Who loves to go car camping? Taean has options you will love. Pack up the car and head to the countryside.

Car Camping Facilities in Korea

Camping in Korea may look different from camping where you come from. For example, I grew up survivalist camping which is the complete opposite of the camping here. In Korea campsites ma:

  • Public showers (a giant open room with shower heads all around) that may only be open during the summer season. That means closed at the end of August.
  • Trough sinks for washing up dishes (put food waste in the food waste bags and not the sinks)
  • Public bathrooms that are open year round
  • Plenty of parking
  • Sites with electrity run to them so that you can bring your TV, fan, etc.
  • Areas for BBQ-ing. The BBQ situation is different with each site.

How Much is Car Camping in Korea?

There is no standard price for car camping sites in Korea but they often start at 20,000 -80,000 a night and then go up from there. Here are the different items that may impact the cost of your stay:

  • Will you camp only for the day or will you stay over night? Many people in Korea choose to camp onlye for the day. At 5pm, many people will packup everything and return home.
  • How many tents do you have and how big are the tents? They don't really charge by individual camping space, they charge by the number of things you are putting up on that space. You can't all share one camping space to save money and if you put up a massive tent you will likely be charged more than a small tent.
  • You may also be charged differently if you came by scooter, bike, or car.
  • You may be charged different prices during different seasons. Some spots only charge in the summer months and the winter it's all free but there are no showers.
  • The fanciness of the campsite. Some campsites are quite rustic and others have more highly developed facilities.

Is "Wild" Camping Legal in Korea?

Wild camping describes camping where there are no official campsites. There are places where this is done. You will often see people camping in non-camping areas. Is it allowed? Maybe and maybe not. In Korea, there is a lot of social grace given to folks. Sometimes folks are just ignoring laws because nobody really cares about those laws.

We recommend checking with 1330 before going wild camping to make sure that it's acceptable. There are areas of the country where you absolutely can't do it (think National Parks) and you can get arrested and other areas where laws allow wild camping. However, don't assume that camping is legal in a spot simply because others are doing it.

Reserving Campsites in South Korea

Some campsites require reservations and others are first come first serve. If you want to know if you need a reservation for a particular campsite you can contact 1330. If you need help making a campsite reservation in Korea you can use a bilingual concierge service.

Campsites that are first come first service also usually require a cash payment so be sure to arrive with at least 80,000 won in cash. This should make sure you have what you need for any incidentals as well.

Car Camping Culture in Korea

Car camping will bring you into a very different cultural space that you may experience in other parts of your life in Korea. Here are some things to know before you go.

  • Personal space: Showers are a communal space. The kitchen sinks are a communal space. You many feel nervous or insecure but that may fade once you become accustomed to the situation.
  • Community space: You may find that people will walk right through your campsite instead of walking around it. This is not uncommon. This can be hard for western folks who have different concepts of pubic and private space. Your idea of what is an assumed personal space boundery may be challenged.
  • Noise: You will find that folks raise a ruccus until about 10pm. Then it will likely get quiet. Folks are not affraid to be a hot mess until around 10 pm. However, by 11pm or 12pm you need to be wrapping it up.
  • Trash: You need to use the local trash bags and not ones you bring from home. Usually your camping fee pays for those bags. If you are camping off-season you need to grab those local bags from a mart or take your trash home with you to toss.
  • The whole house... but a tent: Many car camping experts in Korea will bring just about everything you can think of. There are video games, TV sets, fans, and giant tents with multiple rooms. It's amazing and I am awe.
  • No fires or cooking on the beach: Keep that at your campsite or in approved areas.
  • Wear your masks: During social distancing, you need to wear your masks even if you see others not really complying. There are rebels everywhere, that includes Korea at camping sites. Don't be a rebel, wear your mask.
  • Summers are hectic: Expect to packed into the camping spots during June and July.
  • Hammocks: Some camping sites allow them and others don't. You will have to check to see what is ok.

We absolutely LOVE the car camping culture in Korea. Our boundaries have shifted and we now camp BECAUSE of all the people around us enjoying life and relaxing together. Before COVID, we used to find camping a great way to meet new people. Now folks keep to themselves more as we wait for everything to normalize.

11 Places for Car Camping in Taean-gun, South Korea

Where Can I Get Camping Equipment

If you live in Pyeongtaek, we have a blog for that! If you don't live in Pyeongtaek, you can find affordable camping equipment at places like Emart, Homeplus, and Lotte Mart. They usually have big sales at the end of summer. You can also visiting more expensive camping gear stores like Camping Trunk.