Traveling Around South Korea from Osan / Camp Humphreys
Here is a compilation of the sights in South Korea that I have visited along with a brief description and some photos of each. I will be in South Korea for 3 years and want to see as much of it as possible. Keep checking back to see more locations and let me know if you have any suggestions that I haven’t been to yet.
Note: All times are from the ROK Gate of Osan and Adams Gate of Humphreys so times will vary slightly depending on where you’re coming from. Times are based on when I looked it up at the time of writing and will vary based on traffic and when you go.
TABLE OF CONTENTS
*Click on the links in the table below to jump to the destination on the page
Within 30 Minutes
Simboksa Temple
Parking: Free – Parking lot available
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: No specific times
Month Photos Were Taken: December
Notes: Very small temple, but still worth checking out
Travel Time from Osan: 27 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 15 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/FdFU14bc
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd61juy9
Asan Seawall
Parking: Free-There are a few lots on the main strip, but if they are full there is street parking
Entrance Fee: N/A
Times: N/A
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: This is a fabulous place to go when the cherry blossoms are in full bloom. Lots of people were having a picnic. There are a few seafood restaurants as well.
Travel Time from Osan: 33 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 17 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/5eGToPA1
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd4pbqdn
Pinnacleland Arboretum
Parking: Free – large lot
Entrance Fee: 10,000 adult ; 9,000 youth; 8,000 child
Times: 9AM – 6PM
Month Photos Were Taken: May
Notes: A nice place to walk around. I wish I would have brought a sandwich and snacks as it’s a nice place for a picnic. The place is a bit overpriced in my opinion.
Travel Time from Osan: 37 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 18 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/5GzHYdgs
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy6x8knx0
Sapgyoho Coastal Town (Amusement Park, Marine Coffee Shop, Fish Market, Playground, etc.)
Parking: Free – Lots of parking lots around. Can get crowded.
Entrance Fee: Marine Science Center costs money, but I didn’t go therre
Times: Not sure
Month Photos Were Taken: March
Notes: This is a great place to walk around by the ocean. There is a small amusement park, a large playground for kids, a skate park, and a coffee shop inside a ship on the water. There are plenty of places to eat, but it didn’t look like there were any shops. I recommend having coffee at the coffee shop and then going to Road 1950 Cafe (10 mins away) for a meal (listed below).
Travel Time from Osan: 36 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 20 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/5LfPsHt4
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd1vgx9f
Gingko Tree Trail
Parking: Free – Plenty of Spots
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: No specific times
When Photos Were Taken: November 7, 2021, November 19, 2022, November 3, 2023
Notes: Go in early to mid-November when the leaves change yellow. Check the Facebook pages or instagram to track the conditions of the trees.
Travel Time from Osan: 39 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 22 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GLB9oah4
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd36702b
Road 1950 Cafe
Parking: Free – Big Parking Lots
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: Open 10:30AM – 10PM ; Food Order 11AM – 8PM ; Break 3-4PM Weekdays
Month Photos Were Taken: March
Notes: Love the atmosphere here! It is a 4-story 50’s themed cafe that has great food and tons of photo ops! The burger is amazing, although I did take the pineapple off. It is ocean-front and a great place to go with friends or on a date night. It is a cafe, so no table service.
Travel Time from Osan: 35 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 25 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GMRqH9UZ
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd4j8tgv
Tongbogcheon
Parking: I parked in an apartment complex right by a park just across the street from the river. The Naver pin below is where I parked.
Entrance Fee: N/A
Times: N/A
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: This is a nice bike path in the Pyeongtaek area. The cherry blossoms are really pretty.
Travel Time from Osan: 25 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 26 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/F6J2Diu2
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd67ze06
Pink Tiger
Parking: There is a parking lot in the basement.
Entrance Fee: You can pay for a wristband by the hour (recommended) or pay for each individual game. When we went, they had a deal – buy 1 get 1 free. I can’t remember the exact price.
Times: Opens between 11-1 and Closes around Midnight
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: Such a great arcade place for a date night or to take your older kids! They serve alcohol too. There are 2 floors – it’s not the biggest arcade, but still fun.
Travel Time from Osan: 30 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 26 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/5oi8voxS
1987 Rooftop Lounge
Parking: There are plenty of paid parking lots nearby.
Entrance Fee: N/A
Times: 5PM – 3AM
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: This bar has an excellent vibe! My husband and I had a great date night eating at a restaurant nearby, playing arcade games at Pink Tiger, and then having drinks at the Rooftop Lounge. They serve food too! There are lots of couches inside or you can hangout outside if it’s warm.
Travel Time from Osan: 30 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 27 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/5G5m9sKQ
Pyeongtaek University
Parking: Free – 2 main lots
Entrance Fee: N/A
Times: N/A
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: The university is a popular spot to go and take pictures of the cherry blossom trees in the spring. However, it was probably my least favorite spot out of all the spots I had gone for the cherry blossoms.
Travel Time from Osan: 31 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 27 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/Gz5iERXh
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd6kyqgx
Osan Malgeumteo Park
Parking: Free – Parking Garage
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: Not sure – varies by season. I’ve heard it opens July 1st and closes around back-to-school time.
Month Photos Were Taken: August
Notes: Free public splash pad to take kids too in the summer.
Travel Time from Osan: 28 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 37 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/GRmquOYx
30 Minutes to 1 Hour
Bear Tree Park
Parking: Free – Big Parking Lot
Entrance Fee: Weekday – 13,000 Won Adults & 8,000 Won Kids ; Weekend – 15,000 Won Adults & 8,000 Won Kids
Times: March – November 9AM – Sunset ; December – February 10AM – 5PM
Month Photos Were Taken: February
Notes: I actually don’t recommend this place at all. I am only including it so that people are aware that the cages for the largest grizzly bears are almost like jail cells. They have no room to move around, no water source, no trees, and have no equipment. The black bears have a bigger space and jungle gyms, but still not nearly enough room. All bears are fed dog food. The gardens are more well-kept than the bears, which is so sad.
Travel Time from Osan: 48 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 32 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/55IAEtLo
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd2wezty
Gagwonsa Temple
Parking: Free – Go up the hill and there are a few parking lots
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: No specific times
Month Photos Were Taken: January and October
Notes: There are stairs, hiking trails, and a few temples you can enter
Travel Time from Osan: 48 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 39 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GLYnrxBU
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd3w3mmh
Anseong Farmland
Parking: Free
Entrance Fee: 8,000 won child ; 10,000 won adult
Times: 10-5PM Dec & Jan ; 10-6PM Feb-Nov
Month Photos Were Taken: September
Notes: This is a great place to take kids, but it’s also fun for adults. There is a farm, horseback riding, amusement rides, go kart racing, and more. Each attraction has additional ticket prices.
Travel Time from Osan: 42 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 40 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/F2Yv0TlY
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd6qqsdh
Ansan Starvillage Photo Land
Parking: Free – There were people directing traffic when we went.
Entrance Fee: 7,000 won Adults & 5,000 won for Children
Times: Runs year long. Weekdays 4PM-11PM, Weekends & Holidays 3PM-12AM
Month Photos Were Taken: January
Notes: There are sections dedicated to each of the seasons so it is perfect to visit any day of the year. Get there right before dusk during the winter season as it gets busy quickly
Travel Time from Osan: 43 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 41 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/xS81EDy2
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwydhqv7k0
Suwon KT Wiz Baseball Stadium
Parking: Reserve parking in advance! (use translator app to work through the link)
Ticket Price: 18,000 won (ticket prices may vary) Reserve tickets here
Times: View schedule here – Season runs from March-September
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: You can purchase tickets at the ticket booth, but make sure you get there super early, especially if you didn’t reserve parking. Also note that your seats will be further away if you wait to purchase tickets on the day of. The energy at the game is amazing! Highly recommend going with a group of friends.
Travel Time from Osan: 42 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 48 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/xdkFZ1e5
Gold Pet n Dog Bay Outdoor Swimming Pool
Parking: Free – Go down the hill and you’ll see the lot
Entrance Fee: <7kg dog 20,000 / 7-15kg dog 25,000 / 15+kg dog 30,000 / Children <12 15,000 / Adults 30,000
Times: Look up times on Naver before you go. Usually 10AM-8PM during the summer (open 7 days a week)
Month Photos Were Taken: June & July
Notes: This place is AMAZING for dogs! There is no time limit. You can bring in your own food and drink. Be aware, some dog breeds are restricted. You can rent floaties and life jackets there. I recommend you bring dog toys. There is also food and drink for purchase, but we always bring our own.
Travel Time from Osan: 43 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 43 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/xQ85dfsq
Suwon Hwaseong Fortress
Parking: There is a main parking lot by the palace, but for some reason they weren’t letting anyone in. My guess is that the lot was full. Parking around the city is a nightmare, but I did end up finding another small lot.
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: N/A
Month Photos Were Taken: May and October
Notes: You can walk along the walls without paying. There is a great view of the city and it’s a peaceful walk. I recommend having a picnic lunch here if the weather is nice 🙂
Travel Time from Osan: 47 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 49 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/FLJzYkpt
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwydk45zm0
Suwon Hwaseong Palace
Parking: There is a main parking lot to the palace, but for some reason they weren’t letting anyone in. My guess is that the lot was full. Parking around the city is a nightmare, but I did end up finding a small lot across the street on very tight back roads.
Entrance Fee: 1,000 won
Times: 9AM – 6PM
Month Photos Were Taken: October
Notes: If you time it right, you can watch a fun traditional performance in front of the palace by the gates. I watched a 12:30PM performance.
Travel Time from Osan: 47 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 49 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/5GhXGNUg
Seoul Grand Park Zoo
Parking: Paid – Scans your license plate upon entry and you’ll pay via card on your way out (no option for cash). It was 6,000 won for us.
Entrance Fee: I booked the package for 12,000 won, which included one ride on the train, one ride on the cable car, and entrance to the zoo.
Times: 9AM-6PM (Mar-Apr); 9AM-7PM (May-Aug); 9AM-5PM (Nov-Feb)
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: Even with the train and cable car, there is a lot of walking. I was tired so I only saw about half the zoo. You could easily spend an entire day here.
Travel Time from Osan: 51 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 2 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/5MUQExOq
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwydkfm6zp
Gongsanseong Fortress
Parking: Free – There are a few parking lots around the fortress
Entrance Fee: 1,200 won (it was free when we went because of Covid)
Times: I didn’t see times posted, but my assumption would be anytime during daylight
Month Photos Were Taken: March
Notes: This is a mountain fortress that used to be the site of Baekje Royal Palace during the Ungjin period (475-538). It is situated along the Geumgang River. It is a nice walk, with lots of stairs going up and down hill. There isn’t a lot of the fortress remaining, but it still offers great views and a few nice pavilions and gates. There are a few cafes and restaurants across the street. I highly recommend Wonjin Nogisun Restaurant. You’ll take your shoes off at the door and can choose to sit on the floor at a low table or at a normal table. We liked the traditional feel of the low table. Naver Pin for restaurant: http://naver.me/55I552P2
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 6 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 51 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/5YnhSXsh
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy6rkvfud
Gwangmyeong Cave
Parking: Paid parking lot. 1,500-4,000 won depending on size of vehicle.
Entrance Fee: 6,000 won adults; 3,000 won youth; 2,000 won children
Times: 9AM-6PM ; last admission 5PM; Closed on Mondays and Holidays
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: Such a neat cave! It used to be a mine that produced gold, silver, bronze, and zinc for 60 years. The mine became a shelter for residents during the Korean War. In 2011, the land was transformed into a cave theme park.
Travel Time from Osan: 54 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 5 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/F0Kd9TfD
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwydhyv5fw
Yesan Apple Winery
Parking: Free – Parking lot available
Entrance Fee: We didn’t pay for the tour, but we did purchase wine. It is very reasonably priced.
Times: 10AM – 6PM
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: We were given a tour of the winery and a free wine tasting. The best time to go is in the fall when you can pick apples
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 21 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 56 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/xIJbMd9H
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyd15h6bb
Seonggoksa Temple
Parking: Free – There is a lower lot and upper lot closer to temple
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: No set times
Month Photos Were Taken: March
Notes: This is one of my favorite temples closer to base. I recommend pairing this with Gongsanseong Fortress. There are two giant statues that sit on top of the mountain that can be seen from far away. There are also 1,000 bodhisattva statues creating several semicircles around the bronze Buddha. Going down the mountain, there are an additional 333 small Buddha statues, which are backlit at night. Not gonna lie, this was kind of creepy. Be sure to walk all around to see the various Buddha statues.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 12 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 57 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/xpP0woaQ
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy6retcuw
Waujeongsa Temple
Parking: Free – Plenty of Spots
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: No specific times
Month Photos Were Taken: November
Notes: There is a restaurant there, but we ate at one on the main road that was really good (http://naver.me/xM0dH4ml)
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 3 min
Travel Time from Humphreys: 59 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GVb8eXPD
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyde869kb
1-2 Hours
Chilgapsan Ice Fountain Festival
Parking: Free – A few lots, gets very crowded and tight
Entrance Fee: 7,000 won entrance and 18,000 won for sledding (25,000 won combo)
Times: December-February – dates vary each year 9AM-9PM – best to go around sunset so you can see the sculptures in daylight and lit up at night
Month Photos Were Taken: February
Notes: You can roast chestnuts and ride a tractor ride for an extra fee. Bring water and snacks if needed (cafe was closed when we went). The sledding is so much fun, even for adults!
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 16 min
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 1 min
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/xuMLNVbL
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy6r0h17t
Konjiam Ski Resort
Parking: Free – several lots
Entrance Fee: Lift tickets start at 50,000 won for 2 hours and increase for additional hours. You can also rent skis, snowboards, and clothing. Lockers are about 3,000 won. Sledding is an additional fee.
Times: 9AM – 9PM (December to March typically is when the typical season)
Month Photos Were Taken: January
Notes: Konjiam Resort is perfect for beginners and intermediate level skiiers or if you are looking to go snowboard close-by. There are 3 ski lifts, with one being solely for beginners wanting to go down the bunny slope. There is also a tubing zone, but we weren’t able to go since the tickets were sold out. I recommend booking this right away if you wish to do this. There is an arcade, restaurants, and food stalls.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 3 min
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 14 min
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/FFS6a2ba
Sudeoksa Temple
Parking: Free – Park in lot in the town and take a short walk to the temple
Entrance Fee: 4,000 adult; 2,000 youth; 1,000 child
Times: I don’t recall seeing hours
Month Photos Were Taken: May
Notes: There are restaurants and shops in the town before the temple
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 39 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 6 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GacRG4Ge
Ultra Music Festival at Paradise City Incheon
Parking: I recommend parking at a hotel or taking public transport. Not sure how much the parking at the venue was.
Entrance Fee: 150,000 won for one day ticket at the door (can get discounted tickets for about 130,000 won in advance). 3-day pass is a different price. Purchase tickets from official website here.
Times: 12PM-Midnight Friday-Sunday
Month Photos Were Taken: June (annual event)
Notes: If you’re into EDM, this is a great festival to attend. There is one main stage and a couple smaller stages. It opens at 12, but doesn’t get crowded until about 5PM. There are plenty of food trucks and drink stalls.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 13 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 12 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/Fk7e57ne
Incheon Parks (Wolmi, Jayu Freedom, Subong, Incheon Grand Park)
Parking: Wolmi – parked at small lot that was free, but was about a 15-minute walk to the entrance of the park. Jayu – Do NOT head up the hill to find parking. It was a nightmare. Small street with people walking everywhere and only one car is able to pass at a time, requiring to back up in certain places. It is better to park somewhere else and walk. Subong – there are a lot of entrances to the park. Plenty of street parking (free). Incheon Grand Park – Large paid parking lot. I had an issue with my USA Credit Card so I think I managed to get it for free after pushing the button and they finally raised the gate.
Entrance Fee: All parks were free to enter
Times: No specific times – although Incheon Gran Park probably has times for parking lot
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: These parks are phenomenal during Cherry Blossom Season!
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 6 minutes – 1 hour 26 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 8 minutes – 1 hour 25 minutes
Naver Pin: Wolmi – http://naver.me/FoAGVmPK, Jayu – http://naver.me/xKNx5BxV, Suboong – http://naver.me/G1IYnSVI, Incheon Grand Park – http://naver.me/5uxKRJIW
Waze Pin: Wolmi – https://waze.com/ul/hwydj0ynex, Jayu – https://waze.com/ul/hwydj1q5nh, Suboong – https://waze.com/ul/hwydj473my, Incheon Grand Park – https://waze.com/ul/hwydjh74pu
Wonju Sogeumsan Chulreong Bridge
Parking: Free parking lots with people directing traffic
Entrance Fee: 3,000 Won
Times: Last entry 3:30PM (my guess is they don’t want people out on the bridges when it gets dark)
Month Photos Were Taken: February
Notes: There are 548 steps up to the first suspension bridge (blue & red). The stairs are well maintained. Then after you cross the bridge, you can walk on the cliff walk and get a great view of both bridges. Then, you will go down the observation tower and cross the second bridge (yellow). There are cafes and street vendors on the way from the parking lot to the ticket office. Stop by the information desk if you would like a map.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 30 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 36 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/5qRVRboy
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyduscvgf
Daecheon Beach
Parking: Free – During busy times, it is best to park in a lot about a block back from the beach. Otherwise, there is parking right in front of the beach.
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: N/A (tide comes up around 5:30PM forcing you off the beach)
Month Photos Were Taken: August
Notes: This is the best beach around in my opinion. There is so much to do. They have kayak and paddle boat rentals during the slower times of year, and floatie rentals during the busier times. You can also rent umbrella and lounge chairs. There are speed boat rides as well. There are a ton of restaurants along the beach (mostly seafood). This is also where the annual mud festival takes place. There is a small water park, rail bike right over the water, and two camping locations in Daecheon.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 33 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 30 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/xXEqtvGd
Daecheon Beach Camp Site
Parking: Very chaotic during peak times. You may need to park your car far away, but you can unload your stuff first.
Entrance Fee: 40,000 won (I think there are also cheaper spots)
Times: I think the convenience store is 24/7 where you can purchase a site.
Month Photos Were Taken: October
Notes: I went into the convenience store first to ask how to get a camping spot and found out that I can just pay him, but I’m pretty sure it was only for the spots closest to the beach, which was my preference anyways. The spot came with a covered pavilion with electric outlets which I wasn’t expecting. Such a blast! Loved shooting off fireworks on the beach at night. I recommend bringing a small fire pit or cooker. You can rent camping equipment at Outdoor Rec on base.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 33 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 30 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/F5CoabIH
Seoul
Month Photos Were Taken: May, June
Notes: Read my full blog post about Seoul HERE!
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 31 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 33 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/5vMwfMsu (Seoul Station)
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwydm9k9k1 (Seoul Station)
Mallipo Beach
Parking: Free.
Entrance Fee: N/A
Times: N/A
Month Photos Were Taken: June
Notes: Nice sandy beach.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 33 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 36 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/xuiXcdDq
Taean Tulip Festival
Parking: Free. There were people directing traffic. Get there early because it gets crowded fast.
Entrance Fee: 12,000 won adults and 9,000 won kids
Times: Opens different dates each year in April and May. I don’t recall the hours
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: There are food stands outside of and inside of the park. There are so many flowers! It is also right next to the beach.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 36 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 40 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/G2Ugoo2o
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy9b61drn
Jade Cave
Parking: Free – big lot
Entrance Fee: Adults 9,000 won, Children 7,000 won (this includes the 10-minute kayak ride)
Times: 9:30AM-6:30PM Summer; 9:30AM-6PM Winter; Last Admission 5PM; Closed Mondays
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: This cave is spectacular! It is so big. So many light exhibits. The kayak ride was the best part. Perfect for all ages!
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 37 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 37 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/xZxOd7UJ
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwye42beu5
Kkotji Beach
Parking: Free – there’s a parking gate, but each time I’ve been, it’s been open and we haven’t had to pay. My guess is that it closes at night.
Entrance Fee: N/A
Times: N/A
Month Photos Were Taken: June
Notes: This is one of the sandy beaches that’s within 2 hours of the base, making it a good day trip. The water was way too cold for me in June, but I’m sure July and August would be perfect. No one was in a bathing suit besides us, but I didn’t get any unapproving stares – I did go where it wasn’t crowded though so I could sunbathe in peace. If you go here during low tide, you’ll be able to cross the causeway by foot and check out “grandmother rock” and “grandfather rock.”
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 43 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 46 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/FrlPYotE
Jangtaesan Mountain Recreational Forest
Parking: Free – four lots that get very crowded during peak times
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: Daylight hours ; The bridge will close during heavy rain or winds
Month Photos Were Taken: November
Notes: There is a cafe, a couple coffee shops, and food trucks. Go during the fall to see the fall colors!
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours 21 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 43 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/5i0yRzUx
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy6w19qm2
Cheongpung Cable Car
Parking: Free – lot of spaces
Entrance Fee: Adults: 15,000 won roundtrip for regular car and 20,000 won for glass bottom (crystal); Children 11,000 won regular and 15,000 won crystal
Times: 9:30AM-6PM
Month Photos Were Taken: April
Notes: The cable car offers fantastic views over Cheongpung lake. I was thinking that there would be some hiking from the top, but it only takes you to an observatory. There is also a monorail option (entrance is in a different area about 10 minutes away), but that was sold out. This is a fabulous area to go to in the spring when the cherry blossoms are in bloom.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 45 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 44 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GltseZDi
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwye4kxbh6
DMZ (Demilitarized Zone)
Parking: Included with tour
Entrance Fee:
1st Tour Half Day Tour – Booked on Klook Here: $57.29
2nd Tour Included Majang Lake Bridge – Booked on Klook Here : $67.05
Times:
1st Tour – Picked up at 6:50AM from our hotel in Seoul and dropped off at 1PM at City Hall (half day tour).
2nd Tour – Picked up at metro station meeting point at 7AM and dropped off back in Seoul around 5PM.
Month Photos Were Taken: June and October
Notes: The DMZ just opened back up in May 2022 since being closed for 2 years during the pandemic. They are currently only operating with a guided tour group and are only allowing approximately 240 visitors per time slot. The JSA (Joint Security Area) is currently still closed to ALL visitors. I plan to go back whenever it is open again.
Full Review of Half Day Tour: This was a great tour overall. Cons- I had to reach out to Klook to get contact details for the tour operator the day prior to the tour because I hadn’t received confirmation of a pickup time for the hotel pickup. I shouldn’t have to be reaching out to the company the day before the tour. We were picked up at 6:50AM, which I thought it would be closer to 8AM. This is due to the DMZ only allowing a certain amount of guests in per time. Once you get there, you will wait in line with the tour guide to get tickets (hopefully since they are first come first serve). You can’t take anything into the tunnel (phone, camera, bag), which is a bit silly to me since they have photos all over the Internet. We did not get to walk on the freedom bridge, which I thought would be included in the tour. We just viewed it from afar and were only given 10 minutes for this activity. Pros- The hotel pickup service was via a small van that transported us to a large bus (approximately 40-50 people on the tour). You will be able to walk down into the 3rd tunnel and get a good view from the observatory. We had plenty of time to explore the gift shop. The biggest pro was our tour guide, Dora. She spoke great English and gave a lot of great information throughout the tour. Since the tour started early, we also ended early- we were dropped off at City Hall at 1PM.
Full Review of Tour that includes Majang Suspension Bridge. I preferred this tour over the halfday tour. I enjoyed the suspension bridge, although it was a bit underwhelming. There was another bridge option, but my mom chose this one to see the view of the lake. It was pretty in the morning. Everything else about the tour was the same as my first visit. There were no issues with pickup/dropoff and the tour guide was great.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 45 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 47 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/5358ylMf
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwydps1ct8
Daedunsan Mountain
Parking: Large parking lot (lower and upper level). It was free when we went, but I’m not sure if it’s free all the time since it did have a gate and parking attendant.
Entrance Fee: 11,500 won roundtrip (adults) ; 8.500 (children)
Times: 9AM – 6PM
Month Photos Were Taken: June
Notes: Definitely take the cable car up if you want to avoid a full day steep hike. The cable car takes you up majority of the mountain. From there, you will climb some steep stairs and shortly come to the suspension bridge. From there, you’ll walk more stairs and then ascend the famous stairway. This is definitely not for those that are afraid of heights. I felt secure, but definitely felt the thrill. The hike is a one-way system which is great. After the stairs, continue going to the summit – this was the hardest part of the hike, but it was shaded. Majority of the hike is on stairs and rocks, which I didn’t mind since a railing was provided to hold onto. I definitely recommend taking sandwiches/snacks for the summit – it’s a great place to sit down and take in the scenery as you refuel. All in all, it took 4 hours from getting out of the car to getting in the car (9:30AM-1:30PM), but we took a lot of breaks and stopped for photos quite a bit. On average, it is done in 2-3 hours (with the cable car). It took us 2.5 hours to hike up, and about 40 minutes to hike down (then add in the time for the cable car and walking around).
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 59 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 46 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/FuWHKIri (parking lot)
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy6t3qydt
Petite France
Parking: Free – parking lot
Entrance Fee: I’m not sure since it was included in my tour on Klook
Times: 9AM-6PM
Month Photos Were Taken: June
Notes: Most shows/events start after 11AM, so I recommend looking up the schedule in advance to make the most of your time
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 48 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 51 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/IxUpkkmr
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwydwt1g95
Nami Island (Namiseom)
Parking: There are a few parking lots. I’m not sure how much it cost since we had a driver.
Entrance Fee: 49,000 won for zipline (to island) and ferry (return from island). You must be a certain weight to ride the zipline (no kids). I’m not entirely sure how much the ferry ticket is without the zipline, but I believe it’s 13,000 round-trip.
Times: 8AM-6PM
Month Photos Were Taken: June
Notes: This was a part of a tour I booked on Klook. We only had to wait 15 minutes for next zipline departure. This was a great way to get to the island. It’s not scary at all. You aren’t allowed to use a camera/phone unless it has a strap so prepare this in advance. They will not take pictures of you so it’s good to have friends take them. The ferry runs every 10-20 minutes and only takes about 5 minutes. There are quite a few restaurants on the island. It is a nice place to walk around, but it was extremely hot the day we went so we were just wanting to sit inside. I recommend going during the spring or fall.
Travel Time from Osan: 1 hour 56 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 1 hour 59 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GHZCmqUO
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwydxjfm42
2+ Hours
Gangchon Rail Park (Gimyujeong Station)
Parking: Large lot – not sure if there was a fee since we had a driver
Entrance Fee: It was included in my tour on Klook, but I’m pretty sure a 2-seater rail bike is 35,000 won and a 4-seater is 48,000 won.
Times: 9AM-4:30PM
Month Photos Were Taken: June
Notes: I recommend booking in advance or getting there early since they only run every hour and have limited tickets per time slot. It is a one-way course. You’ll pedal on the rail bike for 6km and then get on an open-air train for the remaining 2km. The pedaling was much easier than I expected, even on a very hot day. It starts off on a downhill, which gives you momentum. There are about 4-5 tunnels that you go through – these are by far the best part! The scenery is incredible. This has been a highlight for sure! There is a shuttle that takes you back to the parking lot.
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 17 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/52bxLzO4
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwydz4hq58
Gosu Cave
Parking: 3,000 won large lot
Entrance Fee: 11,000 won Adults / 7,000 won Teen / 5,000 won Children
Times: 9AM-5:30PM April-October / 9AM-5PM November-March
Month Photos Were Taken: August
Notes: This cave is approximately 1,700m long and is a great place to go on a rainy day since it is inside. There are 600 steps so is not recommended for young children or physically weak. They give you gripper gloves to hold onto the railing. We combined this cave with Ondal Cave. There are a ton of activities to do in the surrounding area if you want to make it a weekend trip, although we just went for the day. Bring a jacket because the cave stays cold year-round. There are restaurants and souvenir shops right outside the cave.
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 7 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/5DjcXeRB
Eobi Ice Valley
Parking: 5,000 won if you park in the lot closest to the ice fountain, or you can park farther away for free and walk
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: Winter Months
Month Photos Were Taken: January
Notes: Something pretty to see in the winter. There’s not much to it, but there are hiking trails around if you want to spend more time in the area. This is paired well with Garden of the Morning Calm or Nami Island.
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours 1 minute
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 15 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/xwWkociV
Gamaksan Mountain Suspension Bridge
Parking: 2,000 won for full day – there are a few small lots.
Entrance Fee: Free
Times: I don’t recall seeing times posted, but I would suspect that they close the trail or bridge after sunset and reopen after sunrise.
Month Photos Were Taken: June
Notes: There are steep stairs up the mountain before getting to the suspsension bridge, but only takes about 20-30 minutes. After the suspension bridge, you can continue 250m to the waterfall, which is a little underwhelming, especially if it hasn’t rained. After the waterfall, you can continue up the mountain for another 30 minutes or so to the observatory. You’ll walk up a windy steep road, pass a temple, and continue around the mountain to a great lookout point. It’s definitely worth the view! Be sure to bring water, and I also recommend bringing a picnic lunch to eat at the top, although we ate at one of the restaurants on the street. From the observatory, we turned around and went back down the same way we came up, although the trail does continue on further. This suspension bridge is included in some DMZ tour packages, so if you haven’t gone to the DMZ, I recommend pairing them together since they are so close to each other.
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours 5 minute
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 5 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/5mISe7hs
Garden of the Morning Calm
Parking: Free – Spatious lots
Entrance Fee: 11,000 won
Times: 11AM-9PM (open until 11PM on Saturdays)
Lighting Festival runs from December – March and the lights turn on a little before sunset around 5PM
Month Photos Were Taken: January
Notes: This is a beautiful place that can be visited any time of the year! They transition seasonal plants so that there is always something to look at. I chose to go in the winter because I wanted to see the lighting festival at night, which I highly recommend. I also want to go back in the spring during cherry blossom season. Fall is also beautiful when the leaves change. The gardens take about 2 hours to explore and there is a restaurant, cafes, and shops inside.
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours 16 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 39 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/GTeA4k19
Jeonju Hanok Village
Parking: Use this pin for the large parking lot by the river: http://naver.me/F0caee20. There is free parking nearby, but this is the best lot if you want to avoid narrow streets.
Entrance Fee: 3,000 won for Jeonju Gyeonggijeon Hall
Times: 9AM – 7PM for entrance to Jeonju Gyeonggijeon Hall
Month Photos Were Taken: May, June
Notes: This is the most well-known traditional Hanok Village in Korea. Be sure to get a view of the buildings from above (route to Omokdae). You should also take time to go in Jeonju Gyeonggijeon Hall, which is the ideal place to go if you wish to dress up in Hanbok clothing. There are several places to rent Hanbok for cheap. You can also see Jeondong Cathedral. There are plenty of restaurants and shops that will keep you busy for a while.
If you are there during cherry blossom/azalea season, stop by Wansan Park (http://naver.me/xivqr1Ks).
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours 50 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 19 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GdJz7BdL
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy67trvez
Ondal Cave
Parking: Free lot
Entrance Fee: 5,000 won per person
Times: 9AM-5PM (6PM during peak times)
Month Photos Were Taken: August
Notes: This 800m long cave is a great place to go on a rainy day since it is inside. We combined this cave with Gosu Cave. There are a ton of activities to do in the surrounding area if you want to make it a weekend trip, although we just went for the day. Bring a jacket because the cave stays cold year-round. They provide helmets since there are some low areas that require you to crouch low.
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours 22 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 25 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/FgSCLn4X
Baegyangsa Temple
Parking: 6,000 per person to enter the national park by car or you can hike from the parking lot before the national park entrance
Entrance Fee: None
Times: None
Month Photos Were Taken: March
Notes: This temple isn’t far from the Bamboo forest, which is why I decided to check it out. It is located in Naejangsan National Park, which is a great area to go hiking or camping. The temple itself isn’t all that impressive, but I would love to go back with my dogs and explore the trails.
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours 42 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 23 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/5vDmPOYm
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy61x0w68
High One Ski Resort
Parking: Plenty of lots
Entrance Fee: Lift tickets start at 54,000 won for 3 hours and increase for additional hours. You can also rent skis, snowboards, and clothing. Lockers are about 3,000 won. The snow world is an additional fee.
Times: 9AM – 10 PM (slopes close from 4-6PM for maintaining)
Month Photos Were Taken: January
Notes: This is a great place to go for a long weekend with friends. We stayed at the Grand Hotel, which provided a free shuttle to the slopes and had an indoor pool (extra cost), restaurants, and a casino. Catch the fireworks show at 9PM at the back of the hotel. There were plenty of slopes for everyone. The place was so big that it was a little confusing to me. There is a snow world for kids for an extra cost, as well as separate tubing. There are lots of restaurants and convenience stores.
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours 27 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 31 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/FjcWmmTn
Majang Lake Suspension Bridge
Parking: Big lot. Not sure if there is a fee since I went as a part of the DMZ tour
Entrance Fee: Not sure since I went as part of the DMZ tour, but I don’t remember seeing a ticket booth.
Times: 9AM-6PM
Month Photos Were Taken: October
Notes: Beautiful paths to go for a nice walk.
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours 29 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 42 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/GjZV7CIc
Juknokwon Bamboo Forest
Parking: Free – Large lot
Entrance Fee: 3,000 Won Adults 1,500 Won Teen 1,000 Won Children Free for kids under 6
Times: March-October 9AM-7PM (last admission 6PM) ; November – February 9AM-6PM (last admission 5:30PM)
Month Photos Were Taken: March
Notes: Juknokwon is a charming forest threaded with paths totaling a distance of 2.4 km. The trail divides into eight paths with various themes. The forest is apparently large enough to where we didn’t even realize we missed a large chunk of it until after we left. We’ll definitely be going back and next time we’ll pay attention to the map (English map provided to you at ticket office). We ate at a restaurant on the river by the forest on Damyang Noodles Street. Naver: http://naver.me/GWo9oiLa
Travel Time from Osan: 2 hours 51 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 34 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GpNnkLvl
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy62cx5bw
Gwangju
Month Photos Were Taken: March
Notes: Gwangju is a city in the southwest corner of South Korea. I went to Gwangju in hopes to see some cherry blossoms. I went to Gwangju Sajik Park and Gwangju National Museum. The trees were just beginning to bloom. It is the 6th largest city in Korea, so if you are looking for a city surrounded by mountains, it’s a decent place to go and explore.
Travel Time from Osan: 3 hours 16 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 2 hours 54 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GLYTPQm1
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy4pzvmxg
Yeosu
Month Photos Were Taken: March
Notes: Read full blog post here: https://mandytravelstheworld.com/trip-to-namhae-and-yeosu-south-korea/
Travel Time from Osan: 3 hours 30 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 3 hours 13 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/GFprO2mu
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy4vdynej
Jinhae (Cherry Blossom Festival)
Month Photos Were Taken: March/April
Notes: The best time to visit Jinhae is during the cherry blossom festival, which occurs every year. They typically announce the dates around February, but usually fall around the last week of March and first week of April. The festival lasts for 10 days and is free. Grab a brochure from one of the information desks to find out about the events going on. Have fun visiting the multiple locations in Jinhae with cherry blossom trees. It is super crowded, so parking is tough, but not impossible. I recommend going on a weekday if you can. The mornings are definitely less crowded.
Travel Time from Osan: 3 hours 59 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 3 hours 38 minutes
Naver Pins (I recommend visiting in the order listed):
Jinhae Water Environment Eco Park – https://naver.me/G4xYuqU7
Jinhae Cherry Blossom Walkway at Yeojwacheon Stream- https://naver.me/5lxrqTCl
Jungwon Rotary – https://naver.me/Fawl5DHp
Jehwangsan Park (Monorail is 3,000 won roundtrip or you can take steps to top) – https://naver.me/xhK5cgJi
Gyeonghwa Station Cherry Blossom Walkway – https://naver.me/5oXMtmjw
Cherry Blossom Park – https://naver.me/5ewoduuJ
Jinhae Maritime Park (Battleship is free to explore) – https://naver.me/xGm7erLH
Namhae
Month Photos Were Taken: March
Notes: Read full blog post here: https://mandytravelstheworld.com/trip-to-namhae-and-yeosu-south-korea/
Travel Time from Osan: 3 hours 59 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 3 hours 42 minutes
Naver Pin: http://naver.me/FxLvFJpA
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwy5j82wp4
Sokcho
Parking: There are paid lots right on the beach, but also free street parking outside of the main area.
Entrance Fee: N/A
Times: N/A
Month Photos Were Taken: November
Notes: Sokcho is a great place to stay when visiting Seoraksan mountain. It is only 20 minutes by car. I stayed at a pension 5 minutes walking from the beach.
Travel Time from Osan: 3 hours 59 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 3 hours 53 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/GLArPO25
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyg3q2qhr
Busan
Month Photos Were Taken: October
Notes: Full Blog Post Coming Soon
Travel Time from Osan: 4 hours 12 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 4 hours 4 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/Fl21ZfJh
Seoraksan National Park
Parking: There are free lots, but they fill up early in the morning. The paid lot is 6,000 won.
Entrance Fee: 4,500 won
Times: Cable Car – 9AM-6PM –you will purchase a timed ticket and may have to wait 2-3 hours to go up.
Month Photos Were Taken: November
Notes: Seoraksan is the 3rd highest mountain in Korea. To reach the summit, it is a 12-hour hike that should be started around 4AM. My husband did this, but I just did the smaller hikes. The seorak cable car takes 6 minutes and goes to a fortress. There is a temple in the park that you can visit while you wait for the cable car. I also recommend the cave hike (3 hours roundtrip) and the waterfall hike (2-3 hours roundtrip).
Travel Time from Osan: 4 hours 8 minutes
Travel Time from Humphreys: 4 hours 6 minutes
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/52hCTqqK
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwyg35v4yk
Jeju Island
Month Photos Were Taken: September
Notes: Separate blog post coming soon. I flew from Cheongju Airport.
Travel Time from Osan: 9 hours (by car taking the ferry)
Travel Time from Humphreys: 8 hours 20 minutes (by car taking the ferry)
Naver Pin: https://naver.me/FrvjPpYo
Waze Pin: https://waze.com/ul/hwvcyw7tmg
your blog posts are so organized and to the point! Thanks for sharing your adventures with the rest of us. It looks like you really enjoyed your travels across Korea :)…