Hajodae Beach and Observatory: Where Should You Park First?
Yangyang's cliffside pavilion and sandy beach use different parking areas; check the trail hours before going.
Hajodae Beach and the cliffside observatory share a name, but which parking area should you choose? We checked the trail hours, free lots and September beach conditions.
Can you park once for both Hajodae Observatory and Hajodae Beach? The pavilion and lighthouse sit apart from the sandy shore, with separate parking areas for each side.
An imprecise navigation destination can add more walking than you expected. In September, it also matters that walking on a beach is different from swimming during its managed summer season.
We compared Yangyang County’s parking list with the Korea Tourism Organization’s visitor information, address by address. The opening hours, parking choices and off-season beach cautions below will help you plan a route from the pavilion to the sand.
As of September 14, the beach’s 2026 managed swimming season has ended. Do not assume lifeguards, showers or other summer services are operating, and do not enter the water without checking current local safety guidance.
Observatory and Cliff Trail Hours
The Hajodae scenic area is open year-round and has no admission fee. The trail and unmanned-lighthouse area are open 06:00–20:00 from April through September and 07:00–18:00 from October through March. Access may close in bad weather.
Free Parking: Pavilion or Beach?
If the pavilion and lighthouse are your priority, save Hajodae Parking Lot in your navigation app. If your plan starts with a walk on the sand, choose a Hajodae Beach parking area instead.
Parking area | Location | Spaces |
|---|---|---|
Hajodae Parking Lot | 4-1 Hagwangjeong-ri | 34 |
Beach roadside parking | 630 Hagwangjeong-ri | 358 |
Beach off-street parking | 80-2 Hagwangjeong-ri | 35 |
Beach off-street parking | 627-3 Hagwangjeong-ri | 43 |
Visiting the Beach After Summer
The shore remains a place to walk, but the managed 2026 beach season ran from July 10 through August 23. In September, focus on the roughly 1.5-kilometer stretch of sand and the pine grove rather than expecting supervised swimming.
How Long to Allow and Where to Go Next
Allow about 40–60 minutes for the pavilion, lighthouse and trail. Add the beach and a parking move, and about 1½–2½ hours is a more comfortable starting estimate.
- Northbound: Hajodae → Naksansa Temple → Naksan Beach
- Southbound: Hajodae → Junggwangjeong Beach → Jukdo Beach → Hyuhyuam Hermitage
- Short route: pavilion → unmanned lighthouse → trail → beach pine grove
See the pavilion, unmanned lighthouse and trail in roughly an hour, then continue to the beach’s pine grove. With the parking change, this makes a Hajodae route of around two hours.
Official Sources
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