National park · South Korea
Odaesan National Park오대산국립공원
Visit Odaesan National Park: pay KRW 2,000 entry, hike the Virobong trail (≈3 h) in spring or autumn; avoid the Durobong course in winter.
- Source checked
- A source and a date are on record: we read it from an official or published page. Not yet confirmed on the ground.
- Field checked
- Someone checked it on the ground, with the date shown.
- Plan calculated
- Worked out by Voykit from its own data (times, distances, budgets). A calculation, not a measurement.
Unknown times stay unknown. How we verify
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Map to the park
Add your hotel to get directions from it. · stays in this browser; shared with the pocket card.
Area
384 km² (148 sq mi)148 sq mi (384 km²)
approximate
Established
1970
Best months
Apr–May, Sep–Oct
UNESCO
None
Rules in force · 7
- East Asia ↗Every border in East Asia is a full international border, Hong Kong and Macau included: an entry permission for one never covers the next.
- East Asia ↗Ferries between Korea, Japan and China cancel in rough seas and typhoons; keep a flight or a spare day behind every sea leg.
- South Korea ↗Check K-ETA and visa status on the official sites before you fly; the list of nationalities exempted from registering online changes year by year.
- South Korea ↗Google Maps gives poor walking and driving directions in Korea; use Naver Map or Kakao Map for routes.
- South Korea ↗Buy a T-money card (or use a phone-based transit pass) for subway and buses; it also pays at convenience stores and many taxis.
- Gangwon ↗1330 is the national travel helpline (24 h, English); useful in rural counties where English is patchy.
- Gangwon ↗Taxi flag drop is about ₩1,800 for the first 2 km, then roughly ₩100 per 169 m (2026 estimate).
At a glance
- Country
- South Korea
- Area
- 384 km² (148 sq mi)148 sq mi (384 km²)
- Official area not listed in sources; estimate based on park extensions (check).
- Established
- 1970
- Best months
- Apr–May, Sep–Oct
- Permits
- For some areas
- Base
- Pyeongchang
Odaesan National Park covers 384 km² of granite and gneiss ridges in Gangwon, with gentle trails such as the Virobong loop (3 h) and longer routes like the Sangwangbong trek (7–8 h). The park contains two historic temples, Woljeongsa (founded 643) and Sangwonsa (742), and is known for spring wildflowers and autumn foliage. Entry costs KRW 2,000; camping is available in designated sites. The park is reached by bus from Seoul (≈3 h) via Jinbu.
Decide
Why go, which months, and what lives here when
At a glance
Status
- No UNESCO listing; national park since 1970.
Size and age
384 km² (148 sq mi)148 sq mi (384 km²) · national park since 1970
Official area not listed in sources; estimate based on park extensions (check).
This page covers the park itself. Nearest base: Pyeongchang.
Why go
- Granite peaks and alpine flora across several mountain ridges.
- Temples such as Woljeongsa and Sangwonsa within forested valleys.
When to go
- JanCaution
- FebCaution
- MarGo
- AprBest
- MayBest
- JunGo
- JulCaution
- AugCaution
- SepBest
- OctBest
- NovGo
- DecCaution
- JanCold, possible snow on high trails.
- FebStill cold; snow may linger.
- MarEarly spring, blossoms, trails clear.
- AprMild weather, wildflowers in full bloom.
- MayWarm, dry, ideal for all courses.
- JunWarm, occasional rain; crowds increase.
- JulHot, thunderstorms possible.
- AugHot, humidity high; trail mud.
- SepCooler, foliage change begins.
- OctAutumn colours, dry, comfortable.
- NovCool, fewer visitors.
- DecCold, possible early snow.
Wildlife and nature calendar
| What | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2,748 animal species, including Manchurian trout and Korean catfish in rivers.All year | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes |
| 1,040 plant species, e.g., Thuja orientalis, Taxus cuspidata, Mongolian oak.Mar–Sep | no | no | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | yes | no | no | no |
Arrive & move
Getting in, how the park is divided, and where things are
Show 3 sectionsHideHow to get there, Zones and sectors, Sketch map
How to get there
From Seoul
Intercity bus to Jinbu (≈2 h 50 min) then local bus to park gate.
3–4 h
Open the page →
From Busan
Intercity bus via Wonju to Jinbu (≈5 h 40 min) then local bus.
6–7 h
Open the page →
From Daegu
Intercity bus via Wonju to Jinbu (≈4 h 30 min) then local bus.
5–6 h
Open the page →
From Pyeongchang
Local bus from Pyeongchang intercity terminal to Jinbu (≈1 h).
1 h
Open the page →
Zones and sectors
| Zone | What is there | Access |
|---|---|---|
| Jinbu Gate | Main entrance, visitor centre, ticket office, parking. | Open daily with entry ticket. |
| Virobong Area | Gentle 7 km (4.3 mi) loop, suitable for families.Gentle 4.3 mi (7 km) loop, suitable for families. | Open; no guide required. |
| Durobong Area | Challenging 10 km (6.2 mi) circuit, steep sections.Challenging 6.2 mi (10 km) circuit, steep sections. | Open; recommended for experienced hikers, avoid winter. |
Sketch map
Take the points offline
4 points as a GPX waypoint file, plus a plain-text list of coordinates. Save it while you have signal: maps apps show the points without a connection.
Coordinates taken from official park website and Wikidata; approximate for trailheads.
See & do
Caves, trails and wildlife, with how hard each is and whether it needs booking
Show Top experiencesHide
Top experiences
Practical
Fees, permits, rules, where to sleep and what can go wrong
Show 8 sectionsHideEntry fees and permits, Park rules, Where to stay, Safety, Accessibility, Visiting lightly, Questions people ask, Related
Entry fees and permits
| Item | Range | Per | Note |
|---|---|---|---|
| Park entry | KRW 2,000 (≈ US$2) | person | Standard entry fee (check). |
Ranges, not quotes: fees change without notice. Check with the park or your operator · checked Sep 2026.
Park entry permit or guide
Park rules
- Camping
- Only in designated car‑camping sites; fees apply.
- Drones
- Not allowed without park authority permission (check).check
- Fire
- Open fires prohibited; use designated BBQ areas only.
- Guides
- Required for Durobong and Sangwangbong long treks.
Where to stay
Near the park
Pyeongchang town
Hotels and guesthouses 15 km (9.3 mi) from gate.Hotels and guesthouses 9.3 mi (15 km) from gate.
Near the park
Gangneung city
Coastal hotels, 30 km (19 mi) east of park.Coastal hotels, 19 mi (30 km) east of park.
Safety
Winter snow and ice high
Getting lost on long treks medium
Heat in summer medium
How much daylight do you have?
Time out
Finding the local time zone…
Times are local to the spot (zone loading). The half-hour margin is our rule of thumb, not an official figure; light fades earlier in forest or under cloud. Carry a headlamp on any route that could run late.
Accessibility
- Jinbu gate and visitor centre reachable by car with short walks.
- Virobong trail has gentle grades; suitable for limited mobility.
- Longer courses have steep sections, not wheelchair‑friendly.
Visiting lightly
- Use designated camping sites; pack out all waste.
- Support local accommodations in Pyeongchang or Gangneung.
- Avoid buying souvenirs made from protected wildlife.
Questions people ask
How much does it cost to enter Odaesan National Park?
The standard entry fee is KRW 2,000 per person (check official site for updates).
What are the best hikes in Odaesan National Park?
Virobong (easy, 3 h), Dongdaesan wildflower walk (easy, 2 h), and Durobong (hard, 5 h) are popular; long Sangwangbong trek is for experienced hikers.
When is the best time to visit Odaesan National Park?
Spring (April–May) and autumn (September–October) offer mild weather and good colour, while summer can be hot and winter snowy.
Can I camp inside the park?
Camping is allowed only in designated car‑camping sites; fees apply and you must register at the gate.
Do I need a guide for any trails?
Guides are required for the Durobong and Sangwangbong long treks; other short trails are self‑guided.
Deep dive
Every source; fees and rules change, so check before you go
Show the detailsHide
Ask about Odaesan National Park
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