Free beach with camping and 1,500-car parking opens in South Korea

Gwacheon city announced a discount program for its residents at facilities in sister cities. Discounts apply to campsites, tourist attractions, and recreational facilities. Residents must present an ID proving Gwacheon residency to receive the discount.

According to CarChart AI, only 1,361 new camper vehicles (motorhomes and caravans) were registered in South Korea in 2025, an 81.4% drop from the 2021 peak of 7,300 units. Market value based on new purchase prices fell from 347.24 billion won in 2021 to 76.44 billion won in 2025 (a 78% decline). In the first half of 2026, just 397 units worth 24.59 billion won were registered. The downturn is attributed to the end of the pandemic boom, resumption of overseas travel, high interest rates, and inflation. Consumers are shifting to low-cost, minimalist camping. Electric campers based on PBV platforms (Hyundai ST1, Kia PV5) are seen as a potential revival driver, offering high-power appliances without a generator.

According to Carisyou and Korea AI Market data, camper sales in South Korea have dropped sharply: from 34,724,000 won in 2021 to 7,644,000 won in the first half of 2025, down 78.0% from the peak. The market, which boomed during the COVID-19 pandemic, now faces a sustained downturn due to economic slowdown and declining camping interest. New camper registrations fell from 3,054 in 2021 to 274 in the first half of 2025, while caravan registrations dropped from 4,246 in 2021 to 543 in the first half of 2025. Major manufacturers like Hyundai Motor are trying to revive the market with new models, including the ST1 and PV5.

In Hoengseong County, Gangwon Province, four public campsites, including Byeongjibang auto-campsite and Seonbawi campsite, have been closed for over two years. The closure stems from a legal dispute between the county government and village corporations that managed the sites. The facilities have fallen into disrepair: entrances are blocked, shower rooms are overgrown, and equipment is broken. In July 2026, the county transferred the campsites to the Culture and Tourism Foundation and allocated a budget for renovation. One zone with 33 sites is scheduled to reopen in August, with the remaining sites planned for 2027. However, full restoration of all four campsites requires additional funding, and the initial construction cost was about 600 million won.

Donghae City, South Korea, reopened the Mangsang-2 Auto Camping Site on July 29. Old caravans were removed and 40 vehicle spaces were built; 20 are initially available. Rates range from 22,000 won to 45,000 won.

According to data from the CarChart report, based on Ministry of Land, Infrastructure and Transport statistics, the South Korean camper and trailer market shrank from 347.2 billion won in 2021 to 76.4 billion won in 2025, a 78% decline. Sales dropped from 7,300 units in 2022 to 1,361 in 2025. Analysts attribute the decline to the end of the pandemic and a shift toward cost-conscious consumption. Meanwhile, interest in electric campers based on new Hyundai ST1 and Kia PV5 platforms is growing, potentially becoming a new market driver.