10 Camping Destinations near Manila

Sometimes we just need to get away from the city to enjoy fresh air and nature. Camping weekends where the main agenda is to do nothing but go stargazing, roast marshmallows over a bonfire and sleep under the stars can offer a quick escape. However, the most beautiful camping spots usually require long hikes up the mountains or boat travel to smaller islands and remote beaches.

Bikepackers and motorcycle riders are always on the lookout for natural spots that are still accessible by vehicles or with secure parking nearby.

Here are just 10 campsites located just 1 -4 hours away from Manila that I’ve personally visited or have been planning to visit. These camping areas are located in areas close to nature, with spacious grounds for pitching your own tents and have facilities like restrooms, running water and places to buy food nearby.

Mount Purro Nature Reserve

Mount Purro Nature Reserve is a family-run eco-park in Antipolo, tucked away in the foothills of the Sierra Madre Mountain Range, very near Metro Manila. They are open for daytrips,  overnight staycations and camping. The simple yet distinct sustainable travel destination aims to rehabilitate the Upper Marikina Watershed and empower the communities living within, especially the indigenous Dumagat tribe.

For campers, the designated camping area can only accommodate up to 5 tents with access to shared (but very clean and decent) toilet and bathrooms. Aside from providing areas where you can pitch tents surrounded by greenery, the park also offers comfortable farm-style loft, ground cottages and Dumagat Model homes for overnight stays.

Mount Purro Nature Reserve also has an in-house restaurant where you can order food, a small swimming pool, a nature playscape for kids, and open air huts surrounding a bonfire pit area (where you can order smores, hotdogs and ice cold beer at night!).

The eco-park gives guests access to pre-scheduled activities including a Forest Hike up to Malvar’s Peak (419 masl) where you can catch a nice sunrise view, as well as a River Walk for leisurely nature walks.

Mt. Purro Nature Reserve is ideal for couples, families with kids, first-time campers, and bikers who want a secure and comfortable place to ride to and stay overnight to extend their weekend rides beyond the usual daytrips.

• Address: Mount Purro Nature Reserve, Purok 5, Barangay Calawis, Antipolo City, Philippines
• Day Tour/Entrance only: Weekdays: P500 per adult and P300 for children 7 and below. Weekends: P700 per adult, P500 for children 7 and below
• Overnight camping: P850/person a night (bring your own tent) or pay an additional P500 for tent rental
• Overnight cottages: Price ranges from P4,000 to P6,000 a night (good for 2 to 4 pax, max 8 people with additional costs per extra person)
• Contact number: 
• Facebook: Mount Purro Nature Reserve
• Website:  www.mountpurronaturereserve.com

3 Springs Mountain Park

3 Springs Mountain Park is a private venue and outdoor park in Tanay, Rizal ideal for camping, day-trip getaways, swimming, field trips, team-buildings, prenup and debut photoshoots, retreats and recollections. Located just 1.5  away from Quezon City, the main draw here is camping out under the stars in a refreshing venue overlooking the Sierra Madre mountain range. Campers can bring their own tents and camping equipment or avail of the facility’s tents for rent.

3 Springs Mountain Resort has its own swimming pool, multi-purpose hall, team-building area, gazebos, nature trail, Amphitheater, restrooms and shower hall, coffee deck, Admin building, conference hall and bonfire pit. The site is ideal for families, first-time campers, field trips and larger groups.

• Address: KM56 Marcos Hwy, Sitio Mayagay 2, Brgy. Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal
• Day Tour: P300 per guest
• Tree Planting: P500 per guest
• Team building: Prices vary
• Overnight camping: Prices vary depending on size of group.
• Prenup / debut photoshoot: P5,000 for 4 hours (up to team of 10 people)
• Please contact them directly for inquiries.
• Contact number: 0998-5756975
• Facebook: 3 Springs Mountain Park
• Website: www.3springsmountainpark.com.ph

Treasure Mountain*

Since they opened to the public in 2017, Treasure Mountain has become one of the most popular camping areas in Tanay for weekend warriors because of the area’s accessibility. The educational campsite area in Tanay is reachable by private vehicles 1.5 hours from Manila, making it an easy escape for those who don’t want to hike long to get a rewarding view.

Treasure Mountain offers spacious camping grounds where campers can pitch their own tents or rent tents from the campsite directly. They also offer a High Obstacles Rope Course, Spider’s Web, ATV rentals and they recently opened a swimming pool.

• Address: Treasure Mountain, Sitio Maysawa, Brgy. Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal
• Day tour: Php 150 adults / Php 100 children (5 am until 3 pm)
• Overnight: Php 200 adults / P150 children (check-in time is at 4 pm until 10 pm only)
• Tent-rental deposit fees: P1,000 per tent (fee will be given back to guest/s once the tent is returned in good condition.)
• 2-pax tent rental: P500 + P1,000 deposit fee
• 4-pax tent rental: P800 + P1,000 deposit fee
• Sleeping Mat with Small Pillow and Blanket: P200
• Tent Pitching Fee: P300 (guests with their own tent)
• Small Cottage: P350
• Big Cottage: P550
• Kubo Rental: P3,500 (capacity of 6 guests)
• Lodging Room: P500 per head (minimum of 2, maximum of 4 guests)
• Facebook: Treasure Mountain Tanay

Lambingan Hills

Lambingan Hills is another secluded campsite in Tanay, just 1.5 hours away from Manila. Located in a hilly area that offers a scenic view of Laguna Lake and lush mountains, this nature-inspired attraction is ideal for families and friends just looking for a quick retreat. The main attraction here is the rows of bright red and yellow Celosia flowers and swings hanging on the trees for kids.

Lambingan Hill offers spacious camping grounds for those who want to spend the night. It can get really windy and cold here at night.

The campsite is reachable by a 15-minute hike from the nearest parking area. It is not reachable by car or motorbikes, but it can be reached by mountain bikes for those who want to keep their bikes close to the campsite. There’s also a restroom nearby. I enjoyed staying overnight here before hiking to Nagpatong Rocks.

• Address: Lambingan Hills, Narra Street Brgy. Cuyambay, Tanay, Rizal
• Day Tour: P50/head (7 am-5 pm)
• Overnight: P150/head (4 pm-9 am)
• Tent Pitching: Free
• Tent Rental: P150 good for 2–3 persons
• Contact number:  Renco Juson – 09078282225, for tent reservations
• Facebook: Lambingan Hills

Kubs Mountain Resort

Kubs is a mountain resort and restaurant located at Km80 Marilaque Tanay Rizal that offers a quick getaway, especially for road trippers and motorcyclists. By motorcycle, it’s less than 2 hours away from Manila. The site overlooking the Sierra Madre offers a restaurant serving native Filipino food ideal for brunch and lunch. It also happens to have spacious camping grounds, cottages, a swimming pool and Aircon rooms for rent for those who want to stay overnight.

• Address: Kubs Mountain Resort, Km 80 Marikina-Infanta Hwy, Tanay, 1600 Rizal
• Day tour entrance/swimming (adult & children above 3ft) – P150/day
• Overnight: P200 per head (2 pm to 12 nn only)
• Tent pitching fee: P250 (bring your own)
• Tent rental fee: P350
• Cottage: P500
• Bahay Kubo: P700
• AC Room (good for 6-8) – P2500
• Contact: 0917-100-0411/02-989-6447
• Facebook: Kubs Resort

Kaliraya Surf Kamp

Kaliraya Surf Kamp is a peaceful campsite along the shores Caliraya Lake in Laguna where visitors can park vehicles on the camping grounds next to tents. The campsite is accessible to all types of vehicles but feels remote. The area is about 2.5 to 3 hours drive from Manila.

The campsite has basic amenities like running water, a shared public restroom and native nipa hut cottages that you can rent out for group meals or where you can keep your stuff dry in case it rains. The camping grounds are ideal for those with private vehicles like bikepackers, motocampers, van campers.

It’s a pet-friendly spot, so couples and families with pets are also welcome. Aside from camping the area is ideal for picnics, frisbee / ultimate and stargazing. Water activities like kayaking, fishing, swimming, Caliraya boat tours, kit surfing, jet skiing are available. While camping out here, you can take side trips to the Japanese Garden, Pagsanjan Falls and Lumot Lake.

• Address: Kaliraya Surf Kamp, Barangay West Talaongan, Cavinti, Lumban, 4103
• Day Camp: Php 100/pax (adult/kids same rate)
• Overnight: Php 200/pax
• Parking Fee: Php 100/car (free for motorcycles & bicycles)
• Tent Pitching Fee: P100 (small tent good for 1-2 pax), P200 (medium tent good for 3-4 pax), P300 (big tent good for 5 pax and up)
• Tent rental: P800 (small), P1,500 (medium)
• Open nipa hut rental (without faucet): P600/day camp use – P1,200 overnight use
• Open nipa hut rental (with faucet): P800 day camp use – P1,500 overnight use
• Bonfire: Php 300/ set
• Kayak for rent: Php 400/hr good for 2 pax inclusive of life vest
• Contact: 0922-4336749
• Facebook: Kaliraya Surf Kamp

Pili Paninap Farms

Paninap Farms is a family-owned farm resort, restaurant and campground along the Makaira – Daraitan Road in Tanay, Rizal, about 2 to 3 hours from Manila. The 4-hectare farm is located on a rolling hill bounded by the Sampaloc River on the west, with forest and fruit-bearing trees. The farm is open as a relaxation and events place for families, friends, student and professional groups, hikers, campers and birdwatchers. The restaurant offers farm-to-table dining. The area provides a spacious campground where you can pitch your own tent or rent from them.

Aside from offering camping grounds where campers can pitch their own tents, they also have wooden lodges, tent rentals, toilets & shower rooms, barbecue grills, dining areas, seminar facilities and run a mini-store & souvenir shop. The Paninap Lodge can accommodate groups of up to 9 people and comes with its own attic and a wrap-around balcony. The location offers an ideal base and pit stop with comfortable, overnight stays for hikers who want to visit Umiray river and the Daraitan Summit and caves.

• Address: Pili Paninap Farm, Makaira – Daraitan Road, Tanay, Rizal
• Overnight camping: P400 per person
• Tent Rental (includes pillows and camping cushions): P400 (good for 4 people); P800 (good for 8 people) + on top of the entrance fee
• Rooms and Lodges: P2,500 for P4,500 a night (good for 6 – 9 pax)
• Contact number: 0915-7877428
• Facebook: Paninap Farms
• Website: https://paninapfarms.com/

Kuta Bungliw Eco-Lodge & Campsite

Kuta Bungliw is an eco-lodge & campsite in the boundaries of Tanay in Rizal and General Nakar in Quezon, about 2-3 hours from Manila, that offers visitors a base for exploring outdoor activities in nearby Daraitan. The area situated in a secluded and remote location offers a few open-air huts and pocket campsites and natural view decks which provide a refreshing view of the mountains and river below. Visitors can bring their own camping equipment, but tents are also available for rent.

Visitors can go hiking, river trekking, swimming, caving, or do bird watching and photography in the area. Take note that Kuta Bungliw is located on top of a hill, 300 meters above sea level and is not completely accessible by vehicles.

Getting here requires a 15-20 minute hike up a rough road. The houses near the barangay hall provide secure overnight parking for about P20/motorcycle per day or P100 for cars (if overnight). It’s possible for cyclists to bring their bicycles, but the last section will require hike-a-biking.

• Address: Kuta Bungliw Eco Lodge and Campsite, Atburan, General Nakar, Quezon.
• Overnight camping (bring your own tent): P300/head
• Tenthouse wooden cottage: P1,900 – P2,000 (good for 10-12 pax)
• Eco Lodge Bahay Puno: P800-900 (good for 5 pax)
• Eco Lodge Bamboo House: P1,300 – 1,500.night (Good for 7-8 pax)
• Eco Lodge Viewpoint Hunt: P1,800 – P2,500 (good for 10 pax)
• Contact number: 0977-3996151
• Facebook: Kuta Bungliw Eco Lodge and Campsite

Pacific Recreation Kamp

For budget backpackers and weekend warriors who like camping near the beach, the Pacific Recreation Kamp or PaRK in Real, Quezon offers a no-frills campsite about 3-4 hours from Manila. The area, which is right next to the surfing grounds spot of Tignoan Beach, has a spacious grassy areas where you can pitch your own tents or rent tents for day trips and overnight stays.

PaRk also has several nipa-hut style open-air gazebos you can rent for the night where you can just hang up hammocks. The resort has a couple of outdoor showers and basic public restrooms.

From here, you can take surfing, paddleboard or bodyboard lessons, visit waterfalls or go river rafting.

• Address: The PaRK, Hwy 601, Km 115, Bgy Tignoan, Real, 4335 Quezon Province
• Day tour (6 am to 6 pm): P50/day (adults), P40 (kids 12 and under)
• Overnight: P70 (adults), P60 (kids)
• Medium huts (good for 10 pax): 500/day – P800/overnight
• Large huts (good for 20 pax): P800/day – P1,200/overnight
• Tent pitching fee (own tent): P50/hammock, P100/small tent (1-2 pax), P150 (medium tent good for 3-4 pax), P200/large tent (5 pax), P250 (Gazebo and XL tent)
• Tent rental with mat: P500/tent (2-3 pax), P700 (3-4 pax), P900 (4-5 pax)
• Contact number: 0919-6604512
• Facebook: Pacific Recreation Kamp

Agoho Kampsite

Zambales is another popular destination near Manila for beach camping, with various surf beach resorts located in the towns of San Narciso and San Felipe located about 3-4 hours drive from Manila. Agoho Kampsite, established in 2018, aims to be an eco-friendly camping ground. They provide an affordable and accessible campsite for solo travelers, family outings, large groups, and team-building sessions. The area is located right next to Crystal Beach Resort.

The family-owned camping grounds can accommodate over 300 campers. Campers are advised to bring their own tent, preferably of the waterproof and weather-proof variety. The area offers free parking, a volleyball court, grilling area, toilet with bidet, teambuilding facilities and bonfire area, making it ideal for families, surfers, and backpackers.

• Day tour: P199/person (6 am to 6pm)
• Overnight: 350/head (own tent) (6 am to 12 nn)
• Contact: 0956-967-2785 (Globe) / 0932-2956480 (Sun) 
• Facebook: Agoho Kampsite

Got any other suggestions for accessible campsites near Manila? Please let me know in the comments section.

*NOTE: Treasure Mountain is still closed due to the pandemic as of March 2021. Additional rules and guidelines may apply for camping including limiting the number of guests and strict social distancing measures. Reservations are now required for most campsites. Walk-ins may not be accepted.