Dexter PrieteIf you are planning an unforgettable family camping trip to explore the great outdoors, finding a spot that completely removes you from digital distractions is essential. Gathering your loved ones to set up camp, cook over an open fire, and roast marshmallows offers a classic way to enjoy quality time away from screens and city noise.
Opened to the public in 2024, Inato Forest Camp has quickly become a notable pinpoint for travelers heading up the Davao-Bukidnon Highway. Situated in Purok East, Sitio Matigsalog, Marahan, Marilog District, Davao City, this highland destination blends wide-open skies with refreshing water features to help families make lasting memories and reconnect with nature.
🏔️ Quick-Reference Visitor Checklist
| Feature / Policy | Details |
| Location | Purok East, Sitio Matigsalog, Marahan, Marilog District, Davao City |
| Contact Info | 09202654285 / 09913662941 |
| Operating Days | Wednesday to Sunday (24 Hours); Monday & Tuesday by booking only |
| Check-In / Out | 2:00 PM Check-In / 12:00 NN Next-Day Check-Out |
| Primary Attraction | Refreshing cold spring flowing water layout |
⛺ The Camping Ground: Starry Nights vs. Scorching Days
The dedicated tent camping area at Inato Forest Camp consists of a large, unshaded open ground. Because it is a sprawling, unobstructed field, it provides an exceptional vantage point at night to watch the sky and enjoy clear star-gazing away from urban light pollution.
However, campers must prepare for a significant daytime reality check:
- Because there are currently no mature trees sheltering this large field, the open ground becomes scorching hot during the daytime from 9:00 AM until lunchtime.
- If you plan to pay the ₱500 tent pitching fee to use your own gear, it is highly recommended to wait until the late afternoon to set up.
- Bringing a reflective, UV-protected tarp canopy is highly recommended if you need to shield your campsite from the intense midday sun.
🌊 Cold Spring Swimming & Pool Rules
Aside from the wide mountain views, the main draw of the property is its swimming pool supplied by a natural, cold spring flowing water source. It is an excellent spot to cool down, but the management enforces strict safety guidelines to preserve water quality:
- There is no lifeguard on duty at the property; all guests swim entirely at their own risk.
- Children must be strictly supervised by an adult at all times around the water.
- Food, outside drinks, glass containers, and alcoholic beverages are completely prohibited inside the immediate pool zone.
- Pets are not allowed inside the water area to maintain proper hygiene standards.
🍳 Food and Dining Strategy: The Highway Connection
If you enjoy the traditional camp experience of preparing your own food over an open fire, the camp offers free use of an outdoor griller to all visitors.
However, you must plan your meals carefully because the camp does not cook food on-site and does not operate an internal restaurant kitchen. Instead, they provide available food menus at the counter, and the staff will personally go out to buy the dishes you want to order from a partner restaurant located along the main highway.
On the positive side, bringing your own home-cooked meals or raw ingredients is fully allowed, with no corkage fee enforced on outside food. Corkage fees are restricted primarily to appliances and outside alcoholic beverages:
- Bringing Electrical Appliances: ₱50 per appliance.
- Outside Beers: ₱20 to ₱30 per bottle or can.
- Outside Hard Liquor: ₱100 per bottle.
🚗 Candid Parking & Security Reality Check
Before loading up your vehicle, four-wheel vehicle owners need to note the layout of the property’s perimeter.
While motorcycles can easily park closer to the internal structures, the main parking site for cars and 4-wheel vehicles is situated entirely outside the camp’s main fence perimeter. Because this parking area sits completely outside the fence on the roadside margins, it is currently unsure if it is entirely safe for long, unmonitored overnight stays. Ensure your vehicle is fully locked and avoid leaving visible valuables inside if you plan to stay overnight. The standard parking fees are settled at ₱10 for motorbikes and ₱30 for 3-wheel or 4-wheel vehicles.
💵 Complete Rates & Camp Rules Directory
To make planning your budget easy, here is the official rate sheet for day tours and overnight stays:
Admission Fees
- Adults & Kids: ₱50 per person
- Seniors & PWDs: ₱40 per person
- Infants: Free of charge
Day Tour Rentals (7:00 AM to 5:00 PM)
- Garden Sets: ₱400 (Good for up to 4 pax)
- Cottages: ₱1,000 (Good for 10 to 12 pax)
Overnight Accommodations
- Overnight Cabins: ₱3,000 (Good for 2 to 4 pax; includes complimentary coffee, water, and breakfast)
- Tent Rentals (Includes Setup): ₱500 for 2 pax, ₱1,000 for 4 pax, and ₱1,500 for 6 pax
- Own Tent Pitching Fee: ₱500 per tent space
Important Ground Rules
- Quiet Hours: Strictly implemented from 10:00 PM onwards to ensure all resting families can enjoy quiet solitude.
- Common Amenities: All guests share a centralized common CR and shower facility room.
- Pet Policy: Small to medium-sized breeds are welcome, making the grounds completely pet-friendly.
- Smoking Ban: In compliance with Davao City’s Comprehensive Anti-Smoking Ordinance (Ordinance No. 0367-12), smoking is strictly prohibited in all public and open spaces. Violations carry a strict ₱5,000 penalty, and smoking is confined only to designated areas.
🚀 Plan Your Next Staging Point With Us
At Manakaay ug Bukid, we are dedicated to bringing you the raw, unvarnished truth behind Mindanao’s best backcountry hideaways. Whether you are hunting for a starry night under the Marilog skies or looking for a cool spring pool to share with your family, explore our updated regional directories to plan your next outdoor escape safely.
🧐 Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
Q: How much does it cost to enter and camp at Inato Forest Camp?
A: The day-tour entrance fee is ₱50 for adults/kids and ₱40 for seniors/PWDs. Pitching your own overnight tent carries a space fee of ₱500.
Q: Does Inato Forest Camp have an on-site restaurant?
A: No, they do not cook food or operate a restaurant on-site. However, you can select items from the menus at the desk, and the staff will personally purchase the meals for you from a restaurant located on the highway. Bringing your own cooked food is permitted with no corkage fee.
Q: Is there secure parking for cars at the camp?
A: The parking area for cars and 4-wheel vehicles is situated outside the main fence perimeter. Because it is located outside the enclosed campsite boundary, overnight security for larger vehicles cannot be completely guaranteed by management.
