“The wilderness holds answers to questions we have not yet learned to ask.”
– Nancy Wynne Newhall.
In these modern times, people can get too wrapped up in their own world.I
Amid the perpetual hustle and bustle, individuals can often get lost in technology that many do not even know the first step to unwinding and relaxing. However, if you are up to it, know that mental repose takes on many forms, but if you truly want to disconnect and unplug, then you need a healthy dose of nature and outdoor adventure.
Take a break from the world and go where cellular signals are weak but familial bonds and camaraderie are strong. Go camping, and explore the wild! Today, outdoor adventures have taken various shapes and forms that all sorts of intrepid adventurers can enjoy. You can try hiking in friendly terrains, biking along scenic and picturesque routes, or even pitching tents in areas surrounded by nature. However, if you want to take it up a notch, you may want to try out car camping. Fortunately, you do not have to venture far as there are several sites near Metro Manila where you can bring your car or 4X4 and spend the night under a blanket of stars surrounded by nature.
Below is a list of places near Metro Manila where you can take your trusted vehicle on car camping with you:
a.) WCamp (Porac, Pampanga)
If you’re looking for a new camping experience near Metro Manila, WCamp in Porac, Pampanga is a great option. This campsite is located within the Alviera Grounds, which is just an hour and a half away from Manila by car. WCamp offers a haven for outdoor enthusiasts and a place for intrepid individuals to relax and disconnect from technology. The campsite features clean toilets, bathrooms, and a nearby river. You can choose to camp traditionally or bring your car, or you can indulge in glamping. The scenic mountain views and surroundings are perfect for unwinding from city life. Additionally, you can also experience outdoor activities provided by The Sandbox, an adventure park with various rides and obstacle courses. Alviera also boasts scenic bike trails and a motocross course.
b.) Viewscape Nature Park (Tanay, Rizal)
If you have dreamt of sleeping under a sea of stars, then Viewscape Nature Park should be your destination. Known as one of the best places near Metro Manila for car camping, you can expect to have a relaxing slumber underneath a starry sky and wake up to a sea of clouds making their descent over the Sierra Madre Mountains. Car camping will set you back PHP1000 per vehicle, which already includes the fee for one tent pitching (extra charges apply for additional tents).
c.) Kalmado Campsite (Tagaytay, Cavite)
Kalmado Campsite is one of the campsites on this list where there seems to be an abundance of space. Whether you wish to park your vehicle and pitch your tent from there or sleep while hanging from a hammock, the campsite has you covered. You may also cook your own meals or alternatively order from their silog menu with prices ranging from (Php70-85). If you want something to cool you off after a long hike, the campsite offers drinks as well—including your favorite local beers. Also, you can bring your four-legged friends with you as Kalmado is a pet-friendly campsite.
d.) Edna’s Beach and Campsite (Sta. Ana, Calatagan, Batangas)
If you want to wake up to the sound of waves crashing to the shore, you might fare better camping by the beach. Luckily, Edna’s Beach and Campsite is not located too far from the metropolis. Located in Sta. Ana, Batangas, Edna’s Beach is another pet-friendly campsite that allows you a glimpse of what Batangas beaches are like. You can enjoy some of the best sunsets here or even hop on a little boat and venture on to the Little Boracay of Calatagan, where visitors can enjoy a long stretch of white sand and cobalt blue crystal clear waters.
e.) Camp Boa (Tanay, Rizal)
Another popular campsite in Tanay, Rizal, Camp Boa typically serves as a base camp and jump-off point for tourists and travelers who wish to visit the famous Kaliwa Watershed Reserve in Tanay. At Camp Boa, you can pitch your tent and set up camp for Php500 (day trip) and Php800 (overnight). Here, you can enjoy some of nature’s best bounties, such as the local flora and fauna, as well as the river, where you can take a refreshing dip after a long day.
f.) Camp Spotted Wood (Villa Escudero, Tiaong, Quezon)
Another classic destination near Metro Manila is Villa Escudero Plantations and Resort. Initially founded in the 1880s, the plantation was then turned into a public spot known for its outdoor restaurant amid manmade waterfalls in 1981. However, nestled inside its expansive and sweeping grounds is Camp Spotted Wood, a lesser-known secret and an off-the-beaten road campsite located along the Bulaking River. Here you can park your car, set up camp, and pitch your tent for the night.
