Camp John Hay (Baguio) Travel Guide - Free

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Camp John Hay
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Camp John Hay in Baguio blends pine forests, former military heritage, cool mountain air, scenic walks, cafés, dining and distinctive cultural landmarks.

A Former Military Retreat in the Pines

Camp John Hay occupies a broad, forested upland within Baguio, where tall Benguet pine trees, cool air and winding roads create a markedly different atmosphere from the denser urban districts around Session Road. Established as a United States military recreation facility during the American colonial period, it later became part of the Philippines' post-base redevelopment programme. Today, the area combines protected-looking woodland, hotels, restaurants, leisure facilities and historic buildings, while retaining the spacious character of a former cantonment and mountain retreat.
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Historic Buildings and Quiet Trails

The Bell House, once associated with US military commander General J. Franklin Bell, provides the most direct encounter with Camp John Hay's colonial-era history. Nearby, the Bell Amphitheater, Cemetery of Negativism and wooded paths add layers of symbolism and reflection to an otherwise recreational landscape. Visitors can also explore the grounds around The Manor, the Mile Hi Center and the Camp John Hay Convention Center, although the district's greatest appeal often lies in simply walking beneath the pines and noticing how the architecture sits within the terrain.

Leisure, Dining and Everyday Atmosphere

Camp John Hay is quieter and more resort-oriented than central Baguio. Restaurants and cafés serve visitors staying in or around the complex, while outdoor attractions and forest activities provide reasons to spend several hours here. The roads can be steep or winding, and distances between sites are greater than they first appear, making taxis or a private vehicle useful for combining the main sights. The area is neither a traditional market district nor a busy nightlife quarter; its identity rests on mountain scenery, institutional history and carefully managed leisure spaces.

Best attractions in Camp John Hay

Camp John Hay's attractions are distributed through a spacious pine landscape rather than concentrated along one street. The Bell House offers a glimpse of the former military retreat's domestic and institutional history, while the nearby Bell Amphitheater uses the natural slope as an outdoor performance setting. The Cemetery of Negativism, with its deliberately reflective theme, is one of the camp's more distinctive interpretive sites. Visitors can also explore the wooded roads around The Manor, the Camp John Hay Convention Center and the Mile Hi Center, or seek out outdoor recreation within the developed grounds. Forest walks and elevated viewpoints are often as important to the experience as formal attractions, although paths, access arrangements and activity availability vary. The Philippine Military Academy is nearby but lies outside Camp John Hay and should be visited as a separate destination.

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Best landmarks in Camp John Hay

The Bell House is Camp John Hay's most important historic landmark, a preserved residence associated with General J. Franklin Bell and the camp's American military era. Its setting among mature pines conveys the former retreat's deliberate separation from the denser city, while the building's interpretation helps explain how senior officials used Baguio's cooler climate. The Bell Amphitheater is a significant landscape feature as well as a performance space, with its open form adapted to the hillside. The Cemetery of Negativism is a later commemorative landmark whose unusual concept distinguishes it from conventional military memorials. The Manor, the convention centre and surviving camp roads represent the area's modern leisure transformation, while their dispersed arrangement preserves something of the original cantonment character.

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Explore Camp John Hay on the map

A handpicked selection of must-see spots in Camp John Hay, mapped for you.

Best restaurants in Camp John Hay

Dining in Camp John Hay is shaped by hotels, leisure facilities and the neighbourhood's forested setting rather than by a dense street-food or market culture. The Manor and other established hospitality venues provide the area's most recognisable sit-down options, with menus suited to visitors seeking Filipino dishes, familiar international cooking, coffee and relaxed meals after exploring the grounds. The Mile Hi Center and surrounding commercial areas add more casual choices, while cafés benefit from Baguio's cool climate and the appeal of lingering among the pines. Camp John Hay is not the principal destination for the city's traditional market cuisine, so visitors looking for the broadest range of local stalls and everyday eateries will find more choice elsewhere in Baguio. Restaurant names, menus and operating arrangements can change, particularly in a seasonal tourism centre.

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Best bars in Camp John Hay

Camp John Hay is a relatively restrained evening district, with nightlife centred on hotel lounges, restaurant bars and informal drinks rather than a concentration of independent clubs. The Manor provides the best-known hospitality setting for an evening meal or a quiet drink, while other accommodation and commercial venues may offer similarly low-key entertainment. The pine landscape and dispersed roads mean that the area becomes noticeably calmer away from the main hotels, and it is not sensible to treat forest paths as nightlife routes after dark. Visitors seeking live music, late bars or a larger club scene generally need to continue into central Baguio rather than expecting Camp John Hay to function as a dedicated entertainment quarter. Current performances, closing times and access policies vary by venue.

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Best nightclubs in Camp John Hay

Camp John Hay is a relatively restrained evening district, with nightlife centred on hotel lounges, restaurant bars and informal drinks rather than a concentration of independent clubs. The Manor provides the best-known hospitality setting for an evening meal or a quiet drink, while other accommodation and commercial venues may offer similarly low-key entertainment. The pine landscape and dispersed roads mean that the area becomes noticeably calmer away from the main hotels, and it is not sensible to treat forest paths as nightlife routes after dark. Visitors seeking live music, late bars or a larger club scene generally need to continue into central Baguio rather than expecting Camp John Hay to function as a dedicated entertainment quarter. Current performances, closing times and access policies vary by venue.

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Best shops in Camp John Hay

Shopping in Camp John Hay is limited and resort-oriented rather than comparable with Baguio's central market districts. The Mile Hi Center is the principal commercial reference point within the complex, offering a mixture of practical retail, food and visitor-focused businesses that reflects the area's former military and present leisure identities. Hotel shops and small commercial outlets may carry souvenirs, clothing, gifts and locally themed products, although stock and tenants change. The most distinctive purchase is often connected to Baguio and the Cordillera region more broadly, such as crafts, woven goods or packaged local produce, but visitors should distinguish genuinely local work from generic souvenirs. For a larger selection of handicrafts, produce and everyday shopping, central Baguio markets and retail streets are more substantial and lie outside the neighbourhood.

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Camp John Hay essentials

Getting There
Camp John Hay is reached by road from central Baguio, generally via routes connecting Session Road and Upper Baguio with Loakan Road and the camp's entrances. Taxis are a practical choice for visitors carrying luggage or planning to reach several separate sites, while private cars can access the main commercial and hotel areas, subject to local traffic and parking arrangements. There is no railway or underground service in Baguio. Travellers arriving by intercity bus should arrange a taxi onward from the city centre or bus terminal area rather than expecting a direct public-transport interchange inside Camp John Hay. The nearby Philippine Military Academy is a separate site and should not be confused with the camp.
Getting Around
The complex is spread across forested slopes rather than laid out as a compact pedestrian quarter. Walking between the Bell House, Bell Amphitheater, hotels, commercial areas and activity venues can be pleasant, but routes may involve inclines, winding roads and limited pavements. Taxis or a private vehicle are useful when visiting several locations in one outing. Keep to marked paths and roadside edges where available, and allow for wet surfaces during rainy weather. Visitors with limited mobility should check access arrangements for individual buildings and activities in advance, since the terrain and older structures are not uniformly step-free.
Safety
Camp John Hay is generally experienced as a managed leisure and woodland area, but ordinary travel precautions still apply. Keep phones, wallets and cameras secure in crowded commercial areas, car parks and busy periods, and avoid leaving belongings visible in vehicles. Take care on bends and narrow roads, where cars, taxis and pedestrians share space, and use extra caution on damp paths. After dark, remain on recognised routes and travel between separated venues by taxi or car rather than walking unfamiliar forest roads. Weather can change quickly in Baguio, so rainwear and footwear with a firm sole are useful.
Emergency Situations
In the Philippines, call 911 for police, fire or medical emergencies; provide the exact Camp John Hay entrance, building, hotel or activity area and remain available for further instructions. Staff at hotels, restaurants and managed attractions can help direct emergency responders, but visitors should not assume that every part of the wooded complex has immediate on-site medical facilities. Carry identification, keep a charged phone available and note the name of the venue being visited. For non-urgent medical needs, ask accommodation staff or a local clinic for current advice rather than relying on an unfamiliar online listing.
Do's and Don'ts
Respect the camp's residential, hotel and heritage settings by keeping voices and music low, particularly near accommodation and commemorative sites. Stay on designated paths, do not climb historic structures, and never carve into pine trees or remove plants. Ask before photographing people, staff or private activities, and follow photography rules inside heritage buildings. In restaurants and shops, queue patiently and check whether service charges are included before tipping; a modest additional tip is discretionary. Avoid blocking narrow roads for photographs, and treat the Cemetery of Negativism as a reflective site rather than a novelty backdrop.
Local Tips
The most rewarding orientation is to combine one heritage stop with a slow walk through the pine landscape and then continue to a café or restaurant. The Bell House and Bell Amphitheater are best understood together, while the Cemetery of Negativism offers a contrasting, more contemplative visit. Camp John Hay's commercial areas provide practical refreshments, but the district's character is found in the transitions between buildings, tree-lined roads and open slopes. Weekday visits are often easier for unhurried exploration, although conditions, access and opening arrangements at individual attractions can change, so confirm locally on arrival.
Eve, your Evendo local guide

From Eve

Local phrases worth knowing

You don't need to get them perfect. A few words go a long way, and locals appreciate the effort.

6 phrase groups · English, local and pronunciation

Basics
EnglishLocalSay it
HelloKamusta[ka-mu-sta]
GoodbyePaalam[pa-a-lam]
YesOo[o-o]
NoHindi[hin-di]
Please/You're welcomePaki[pa-ki]
Thank youSalamat[sa-la-mat]
Excuse me/SorryPasensya[pa-sen-sya]
How are you?Kamusta ka?[ka-mu-sta ka?]
Fine. And you?Mabuti. Ikaw?[ma-bu-ti. i-kaw?]
Do you speak English?Marunong ka mag-Ingles?[ma-ru-nong ka mag-ing-les?]
I don't understandHindi ko maintindihan[hin-di ko main-tin-di-han]
Eating & Drinking
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to see the menu, pleaseGusto ko makita ang menu, pakisuyo[gus-to ko ma-ki-ta ang me-nu, pa-ki-su-yo]
I don't eat meatHindi ako kumakain ng karne[hin-di a-ko ku-ma-ka-in ng kar-ne]
Cheers!Mabuhay![ma-bu-hay!]
I would like to pay, pleaseGusto ko magbayad, pakisuyo[gus-to ko mag-ba-ya-ad, pa-ki-su-yo]
Emergencies
EnglishLocalSay it
Help!Tulong![tu-long!]
Go away!Lumayo ka![lu-ma-yo ka!]
Call the Police!Tawag sa pulis![ta-wag sa pu-lis!]
Call a doctor!Tawag sa doktor![ta-wag sa dok-tor!]
I'm lostNawawala ako[na-wa-wa-la a-ko]
I'm illMay sakit ako[may sa-kit a-ko]
Shopping
EnglishLocalSay it
I'd like to buy...Gusto ko bumili ng...[gus-to ko bu-mi-li ng...]
I'm just lookingNagtitignan lang ako[nag-ti-tig-nan lang a-ko]
How much is it?Magkano ito?[mag-ka-no i-to?]
That's too expensiveMahal masyado[ma-hal ma-sya-do]
Can you lower the price?Pwede mo bang babaan ang presyo?[pu-e-de mo bang ba-ba-an ang pres-yo?]
Time & Numbers
EnglishLocalSay it
What time is it?Anong oras na?[a-nong o-ras na?]
It's one o'clockAlas-uno na[a-las-u-no na]
Half past (10)Alas-diyes y medya[a-las-di-yes y med-ya]
MorningUmaga[u-ma-ga]
AfternoonHapon[ha-pon]
EveningGabi[ga-bi]
YesterdayKahapon[ka-ha-pon]
TodayNgayon[nga-yon]
TomorrowBukas[bu-kas]
1Isa[i-sa]
2Dalawa[da-la-wa]
3Tatlo[tat-lo]
4Apat[a-pat]
5Lima[li-ma]
6Anim[a-nim]
7Pito[pi-to]
8Walo[wa-lo]
9Siyam[si-yam]
10Sampu[sam-pu]
Transport & Directions
EnglishLocalSay it
Where's a/the...?Nasaan ang...?[na-sa-an ang...?]
What's the address?Ano ang address?[a-no ang address?]
Can you show me (on the map)?Pwede mo ba akong ipakita (sa mapa)?[pu-e-de mo ba a-kong i-pa-ki-ta (sa ma-pa)?]
When's the next (bus)?Kailan ang susunod na (bus)?[ka-i-lan ang su-su-nod na (bus)?]
A ticket (to ....)Isang tiket (papuntang ...)[i-sang ti-ket (pa-pun-tang ...)]

History of Camp John Hay

Creation as a Mountain Retreat

Camp John Hay was established by the American colonial administration in the early twentieth century as a highland recreation and rest facility for military personnel and government officials. Its cooler climate, pine-covered slopes and distance from the lowland heat made Baguio an attractive location for an upland station. The camp was named after John Hay, who had served as United States Secretary of State and was associated with American expansion in the Philippines. Roads, residential quarters, administrative buildings and recreational facilities gradually shaped the spacious landscape that still distinguishes the area from Baguio's more closely built-up neighbourhoods.

The Bell House and Cantonment Landscape

During the American period, Camp John Hay developed as a controlled military community rather than as an ordinary Baguio suburb. Buildings were distributed among wooded grounds, with recreational and residential structures adapted to the mountain setting. The Bell House, linked to General J. Franklin Bell, became one of the best-known surviving reminders of the camp's senior military residents. The surrounding landscape also reflected the period's preference for spacious compounds, planted roads and detached buildings, an arrangement that helped preserve substantial areas of pine woodland even as Baguio expanded around it.

War and Post-war Military Use

Camp John Hay's strategic and recreational importance continued through the twentieth century, including the disruptions of the Second World War and the subsequent return to military use. The area remained associated with the United States military presence in Baguio for decades, while its forests and facilities also contributed to the city's wider reputation as a mountain retreat. Later commemorative and interpretive sites, including the Cemetery of Negativism, added a more reflective layer to the camp's institutional history and encouraged visitors to read the landscape through personal as well as military memory.

From Base Facility to Leisure District

The end of the American military presence in the Philippines brought a major change to Camp John Hay. Following the closure of the former US facility in the early 1990s, the property entered the country's bases-conversion and redevelopment framework. Its new identity developed around hotels, restaurants, convention facilities, commercial areas and outdoor recreation while retaining historic structures and extensive woodland. This transition changed the area from a restricted military compound into a public-facing destination, though the balance between commercial development, heritage conservation and the protection of Baguio's pine environment remains central to how Camp John Hay is understood.

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Neighbourhoods near Camp John Hay

The closest neighbourhoods to Camp John Hay, if you have time for more than one stop.

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