So I really dig this game and everything but after entering the code to the door to the forest the game doesn't let me continue. And when I exit and re enter the game it deletes my save. This has happened twice now and I'm pretty bummed about it.
That doesn't seem right. Does the code work? If it does then are you placed by the door again after entering? If the map doesn't load when you open the door or get the code right, then this might mean the level is corrupt on your end. Reinstalling the game will probably fix that issue only if the level is indeed corrupt. There is a feature in the game that resets the progress if a level isn't found so in that case I think its a file corruption issue.
If you already reinstalled the special edition and still have the same problem you can use the debug menu by pressing f when the game starts up and if you click on edit savefile you can choose a level to load. To go back to where you were before you have to press next 2 times on the level loader and click on TheForest.unity located on the top-left. This will also bypass the passcode part and send you straight into where you were supposed to be after entering the code.