Carnival Park is a campground at 29 Main St in Pahiatua, Tararua, set in a quiet bush setting. It holds a Google rating of 4.3 from 155 reviews, and visitors mention clean facilities, a friendly host, powered sites, a short bush walk and a peaceful atmosphere. Cyclists passing through also speak well of it.
The website lists caravan and tent sites, powered sites among shady trees, a lounge and kitchen, BBQ, free WiFi, a playground and a covered picnic area. It says there is no dump station on site. The river is a 7 to 8-minute walk away, the town pools are nearby, and a café is about ten minutes' walk into town. The office is open most of the day, with self-service when it is unstaffed, and EFTPOS is available. Gates are locked from dusk until 7am, so phone 063766340 or 0210554001 if you will arrive late. When choosing a campground, check whether you need power, a dump station or kitchen facilities, and tell the host your arrival time.
For travellers and cyclists passing through the Tararua, it is a calm, low-key place to stop.