One-Day Getaway to Gapyeong: Lakeside Valley Pension Where You Can Cook, Swim, and Chill

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Hi, it’s Lily!

Today I’m sharing a fun and refreshing one-day summer trip I took to Gapyeong’s Lakeside Valley Pension (호수유원지 민박) — a hidden gem where you can enjoy water play, cook your own meals, and spend a relaxing time surrounded by nature.

A Quick and Easy Day Trip from Seoul

Getting to Gapyeong from Seoul doesn’t take long, which makes it the perfect spot for a spontaneous day trip. While Gapyeong can be a doable location for public transportation travelers, I’d definitely recommend driving or getting picked up — especially if you're headed to Lakeside Valley Pension.

First Stop: Hanaro Mart for Supplies

After getting picked up at Gapyeong Station, my friends and I drove to Hanaro Mart to stock up on essentials.

While there are a few well-known supermarkets in the area, we found Hanaro Mart to have the best prices.

We grabbed drinks, snacks, and all our BBQ ingredients there, and for meats, we crossed the street to a butcher shop that had great value!

Lakeside Valley Pension

Address: 1953-29, Gahwa-ro, Buk-myeon, Gapyeong-gun, Gyeonggi-do

It took about 30 minutes to reach the pension from the mart.
Even though we visited at the end of August, the place was still buzzing with people enjoying the water.

There’s ample parking space, which makes it ideal for a day trip without worrying about where to leave your car.


 

Water Fun with Peace of Mind

There were life jackets available for rent and even lifeguards on duty, which made the experience safer and more relaxing.

???? Tip: Get there early to rent adult-sized life jackets — they run out fast!

The water was clear and cool — perfect for beating the heat!
Some spots were deep enough that I (171 cm) couldn’t touch the bottom, but the shallow areas up front were great for kids to safely splash around.

Flat Platform Rental (평상)

We had pre-booked a flat platform by phone and were guided to our spot as soon as we arrived.
As of August 2024, the rental fee was ₩70,000, with an additional ₩30,000 deposit.

Usage Time: 8:00 AM – 6:00 PM

In addition to the platform, you can also rent tubes, grills, burners, pots, pans, and tables for ₩5,000 each, plus a ₩5,000 deposit per item.

We rented everything we needed for a full-on barbecue party!

Bringing your own gear? There's a free air pump station on-site too.

On-Site Store & Dining Options

There’s a convenience store inside the pension, stocked with essentials like charcoal, butane gas, disposable plates, snacks, ramyeon, and instant rice.

They also sell drinks and beer — super convenient if you run out.
Hungry? There’s a restaurant on-site where you can order dakbaeksuk (boiled chicken soup) or dakbokkeumtang (spicy braised chicken).

 Pet-Friendly & Super Refreshing

The entire area is lined with platforms by the valley, offering shaded spots where you can sit and enjoy the cool breeze.

Many people brought their pets along too — definitely a plus if you're traveling with a furry friend!

We unpacked, ate some sweet & spicy chicken to refuel, then dove right into the water. It was a little chilly at first, but so refreshing. Floating on our tubes, we soaked up the summer vibes.

???? Must-Haves:

• Flip-flops

• Towel & change of clothes

• Arrive early for a shaded spot!

BBQ Time!

After swimming, we got hungry again and started our BBQ — grilled meats, doenjang stew, and even ramyeon. There’s nothing quite like eating hot food by the water after cooling off in the valley.

We played and ate right up until platform rental closing time.
Since we arrived after 11 AM, the time felt a bit short — come early for the full experience!

Clean-Up & Amenities

Before leaving, we had to clean up our space and sort our trash for disposal.

Also, all rented utensils and cookware must be washed and returned, so don’t forget to bring a disposable sponge — they don’t provide one.

There’s a microwave available too for quick heating of meals like instant rice.

 Shower & Restroom Notes

There’s a shower facility, but the water was ice cold!
I just rinsed quickly and changed clothes — I preferred to shower properly at home.

???? Showers get very crowded near closing, so go early if you want to avoid the lines!

Final Thoughts

From floating in the cool valley water to a sizzling BBQ feast, this Gapyeong one-day trip was packed with fun and relaxation.

We loved having a comfortable platform, being able to cook and eat there, and just taking it slow in nature.

Though the restrooms and facilities could use a little improvement, the affordable prices made it totally worth it.

We'll definitely be returning to Lakeside Valley Pension again this summer! ????

Day Trip Checklist for Lakeside Valley Pension (호수유원지 민박)

• Check the Gyeongchun Line schedule in advance

• Plan transportation from Gapyeong Station

• Don’t forget towels, flip-flops, and a change of clothes

• Arrive early to grab a prime spot by the water