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Dhar Nature Retreat and Awareness Camp
Pathankot, Punjab
Dhar Kalan, Pathankot: Peaceful nature stay near Mini Goa Pathankot
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About This Place
Dhar Nature Retreat and Awareness Camp is the closest place to stay to Mini Goa — about 600 metres from the Chamrour lakeshore. It sits inside the Dhar forest range of the Pathankot Forest Division, where blocks of pine and mixed forest run down to the backwaters of the Ranjit Sagar Dam.
The Pathankot Forest Division set the camp up in 2020 near Chamrod village, to protect this forest and to help visitors understand it. It is run by the Village Forest Committee (VFC) of Chamrod, so the money you spend on a stay or a meal goes back to the village that looks after the forest. It was the first camp of its kind in the area.
The stay is simple and close to nature: wooden huts with beds, a dining area serving home-style food, and an open space for a campfire in the evening. There are no malls or nightlife nearby, and that is the point. Mornings are quiet enough to hear birds over the water, and at night, with little light around, the sky is clear when the weather is good.
It suits families, couples and small groups who want to see the lake at sunrise and sunset rather than only on a day trip. You can walk to the Mini Goa shoreline for boating in the day and come back to the forest in the evening.
Wooden nature huts
Run by the village forest committee
Walk to the Mini Goa shore
Campfire evenings
Photo Gallery
Visitor Information
- Location
- Pathankot, Punjab
- Best Time to Go
- October to March for pleasant days and cool nights. April to June is hot in the afternoon but good for early-morning walks. During the monsoon (July–September) the forest is at its greenest, but hill roads can be slippery.
- Good For
- Nature lovers, families with children, couples, birdwatchers and small groups who want a quiet night near the lake.
How to Reach
Drive from Pathankot city towards Dhar Kalan on Dhar Road; Mini Goa at Chamrour is about 32 km and roughly an hour away. The camp is about 600 m from the Mini Goa shoreline. Pathankot Junction (PTK) is the nearest railway station and Pathankot (IXP) the nearest airport; take a taxi from either.
Dhar Nature Retreat and Awareness Camp travel tips
- 01
Book ahead, especially for weekends and holidays — there are only a few huts.
- 02
Carry mosquito repellent, a torch and a light jacket; evenings by the lake are cooler than in Pathankot city.
- 03
Mobile signal can be weak in the forest, so share your plans and location before you arrive.
- 04
This is a protected forest: no loud music, no plastic left behind, and stay on marked paths.
- 05
Ask the staff about short forest walks and the best spot for sunrise over the lake.
Questions about Dhar Nature Retreat and Awareness Camp
How far is Dhar Nature Retreat from Mini Goa?
About 600 metres from the Mini Goa (Chamrour) shoreline — close enough to walk.
Who runs the camp?
It was set up by the Pathankot Forest Division in 2020 and is run by the Village Forest Committee of Chamrod village.
Is food available?
Yes, simple home-style meals are served at the camp. Let them know your timings and any food preferences when you book.
Is it suitable for children?
Yes. Keep an eye on children near the water and in the forest after dark, and carry a torch.
Plan Your Visit to Dhar Nature Retreat and Awareness Camp
Dhar Nature Retreat and Awareness Camp is 600 m from Mini Goa.