Exploring Korea: Between Mountain and River – A Quiet Escape

By Neha Bisht ||

Planning the Perfect Summer Getaway

After the pleasant spring season ends in Korea, the hot summer begins – and it is truly the best time to enjoy outdoor activities. I usually prefer planning trips like camping during public holidays, especially when we get two or three consecutive days off. Last year, we were lucky to have a public holiday fall on a Friday, giving us a perfect three-day break. So, we decided to go on a two-day, one-night camping trip.

The first challenge was finding a suitable free camping site. We wanted a peaceful place surrounded by mountains and near a small river. Korea offers many camping options – both free and paid. In free camping areas, you can simply arrive with your belongings and set up your camp, as most basic public facilities are already available. Paid campsites, on the other hand, charge a fee and sometimes provide tents and equipment. There are also glamping and caravan camping sites, but they are usually expensive.

Since we are students, we always try to manage our expenses and prefer free camping sites. However, finding such places in Korea is not always easy. I usually rely on Instagram travel pages, Naver, KakaoMap, and blogs. As I am not very fluent in Korean, I mostly search using English keywords, which makes the process challenging. After some effort, I shortlisted two places: Wonju Munmak Auto Camping Site in Gangwon-do (원주시 문막읍 취병리) and Suju Palbong Campsite in Chungju, Chungcheongbuk-do (수주팔봉야영지). Between these, we choose Suju Palbong for its natural beauty.

The Journey and Setting Up Camp

As always, we started our trip in a friend’s car. Since fewer people joined this time, we all fit comfortably into one vehicle. We made a checklist of essential camping items, including a tent, stove, charcoal, firewood, utensils, food, water, clothing, toiletries, and sleeping bags. We packed what we already had and bought the remaining items from Daiso and a nearby mart.

We left Gwangju after breakfast – loaded everything into the car, fastened our seatbelts, and began our journey. The trip started with music, smooth highway driving, and the excitement of leaving the busy city behind.

I have always been fascinated by Korean highways; they pass through calm countryside, small villages, forests, mountains, and even across sea bridges. For me, the journey often feels just as exciting as the destination.

One of the best parts of long drives in Korea is the rest areas. Many are located in beautiful spots where you feel like spending more time just watching people, cars passing by, and families enjoying their day. It’s a unique experience in itself.

Once we reached the location, our first task was to find a good spot for setting up camp. Since it was a holiday, the place was already crowded with campers. Parking was available, but it was on a rocky riverside, which made it quite difficult. At one point, a car wheel got stuck between the stones, but we eventually managed to find a safe parking spot.

While one friend parked the car, others searched for a suitable place to set up camp. We chose a spot close to the river. After carrying our belongings, we prepared the ground by clearing grass and moving large stones to make the surface even. Then, we set up our tents and arranged everything.

Since it was summer, we had plenty of daylight to settle in and enjoy the evening. After setting everything up, we made some Indian tea – our favorite post-arrival ritual. Sitting by the riverside, sipping tea, watching the sunset, feeling the cool breeze, and listening to the flowing water was incredibly peaceful.

Night Experience and Camping Life

As night fell, we lit the fire for cooking and warmth. We decorated our tents with small lights, creating a cozy and beautiful atmosphere.

It felt like we had built a small home for a short time – a home filled with warmth and friendship.

Camping culture in Korea is fascinating. Many people, especially older couples, bring extensive equipment and create well-organized, comfortable setups with chairs, tables, lightings, and even decorative items. Some tents belong to large groups, some to couples, and others to small families. Watching this made me realize how differently people choose to enjoy life and create meaningful moments.

Although we only had basic equipment, the experience felt quite special. It reminded me that happiness does not depend on luxury but on the people you share moments with. In that simple environment, away from daily routines, life felt different – calmer, slower, and more meaningful.

We began our barbecue with light drinks, preparing food, laughing, and enjoying each other’s company like a family. We stayed up late, talking under the quiet night sky. As the temperature dropped, we wrapped ourselves in our sleeping bags and drifted off to sleep.

Morning, Exploration, and Journey Back

The next morning, we woke up after sunrise. The sunlight peeking through the mountains felt like a gentle invitation to start a new day. Waking up in such a peaceful environment – with no rush, no stress – was incredibly refreshing.

We enjoyed our morning tea and, as the day grew warmer, stepped into the shallow river. We played in the water, walked along the riverbed, and even sat in the river, building small structures with stones. In that moment, we forgot we were adults and simply enjoyed being carefree, like children again.

Across the river, we noticed a walking bridge between the hills and tried to reach it. However, the path was slippery and dangerous, so it had been closed by local authorities. After returning, we had lunch, and began packing up.

We cleaned the area carefully, disposed of our garbage properly, and loaded everything back into the car. Before leaving, we took a few pictures to capture the memories.

Next, we headed toward the Suju Palbong mountain bridge. The sun was quite strong by then, but the view from the bridge was breathtaking. After crossing the slightly shaky suspension bridge, we began hiking. Along the trail, there were several vantage points offering stunning views of the river, the camping area, and the nearby village. Although the hike was long and sometimes a bit challenging, we enjoyed the experience. Eventually, due to the heat and narrow paths, we decided to return when we reached the midpoint.

After coming down, we bought water, as we were quite thirsty. It was finally time to head back home. On the way, we stopped at a small countryside Korean restaurant. The place was peaceful and beautifully located. The staff were very kind and welcoming. They were happy to see foreign visitors and even customized a vegetarian fried rice for me. They also offered us a refreshing summer drink, noticing how tired we were. The food was delicious and reasonably priced, making the stop even more memorable.

After the meal, we continued our journey. At one point, my friend who was driving felt sleepy, so we stopped at a rest area where he took a short nap and we had coffee. Once refreshed, we resumed our drive and finally reached Gwangju by night. We dropped our friends off one by one, and at last, I was dropped off at home with all my belongings.

Memories That Stay

This camping trip was more than just a short getaway – it was a reminder of the beauty of simple living. Surrounded by nature and good friends, we experienced peace, joy, and connection.

Even with limited resources, the trip felt rich in memories. It taught me that sometimes, all we need is a quiet place, meaningful company, and a little break from routine to truly feel alive.

Note: Basic facilities such as public restrooms and a nearby mart are available at the campsite, but it is recommended that you carry your own personal toiletries.

Photographs courtesy of the author.

Cover Photo: The author (center) with her friends after setting up their camp.