The number of visitors to South Korea’s national parks has exceeded 40 million for the first time in five years, driven by the removal of cultural property admission fees.
According to the Korea National Park Service, 22 national parks recorded 40.65 million visitors in 2024, rebounding from a pandemic-related drop in 2020. Bukhansan National Park was the most visited, attracting 7 million visitors due to its accessibility from Seoul and various hiking trails.
Odaesan National Park saw the highest growth, with a 32.6 percent increase from 2024, reaching 1.65 million visitors. Woljeongsa Temple, a key attraction on Odaesan, welcomed 1.47 million people, a 400,000 increase from last year. The Ministry of Environment cited the abolition of cultural property admission fees in May 2023 as a critical factor. Other parks, including Naejangsan and Songnisan, also saw increases in temple visitors.
The most popular hiking trail was Sutonggol Valley in Gyeryongsan National Park, which attracted 1.15 million visitors. Its mild slopes and scenic valleys make it a year-round favorite.
The Korea National Park Service expanded safety and visitor facilities to meet demand, adding 62 locations in 2024. Plans include more accessible trails and programs for underserved communities, aiming to reach 50 million visitors by 2030.