In 2022, South Korea's national parks attracted 43.31 million visitors, marking a 6.5% increase from the previous year, as reported by the Korea National Park Service. This resurgence in national park attendance highlights a growing public interest in nature for healing and relaxation, especially in the aftermath of the COVID-19 pandemic. The expectation is that this trend will continue, with predictions suggesting further increases in visitor numbers for 2024 and 2025.

Bukhansan National Park led the way with 7.53 million visitors, accounting for 17.4% of total national park attendance. Its urban location, within an hour's access from the capital region, combined with a variety of hiking trails suited for different skill levels, has made it an attractive destination for both locals and tourists. Other popular parks included Gyeongju National Park, Hallyeohaesang National Park, and Jirisan National Park, with noteworthy increases linked to events such as the APEC summit held in Gyeongju.

Juwangsan National Park in Cheongsong County recorded the highest growth rate of 11.9%, rebounding to 670,000 visitors despite earlier setbacks from a major forest fire. This recovery was facilitated by prompt disaster recovery efforts, trail maintenance, and improvements in safety management and visitor services, which the park service noted as essential for restoring public confidence in park accessibility.