The Tourism Industry has launched a campaign encouraging freedom campers to "assume nothing" and "always ask a local".

The campaign, consisting of a website and promotional material, urges campers to check with those in the know before pitching a tent or parking a campervan this summer.

Material would be displayed by participating campervan operators, i-SITE visitor information centres, Department of Conservation (DOC) Visitor Centres and holiday parks, Tourism Industry Association advocacy manager Geoff Ensor said.

"Camping in the wrong places or without appropriate management is having negative environmental, social and economic impacts in some regions."

DOC director general Al Morrison said the department supported the initiative.

"Camping has long been a traditional outdoor recreation activity in New Zealand but not all activities are appropriate in all places, and as in most things we do, rules apply," he said.