National Parks (국립공원)
Complete Travel Guide
(everything you need to know before visiting)
Even though South Korea is generally better known for its modern cities, delicious food, K-pop, shopping, and cafes – if enjoying the outdoors is your thing then there’s plenty of National Parks to explore too.
South Korea has 23 national parks, and they include everything from dramatic mountain ranges and forested trails to coastal landscapes and beautiful waterfalls. Many of them focus on natural landscapes and activities, but it’s not unusual to find a temple, historic monument, or traditional village inside.
Spring is a great time to visit for hiking, with mild temperatures and flowers that begin to bloom. However it can get pretty muddy, and not all summer attractions will be open yet.
Summer can be extremely hot and humid, and sometimes you can get very heavy rainfall during monsoon season. There’s also more crowds, but unless there’s a weather or construction concert, outdoor attractions like cable cars should all be open.
Fall tends to be the most popular season in Korea’s National Parks because it’s typically the best places to view the fall foliage. You can expect cooler weather, but lots of crowds.
Winter can be beautiful if you want to see snowy mountains, but trail conditions can also be much more challenging with snow and ice. Typically, most outdoor attractions will be closed in the winter.
Best National Parks in Korea
Choosing which parks to put at the top of your list can be hard, but these are some of my personal favorites.
Seoraksan National Park
Seoraksan is one of my personal favorites and its also one of the most popular for visitors to visit from Seoul. Its known for having dramatic mountain peaks, waterfalls, beautiful fall colors, and there’s plenty of day trips you can join if you don’t want to go alone.
Bukhansan National Park
If you’re staying in Seoul and want to experience a national park without traveling too far, then Bukhansan National Park is another great option. You can experience the beautiful contrast between the city and the natural landscapes and there’s plenty of hikes and walks to enjoy, like this guided hike to the summit.
Hallasan National Park
Hallasan National Park is located on Jeju Island, so it can be a little harder to get to than the parks around Seoul. The main attraction is Hallasan, the highest mountain (technically, a dormant volcano) in South Korea. There’s a few different hiking routes, and the landscapes change drastically during the seasons, but if you want a guided hiking experience this is a great option.
Best National Parks Near Seoul
Bukhansan National Park
This is by far the easiest option for visitors that are already in Seoul. You can use the subway to get to different hikes and enjoy the beautiful views of the city, and it can be done in a half day or full day.
Chiaksan National Park
Chiaksan is another great option that’s somewhat near Seoul. It’s a bit farther than Bukhansan, so I’d recommend planning to spend a full day here.
Seoraksan National Park
Seoraksan is farther from Seoul but is one of my favorites. You can take a day trip to Seoraksan, and if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of planning there’s lots of day tours from Seoul that you can join.
Best National Parks for Fall Foliage
Seoraksan National Park is one of the most famous places to see fall foliage in Korea with mountain views. There’s lots of trees, and it tends to change colors faster than some other parts of Korea.
Odaesan National Park is also beautiful in the fall, specifically around its trails and temples.
Bukhansan National Park is a bit more convenient for visitors already in Seoul, and still has some great fall colors with the city of Seoul in the background.
Best National Parks for Beginner Hikers
If you’re new to hiking, I’d recommend starting with some shorter and easier trails in Korea.
Bukhansan National Park has a wide variety of trails with nice views of Seoul.
Hallasan National Park in Jeju also has shorter routes that allow you to experience some mountain views without full summit hikes.
Seoraksan National Park has many scenic areas and short trails to reach beautiful viewpoints and waterfalls, plus a fun cable car that brings you to the very top without any hiking.
Best National Parks for Experienced Hikers
If more challenging hikes are what you’re looking for, there’s a few that often get overlooked.
Jirisan National Park is one of the best choices for experienced hikers and is known for its longer, multi-day trails.
Seoraksan National Park also has several challenging mountain trails along the mountains and ridges.
Wolchulsan National Park is another great option for hikers that enjoy steep trails and mountain views.
How to Get to South Korea’s National Parks
Getting to the national parks in Korea depends entirely on which park you’re visiting.
Some parks, like Bukhansan, are easy to reach just by using public transportation in Seoul.
Others like Seoraksan require a full day trip, and if you don’t want to deal with the hassle of taking local buses I recommend booking a guided tour to the area.
Parks like Hallasan on Jejudo might even require you to take a flight to the island first.
No matter which National Park you choose I recommend doing research on the trail you’re hoping to complete and which entrance of the Park it’s closest to. Korea’s National Parks often have multiple entry points, and sometimes you can only reach certain areas through a specific entrance.
I also recommend using Naver Map or KakaoMap to plan transportation, and they can also be used for looking up trailheads and reviews on current conditions.
What to Bring When Hiking in Korea
What you need to bring with you really depends on which trail you’re planning to hike and which season you’ll be visiting in, but there are a few things I always recommend having with you.
Comfortable hiking shoes are probably the most important thing. Even short hiking trails in Korea can include rocks, stairs, and uneven terrain – so you want a shoe that’s comfortable and sturdy.
Water is also important, especially during warmer months when it can be very hot and humid.
I also always recommend bringing snacks, sunscreen, a portable battery, and layers that you can take on or off depending on the weather. Just make sure to bring out anything you brought in with you.
National Park Travel Tips for First Time Visitors
Check the trail conditions before you go. Trails can close because of weather, maintenance, fire prevention, or general safety concerns – so it’s always good to check current conditions.
Check seasonal restrictions. Some trails have specific opening and closing times, especially in the spring, fall, or winter seasons.
Start early. Popular trails can get very crowded, especially on weekends and even more so during peak fall colors.
Check the weather. Mountain weather can be very different from conditions in nearby cities, and it can change really fast. Bring layers and check current conditions.
Leave no trace. Pack out your trash and respect the natural environment. A good hiking rule for everyone to follow.
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