Naejangsan National Park (내장산국립공원) is quite simply one of the nicest national parks you’ll visit anywhere. A host of natural features make this park a favorite for many, myself included! There are craggy peaks, a roller-coaster of a ridge and picture-perfect temples tucked away in peaceful forests. The shape of this park seems designed to delight, with the highest peaks arranged in a semicircle: from one, you can see all the others! And then there’s the fact that Naejangsan National Park plays host to the most spectacular display of fall foliage in South Korea.
And that’s just the better-known half of the park! All kinds of other adventures await as you venture west: pristine valleys, remote ridges and an ancient fortress await!
There’s a whole lot to recommend this park. Naejangsan National Park definitely belongs on your must-visit list.
Very nice Naejangsan adventures
Tips and tricks for enjoying Naejangsan National Park
When to Go
The short answer is fall. Fall is incredibly scenic in Naejangsan National Park. This is the most famous place in Korea to see colorful changes in foliage, and for good reason! The park’s emblem is a cluster of colorful red maple leaves, and that’s just what you’ll see (everywhere you look) if you visit during this season!
Although fall is when this park is arguably at it’s beautiful best, visiting in fall poses some challenges. If you dare venture there on a weekend, you’ll find yourself parking far, far away. Be prepared to wait in long lines just for entry into the park – even on public transit! And don’t be surprised if the trails are absolutely packed too. But if you can brave the crowds and don’t mind a little waiting, you too can experience Korea’s finest fall foliage.
Bear in mind that Naejangsan does close for a short period in late fall (well after the foliage display, don’t worry!) from mid-November until mid-December. This fire prevention month in fall is followed by a spring closure, typically from early March to mid-May. These closures usually only affect peaks and ridges: some other trails might still be accessible. Check the official Korea National Park Service website for more information, and have a look at Naver Maps before you go: trails marked in red indicate closures.
But although Naejangsan’s fall scenery garners all the accolades, this park is beautiful year-round. It’s lush and green in the summertime, filled with birds and flowers in the spring, and possesses a stark winter beauty as well. Naejangsan’s peaks are not particularly high, so it doesn’t get very snowy and remains accessible all year. Venture out outside of fall, and you might have more trails to yourself, too!
As always, I’d recommend making the most of your Naejangsan experience with an early start! The horseshoe-shaped ridge is long and undulating, so set out at sunrise so you can see all the summits!
Where to stay
Naejangsan is pretty far south and pretty far west. The closest major metro is Gwangju. Smaller Jeongeup is still closer, but well, smaller! Both offer options for long-distance travelers in the form of motels, marts and restaurants. Both have bus and train stations with connections to the rest of the country.
There are also many direct intercity buses to Naejangsan from Seoul. Or if you’re based nearby, local buses can link you to the park from nearby towns like Jeongeup.
I would definitely recommend staying inside the park. There’s a campground and several motels at the main entrance. At the peak of fall foliage season, it might be difficult to secure a spot here – but during the rest of the year, you can usually just turn up.
It’s a huge advantage to stay in the park because you can set your own schedule: starting and ending when you like. And with so much to explore in this big park, you’re going to want to have ample time!
Alternatively, if you’re super speedy, you could always take the first bus of the day from Jeongeup and catch the last one out! If you’ve got your own wheels, try approaching the park from one of one of the back entrances.
Also at the park’s main entrance are a few restaurants serving delicious vegetables gathered from the surrounding hillsides! There are a couple of marts where you can gather supplies, and several coffee shops too.
Hiking & Running
Naejangsan National Park is bigger than you think. If you’re looking for long trails and lots of opportunities, you’ve come to the right place.
For your first trip, I’d recommend running or trekking around the main amphitheater. This can be a full-day adventure and you can tag the main peak Sinseongbong! I think it’s exciting to travel counterclockwise, but the most important part is having a chance to enjoy the whole ridge. There are 8 peaks! And views down into the valley and across to other peaks! Prioritize this unmissable adventure if you’ve only got one day to spare.
If you’re not currently up for this kind of challenge for whatever reason, not to worry! There are plenty of trails leading up and down the ridge from all of the peaks. So it’s certainly possible to summit Sinseongbong with a quick-out-and-back. But unless you’ve got serious time or mobility constraints, I personally think you’d kind of be missing the point of this park.
The next day, or on your next trip, you can venture beyond Sinseongbong and the amphitheater. Most hikers only explore the northeastern half of the park, but there’s so much more to discover!
There’s the lovely old fortress Ibamsanseong in the far west, and the twin peaks of Sajabong and Sangwangbong – also known as Baegamsan – in the south. The beautiful valley that links these two locations is a hiker’s delight, and then there’s the high ridge that links Baegamsan to the main part of the park. In a park full of wonders, this awesome, rugged and remote ridge might be the best!
With so many great trails and stunning scenery, you’re bound to fall for Naejangsan National Park, whether you visit in autumn or not! I can’t get enough of this wonderful park, and I hope you enjoy it too.
Happy hiking!