Camp John Hay
New·FREE· 6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Verified· confirmed today
Quiet right now
based on typical Tuesday evening
About
Camp John Hay is a former rest-and-recreation station for the US Armed Forces, named after Theodore Roosevelt's Secretary of State, John Milton Hay, now a privately developed leisure estate spread across the pine-covered hills of southeastern Baguio. The Americans built the original Hill Station here in 1900 on the Kafagway pasture, and the site was bombed by Japanese forces in WWII (72 bombs over the Main Gate) before being turned over to the Philippine government and redeveloped for tourism. Today it's a full day out: a Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course, Tree Top Adventure (canopy ride, zipline, tree drop), hiking trails including the 2-km Yellow Trail loop behind Scout Hill, plus the Butterfly Sanctuary, Bell House and Amphitheater, the Cemetery of Negativism, and the History Trail. The Cemetery of Negativism — established by base commander John Hightower in the early 1980s as a symbolic burial ground for negativity — is marked by oddly hilarious gravestones. Much of the camp's pine forest, landscaping, and open spaces remain free to roam (the Bell House and cemetery are now reported free as well), with hotels and restaurants scattered throughout.
Amenities
- Eco-trail & paved forest loop (free)
- 2-km Yellow Trail loop (behind Scout Hill)
- Tree Top Adventure (zipline, canopy ride, tree drop)
- Historical Core — Bell House (small museum) & Amphitheater, History Trail
- Cemetery of Negativism
- Butterfly Sanctuary
- Jack Nicklaus golf course
- Hotels (The Manor, Le Monet, Forest Lodge)
- Restaurants & cafes
- Shopping / artisan markets
- Parking · Restrooms
Facilities
- Parking
- Restroom
- Outdoor seating
- Wheelchair accessible
Good to know
PaymentsCash · GCash · Card
Good forGroupsDate nightFamily-friendly
Today's Hours
6:00 AM – 7:00 PM
Address
Loakan Road, Baguio City, Benguet 2600 (Main Gate / Gate 1)
Landmark: Pine-lined roads off Loakan Road; the Bell House and Historical Core
Typical Visit
240 minutes
Typically busy
Usually busy at these times — based on typical patterns, not live crowd data.
- Weekend daytime
- Holiday peak
Plan your visit
Best time to visit
Weekday mornings, or be at the gate before 8 AM on weekends to have the cemetery and forest paths almost to yourself. Open roughly 6 AM–7 PM, though individual facilities keep their own hours.
What to bring
Closed-toe shoes (trails get slippery when wet), a jacket, water, and cash for attractions.
Things to do
- Walk or jog the eco-trail and paved loop under the pines
- Walk the 2-km Yellow Trail loop behind Scout Hill (45–90 min)
- Try Tree Top Adventure — canopy ride, zipline, and tree drop
- Tour the Historical Core — Bell House (small museum inside) & Amphitheater and the History Trail
- See the quirky Cemetery of Negativism (humorous gravestones)
- Visit the Butterfly Sanctuary (built around a bronze mermaid statue)
- Play the Jack Nicklaus-designed golf course
- Dine at The Manor or other restaurants among the pines
Getting there
10–15 minutes from the CBD via Gate 1 on Loakan Road or Gate 4 past Baguio Country Club; take a taxi (~₱80–120) or a jeepney via the "Camp John Hay" or "Scout Barrio" route (~₱15), which drops you at the gate since jeeps don't enter.
Rules & notes
No entrance fee to enter the camp; there's a security inspection at the gate. Individual attractions have separate fees and their own opening hours — double-check before going.
Where
Landmark: Pine-lined roads off Loakan Road; the Bell House and Historical Core
Open in Maps
Attractions here
Restaurants here
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