A proposal from Land and Information New Zealand (Linz) to charge campers to stay at the Bendigo, Lowburn, Champagne Gully and Jacksons Inlet sites would not be pursued this summer, Linz deputy chief executive Jerome Sheppard said.
However, the idea was "not off the cards altogether".
"We're keen to continue exploring introducing a fee at our sites. We have really appreciated the support from the council and MBIE (Ministry for Business, Innovation and Employment) but this funding isn't sustainable long-term."
About 34,000 vehicles passed through the four Lake Dunstan camping sites last summer.
The Central Otago District Council is developing a responsible camping strategy to be in place for the 2020-21 summer.
The council has received $377,000 from MBIE to install vehicle counters, temporary toilet facilities to cope with increased demand, servicing and maintenance, and an education and monitoring programme for the 2019-20 season.
