effort and conditions

Choose this for a short forest outing rather than a summit climb. Watch your footing on damp ground and allow the slowest walker to set the pace. Pause quietly to hear the birds.

What I would bring

I would bring a waterproof layer, water and comfortable walking shoes. Take a warm layer for a longer stop. Save the map before leaving, and leave your route and expected return with someone.

Planning your return

Rotokura is tapu to Ngāti Rangi: do not eat at or near the lake, and do not fish. Use the Dry Lake picnic area for food. Take rubbish out, check the current DOC notice and return before light fades.

More walks to compare

Sources and photo credits

Sources checked 4 October 2026.

Maps: LINZ Basemaps and imagery contributors, CC BY 4.0. Track geometry: Crown copyright, Department of Conservation, DOC Tracks dataset, CC BY 4.0. Location labels and route highlights added.

Photo: Lake_Rotokura_and_Ruapehu.jpg — Johnragla. CC BY-SA 4.0. Resized for display.