The Korea National Park Service reservation system lists this course as “Jeolgol–Gamebong (5.7 km, round trip 6 hours)”. The 5.7 km belongs to the Jeolgol–Gamebong section itself, and the 6 hours is the time for the round trip. So please do not read 5.7 km as a round-trip distance.
The section runs on reservations from September 16 to November 14, and the daily reservation cap for this product is 1,350 people.
How are the distance and time listed for Jeolgol–Gamebong?
The official listing gives a section distance of 5.7 km and a round-trip time of 6 hours. The starting point is the Jeolgol Ranger Station, 121-170 Jusanji-gil, Juwangsan-myeon, Cheongsong-gun, Gyeongsangbuk-do.
| Item | Official listing |
|---|---|
| Section | Jeolgol–Gamebong |
| Section distance | 5.7 km (not a round-trip distance) |
| Time | 6-hour round trip |
| Operating period | September 16 – November 14 |
| Operating hours | 09:00 – 18:00 |
| Last entry | Summer season (April–October) 16:00, winter season (November–March) 15:00 |
| Booking | Online reservation, on-site registration |
| Reservation cap | 1,350 people (this product only) |
| Start point and parking | Jeolgol Ranger Station, 121-170 Jusanji-gil, Juwangsan-myeon, Cheongsong-gun |
| Contact | 054-873-0019 (Jeolgol Ranger Station, Juwangsan National Park Office) |
Read the time first
When you plan the day, start with the time. The round trip takes 6 hours, so line it up with the last-entry time. October counts as the summer season, so entry closes at 16:00; from November it moves up to 15:00. Operating hours are 09:00 to 18:00. An early start leaves more room to rest along the valley.
Park area and peak height differ by page
The park service’s Juwangsan National Park page gives an area of 106.114 km² and a height of 722 m for Juwangsan. The park service’s Tambang Archive page gives 105.595 km² and 720.6 m. The two pages give slightly different figures.
When and how do you book?
Jeolgol–Gamebong runs as a reservation product during its operating period. You can book online or register on site. The 1,350 cap belongs to this Jeolgol–Gamebong product. It is not a limit on visitors to the whole national park.
- In the Korea National Park Service reservation system, choose [Juwangsan] Juwangsan Jeolgol ~ Gamebong.
- Pick a date between September 16 and November 14.
- Book online to hold a spot. On-site registration is also available.
- On the day, arrive at the Jeolgol Ranger Station before last entry.
Hours and last entry
Operating hours are 09:00 to 18:00. Last entry depends on the season: 16:00 in the summer season (April–October) and 15:00 in the winter season (November–March). The period runs until November 14, so a November visit falls under the 15:00 last entry. For questions, call the Jeolgol Ranger Station at 054-873-0019.
Where do you park, and what does it cost?
The reservation page names the Jeolgol Ranger Station (121-170 Jusanji-gil) as the parking location. The same page says large vehicles cannot enter or turn around inside the lot. The park service’s parking flat rate is set in a single table in Appendix 1 of the National Park Revenue Collection Rules, in force from January 1, 2026.
- Small vehicles (all passenger cars, vans up to 15 seats, trucks up to 1 ton): 4,000 won weekdays, 5,000 won weekends and peak season.
- Mid and large vehicles (vans with 16 seats or more, trucks over 1 ton): 6,000 won weekdays, 7,500 won weekends and peak season.
- Peak season is July 1–August 31 and October 1–November 15 every year.
- For parking, weekdays are Monday to Friday excluding public holidays; weekends are Saturday, Sunday and public holidays.
If you go on October 5, 2026
October 5, 2026 falls inside the October 1–November 15 peak season. Under the park-service flat-rate table, the weekend-and-peak rate applies: 5,000 won for small vehicles and 7,500 won for mid and large vehicles. The Jeolgol–Gamebong period ends on November 14, so every reservation date for this section falls in that peak-rate window.
What happens when the weather turns?
The Juwangsan National Park Office announced that all trails in the park reopened from 04:00 on September 1, 2026. That notice reports the status at that time. Trails can be closed again later depending on the weather.
- Access is closed when a weather warning (heavy rain, typhoon and so on) is in effect.
- Access is also closed when the valley water level rises.
- Before and after heavy rain, check the national park trail-control notice first.
- Safety gear such as non-slip hiking boots is required.
FAQ
Q. Is the whole Jeolgol–Gamebong out-and-back 5.7 km?
The official listing is “Jeolgol–Gamebong (5.7 km, round trip 6 hours)”. The 5.7 km is the section distance, and “round trip” is attached only to the 6 hours. Do not treat 5.7 km as a round-trip distance.
Q. Is 1,350 a limit for all of Juwangsan?
No. 1,350 is the reservation cap for the Jeolgol–Gamebong product. It does not apply to the whole park.
Q. The trails reopened on September 1. Are they still open?
That notice was issued as of 04:00 on September 1, 2026. Trails close when a weather warning is in effect or the valley water rises, so check the trail-control notice again before you leave.
Q. What does parking cost in October?
In the park-service flat-rate table, October 1–November 15 is peak season, so the weekend-and-peak rate applies: 5,000 won for small vehicles and 7,500 won for mid and large vehicles. Large vehicles cannot enter the Jeolgol Ranger Station lot.
Sources
- Korea National Park Service reservation system, [Juwangsan] Jeolgol ~ Gamebong guide
- KNPS trail-control notice, [Juwangsan] all trails reopened (as of 2026-09-01 04:00)
- KNPS, Juwangsan National Park page (106.114 km², 722 m)
- KNPS Tambang Archive, Juwangsan National Park (105.595 km², 720.6 m)
- National Park Revenue Collection Rules (in force January 1, 2026), Appendix 1 parking flat rate
- Photos: Wikimedia Commons, Trainholic (CC BY-SA 4.0), gary4now (CC BY 3.0), garycycles3 (CC BY 2.0)
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