Bartletts Ford is a riverside reserve on Terrace Road in Kimbolton, Manawatu, beside the Pohangina River, with a Google rating of 4.6 from 89 reviews. Reviewers mention free camping, river access, a swimming hole and fire pits, and say the current varies, so swim shoes help on the rocks.
Riverside reserves are busiest in summer, so arriving early in the day gives a better choice of spot near the water. Check the water level and current before swimming, since a river can run faster after rain even when the day looks calm. Many campers bring their own water and rubbish bags, as sites by the river are often a walk from the nearest bin. Choose a spot back from the bank if you are camping with young children.
Its Terrace Road spot is a simple summer stop on the Pohangina River, about half an hour from Palmerston North.