Camping is very popular on our coastal parks. Last year, more than 12,000 campers used the parks.Here's more details about the new processes, and about camping on our shores.
Which camping sites are affected?
see the NParks website for detailed maps of these areas.
- Changi Beach Park (between Carpark 1 and Carpark 4; between Carpark 6 and Carpark 7)
- East Coast Park (Area D and Area G)
- Pasir Ris Park (Area 1 and 3)
- Sembawang Park (Area A)
- West Coast Park (Area 3)
Camping is also allowed at Jelutong, Noordin and Mamam Beaches at Pulau Ubin. Permits are not required to camp at these sites. However, campers are advised to inform the officers at the Pulau Ubin Police Post on the day that they are camping for safety reasons.
What are the permit details?
Camping permits will be required on weekdays and weekends, including public holidays and school holidays. A permit is valid for one day. Each camper will be able to apply for a maximum of 8 days per month.
Currently, the same identity card cannot be used to register for more than one permit a day, and for more than five consecutive days.
How to apply for a permit?
Apply from any of the 500 over AXS machines island-wide.
AXS machines are also located in Changi Beach Park (i-kiosk near Carpark 1), East Coast Park (Area C3), Pasir Ris Park (Carpark E), Sembawang Park (Carpark 1), and West Coast Park (McDonald's restaurant in Area 3).
Campers can also apply online via www.axs.com.sg (at least one day in advance).
In view of the current economic downturn, NParks will cover the cost of transaction over AXS by absorbing the administrative fee of $1 per permit per day.
What about the number of permits issued?
The number of permits issued is dependent on the size of the camping area at each park. For example, the quota for East Coast Park is 100 on weekdays and 200 for weekends.
Why are permits required on weekdays?
Permits were introduced in November 2005 to further prevent people from living at the parks in tents for months or even years. At that time, 70 “overstayers” were asked to leave during a two-month period.
What about camping on our Southern Islands?
Camping is permitted on Sisters Islands and Pulau Hantu. These islands are managed by Sentosa. For more details see the Sentosa website or wildsingapore's fact sheets on Sisters Islands and Pulau Hantu.
Overnight trips can also be arranged on Pulau Semakau under NEA's Educational/Recreational Outing programme. The educational visit consists of a briefing on the solid waste management in Singapore and design and operation of Semakau followed by a tour of the landfill. After the educational programme, visitors have the option of taking part in relaxing recreational activities, including fishing, cycling, barbecuing and camping. More details on this NEA PDF file.
Camping is not allowed on our other islands.
Full articles about the NParks camping permits and NParks press release on the wildsingapore news blog.
Related links on wildsingapore
- NParks relaxes rules on camping permits Channel NewsAsia, 26 Nov 04
- The great escape The Straits Times, 5 Dec 04 with highlights of camping at the different parks.
- Campers complain of overcrowding, littering after lifting of camping permits Ken Teh Channel NewsAsia, 18 Dec 04
- Weekday campers at 5 parks must now get permits: NParks Pearl Forss, Channel NewsAsia 4 Nov 05
