Internationally, countries saw covid-19 lockdowns and travel restrictions while simultaneously a massive increase in national park visitor numbers. This effect was likewise seen here in South Korea – with an increase in foot traffic in all of South Korea’s major national parks. As a result, the Korean National Park Service (KNPS) has implemented reservation requirements for a number of its national park trails. Especially, those trails the KNPS feels are more vulnerable to land degregation or have reached a point of far too many visitors.

The reservation system is pretty straight forward, but many people are unaware of its existence! Many of these trails are in high demand, so last minute registrations during certain times of year are not an option.

If you want to book a shelter, I wrote a guide on booking KNPS shelters as well!

Of the 21 National Parks in South Korea, 10 have at least one trail with a registration requirement. Of the 10, 9 of which can be booked through the KNPS website. The exception being Hallasan mountain on Jeju Island, which has two hiking courses requiring registration – both of which need to be booked on a separate website. In this article, I will discuss the KNPS process but I have written a separate guide for reserving the three Hallasan trails.

Jump to -> The Reservation Process

Jump to -> The KNPS Reservation Page

Jump to -> The Hallasan Registration Guide

Jump to -> Booking a KNPS Shelter

Article updated in June 2023

Trails Requiring Reservations

Bukhansan National Park

• Uiryeong Course (북한산 우이령)

Dadohaehaesang National Park

• Jinridang Course (진리당-진리당)

Deokyusan National Park

• Pink: Seolcheonbong – Hyangjeokbong (덕유산 설천봉~향적봉): Cable Car 0.7km Course
• Green: Deokyusan Anseong Exploration Support Center – Dongyeobryeong (덕유산 안성탐방지원센터~동엽령)

Gyaeryeongsan National Park

• Minmokjae – Jatigogae Course (계룡산 민목재~자티고개)

Jirisan National Park

• Red: Georim – Saeseok (지리산 거림 – 세석)
• Green: Jirisan Nogodan (지리산 노고단) -> Guide to this Course
• Pink: Jirisan Chilseon Valley (지리산 칠선계곡)

Seoraksan National Park

• Gombaegol (설악산 곰배골)
• Green: Heulrimgol (설악산 흘림골)

Sobaeksan National Park

• Orange -> Yellow: Myojeokryeong – Jeokryeong (소백산 묘적령 – 죽령)
• Pink: Choamsa – Kukmangbong (소백산 초암사 -국망봉)

Taebaeksan National Park

• Dumundhngjae – Daedeoksan (태백산 두문동재 – 대덕산)

Woraksan National Park

• Oksungbong & Gudambong (월악산 옥순봉, 구담봉) -> Guide to this course

The Reservation Process

• It’s free!
• The KNPS Reservation Page
• Maximum reservation is for 10 people
• After making a reservation, screen shot the confirmation. It will be required at the entrance.

1. Making an Account

It’s a fairly standard process, with the only thing of note being that there is an identity requirement. This means that only residents of Korea with an active cellphone number or Identification are able to make an account. Making this process inaccessible for people simply visiting Korea.

2. Reservation Process

Part 1:

The KNPS Reservation Page

1. Click on ‘탐방로 예약제’
2. Select your National Park from “위치”
3. Select the Hiking Course
4. Select the Date
5. Select the starting point or allow for all by selecting “전체”

If there are no spots open for that date then a pop up will occur .

Then click next (다음단계)

Part Two:

1. Select the starting point (& time if specified)
2. Blue: Select number of each gender
3. Red: Total number of Hikers
4. Green: Fill out the Demographics of the group (number of each age)

• 유아: Babies/Toddlers
• 초등학생: Elementary Students
• 중학생: Middle School Students
• 고등학생: High School Students

Happy Trekking Everyone!