By Camp John Hay Baguio Travel Guide
Camp John Hay. If I was asked by a tourist which place or tourist spot in Baguio City best depicts everything the Summer Capital is, my answer would be the first three words of this article. Camp John Hay or CJH is a known Baguio tourist spot not only for its signature Baguio pines ambiance but also for the many activities you can do inside the sanctuary.
For those who would like to include this Baguio tourist spot in their itinerary, below is a 2022 updated travel guide on what to do, where to stay, and what to eat when you are inside Camp John Hay. You may refer to the table of contents below for easier navigation.
Camp John Hay Baguio
Camp John Hay is located 10-15 minutes away from the Central Business District (CBD).
How to go to Camp John Hay
- Via jeepney: You can take the Scout Barrio jeepney and ask to be dropped off at Camp John Hay. Regular jeepney fare costs Php10.00. PUJs do not enter Camp John Hay so you will only be dropped off at the Gate 1 entrance. If you intend to go somewhere located in the middle of CJH (ex. Scout Hill), it would be best to take a taxi.
- Via taxi: Taxi fare would depend on traffic and pickup point. If you take a taxi from the Central Business District to CJH, it would be safe to allot PHP100.00-200.00, especially on weekends when traffic usually gets heavy.
Scout Barrio jeepney terminal
How to enter Camp John Hay
You can enter CJH through Gate 1 located along Loakan Road or through Gate 4, which is located just past Baguio Country Club. Slow down upon entering the gate for security inspection then proceed once the security personnel gives you the go signal. There is no entrance fee needed to enter CJH.
Camp John Hay History
More than a tourist spot, Camp John Hay is packed with history and has played a huge part in what Baguio City was and has become.
In 1903, Camp John Hay served as a military post for troops serving in the Philippines. In search of a sanitarium and cooler climates where American servicemen can cool off and heal their physical and mental wounds, what is known today as the Historical Core came into fruition.
What to do in Camp John Hay
Believe it or not, you can spend the whole day at CJH doing various activities whether you’re going solo or with a gang. Without further ado, here are the various activities you can do inside Camp John Hay along with rates and other important details.
Scenic Sightseeing
Immersing in the Pines
Sometimes the best things in life are free and one of those is appreciating the natural beauty of our surroundings. One of the activities you can do is to take a stroll, brisk walk, run, or jog within the wide expanse of Camp John Hay. John Hay is famous not only for tourists but also for residents who would like to stay fit because the trees contribute to the cool breeze within the destination.
Historical Core
The Historical Core is the place to go to if you are a history buff and would like to walk among traces of the past.
- Cemetery of Negativism
- Totem Pole
- History Trail
- Secret Garden
- Bell House
- Bell Amphitheater
Rates
- Standard Tourists: Php 48.00/head
- Student/Senior/PWD: Php 36.00/head
- 6 yr. old and below: Free
Important Note:
- Foods are not allowed inside
- Smoking/Vaping is also strictly prohibited
Family Day at Scout Hill
Every weekend, families flock to the vast picnic grounds located at Scout Hill. Here, you can celebrate important milestones or just bond with your favorite people with the different activities that are available for different ages.
Picnic Area
CJH Picnic area rates
- Picnic table
- Php 300.00 per table for the whole day
- Php 200.00 per table (maximum of 3 hours)
- Capacity per table: 10 persons
- Excess fee: Php 15.00 per person
- Picnic grounds
- Php 15.00 per person
- Cabana
- Small Cabana
- Max 3 hours: Php 400.00
- Whole day: Php 600.00
- Big Cabana
- Max 3 hours: Php 600.00
- Whole day: Php 800.00
- Small Cabana
- Overnight camping
- Php 300.00 per person
- Parking
- Grounds maintenance & Security Service Fee
- Php 50.00 per vehicle
- Grounds maintenance & Security Service Fee
For reservation, please inquire at the CJH Development Corporation or contact (074) 442-5783.
Butterfly Sanctuary
Learn about the life cycle of butterflies and wander around different species of butterflies at the butterfly sanctuary.
Rates
- Regular: Php 70.00/head
- 2 yr. old and below: Free
Go Kart
Operating hours
Open daily from 8:00 AM onwards
rates
- Gokart single: Php 100.00 (20 minutes)
- Gokart duo: Php 200.00 (20 minutes)
Mini Golf
Rates
- One round (18 holes): Php 250.00/person
- Damaged/lost putters and golfballs
- Putter: Php 2,000.00 each
- Golf balls: Php 15.00 each
Outdoor Adventure
For the adrenaline junkies looking for a rush, there are activities inside CJH that are packed with adventure.
Forest Bathing Trail
A mini getaway if you will. The forest bathing trail, also known as the Yellow trail, is a mini hike designed to give you the full immersion of Baguio’s pine trees. Known for its health and wellness benefits, the practice of forest bathing or shinrin-yoku adapted from the Japanese has become more popular, especially during the height of the pandemic.
When you go on a hike on the trail, it would be like going to an entirely different place for a few hours. This is a great activity if you are looking to destress and detox from the noisy world of social media and the outside world.
Horseback Riding
A lot of tourists know Wright Park as the only place to go for horseback riding. At Camp John Hay, just beside the Filling Station, you can ride a horse while taking the mini trail which also leads to the Forest Bathing Trail.
Rates:
- Single ride
- 30 minutes: Php 300.00
- 1 hour: Php 500.00
- Double ride (Adult + kid 4 yr. old and below)
- 30 minutes: Php 350.00
- 1 hour: Php 550.00
- Picture taking: Php 30.00 per person
Reminders:
- Do not leave your children and valuable things unattended
- Follow your guide’s instructions
- No full gallop in hazardous areas
Paintball Republic
If you are more into extreme sports, worry not because the Paintball Republic has various activities set in store for you and your friends.
Paintball Republic Rates:
- Woodland Paintball
- Rental fee: Php 250.00/person
- Paintball: Php 200.00 for 50 paintballs
- Total: Php 450.00/person
- Paintball Target shooting: Php 250.00 (inclusive of 50 shareable ammo)
- Airsoft Target shooting: Php 250.00 (inclusive of 50 shareable ammo)
- Zipline & Rappel: Php 200.00/person
- Wall climbing: Php 200.00/person
- Pump Action (6 games with 16 ammo per game): Php 500.00/person
- Nerf Wars: Php 200.00
- RC Crawlers: Php 150.00 per hour
Camp John Hay Hotels
Le Monet Hotel
Check dates and availability here
The Manor at Camp John Hay
Check dates and availability here
The Forest Lodge at Camp John Hay
Check dates and availability here
Camp John Hay Restaurants
Below are the food establishments (restaurants and kiosks) located inside Camp John Hay:
Ayala Technohub
- Army Navy
- Bistro by Hillstation*
- Blackbeard’s Seafood Island
- Crustasia
- Everything Nice
- Fruits in Ice Cream
- J.CO Donuts & Coffee
- Potato Corner
- Ramen Nagi
- Starbucks
- Sumo Sam
- Turks
- Volante
- Yellow Cab Pizza
Filling Station
- Annie’s Grill
- Le Monet Bakery
- Shakey’s
- Titania Wine Cellar
Mile Hi Commercial
Sheridan Drive
- Starbucks
Others
- Choco-late de Batirol
