From Vision to Reality: Eco Camping in Kobayat, Lebanon 🏞⛺

From a Quiet Forest to Eco Camping in Lebanon

This is the last post in our building story. It started with the forest, moved on to clearing the land and building terraces, foundations and facilities, and ends here, with the campsite as guests use it.

Horizon Pines began as a quiet forest of tall pines and potential. After months of hard work, it is now a welcoming campsite in Lebanon’s far north, here in Kobayat, with stone-and-wood showers, an outdoor kitchen and a fire circle facing the mountains: a place where nature, comfort and simplicity meet.

The photos in this section show the practical side. The shared kitchen area is open-air, under the trees, and it is where campers and Lotus Belle guests cook. Guests bring their own food, and most shop before the mountain road. The bathrooms and showers are built in stone and wood, with hot water. The site has running water, but the tap water is not drinkable, so bring your own drinking water.

Arriving is straightforward. Kobayat is about two hours from Beirut and about 30 minutes from Tripoli. The last stretch of road is a little rough, but an ordinary car manages it, and there is free parking inside the gated property. Check-in is from 3:00 PM (late arrivals are fine until 10:00 PM) and check-out is by 11:00 AM.

Every Space at Horizon Pines Was Built With Care

Each area was built to sit inside the forest rather than replace it. We did it without cutting trees, so the paths, terraces and seating bend around the pines rather than the other way round.

• The showers. Stone and wood, with hot water, a natural touch that suits the setting.
• The open kitchen. Made for shared meals and conversation, with a covered meal area and shelter nearby.
• The fire circle. At sunset it becomes the glowing heart of the campsite, a gathering place for stories and warmth under the stars. There are fire pits and BBQ stations around the site as well.

A few habits keep it pleasant for everyone. Quiet time starts at 11:30 PM, with no music after that. Pine needles and dry ground mean fire needs care, so smoke outdoors away from tents and be careful with anything lit. Nights are cooler than on the coast, so bring a warm layer for the evenings around the fire.

When the fire burns down, look up. The night sky here is dark, and on a clear night the stars are one of the best parts of a night here. For children there is a playground, and quiet pets are welcome in every type of stay.

A Nature Retreat in North Lebanon, Open Now

Horizon Pines has always been more than a campsite: a place where families and friends and travellers can experience Lebanon’s northern forests in comfort. When we first wrote this post, the project was nearing completion. Today, all our stays are open for the season, roughly April to October:

• Premium yurts: a private bathroom, a kitchenette with a fridge, kettle and sink, a double bed plus a sofa-bed, and a private terrace.
• Lotus Belle tents: round canvas tents with a private porch, our simplest way into glamping in Akkar.
• Family and friends camping: your own campsite for 2 to 6 people, from $10 per guest per night.
• Group and scout camping for 20 to 120 people, from $10 per guest per night.

We are also building chalets. They are not open yet, so if you are waiting for them, ask us on WhatsApp about opening. Many of our guests first went looking for a chalet and ended up booking a yurt, with its private bathroom, kitchenette and terrace inside the pine forest.

Guests rate Horizon Pines 5.0 on Google. For us, the simpler measure is this: with care and respect for nature, a small plan became a real place to stay. Booking is directly by WhatsApp or phone, a 50% deposit reserves your dates, and one night is welcome.

Planning a stay? See the yurts or ask us about availability on WhatsApp.