Hi, I’m Choi, a travel writer sharing local food, art, and culture in Korea.
If you are planning a trip to Seoul in October, you may be wondering: When is the best time to see fall foliage in Seoul?
I visited Seoul Children’s Grand Park on October 2, 2026, expecting to see the first signs of autumn. A few trees had started turning yellow and red, but most of the park was still green.
In this guide, I’ll share what the park actually looked like in early October, when Seoul’s autumn leaves are usually at their best, and five places to consider for fall foliage in Seoul.
Seoul Children’s Grand Park Autumn Guide
- Korean name: 서울어린이대공원
- Address: 216 Neungdong-ro, Gwangjin-gu, Seoul
- Nearest subway: Children’s Grand Park Station, Line 7, Exit 1
- Admission: Free
- Park hours: 5:00 a.m.–10:00 p.m.
- Best for: Walking, families, seasonal scenery and an easy outdoor break in Seoul
The park includes walking paths, gardens, a zoo and amusement facilities. Children’s Grand Park Station Exit 1 leads to the main entrance, while Achasan Station is convenient for the back gate.
📍 View Seoul Children’s Grand Park on Google Maps
What Does Seoul Children’s Grand Park Look Like in Early October?
I visited on October 2, 2026.
The first thing I noticed was that autumn had not fully arrived yet.
There were a few yellow leaves under the ginkgo trees, and some trees had begun turning red. But across most of the park, green was still the dominant color.
Some trees also had fewer leaves than I expected, so the overall scenery did not yet have the dense red-and-gold appearance usually associated with autumn in Korea.
If you visit Seoul Children’s Grand Park in the first week of October, I would not come specifically for peak fall foliage.
Instead, it is a good time to enjoy cooler weather and walk around the park before the main autumn foliage season begins.
Early October Fall Foliage at Seoul Children’s Grand Park
Although most of the park was still green, the ginkgo trees gave the clearest hint that autumn was approaching.
Some leaves had already changed from green to pale yellow, while other trees were noticeably further along.
This mix of green, yellow and occasional red made it easy to see that Seoul’s autumn season was only just beginning.
When Is the Best Time for Fall Foliage in Seoul in 2026?
Seoul’s fall colors do not arrive all at once.
Mountain areas can begin changing before parks and tree-lined streets in central Seoul. In general, travelers looking for autumn scenery in the city should pay particular attention to late October through early November, although temperatures and weather can shift the timing each year.
For most travelers, late October through early November is a practical period to watch for fall colors in Seoul, although the exact timing changes with the weather each year.
Based on what I saw at Children’s Grand Park on October 2, early October was clearly too soon for full autumn color.
If your main goal is to photograph red maple leaves and yellow ginkgo trees, I would start checking recent photos and foliage updates from the last week of October.
Avoid planning your entire itinerary around one exact “peak date.” A few warm or cold days can make a noticeable difference.
What to Do at Children’s Grand Park Before Peak Foliage
Even if the leaves are not yet at their peak, the park can still be worth visiting.
The grounds are spacious, and you can combine a walk with the zoo, gardens or amusement area rather than visiting only for autumn leaves.
This makes Children’s Grand Park more flexible than a destination that depends entirely on seasonal scenery.
Best Places to See Fall Foliage in Seoul
If you are visiting Seoul from late October into early November, these are five of the best places to see autumn leaves in Seoul.
1. Seoul Children’s Grand Park
Children’s Grand Park is a good choice for travelers who want an easy walk rather than a hike.
The park has large trees, broad walking paths and enough additional attractions to spend several hours here.
I visited too early for peak foliage, but the first yellow and red leaves were already appearing.
2. Seoul Forest
Seoul Forest is one of the easiest places to combine autumn scenery with a visit to Seongsu.
Ginkgo trees and other seasonal foliage make it popular for an autumn walk, while Seongsu’s cafés, restaurants and shops are nearby.
Seoul Forest is also included among Seoul’s recommended autumn foliage park trails.
3. Changdeokgung Palace and Secret Garden
For a combination of Korean history and autumn foliage, Changdeokgung is one of the most appealing options.
The Secret Garden, or Huwon, contains wooded paths, ponds and traditional pavilions.
Because access arrangements for the Secret Garden differ from general palace admission, check the latest ticket information before visiting.
4. Deoksugung Stone Wall Road and Jeongdong
This is one of my favorite options for travelers who want culture as well as autumn scenery.
You can walk along Deoksugung Stone Wall Road and continue through Jeongdong, where museums and historic buildings are concentrated within a relatively small area.
Seoul officially lists Deoksugung-gil among its scenic autumn foliage routes.
You can also stop at the Seoul Museum of Art while exploring the area. I visited the museum recently for a Yoo Youngkuk exhibition, so this is an easy route to combine with art and an autumn walk.
5. Namsan Park
Namsan is a good option if you prefer walking through autumn trees while also seeing the Seoul skyline.
You do not necessarily have to hike all the way to the top. Walking part of the trail can be enough to enjoy the seasonal scenery.
The city also includes Namsan among its recommended autumn foliage park trails.
Is Early October Too Early for Autumn Leaves in Seoul?
Based on my October 2 visit to Seoul Children’s Grand Park, yes—if your main goal is peak fall foliage.
I found a few yellow ginkgo trees and some red leaves, but most of the park was still green.
For travelers planning an autumn trip to Seoul, late October through early November is a more useful period to watch, particularly for city parks, palaces and ginkgo-lined streets.
If you are already in Seoul in early October, however, I would not skip outdoor places altogether. The weather is comfortable for walking, and watching the city slowly change from green to yellow and red is also part of the season.
I plan to return when the colors deepen to see how different the park looks later in autumn.
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