Lake Wardell is a spacious freedom camping area for self-contained caravans and campervans located on State Highway 8 south of Lake Pukaki, near Twizel in the Mackenzie District of Canterbury. Managed by MacKenzie District Council, the site sits beneath pine trees with room for vehicles of various sizes, and offers basic facilities including at least one toilet. A maximum stay of three nights applies. The area provides open-air stargazing opportunities and sits approximately 30 minutes' drive from Aoraki/Mount Cook, with additional parking available along the sealed road beside the Pukaki-Ohau Canal. Suitable for year-round camping, this rest area serves self-contained vehicles travelling through the Mackenzie high country.