Chuncheon campground with river views and car camping: Urban Slow City

The weather's been so nice lately that the urge to go car camping crept back up on me. So we decided to head to Urban Slow City, a Chuncheon campground, over the weekend. We were lucky enough to visit as part of a sponsored campaign, and on the way we stopped by a butcher shop to stock up on plenty of meat. The road into the campground already felt like driving straight into nature, so I was in a good mood before we'd even arrived.

Where is Urban Slow City, and how long is the drive from Seoul?

Urban Slow City is located at 108 Gaonggae-gil, Nam-myeon, Chuncheon-si, Gangwon-do, South Korea, and it took about 2 hours from the Gangseo area of Seoul on a Saturday morning. Following the signs in, I found the place lived up to its name — like a little village where caravans, camping, car camping, and glamping are all possible in one spot. The moment I looked at the site map posted at the entrance, I could tell just how large the place really was.

Even the scenery on the drive in, with the river and mountains blending together, was really opening up. What stood out especially were the playground and trampoline, perfect for kids to play on. Families visiting with children would probably be really happy with this part. And by the river there was even water leisure equipment set up, which surprised us as a couple.

Check-in and the 24-hour self-serve store at Urban Slow City

What impressed me most about Urban Slow City was the store that runs 24 hours a day. When we went into the office to check in, the owner kindly explained everything to us one by one.

From snacks to camping supplies, ramyeon, instant rice, ice cream, drinks, even alcohol — they had everything. It's all self-checkout via an unmanned kiosk, so we could use it late at night without any hesitation. We even bought some ice cream for ourselves after dinner haha.

There was a shared coffee pot and microwave available too, plus a shared fridge, which really eased the worry of storing ingredients.

How clean are the restrooms and showers?

The recycling area was well organized, and the restrooms and showers really felt properly managed. When you go camping a lot, you sometimes run into disappointing hygiene, but there was none of that worry here. My wife walked into the restroom and was amazed, saying, "This is actually so clean." With these basic amenities so well taken care of, I'd say this place deserves a spot on any Chuncheon campground recommendation list.

Glamping, caravans, tent camping and car camping: how the sites are laid out

Looking around the site layout at Urban Slow City, each type clearly had its own character.

The Chuncheon glamping sites even come with cookware provided, so you could show up practically empty-handed.

The camping sites are split between gravel areas and deck areas, so you could choose based on your preference.

There were a total of 4 Chuncheon caravans in operation, and each one had a connected lounge space out front for relaxing comfortably. Since we came as car campers, we kept an eye out for spots with a good river view rather than sites tucked further in. The spots right in front of the river had such a great view that I'd recommend checking site placement before booking. The exact booking process and rates per site can vary by season, so it seems safer to inquire before reserving. Even though it was a busy weekend, the sites were spaced generously enough that it never felt cramped.

River views and water sports: what it's like with kids

I think the real charm of Urban Slow City is its location right by the river. It truly earns the name riverview campground, with the water stretching out right in front of you — the scenery was genuinely refreshing. Since they also run water leisure activities, there were quite a lot of parents visiting with kids. The kids' laughter from the water activities seemed to spread across the whole campground, making the atmosphere really lively.

True to a water-leisure campground, they seemed to offer water play equipment rentals, and there was even an unlimited-use rate plan.

If you're looking for a campground to visit with kids, this place is worth noting — it has the full trio of playground, trampoline, and water leisure. We don't have kids ourselves, but watching the children at the next site running around having fun made us feel happier too.

The campground at night and the view the next morning

As the day started to darken, the lights came on one by one and the mood completely changed. Once dusk settled in, pretty lights lit up all over the campground, creating a totally different atmosphere from daytime. My wife and I sat in our chairs sharing a drink, and that moment of drinking with the river breeze on our faces was really something.

Toward dawn it drizzled a little, and we fell asleep happily to the sound of rain — in the morning, clouds had settled prettily over the mountains across the river. We packed up feeling good, with the cool morning breeze on our faces.

A drink under the lights with the river's sound as background completed a nighttime warmth you'd never feel in the city.

Is Urban Slow City worth a return trip to Chuncheon?

We grilled meat, chatted under the lights, and lost track of time entirely. The facilities were carefully maintained, the amenities were more than enough, and above all, the riverside location felt like Urban Slow City's biggest strength. My overall satisfaction was so high that I feel like I'll be back again. The owner mentioned that celebrities apparently stop by from time to time, and honestly, I get why. Whether you're visiting as a family or as a couple like us, I'd put this on the list of Chuncheon campground recommendations.