South Korea operates 22 national parks administered by the Korea National Park Service, established in 1987 as a division of the Ministry of Environment. The national park system divides into three categories: 17 mountain parks, four marine and coastal parks, and one historical park. The first national park designation occurred in 1967 when Jirisan became South Korea's inaugural protected landscape. The system protects approximately 6.6 percent of the country's total land area, spanning 3,972 square kilometers across terrestrial and marine environments. Park admission fees were eliminated nationwide in 2007, removing a revenue source that had existed since the system's inception but increasing public access to protected areas.
Jirisan National Park extends across three provinces in southern South Korea, covering 483 square kilometers and containing the second highest peak on the Korean mainland at 1,915 meters. The park's boundaries encompass territory in Jeollanam-do, Jeollabuk-do, and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces. Jirisan's name translates to "Mountain of the Wise Person" in Korean. The protected area contains seven Buddhist temples including Hwaeomsa, founded in 544 during the Silla Kingdom, and Ssanggyesa, established in 722. The park maintains 15 designated hiking trails totaling over 200 kilometers, with the Jirisan Dullegil trail forming a 274-kilometer loop around the mountain's perimeter completed in 2011. Winter temperatures in the higher elevations drop below minus 20 degrees Celsius while summer maximums exceed 30 degrees Celsius in valleys. The park serves as habitat for approximately 160 bird species, 3,000 insect species, and 1,000 plant species. Korean black bears were reintroduced to Jirisan beginning in 2004 after local extinction, with 70 individuals released by 2020. Annual visitation exceeded 3.2 million people in 2019.
Seoraksan National Park occupies 398 square kilometers in Gangwon Province along South Korea's eastern coast, designated as a national park in 1970 and recognized as a UNESCO Biosphere Reserve in 1982. The park's highest point is Daecheongbong Peak at 1,708 meters. The name Seoraksan derives from seol meaning snow and ak meaning mountain, referencing the snow-white granite peaks visible year-round. The park divides into three sections: Outer Seorak facing the East Sea, Inner Seorak on the western slopes, and Southern Seorak in the southern region. Ulsanbawi Rock, a granite formation reaching 873 meters elevation, requires climbing 888 metal stairs installed during the 1970s. Biryong Falls drops 26 meters and requires a 1.4-kilometer trail from the main entrance. The park contains Baekdamsa Temple, originally constructed in 647 and rebuilt in 1957 following Korean War destruction, and Sinheungsa Temple dating to 652. Autumn foliage typically peaks during the first two weeks of October when deciduous trees change color across approximately 60 percent of the park's forest cover. The park recorded 3.6 million visitors in 2018. Cable car service to Gwongeumseong Fortress ruins has operated since 1971, transporting passengers 1,100 meters up the mountain in eight-person gondolas.
Hallasan National Park protects the volcanic mountain dominating Jeju Island, covering 153 square kilometers designated in 1970. Hallasan reaches 1,947 meters, making it the highest point in South Korea. The summit crater, Baengnokdam, measures 500 meters in diameter and contains a lake approximately two meters deep. The mountain last erupted in 1007 based on historical records from the Goryeo Dynasty. Five designated hiking trails lead to different elevations, with only two routes accessing the summit: Seongpanak Trail at 9.6 kilometers and Gwaneumsa Trail at 8.7 kilometers. Summit access closes when wind speeds exceed 14 meters per second or visibility drops below 100 meters, occurring approximately 160 days annually. The park contains 1,800 plant species including 50 endemic to Jeju Island. Vertical vegetation zones progress from subtropical forests at sea level through temperate forests at mid-elevation to subalpine zones above 1,500 meters. Korean fir trees, classified as climate relicts from glacial periods, grow above 1,400 meters elevation. Summit attempts require departure before noon, with park authorities enforcing a 13:00 cutoff for beginning ascent on most trails. Annual visitation reached approximately 1.5 million in 2019.
Bukhansan National Park lies within Seoul's city limits, protecting 80 square kilometers designated in 1983. The park borders eight Seoul districts and receives approximately five million visitors annually, giving it one of the highest visitor densities per square kilometer of any national park worldwide. Baegundae Peak reaches 836 meters as the park's highest point. The park contains 100 Buddhist temples and hermitages including Doseonsa Temple, originally constructed in 862 during the Silla Dynasty. Bukhansan Fortress walls extend 12.3 kilometers along mountain ridges, constructed in 1711 during the Joseon Dynasty using granite blocks. The fortress employed 170,000 workers during its construction and served as Seoul's northern defensive perimeter. The park maintains over 100 hiking trails totaling more than 150 kilometers. Granite formations covering approximately 70 percent of exposed rock surfaces create distinctive boulder fields and vertical faces popular with climbers. The park instituted a trail reservation system in 2019 for Baekundae Peak route to manage congestion, requiring online booking for weekend and holiday access. Rock climbing routes number over 200, with grades ranging from 5.6 to 5.13 on the Yosemite Decimal System. The park closes certain sections seasonally for wildlife protection, particularly during winter months when trails become hazardous.
Dadohaehaesang National Park constitutes South Korea's largest national park at 2,266 square kilometers, though 1,986 square kilometers consist of ocean area. Designated in 1981, the park protects portions of Korea's southern coast and approximately 1,700 islands in the Yellow Sea and Korea Strait. The park extends across five provinces and divides into 12 non-contiguous sections. Hongdo Island, located 115 kilometers from the mainland port of Mokpo, covers 6.5 square kilometers and contains approximately 270 plant species. Boat service from Mokpo to Hongdo operates daily during high season, requiring four hours transit time. Heuksando Island within the park serves as a stopover point for approximately 200 migratory bird species traveling between Siberia and Southeast Asia. The park's marine protection zones prohibit fishing and shellfish collection in designated areas totaling 89 square kilometers. Tidal ranges in the park reach up to six meters in certain locations, exposing mud flats and rocky intertidal zones. The park recorded 2.1 million visitors in 2018, though figures combine land and sea visitors making precise counts difficult.
Gyeongju National Park differs from other South Korean national parks by focusing on cultural rather than natural resources, designated in 1968 to protect archaeological sites of the Silla Kingdom capital. The park divides into eight non-contiguous sections around Gyeongju city totaling 138 square kilometers. Mount Namsan section contains approximately 100 Buddhist temple sites and 80 stone Buddha statues, most dating from the 7th to 9th centuries. The Silla Kingdom ruled from Gyeongju between 57 BCE and 935 CE, making it a capital for nearly 1,000 years. Tumuli Park section protects 23 royal tombs from the Silla period, with the largest burial mound measuring 22 meters in height and 250 meters in circumference. The Hwangnyongsa Temple site, excavated beginning in 1976, revealed foundation stones indicating the original structure measured 80 meters by 288 meters, making it one of the largest Buddhist temples in ancient East Asia before its destruction by Mongol forces in 1238. Annual visitation to all park sections combined exceeds one million people. The park operates under different regulations than natural parks, with archaeological preservation taking precedence over ecosystem management.
Odaesan National Park in Gangwon Province covers 326 square kilometers designated in 1975. The park's name translates to "Five Plateaus Mountain" referencing five elevated plains where Buddhist temples were historically constructed. Birobong Peak reaches 1,563 meters as the highest point. The park contains Woljeongsa Temple, founded in 643 during the Silla Kingdom, housing a nine-story octagonal stone pagoda dating to 1348. Korean fir forests cover approximately 30 percent of the park's area, with trees reaching heights of 30 meters. The park serves as a watershed for multiple rivers including the Han River system. Winter snowfall in the park averages 250 centimeters annually at higher elevations, supporting winter sports facilities at Yongpyeong Resort within park boundaries until 1995 when ski operations moved outside the protected area. The park recorded approximately 800,000 visitors in 2018. Trail closures for forest fire prevention typically extend from November through May in high-risk areas.
Sobaeksan National Park protects 322 square kilometers along the provincial border between Chungcheongbuk-do and Gyeongsangbuk-do, designated in 1987. Birobong Peak at 1,439 meters forms the park's highest point. The park's name derives from Sobaek meaning "small white," contrasting with the nearby Taebaek Mountains. Guinsa Temple, headquarters of the Cheontae Buddhist order, occupies a valley within park boundaries and was established in 1945. The temple complex contains over 50 buildings constructed in a distinctive style stacking structures vertically against the mountain slope. Edelweiss flowers, scientifically named Leontopodium coreanum as a Korean endemic subspecies, bloom on the mountain's slopes from late May through June. The park maintains 13 official hiking trails totaling 90 kilometers. Annual visitation approached 900,000 people in 2019. Camping facilities within the park accommodate approximately 800 people across designated sites.
Chiaksan National Park covers 182 square kilometers in Gangwon Province, designated in 1984. Birobong Peak reaches 1,288 meters. The park contains Guryongsa Temple originally built in 668 during the Silla Dynasty. Rock climbing routes on Chiaksan's granite faces total approximately 50, with the most popular routes located on the south face of Birobong. The park maintains nine hiking trails totaling 42 kilometers. Winter ice climbing on frozen waterfalls attracts technical climbers from December through February when temperatures sustain ice formation. The park recorded approximately 400,000 visitors in 2018.
Deogyusan National Park extends across 231 square kilometers on the border between Jeollabuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces, designated in 1975. Hyangjeokbong Peak at 1,614 meters is the park's highest point. Muju Ski Resort operates within park boundaries under permits predating the national park designation, covering approximately 2.4 square kilometers with 33 ski runs. The resort hosted FIS Snowboard World Cup events in 2015 and served as a venue for the 2018 Winter Olympics. The park contains Baengnyeonsa Temple, originally established in 1427 during the Joseon Dynasty. Azalea blooms typically occur from mid-May through early June when Rhododendron mucronulatum covers hillsides at elevations above 1,200 meters. The park maintains 12 hiking trails spanning 90 kilometers. Annual visitation exceeded 1.2 million people in 2019, with approximately 40 percent occurring during winter ski season.
Gayasan National Park protects 77 square kilometers in Gyeongsangbuk-do and Gyeongsangnam-do provinces, designated in 1972. Sangwangbong Peak reaches 1,430 meters. Haeinsa Temple within the park was founded in 802 during the Silla Kingdom and houses the Tripitaka Koreana, a collection of 81,258 wooden printing blocks carved between 1237 and 1248 during the Goryeo Dynasty. The printing blocks contain the entire Buddhist canon in classical Chinese characters. UNESCO designated Haeinsa Temple and the Tripitaka storage buildings as a World Heritage Site in 1995. The storage halls, constructed in 1488, employ ventilation systems maintaining stable temperature and humidity without mechanical controls. The park maintains eight hiking trails totaling 40 kilometers. Annual visitation reaches approximately 700,000 people, with significant numbers visiting Haeinsa Temple specifically for religious purposes. The temple charges a separate admission fee of 3,000 won in addition to park access.
Naejangsan National Park covers 81 square kilometers in Jeollabuk-do and Jeollanam-do provinces, designated in 1971. Sinseonbong Peak at 763 meters is the highest point. The park's name translates to "many secrets inside mountain." Naejangsa Temple, founded in 636 during the Baekje Kingdom, operates within park boundaries. The park achieves recognition for autumn foliage displays, with peak colors typically occurring during the first two weeks of November. Maple trees comprise approximately 30 percent of forest cover in certain valleys. The park maintains seven hiking trails totaling 35 kilometers. A cable car installed in 1979 transports visitors 600 meters up the mountain. Annual visitation exceeded 1.8 million people in 2018, with approximately 50 percent occurring during the October-November autumn season. The park institutes vehicle access restrictions during peak foliage periods, requiring visitors to use shuttle buses from peripheral parking areas.
Songnisan National Park protects 275 square kilometers in Chungcheongbuk-do, designated in 1970. Cheonhwangbong Peak reaches 1,058 meters. Beopjusa Temple within the park was founded in 553 during the Silla Kingdom. The temple contains a bronze Buddha statue standing 33 meters tall, completed in 1964 and claimed as the tallest standing Buddha in South Korea. The temple's wooden pagoda, Palsangjeon, stands 22.7 meters with five stories and was originally constructed in 553, though the current structure dates to a 1626 reconstruction. The park maintains 14 hiking trails spanning 92 kilometers. Annual visitation approaches one million people. The park recorded 956,000 visitors in 2018.
Woraksan National Park covers 288 square kilometers in Chungcheongbuk-do, designated in 1984. The park surrounds Chungju Lake, a reservoir created by Chungju Dam completed in 1985. Yeonha Peak at 1,097 meters forms the highest point. The lake measures 97.5 kilometers in shoreline length and stores 2.75 billion cubic meters of water. The park maintains eight hiking trails totaling 65 kilometers. Aquatic recreation including kayaking and fishing occurs in designated lake zones. The park recorded approximately 600,000 visitors in 2018.
Juwangsan National Park protects 107 square kilometers in Gyeongsangbuk-do, designated in 1976. Juwangsan Peak reaches 721 meters. The park contains unusual volcanic rock formations including Juwanggul Cave, a 45-meter deep cave. Multiple waterfalls occur throughout the park including Yongchu Falls at 28 meters height. The park maintains six hiking trails totaling 34 kilometers. Annual visitation exceeds 500,000 people. The park recorded 523,000 visitors in 2018.
Taeanhaean National Park covers 326 square kilometers along the Yellow Sea coast in Chungcheongnam-do, designated in 1978. Unlike mountain parks, Taeanhaean protects coastal ecosystems including beaches, sand dunes, and tidal flats. The park extends along 230 kilometers of coastline and includes approximately 130 islands. Mallipo Beach within the park stretches 1.5 kilometers with white sand. The park experienced environmental damage in 2007 when the Hebei Spirit oil tanker spilled 10,900 tons of crude oil, affecting 375 kilometers of coastline with significant impact on park territory. Cleanup operations involved over one million volunteers. The park maintains 13 hiking trails totaling 89 kilometers, primarily following coastal routes. Annual visitation exceeded two million people in 2019, with peak periods during summer beach season.
Mudeungsan National Park covers 75 square kilometers in Gwangju Metropolitan City and Jeollanam-do, designated in 2012 as South Korea's 21st national park. Cheonwangbong Peak reaches 1,187 meters. The mountain features columnar jointing in volcanic rock, creating pillar-like formations called jusangjeolli. Jeungsimsa Temple, founded in 517 during the Baekje Kingdom, operates within park boundaries. The park maintains nine hiking trails totaling 47 kilometers. Annual visitation exceeds 1.5 million people, with accessibility from Gwangju city contributing to high visitor numbers.