I’ve made no secret that there is SO MUCH to do in South Korea – especially when you’re willing to travel and spend some money. But even if you’re not interested in dropping a wad of cash on activities, there is still so much in the area to enjoy. Korea is known for being pretty family-friendly and we’ve actually managed to find quite a few things to do in the area that are completely FREE (besides some tolls and parking). And so, I decided to compile a list of our favorite free things to do. Some of these will be no-brainers (like the public parks on the list), but some may be things you haven’t heard of before (I’m looking at you, Tando Sea Route). Each of the things on the list are two hours or less from Camp Humphreys (specifically from Yoon Gate). Make sure to check out the post for each that is linked for more information.
UPDATE: For more FREE things to do near Camp Humphreys, check the bottom of the post for links added after this post was originally published.
And so, without ranting anymore than I absolutely have to, here is:
20 FREE things to do near Camp Humphreys
Crocodile Peak Hike
Location: Chungju
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 2 hours
Tolls: ₩3,200
Hike difficulty: Hard
Hike length: 2.5 miles out-and-back
Amenities: Café across the street with treats and bathrooms.
Parking: Free parking available at the Lazy Caiman Café.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/5R8yeN82
Blog post: Crocodile Peak in Chungju
War Memorial of Korea
Location: Seoul
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 1 hour 15 minutes (not during rush hour)
Tolls: ₩6,000
Amenities: Cafés and convenience store located on grounds. Bathrooms located inside and outside the museum.
Parking: Free to park on Yongsan Base and walk. Paid parking at the museum available.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/G0CWbJrD
Blog post: War Memorial of Korea
Deokdongsan Neighborhood Park
Location: Sosabeol
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 19 minutes
Tolls: None
Amenities: No restrooms (that we found). Restaurants available nearby in Sosabeol.
Parking: Free parking available at Myeongbeop Temple
Naver pin for Deokdongsan Neighborhood Park: https://naver.me/xNOhMepU
Naver pin for Myeongbeop Temple: https://naver.me/F0kpzWQu
Blog post: Deokdongsan Neighborhood Park in Sosabeol
Elephant Rock Hike
Location: Seosan
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 1 hour 15 minutes
Tolls: None
Hike difficulty: Easy-moderate
Hike length: 1.8 miles out-and-back
Amenities: Bathrooms and food vendors located before the start of the hike.
Parking: FREE parking available in a large dirt lot.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/5TMSK2xX
Blog post: Elephant Rock Hike
Maansan Mountain Hike (Bee & Honey Hike)
Location: Pyeongtaek
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 23 minutes
Tolls: None
Hike difficulty: Easy
Hike length: 1.5 miles out-and-back
Amenities: Bathrooms and treats available at the Bee & Honey Café
Parking: Street parking available in front of Bee & Honey Café
Naver pin: https://naver.me/GTOsvEYF
Blog post: Bee & Honey Café and Maansan Mountain Hike
Pinnacle Four Hike
Location: Asan
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 18 minutes
Tolls: None
Hike difficulty: Moderate
Hike length: 2.3 miles out-and-back
Amenities: None
Parking: Street parking available in front of trailhead.
Waze directions: type “Pinnacle 4 Trail Head” into Waze and select the steep entrance option to get to the hike we did.
Blog post: Pinnacle Four in Asan
Pyeongtaek Agro-Ecological Park
Location: Pyeongtaek
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 19 minutes
Tolls: None
Amenities: Bathrooms located at the entrance and by the playground. Small market located near main entrance.
Parking: FREE parking available in large lot.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/FIYbB6JS
Blog post: Pyeongtaek Agro-Ecological Park
Sopung Gardens
Location: Pyeongtaek
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 20 minutes
Tolls: None
Amenities: Bathrooms located near the playgrounds. Food vendors often located near the entrance.
Parking: FREE parking in large lot.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/GMWMdNpO
Blog post: Our favorite parks near Camp Humphreys
Nae-ri Park
Location: Pyeongtaek
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 5 minutes
Tolls: None
Amenities: Bathrooms located near the playground.
Parking: FREE parking in large lot.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/GkQTnJLG
Blog post: Pink Muhly at Nae-ri Park
Buraksan Culture Park
Location: Pyeongtaek
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 40 minutes
Tolls: None
Amenities: Bathrooms located near parking lot and playground.
Parking: FREE parking in large lot.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/x50kbAgG
Blog post: Buraksan Culture Park
Mr. Toilet House
Location: Suwon
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 1 hour 30 minutes
Tolls: ₩2,600
Amenities: Bathrooms outside Mr. Toilet House. More bathrooms located inside Haewoojae Culture Center across the street.
Parking: FREE parking available in small lot behind museum.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/5PZ9ylmn
Blog post: Mr. Toilet House in Suwon
Independence Hall of Korea
Location: Cheonan
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 50 minutes
Tolls: None
Amenities: Bathrooms located throughout the museum. Convenience stores and cafés located throughout.
Parking: ₩2,000 for large vehicles; ₩1,000 for compact or hybrid vehicles.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/xMPOViaW
Blog post: Independence Hall of Korea
Doksanseong Fortress
Location: Osan
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 60 minutes
Tolls: ₩2,300
Amenities: Bathrooms located by the entrance to the fortress.
Parking: Small lot located near the entrance of the fortress. A larger lot (still small) located at the base of the mountain.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/xczsXVPP
Blog post: Doksanseong Fortress in Osan
Hyeonchungsa Shrine
Location: Asan
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 30 minutes
Tolls: None
Amenities: Bathrooms located in the parking lot and throughout the grounds of the shrine.
Parking: FREE parking in large lot.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/x4CibDTr
Blog post: Hyeonchungsa Shrine in Asan
Blue Crystal Village
Location: Asan
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 30 minutes
Tolls: None
Amenities: Many restaurants located throughout the shopping area. Variety of different restaurants and cafés.
Parking: Small dirt lot available for free. Fills up quickly.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/G0R8Ug0S
Blog post: Blue Crystal Village in Asan
Tando Sea Route
Location: Ansan
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 1 hour 30 minutes
Tolls: ₩4,700
Amenities: Bathrooms located near the entrance to the sea route. Food vendors selling food on the side of the road.
Parking: FREE parking available in large lot.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/F64Q9EVj
Blog post: Crossing the Tando Island Sea Route
Yedangho Suspension Bridge + Musical Fountain Show
Location: Yesan
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 1 hour
Tolls: None
Amenities: Bathrooms located near the bridge. Food vendors close by and multiple cafés near the bridge.
Parking: FREE parking in small lot near the bridge. Getting there earlier is advised.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/xEAb4zoB
Blog post: Yedangho Suspension Bridge
Seoul Lantern Festival
2023 SEOUL LANTERN FESTIVAL INFO TBD
Location: 2022 Seoul Lantern Festival located at Gwanghwamun Plaza in Seoul
When: December 19, 2022 – January 24, 2023
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 2 hours (not during rush hour)
Tolls: ₩7,500
Amenities: Many restaurants in the immediate area.
Parking: Paid parking available at the parking garage underneath Kyobo Book Centre Gwanghwamun Branch.
Naver pin for Gwanghwamun Plaza: https://naver.me/GTMT0XIw
Naver pin for parking garage: https://naver.me/F6FAIt1t
Blog post: Seoul Zoo + Seoul Lantern Festival 2022
Gakwonsa
Location: Cheonan
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 40 minutes
Tolls: ₩1,300
Amenities: Bathrooms located near the upper parking lot.
Parking: FREE parking in three different dirt lots.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/G8aJq2Ds
Blog post: Gakwon Temple in Cheonan
Cheonjangho Suspension Bridge
Location: Cheongyang
Driving time from Camp Humphreys: about 1 hour 20 minutes
Tolls: None
Amenities: Bathrooms located near parking lot. Food available for purchase.
Parking: FREE parking in two-level lot.
Naver pin: https://naver.me/51B9f7kQ
Blog post: Cheonjangho Suspension Bridge
So there you have it – 20 different FREE things to do near Camp Humphreys. What others would you add to the list?
’til next time…
Ash
Looking for more FREE things to do? Check out these great options!
Children’s Grand Park in Seoul
Changing of the Guard at Gwanghwamun Gate in Seoul
Taehaksan Recreational Forest (link coming soon!)
