Shall we go camping?

About 65% of South Korea is mountainous

About 65% of South Korea is mountainous, which makes the country a great place to enjoy nature. 

Around Seoul and the larger cities of Gyeonggi Province, many mountain areas are protected through the green belt system, which helps preserve the natural landscape.

People are generally free to hike and climb in the mountains around Seoul, but camping is a different story.

In national parks such as Bukhansan, camping and making fires are strictly prohibited in many areas because of wildfire prevention and environmental protection.

That is why campgrounds are usually located in mountainous areas outside the city, where many campers head for a weekend escape.

What if you do not have camping gear? Glamping.

If you do not own a tent, sleeping bag, chairs, or cooking tools, glamping can be a great alternative. 

Glamping allows visitors to rent accommodation where essential camping equipment is already provided. 

Because of that, it is usually more expensive than renting a regular campsite. A basic campsite may cost around 60,000 won per night, while glamping often costs about twice that.

Depending on the location, campgrounds in Korea usually provide shared facilities such as restrooms, showers, and kitchens.

Camping means barbecue

One of the most iconic camping meals in Korea is barbecue. Campers light charcoal in a brazier, place a grill on top, and cook meat, sausages, and other ingredients over the fire.

In Korea, charcoal is often made from oak. It burns with strong heat and adds a gentle smoky aroma, helping remove excess fat from the meat while deepening its flavor.

Hwang Jeong-min Kids Glamping

Hwang Jeong-min Kids Glamping is a campground located about an hour and a half by car from downtown Seoul, in Gapyeong.

Gapyeong is best known for summer water sports along the Bukhangang River, but because it is also a mountainous region, forestry is active there as well, including the harvesting of pine nuts.

As the name suggests, Hwang Jeong-min Kids Glamping is designed to be family-friendly. It offers play facilities for children, including trampolines and other activities that make it especially appealing for families with kids.

Have you heard of bulmeong?

In Korea, there is a popular expression called bulmeong, which means quietly gazing at a campfire without a worry in the world. 

In city life, it is not easy to experience real flames up close. Watching the fire flicker, feeling its warmth, and sitting still in nature can be deeply comforting.

A moment in nature when all your worries seem to disappear, that is the charm of camping in Korea.