Dream forest: Seoul’s Hidden Green Escape
Parks are welcoming green spaces where people can relax, play, exercise, and spend time outdoors. They can be found in cities, towns, and rural areas, ranging from small neighborhood gardens to large natural reserves with forests, lakes, and walking trails. Many parks include playgrounds, sports fields, benches, picnic areas, and paths for walking or cycling, offering something for visitors of all ages. Beyond recreation, parks provide important benefits to communities: trees and plants help clean the air, provide shade, support wildlife, and make neighborhoods more pleasant.
What You Need to Know About the Whimsical Dream Forest
Formerly known as the Odong Neighborhood Park, Dream Forest is a large green retreat in Seoul’s Gangbuk district. Found at 173 Wolgye-ro, Gangbuk-gu, Dream Forest was built where an old amusement park once stood. At 660,000 square meters, it’s Seoul’s fourth-largest park, after World Cup Park, Olympic Park, and Seoul Forest. The park’s official name is Bukseoul Dream Forest.
Set between Byeogosan and Opaesan mountains, it’s a lovely place to stroll among the trees and enjoy a different kind of scenery in every season. Its scenery changes with the seasons: cherry trees brighten the grounds in spring, while maples bring vivid color in autumn.
A traditional Korean garden features surround the restored Changnyeongwigung Ritual House, including the Moon Reflecting Pond, a pavilion, and waterfalls such as Wolgwang Falls. Visitors can wander through these gardens and woodland trails, pause beside Wolyeongji Pond, watch the falls, or explore attractions such as the children’s gallery, deer area, and water park.
In spring, the Cherry Blossom Path bursts into bloom, while the Maple Tree Forest is especially striking in autumn.
What was once an amusement park (Odong Geunrin Park) on a hillside has been transformed into a lively cultural destination in 2009, with the Buk-Seoul Art Center offering an observatory, performance and exhibition spaces, a book café, dining, fountains, and a playground.
Dream Forest is also home to a range of cultural venues. The Dream Forest Arts Center, with its Performance Hall and Concert Hall, and the Sangsang Toktok Art Museum host cultural events and exhibitions, while grassy lawns and plazas provide space for outdoor concerts and performances throughout the year. The park also hosts several seasonal festivals, a notable one being the Cherry Blossom festival. Restaurants and cafés within the park make it easy to take a break, rounding out the many attractions at this destination in Seoul.
To reach the park's East Gate using public transit, you can take Subway Line 6 to Dolgoji Station and use Exit 3. From there, transfer to Bus 147 and ride it for approximately four to five stops before getting off at the Dream Forest bus stop.
Alternatively, if you prefer to enter through the West Gate, you can take Subway Line 4 to Miasamgeori Station (also known as Mia Sageori Station) and leave via Exit 3. After exiting, board a local village bus or Bus 1124, which will take you directly to the western entrance of the park.
Parking fees are 300 won per 10 minutes for small vehicles and 600 won per 10 minutes for buses, with a 50% discount available for lightweight and low-emission vehicles. Meanwhile, the entry in the park is completely free of charge.
From quiet trails and open lawns to gardens and cultural landmarks, Dream Forest offers a calm break from Seoul’s busy streets. Take a walk, enjoy the fresh air, and explore at your own pace.
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