How to Choose Lodging, Camping, and Water Activities in the 136-Hectare Forest of Okhwa Natural Recreation Forest

Why the 136-ha forest opened in 1999 became an accommodation-style resort

Okhwa Natural Recreation Forest opened in 1999, and Cheongju’s official tourism guide introduces it as a recreation forest created across 136 ha of mountains in the Okhwa 9 Scenic Views area. In addition to forest paths and hiking trails, it has forest roads and sports facilities, allowing visitors to combine a relaxing stay in a room with walks through the forest in one location.

In 2023, Cheongju completed a facility improvement project costing 700 million won, which included the construction of an ochre-soil trail. Therefore, it is more accurate to understand this place as a forest recreation facility in the Cheongju area expanded to accommodate cabin stays, camping, water play, and walks, rather than simply as a campsite.

Admission from 09:00 to 18:00, closed Tuesdays, and free same-day admission

Same-day visitors may enter from 09:00 to 18:00, and the forest is closed every Tuesday. Following an ordinance revision on December 31, 2023, the admission fee for same-day visitors was abolished, so visitors who do not stay overnight are not charged a separate admission fee.

However, free admission does not mean that accommodation or campsite use is free. The water-play area is free, but it can only be used by visitors using Okhwa Natural Recreation Forest, and guests booking accommodation or camping must pay separate usage fees through Soopnadole. The main phone number is 043-270-7384, and the Soopnadole integrated customer center at 1588-3250 operates from 09:00 to 18:00 on weekdays.

How to choose between 18 forest cabins and 2 forest recreation halls

The accommodation consists of 18 forest cabins with 18 rooms, two forest recreation halls with 13 rooms, and a multipurpose room. According to the 2026 information, Forest Cabin Type A is 36㎡ for up to 6 people, priced at 85,000 won during peak season and on weekends and 65,000 won on off-season weekdays. Type B is 49㎡ for up to 8 people, priced at 125,000 won and 90,000 won, respectively.

Type C is 49㎡ for up to 6 people, priced at 125,000 won and 90,000 won; Type D is 52㎡ for up to 7 people, priced at 135,000 won and 95,000 won; and Type E is 61㎡ for up to 10 people, priced at 150,000 won and 110,000 won. For large gatherings, Type F, measuring 115㎡ and accommodating up to 25 people, is available for 280,000 won during peak season and on weekends and 200,000 won on off-season weekdays.

Forest Recreation Hall Type A is 33㎡ for up to 4 people, priced at 78,000 won and 58,000 won, respectively. Type B is also 33㎡ but accommodates up to 5 people, priced at 88,000 won and 68,000 won. Type C is 100㎡ for up to 20 people, priced at 260,000 won and 190,000 won, and rooms can be reserved through Soopnadole.

Peak-season campsite rates and deck sizes from July 15 to August 24

Under the official usage guidelines, peak season runs from July 15 to August 24 every year. Weekends mean Fridays and Saturdays, as well as the day before a statutory holiday, excluding the day before a temporary public holiday. Weekdays mean Sunday through Thursday, excluding peak season and the day before a statutory holiday.

The auto-camping area has 40 sites. Deck Type A is 4m×7m for up to 4 people, priced at 25,000 won during peak season and on weekends and 20,000 won on off-season weekdays. Type B is 5.8m×7.8m for up to 6 people, priced at 30,000 won and 25,000 won. Type C is 7m×7.8m for up to 8 people, priced at 35,000 won and 30,000 won, with electricity costing 5,000 won per night.

Camping House Type A is 6m×3.2m for up to 4 people, priced at 50,000 won during peak season and on weekends and 40,000 won on off-season weekdays. Quiet hours at the campsite begin at 22:00, and electricity use is limited to 1,100W.

The water-play area is free, but only recreation forest users may enter

The outdoor water-play area is included in the facility list, and the official fee information states that use is free. However, it is not open to everyone; only users of Okhwa Natural Recreation Forest may use it. Even same-day visitors should therefore check the recreation forest’s usage conditions first.

In addition to the water-play area, the recreation forest has forest paths, hiking trails, forest roads, and sports facilities. Recommended viewing times for general visitors and wheelchair or stroller accessibility could not be confirmed in the published materials. If walking is your main purpose, it is safer to ask by phone about the terrain and distances along the forest paths.

On-site conditions vary for caravans, firewood, and pets

Pets may not enter the accommodation facilities or campsites. Firewood is also prohibited at the campsite, and grills and charcoal are neither sold nor provided. These conditions are unsuitable for travelers moving with pets or planning a wood-fire camping trip.

Only caravans shorter than 5m may be used, and caravans are not permitted in the pine and cherry tree areas because individual parking spaces are not provided. Campsite electricity is limited to 1,100W, so visitors bringing high-consumption equipment such as electric heaters should calculate the restrictions in advance.

Groups of 20 or more people entering together for the same purpose are classified as groups. The multipurpose room measures 272㎡ and costs 100,000 won for 4 hours or 200,000 won for 8 hours. Users of the accommodation facilities can receive a 50% discount on the usage fee.

The final 500m drive from Cheongju

The address is 140 Unamokhwa-gil, Miwon-myeon, Sangdang-gu, Cheongju-si, Chungcheongbuk-do, and the postal code is 28200. The official driving route is to travel approximately 4km toward Cheongju from the Daecheong Dam-Munui Interchange on the Cheongwon-Sangju Expressway, then continue approximately 16km toward Miwon and Songnisan from Dusam Samgeori.

After reaching central Miwon-myeon, follow National Route 19 toward Boeun for approximately 6km, then turn left toward Geumgwan at Unam Samgeori. Cross the bridge on the right about 500m ahead, turn left again, and travel approximately 500m to reach the recreation forest management office.

The recreation forest parking lot is available, but the number of spaces and parking fees could not be confirmed in the published materials. Bus routes, stops, and walking information from stations are also unavailable in the published materials. For foreign visitors coming for the first time, it is therefore more practical to ask in advance at 043-270-7384 whether travel by rental car or taxi is possible rather than relying solely on public transportation.

Three things foreign travelers should decide before booking

First, decide whether you are visiting for a same-day walk or an overnight stay. Same-day admission is free, but operating hours are 09:00–18:00, the forest is closed on Tuesdays, and the water-play area is available only to recreation forest users. Second, rates vary depending on whether your visit falls during peak season, July 15–August 24, or on a Friday, Saturday, or the day before a statutory holiday.

Third, decide what size of room or campsite you need. For four people, options include Forest Recreation Hall Type A, Deck Type A, and Camping House Type A. For groups of 20 or more, consider Forest Recreation Hall Type C or Forest Cabin Type F together with the 272㎡ multipurpose room.

The official website is the Soopnadole Okhwa Natural Recreation Forest page, and accommodation and campsites are reserved through Soopnadole. English information or audio guides, photography restrictions, whether cash-only payment applies, and recommended times for general visitors could not be confirmed in the published materials. Check the booking page and call 043-270-7384 to verify the information you need.