Whether you are a regular camper at one of the Waitaki Lakes campgrounds, or this is your first summer nabbing a site, there are a few rules everybody needs to be aware of.

The Waitaki District Council offers six Kiwi-style camping grounds in the lakes area - at Boat Harbour, Falstone Creek, Loch Laird, Parsons Rock, Sailors Cutting and Wildlife Reserve.

The grounds are sunny and sheltered with easy access to the lakes, rivers, local townships (Kurow, Otematata, Omarama and Twizel), a golf course, playgrounds, and walking and cycling tracks.

With the campgrounds opening this Saturday (21 September), the council wants to remind all potential campers of things they need to know before heading up the valley, a statement says.

• First of all - a ticket is required to get in. Full and half-season tickets can be purchased from council offices in Ōamaru, at Kurow Autos, or Otematata On the Spot. Other ways to pay, and an application form, can be found at Waitaki Lakes camping/Waitaki District Council.

• Sites are first in, first served - if you’ve got a spot in mind, be prepared this weekend. Camp-sites are not to be larger than 60m2, and at least 10m away from the lakefront.

• Park in the Loch Laird top paddock this Friday, not on the road. Don’t start your camping season off by getting a ticket or a telling-off.

• When camping, be a good neighbour - keep the noise down between 10pm and 7am, leave the motorbike at home, keep your dog on a lead, slow down when driving in the campsite, and keep fires on the camp-stove. If you have a problem, contact the camp supervisor.

Falstone Creek campsite. Photo: Supplied/Waitaki District Council