The popularity of a campsite near Wellington has led to its downfall, DOC says.

Graces Stream Campsite in Remutaka Forest Park has been permanently shut due to the risk of treefall.

DOC says soil compaction from too much foot traffic and camping has damaged trees in the area.

“It is not safe to camp there,” DOC senior ranger Robert Ashe said.

Graces Stream has been a much-loved campsite for many years and the decision to close it was not taken lightly, Ashe said.

The site’s toilet has been removed and warning signs have gone up.

Further north, campers at DOC sites in Whangārei will need to pack out their rubbish from February 1.

Rubbish and recycling services have been available at Pūriri Bay, Otamure Bay and Uretiti campsites, but Whangārei operations manager Joel Lauterbach said that was no longer environmentally responsible: “We can’t continue to accommodate the disposal of massive amounts of rubbish from our campers.”

The “pack in, pack out” policy is in line with most DOC facilities and encourages campers to think about the rubbish they create