Let me tell you something about Koreans and camping.
We don’t just camp. We make it an event.
I’ve been camping more times than I can count —
and every single time, I’m reminded of just how
uniquely Korean our camping culture really is.
From 3 Million to 7 Million — Almost Overnight
Korean camping wasn’t always this popular.
Sure, people went camping. But it was nothing
like what it is today.
Then the pandemic hit.
With international travel shut down and millions
of Koreans suddenly stuck at home, people started
looking for ways to escape. And what better escape
than nature?
According to Statistics Korea, the number of
Koreans who go camping each year almost doubled
during the pandemic — rising from 3 million to
over 7 million. The Korea Tourism Organization
confirms that more than seven million Koreans
now participate in camping activities regularly.
Seven million people. In a country of 51 million.
That’s not a trend. That’s a movement.
Why Do Koreans Love Camping So Much?
Here’s something you need to understand about
Korean life: over 80% of Koreans live in dense,
high-rise apartments in cities.
Small spaces. Crowded subways. Relentless schedules.
The pressure never stops.
Camping is the antidote.
Most Korean campsites are located within 1-2 hours
of major cities, so you can escape on a Friday night
and be back by Sunday. One night by the river.
One night under the stars. That’s enough to reset.
It’s not about survival skills or roughing it
in the wilderness. It’s about breathing again.
Korean Camping Is NOT Like Western Camping
This is the part that surprises most foreigners.
In Korea, camping isn’t about going off the grid.
Most campsites have flush toilets, shower rooms
with hot water, Wi-Fi, convenience stores nearby,
and sometimes even swimming pools and cafés.
And the gear? Don’t even get me started.
Korean campers show up with elaborate tent setups,
fairy lights, portable gas stoves, full cookware
sets, and enough food to feed a small village.
Instagram-worthy setups are practically mandatory.
차박 (Chabak) — Car Camping, Korean Style
One of the most popular camping trends in Korea
right now is 차박 (Chabak) — car camping.
The idea is simple: drive to a scenic spot,
fold down the back seats, lay out a sleeping mat,
and sleep in your car with a view of the mountains
or the sea.
It sounds basic. But Koreans have turned it
into an art form.
SUVs now account for more than 70% of car sales
in Korea — and Chabak is a big reason why.
The number of campsites across Korea also grew
by more than 1,000 in just four years,
reaching 3,280 sites by 2022.
Glamping — Nature, But Make It Luxury
Not everyone wants to set up their own tent.
Glamping — glamorous camping — has exploded
in Korea. Think fully furnished tents with
real beds, heating, private BBQ areas,
and sometimes even a private hot tub.
It’s nature, but make it luxury.
And Koreans have embraced it completely.
The Food Is Half the Point
No Korean camping trip is complete without
삼겹살 (samgyeopsal) — thick slices of pork belly
grilled over charcoal.
For most Koreans who live in apartments,
cooking and grilling outdoors is a rare luxury.
Add in Korean BBQ beef, garlic, mushrooms,
kimchi jjigae bubbling over the fire,
and ramyeon at midnight — and you’ve got
the full Korean camping experience.
Trust me. The food tastes better under the stars.
Korean Uncle’s Take — My Way of Camping
Now, let me be honest with you.
Everything I described above — the elaborate
tent setups, the fairy lights, the glamping
resorts, the car full of gear — that’s real
Korean camping culture. And I’ve done all of it.
I used to show up at campsites with a car packed
full of equipment. Fancy tents. Proper cooking gear.
All the latest gadgets. I even had an entire room
in my house dedicated to camping and hiking gear.
And then, slowly, I changed.
These days, I camp completely differently.
I’m a minimalist backpacker now.
Just a lightweight backpack, a one-person tent,
the simplest possible cooking setup, and a small
bottle of soju. That’s all I need.
I prefer low mountains and quiet trails —
places where I can hike in, pitch my tent alone,
eat something simple, and just… exist.
No Instagram setups. No elaborate meals.
No group chats about which campsite has
the best facilities.
Just me, the mountain, the night sky,
and a quiet glass of soju.
I’ve sold almost all my old gear.
Anything complicated or heavy — gone.
Now I only keep gear that’s minimal,
lightweight, and easy to set up.
Because I’ve realized something:
The best camping isn’t about the equipment
or the location. It’s about the quality
of the silence.
In a country that never stops moving,
finding a moment that belongs only to yourself
is the greatest luxury of all.
Whether you prefer the full Korean glamping
experience or a quiet solo trail like me —
camping in Korea has something for everyone.
Come find your version of it.
See you in the next post,
Korean Uncle 🇰🇷