South Gyeongsang Province

A Coastal Walk at Sangjokam County Park, Reading Cretaceous Footprints and the Tides Together

Sangjokam County Park is a coastal park in Goseong where dinosaur footprints and wave-eroded landforms remain in strata formed about 100 million years ago during the Cretaceous Period. It is free and open 24 hours, but visits to the fossil site and sea caves should be timed with low tide. From Goseong Intercity Bus Terminal, you can take a rural bus to Jejeon Bus Stop.

By the KOTourLive Editorial Team Updated: Sep 2, 2026 15 min 51

I’ve been here?

Your check-in helps the next traveler.

No one has checked in yet Be the first

One tap — no writing needed

The Name and Extent of Sangjokam at 42-23, Deongmyeong 5-gil

Sangjokam County Park spans Deongmyeong-ri and Wolheung-ri in Hai-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, and Chunam-ri in Hail-myeon. The official listed address is 42-23, Deongmyeong 5-gil, Hai-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do. The Goseong-gun Culture and Tourism page also lists 618, Jaranman-ro, Hai-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, so it is safest to cross-check both the destination and address in your navigation system.

“Sangjokam” derives from the rocks’ resemblance to the legs of a dining table and is also called Sangjok (床足) or Ssangbal. From the coast, visitors can look toward the Hallyeohaesang National Park sea route along the southern coast, while Seonnyeotang, Chotdaebawi, and Byeongpungbawi are nearby.

밥상다리 모양의 상족암 바위 풍경입니다. — A view of Sangjokam’s rocks, shaped like dining-table legs. — Photo source: goseong.go.kr

Why It Became a Dinosaur Fossil Park After Its Designation in 1983

Sangjokam County Park was designated on November 10, 1983, under Goseong-gun Notice No. 20. Dinosaur footprints from the Mesozoic Cretaceous Period remain along the coast near Sangjokam, and the fossils were discovered in large numbers in 1982.

The Deongmyeong-ri Dinosaur and Bird Footprint Fossil Site in Goseong is Natural Monument No. 411. Along Cretaceous strata formed approximately 100 million years ago, footprints of sauropods, ornithopods, and theropods appear. The Korea Tourism Organization introduces the area as having more than 450 trackways and over 3,800 dinosaur footprints.

백악기 지층이 드러난 상족암군립공원 해안입니다. — The coast of Sangjokam County Park, where Cretaceous strata are exposed. — Photo source: goseong.go.kr

Fossils and Sea Caves Visible Only at Low Tide

Dinosaur footprint fossils can be observed at low tide. Goseong-gun advises visitors to check the monthly tide times before viewing the fossil site and sea caves, and its official tourism page has posted tide information for January and February 2026.

Visitors can descend via wooden boardwalk stairs to the coastal dinosaur footprint area, but the actual accessible stretch of coast varies with the tide. Around the footprints, visitors can see mudcracks, which are cracks in clay-rich sedimentary layers, as well as dikes and empty-channel structures. Because the rocks and stairs may be wet, visitors should take precautions against slipping even on days when the tide is suitable.

해안 바위에 남은 공룡 발자국 화석을 살펴보는 구간입니다. — A section where visitors can examine dinosaur footprint fossils preserved in coastal rocks. — Photo source: visitkorea.or.kr

A Coastal Geological Landscape of Bedding, Ripple Marks, and Seonnyeotang

The Sangjokam cliffs prominently display bedding formed by layers of sedimentary rock, while ripple marks created by wave-like accumulations of sediment appear on the seaside rocks. Holes formed by wave erosion and a large pool called Seonnyeotang also shape the terrain around Sangjokam.

The sedimentary rocks in the fossil area and Byeongpungbawi were formed in different ways. Byeongpungbawi is igneous rock formed when erupted magma cooled and solidified, and it has a columnar-joint structure. From the Dungari Observatory, visitors can view the Hallyeohaesang sea route, Byeongpungbawi, and the surrounding coastal scenery.

층리와 해안 암벽이 이어지는 상족암 주변 풍경입니다. — Scenery around Sangjokam, where layered strata and coastal cliffs continue along the shore. — Photo source: goseong.go.kr

A Three-Hour Geological Trail Starting at Jejeon Port

The Dinosaur Fossil Site Coastal Trail connecting Deongmyeong Port, Ipam Port, and Maekjeonpo Port along the beach is 3.5 km long and crosses Sangjokam County Park. The Korea Tourism Organization advises that Jejeon Port is a convenient starting point for the geological trail and that the recommended total duration is approximately three hours.

For a shorter itinerary visiting only the main points on a round trip, a 2023 personal review stated that walking from the entrance to the main spot along the coastal trail takes 20–30 minutes and that viewing the area round trip takes about one hour. Climbing the hill from Sangjokam leads to the rear gate of the Goseong Dinosaur Museum, allowing the fossil coast and museum to be combined in one itinerary.

상족암 해안을 따라 이어지는 나무 산책로입니다. — A wooden boardwalk running along the Sangjokam coast. — Photo source: goseong.go.kr

From Goseong Intercity Bus Terminal to Jejeon Bus Stop

For visitors from outside the area, the recommended route is to depart from the Goseong Intercity Bus Terminal stop, take the Goseong–Hai rural bus, and get off at Jejeon Bus Stop. Sangjokam County Park is approximately 400 m on foot from Jejeon Bus Stop. Since the current rural bus route number, interval, and timetable could not be confirmed in the available information, visitors should check the departure time at the terminal first and allow for the possibility of a long wait.

For those traveling by bus from Seoul, an article from December 2020 stated that Seoul–Goseong buses operated 13 times daily from Seoul Nambu Bus Terminal, from 07:20 to 23:30. Since the article stated that the journey from Seoul to Goseong took approximately 4 hours 15 minutes, travelers departing from Seoul should allow additional time to transfer to the rural bus after arriving in Goseong.

Practical Information on Arriving via Sacheon IC and Parking

The driving route is described as traveling from Sacheon IC on the Namhae Expressway toward Samcheonpo Port, then taking National Route 77 along Namil-ro to enter Sangjokam County Park. Parking is available at the park, but the number of spaces and parking fees could not be confirmed.

Because two addresses are listed, it is best to enter 42-23, Deongmyeong 5-gil, Hai-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do, into your navigation system first, then check the signs for 618, Jaranman-ro, and the destination direction together on site. When traveling by public transportation, approximately 400 m remains on foot after getting off at Jejeon Bus Stop.

Open 24 Hours and Free, but Stairs and Tides Are Crucial

Sangjokam County Park is listed as open 24 hours a day, year-round, and free of charge. However, the entire park is not accessible in the same way at all times. The fossil site and sea caves can be observed at low tide, and there are wooden boardwalk stairs leading down to the fossil area, so it could not be confirmed whether the entire coastal route is accessible by wheelchair or stroller.

The tourism information contact number is 055-670-4461, while the Goseong-gun Culture and Tourism page separately lists 055-832-9021. Tourism information line 1330 operates in Korean, English, Japanese, and Chinese. Whether photography is prohibited, whether payment is cash-only, and whether English signs and an audio guide are available could not be confirmed. The statement that dogs are not allowed comes from a 2023 personal review.

Before You Go

Address: 42-23, Deongmyeong 5-gil, Hai-myeon, Goseong-gun, Gyeongsangnam-do
Hours: Open 24 hours
Closed: Open year-round
Admission: Free
Phone: 055-670-4461; separately listed on the Goseong-gun Culture and Tourism page: 055-832-9021
Official site: https://visit.goseong.go.kr
Transport: Take the Goseong–Hai rural bus from the Goseong Intercity Bus Terminal stop, get off at Jejeon Bus Stop, then walk approximately 400 m. By car, take the Namhae Expressway to Sacheon IC → toward Samcheonpo Port → Namil-ro, National Route 77.
Parking: Parking available. Parking fees and the number of spaces could not be confirmed.
Time needed: Approximately 3 hours for the Korea Tourism Organization geological trail; approximately 1 hour round trip to the main points according to a personal review.
Accessibility: There is a coastal trail and wooden boardwalk stairs, including stairs descending to the dinosaur footprint fossil area. Whether the entire route is accessible by wheelchair or stroller could not be confirmed.

The information above is current as of the time of writing. Check the official information again before visiting.

Sangjokam County Park dinosaur footprint fossils Cretaceous strata coastal geology trail tides Goseong travel

Be the first to plan a visit

Places

This Place

상족암군립공원

경상남도 고성군 하이면 덕명5길 42-23

Google

Nearby Attractions 3

1

Goseong Dinosaur Museum

A specialized museum showcasing dinosaur fossils and reconstructed models.

Google
2

Goseong Byeongpungbawi Rock

A place to admire the columnar-joint coastal cliffs and expansive ocean views.

Google
3

Maekjeonpo Port

A national fishing port where you can enjoy coastal walks while taking in the scenery of fishing boats and breakwaters.

Google

Food & Dining 3

4

Gaemijip

A restaurant serving fresh seafood dishes such as seafood stew and steamed scallops.

Google
5

Bonghwagol Hoetjip

A raw fish restaurant serving fresh sashimi and seafood dishes.

Google
6

Gonjiam Halmae Sommeori Gukbap Goseong Hai Branch

A gukbap restaurant serving samgyetang, galbitang, and beef head gukbap.

Google