Walking through Busan’s Samnak Ecological Park, a 4.72 km² riverside park along the Nakdong River

Nakdonggang River waterfront stretching across 4.72㎢ at 686 Samnak-dong, Sasang-gu

Samnak Ecological Park is a 4.72㎢ park located along the Nakdonggang River waterfront around 686 Samnak-dong, Sasang-gu, Busan Metropolitan City. It is larger than Yeouido in Seoul, so entering through just one entrance can make it difficult to find the desired flower gardens, wetlands, or sports fields. Before visiting, choose your destination on the park map and plan walking around short sections.

The park contains a Wetland Ecology Center, wildflower gardens, a lotus garden, acupressure walking paths, fitness areas, soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis courts, foot volleyball courts, basketball courts, inline skating areas, a park golf course, an auto-camping site, and water sports facilities. Benches, portable restrooms, shade tents, pergolas, picnic tables, and parking lots are also available, but the considerable distances between facilities should be reflected in your itinerary.

Where the Nakdonggang River Estuary Migratory Bird Habitat Meets a Civic Park

The sedimentary landforms and migratory bird habitat of the Nakdonggang River Estuary form the backdrop to Samnak Ecological Park’s current role as an extensive riverside park. The Korea Tourism Organization describes the southern part of the park as an area connected to the Nakdonggang River Estuary Migratory Bird Habitat, Natural Monument No. 179, and explains that natural grassland with communities of reeds and willow trees continues to the north.

This is not only a conservation area but also a space for community sports and events in western Busan. Sasang-gu states that events such as the Sasang Riverside Festival and Busan International Rock Festival have been held here. Therefore, if you are seeking a quiet walk, check event notices and route controls first on festival and competition days, and consider heading for areas away from the sports facilities, such as the wetlands and reed sections.

Getting There via the “Samnak Ecological Park” Stops on Bus Routes 123 and 126

For public transportation, official tourism information recommends taking city bus 123 or 126 and getting off at the “Samnak Ecological Park” stop. Another option is the Nakdonggang Eco Bus on the Busan City Tour, which can be boarded in front of Sasang Station and the Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal. Since the direction after getting off varies depending on which area of the park you are visiting, especially for first-time visitors, it is safest to enter a parking lot number or sports facility name as the destination on a map.

Drivers can use the various parking lots within the park. However, since the park stretches a long distance and visitors may be concentrated on event days and weekends, it is practical to check the parking lot number together with the facility name, such as the outdoor swimming pool, camping site, or inline skating area, to avoid parking far from your destination after arrival. Parking lot 9 has previously been announced as free when the children's swimming pool is operating.

• Bus: Get off at the “Samnak Ecological Park” stop on routes 123 or 126
• City tour: Board the Nakdonggang Eco Bus in front of light rail Sasang Station or Seobu Intercity Bus Terminal
• Park inquiries: Samnak Ecological Park Management Office, 051-303-0048~49

Free Bicycle Rentals and the 5 km Nakdong Embankment Road: A Way to Shorten Your Route Rather Than Walk

Sasang-gu tourism information lists a free bicycle rental station within the park among its main facilities. A Korea Tourism Organization travel article recommends using bicycles to explore the extensive park and introduced the bicycle rental fee at the time as 3,000 won per hour, plus 500 won for each additional 15 minutes. However, rental conditions, operation, and fees may change, so you should contact the management office at 051-303-0048~49 before departure to confirm current availability.

If walking only, the “Nakdong Bridge–Samnak Ecological Park Management Office–Samnak IC” section of the Nakdong Embankment Road introduced by Sasang-gu is 5 km one way and takes about one hour. A round trip is 10 km, so travelers planning to see one flower garden or wetland should clearly set their departure and return points rather than attempting the entire round trip. Since the riverside sections do not have continuous shade, bring water and a hat and prepare for sun protection.

Soccer Fields, Baseball Fields, and Tennis Courts Require Online Approval, Not On-Site First-Come Use

The soccer fields, baseball fields, tennis courts, foot volleyball courts, basketball courts, and other sports facilities at Samnak Ecological Park are not intended to be used simply by taking an empty space. Sasang-gu specifies that users must make an advance reservation with the Nakdonggang River Management Headquarters of Busan Metropolitan City and receive approval. The Busan Metropolitan City integrated reservation system operates online reservations for Samnak soccer fields, foot volleyball courts, and tennis courts during the 2026 summer season; the relevant inquiry number is listed as 051-310-6028.

According to the 2026 integrated reservation schedule, summer-season soccer field events run from April 1 to September 30, and the same period applies to the foot volleyball courts. Baseball field applications are divided into weekday and weekend/holiday categories, so groups planning to play should check the date, sport, and group requirements separately. Walkers should also consider that pedestrian traffic and parking around the fields may increase on days with competitions or reserved use.

• Sports facility reservations: 051-310-6028
• Reservation method: Online application through the Busan Metropolitan City integrated reservation system
• 2026 summer-season soccer field event period: April 1–September 30

Samnak Outdoor Swimming Pool in July and August, Free Parking at P9, and Seasonal Conditions

The Samnak Outdoor Swimming Pool in the park is announced as operating every July and August, from 10:00 to 17:00 on weekdays and from 09:00 to 17:30 on Saturdays, Sundays, and public holidays. Admission is 2,000 won for children, 3,000 won for teenagers, 4,000 won for adults, and free for children aged five and under. Swimsuits and swimming caps are required. Outside food is prohibited, and admission is on a first-come, in-person basis; reservations are not available.

The facilities are listed as a 1,500㎡ adult pool, a 200㎡ toddlers’ pool with a depth of 0.4 m, an 863㎡ splash pool, and a 1,300㎡ lazy river. Visitors may use parking lot 9 free of charge. Parasols cost 2,000 won, a parasol table set costs 8,000 won, and one Mongolian tent costs 5,000 won. This information applies only to the outdoor swimming pool and should not be assumed to apply to general walks in the park or visits to other facilities.

When to See Lotuses, Reeds, and Cherry Blossoms—and Why to Avoid Major Event Days

What you see in the park varies by season. Korea Tourism Organization information introduces spring cherry blossoms, summer rudbeckia, and autumn cosmos, and also mentions the lotus garden, wildflower garden, water silver-grass communities, and reed experience area as key spaces. Since the exact flowering dates vary each year depending on the weather, it is more accurate to check seasonal event and blooming notices from Busan Metropolitan City and Sasang-gu immediately before departure rather than fixing a specific date.

As the park may host the Busan International Rock Festival, Sasang Riverside Festival, and community sports competitions, its usual ecological exploration routes may differ during festival periods. Conversely, on weekdays without events, it is more realistic to choose one or two places among the Wetland Ecology Center, lotus garden, and embankment road and allow about one to two and a half hours, rather than trying to see the entire 4.72㎢. Accessibility for wheelchairs and strollers, as well as the availability of on-site information in foreign languages, could not be confirmed comprehensively from official materials, so advance inquiries with the management office are necessary if needed.