Sea, lakes, forests, islands — any one of these is already a travel lover’s dream. Now imagine a place that brings them all together. That’s exactly what you’ll find in Goseong County, in Gangwon Province. Welcome to Songjiho, one of Goseong’s eight scenic highlights, where the East Sea, a lake, an island and pine forests collide to create seriously gorgeous views.
◆A refuge for people, migratory birds and fish
Songjiho is a lagoon that stretches across Oho-ri, Injeong-ri and Obong-ri in Jukwang-myeon, Goseong. It circles roughly 6 km (about 3.7 miles) and covers about 660,000 m² (≈ 163 acres). The lake formed when sand piled up at the mouth of a small bay, creating a sandbar that cut the inlet off from the open sea.
Because seawater mixes in, the lake rarely freezes in winter and the water stays remarkably clear. The depth holds steady at around 5 m (≈ 16 ft), which lets marine species like sea bream and gizzard shad coexist with freshwater fish such as carp and mullet. That mix makes Songjiho a popular stopover for migrating birds — in winter you’ll often spot mallards, flocks of geese and protected swans (designated natural monuments).
Songjiho’s clear water and surrounding pine groves are so picturesque that it was named a national tourist attraction in 1977.
Every fall, locals host a countywide "Oxygen Path" walk along the lakeshore so visitors can soak up the season. Families, couples, friends and coworkers join hundreds of people each year. The 5 km (≈ 3.1 miles) route starts at the old rail-deck bridge along the lakeside, follows the right-side deck trail to the entrance of Songhojeong, loops through Wanggok Village, and returns via the Songjiho Observation Tower — a peaceful way to unwind by water and in the woods.
An intriguing local legend adds to the lake’s charm. About 1,500 years ago, the site belonged to a man named Jeonggeojae. One day an elderly monk asked him for alms and was refused. The monk threw an iron mortar down and disappeared; water poured from the mortar and formed the lake.
◆Plenty to see and do
Next to the lake stands the five-story Songjiho Observation Tower. From up there you can drink in sweeping views of the blue lake and the sea, while scanning for mallards, geese and the protected swans. On the tower’s second floor, a beach-combing exhibit and hands-on center lets visitors learn about marine ecosystems through interactive displays and activities.
Right beside the tower, the Songjiho Visitor Center offers a comfortable place to rest and gather information. The new facility opened last fall and consists of three single-story buildings that provide details about the lake, beach-combing programs and nearby attractions.
Inside, the center showcases the lake’s wildlife and seasonal rhythms with interactive pop-ups and projection mapping that bring Songjiho’s nature and culture to life. There’s also an environmental program that turns marine debris into art and accessories — a creative way to learn about conservation.
After exploring the center, hop on a bike and circle the Songjiho loop trail. Goseong County offers free one-hour bike rentals (with ID) at Songjiho and Hwajinpo through November 30. You can choose children’s bikes, four-wheeled bikes, or tandems. The full loop is 5.3 km (≈ 3.3 miles) and takes about 28 minutes to ride at a relaxed pace.
◆Songjiho Beach and Jukdo
A short walk from the lake brings you to Songjiho Beach, a sandy stretch about 2 km (≈ 1.2 miles) long and roughly 100 m (≈ 328 ft) wide. Its shallow waters make it a favorite family beach every summer — last year about 382,000 people visited.
Off the shore, the rocky island Jukdo punctuates the coastal scenery. Goseong County is developing a marine tourism complex centered on Jukdo called the "Songjiho Sea & Sky Center," scheduled to open in July. Plans include a 631 m (≈ 2,070 ft) sea walkway, a 151 m (≈ 495 ft) sea skywalk, an underwater "navy" park and an Ocean Avenue attraction.
The sea walkway is designed to link the beach to Jukdo via the skywalk so visitors can circle the island. On land, Ocean Avenue — a three-story, 3,171 m² (≈ 34,100 sq ft) mixed-use leisure facility — is being built as a potential hub for marine leisure industries.
◆Camping at Songjiho
Right on the sand you’ll find Songjiho Auto Camping Site and Oho Camping Site. Songjiho Auto Camping Site is unique in Korea: it’s the only campground where you can savor both sea and lake views at once. A little farther south on the beach, Oho Camping Site gained fame after a member of BTS filmed a camping vlog there.
Both campgrounds sit close to the beach, the lake and nearby attractions like a military experience zone and the traditional Wanggok Village, making them a hit with families. BTS fans often treat Oho Camping Site as a must-stop when visiting Goseong.
Songjiho Auto Camping Site offers 90 campsites, 10 log cabins, parking for about 100 cars, showers, restrooms, drinking fountains and electrical hookups. Off-season weekday rates for basic sites are ₩40,000 (≈ $30); weekends and holidays are ₩50,000 (≈ $37.50). Log cabins run ₩50,000 (≈ $37.50) on off-season weekdays, ₩60,000 (≈ $45) on weekends, and ₩80,000 (≈ $60) in peak season.
Oho Camping Site is slightly smaller but provides the same amenities: parking, showers, restrooms, drinking fountains and electrical panels. A-zone fees are ₩50,000 (≈ $37.50) on off-season weekdays and ₩60,000 (≈ $45) on weekends and holidays. B-zone is ₩40,000 (≈ $30) on off-season weekdays and ₩50,000 (≈ $37.50) on weekends and holidays. Reservations for both campgrounds are available via Goseong County’s public camping reservation portal.
Choi Du-won, Gangwon Ilbo
