Bom Bom State Forest Campground – Free Camping Grafton

For mountain biking enthusiasts and those seeking a peaceful, pet-friendly bush camp, Bom Bom State Forest is a premier destination on the NSW North Coast. Located just a ten-minute drive from the city of Grafton, this fantastic free campground offers the perfect combination of thrilling recreation and serene forest immersion. The campground is a simple, rustic clearing set amongst a beautiful forest of ironbark and tallowwood trees. It’s a classic, back-to-basics State Forest experience, perfect for self-sufficient campers with tents, swags, or small camper trailers who want to be right in the heart of the action.

The main drawcard of Bom Bom is its incredible network of professionally built and maintained mountain bike trails. With over 20 kilometres of signposted singletrack catering to all skill levels, from beginner-friendly green loops to challenging black diamond runs, it’s a true rider’s paradise. Beyond the cycling, the forest offers a beautiful environment for bushwalking and trail running, with a rich diversity of birdlife and native flora. This is a self-sufficient campground with very basic facilities, including a non-flush toilet. Campers must bring all their own drinking water and take all their rubbish home with them. Being a State Forest, it is proudly dog-friendly, and the freedom to enjoy a campfire under the stars adds to the classic bush atmosphere. For an action-packed, budget-friendly, and conveniently located forest escape, Bom Bom is an unmissable spot for any active traveller.

Site Information

• Location: Bom Bom State Forest, south of Grafton.
• Site suitable for: Tents, swags, small camper trailers.
• Road access: Unsealed forest roads. Generally 2WD accessible with care in dry weather.
• Site surface: Natural dirt and grass clearing.
• Camping permitted: Yes, free of charge.
• Maximum overnight stays: Check Forestry Corporation guidelines.
• Facilities: Non-flush (long-drop) toilet.
• Picnic tables: Some available.
• Potable water: No. Bring all your own water.
• Mobile phone coverage: Good for Telstra near the forest entrance, patchy within.
• TV reception: Unlikely.
• Onsite public toilets: Yes.
• Rubbish bins: No. All rubbish must be carried out.
• Open fires: Permitted in designated fire pits, subject to fire bans.
• Generator use: Permitted, with consideration for other campers.
• Number of sites available: A small number of unmarked sites.

Essentials to Bring

• Your mountain bike and safety gear.
• All drinking and washing water.
• Rubbish bags to take all waste with you.
• Your own firewood.
• Insect repellent.

Activities

• Pet friendly: Yes. Dogs are permitted in NSW State Forests.
• Fishing: Not applicable.
• Short walks: A primary destination for mountain biking and trail running.

Local Amenities (in Grafton)

• Local Pubs:
  • The Crown Hotel, Grafton (~10 km)
  • Jacaranda Hotel, Grafton (~10 km)
  • The Clocktower Hotel, Grafton (~10 km)
• Places to Eat:
  • An extensive range of pubs, cafes, clubs, and restaurants in Grafton (~10 km)
• Local Attractions:
  • Grafton’s historic architecture and Jacaranda trees (~10 km)
  • Clarence River
  • Grafton Regional Gallery (~10 km)
• Nearest Caravan Parks:
  • BIG4 Big River Holiday Park, Grafton (~12 km)
  • Gateway Lifestyle Grafton (~10 km)
• Next Free Camps:
  • Nymboida River Campground (~50 km, 4WD rec)
• Nearest Dump Points:
  • Grafton Showground (~11 km)
• Nearest Petrol Station:
  • Multiple major service stations on the southern edge of Grafton (~8 km).
• Drinking Water Resupply:
  • Grafton. It is essential to arrive at the camp fully supplied.
• Public Toilets:
  • Onsite. Numerous public toilets are also available in Grafton’s parks.

Seasonal Weather Forecast: Northern Rivers / Clarence Valley

• Summer (December – February): Hot and very humid, with a high chance of thunderstorms. Average temperatures from 21°C to 30°C.
• Autumn (March – May): Warm, sunny days and mild evenings. Ideal for riding. Temperatures range from 15°C to 27°C.
• Winter (June – August): Cool, crisp, and often sunny days with cool nights. Temperatures range from 7°C to 20°C.
• Spring (September – November): Mild to warm with pleasant weather. The landscape is lush and green. Temperatures range from 13°C to 26°C.