Samcheok, in Gangwon Province, is famous for its cobalt-blue coastline — but every May it also becomes the site of one of the country’s most dazzling floral displays. The star attraction is Samcheok Rose Park, which was created as part of the Osipcheon ecological river restoration project.
Spread across roughly 84,000㎡ (about 904,170 sq ft or 20.8 acres), the park showcases 222 rose varieties and some 10 million blooms, putting it among the largest single-site rose gardens in the world. Here’s what to expect for the 2026 bloom and how to make the most of a springtime visit.
Samcheok Rose Park
Located along the Osipcheon River at 586 Osipcheon-ro in Samcheok, the park spans more than 84,000㎡ and is planted with around 160,000 rose bushes across 222 varieties — which is why it’s often nicknamed the “10 million roses.”
Around the central plaza you’ll find a rose tunnel, event gardens, a lawn plaza, ground fountains, a barefoot park and scenic walking paths.
It’s a place to do more than admire: families, friends and couples can touch the blooms, breathe in the scent and savor the moment — a true multi-sensory experience worth adding to your Samcheok itinerary.
Head down toward the river and you’ll discover a waterfront promenade where the Osipcheon channel, cliffs and the rose beds fall into a single, postcard-ready view. That stretch is generally less crowded and makes for great photos, so locals often call it a hidden gem.
Bloom season and the 2026 Samcheok Rose Festival
The roses at Samcheok tend to bloom in sequence from May through November, with the most spectacular displays appearing in late May. The annual Samcheok Rose Festival is timed for this peak. In 2025 the festival ran from May 23 to June 1, with hours from 1 p.m. to 9 p.m., and admission was free.
In 2026, the festival has been shifted slightly earlier: the Samcheok Rose Festival will run for seven days, from May 19–25, centered around the rose park. During the festival the park adopts a “Rose Kingdom” theme, complete with parades, hands-on workshops, a local food market and live performances — so there’s festival energy both day and night.
The park already offers plenty to see year-round, but during the festival it takes on a theme-park feel. If you love dramatic floral scenes and lively events, aim for these dates.
Hours, admission and parking tips
The park is officially open 24 hours and admission is free. There’s an on-site, complimentary parking lot, which is convenient if you’re driving. During the rose festival, however, the main lot can get crowded; Samcheok City provides temporary parking at the nearby Samcheok Sports Complex and Expo Plaza, with shuttle buses running to the park.
If you’re visiting during the festival, consider arriving early in the morning or on a weekday to avoid the biggest crowds. While the park itself is open day and night, some festival booths and activities run on fixed schedules — check announcements from the Samcheok Tourism & Culture Foundation ahead of time so you can plan your day.
At peak bloom the park is lit in the evenings, making for a lovely nighttime stroll. If you want both sunlit blooms and glittering evening views, plan to arrive around sunset.
Samcheok Rose Park is a high-value pick — a massive rose garden you can enjoy around the clock at no cost — and the May festival adds an extra layer of spectacle. If you’re putting together a Gangwon Province trip, carve out a day for the park and time it for peak bloom. The calm river paired with millions of roses will give you one of the most unforgettable spring scenes of the year.
