South Korea Travel Tips From a Local
Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch is the place to visit when you want Pyeongchang's highland scenery without committing to a serious mountain hike. The ranch stretches across rolling grasslands where sheep, cattle and horses live under an unusually wide sky.
Its scale is the main attraction. From the entrance, you cannot see everything waiting on the upper hills, which is why the tractor carriage is such a useful part of a first visit. It carries passengers through the ranch toward open viewpoints and saves energy for the best walking sections.
This guide explains current admission and tractor prices, seasonal hours, weather concerns and the difference between Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch and the nearby sheep-focused ranch. It also corrects an important change: horseback trekking and lessons are currently unavailable because of riding-arena repairs.
Location: Pyeongchang, Gangwon State
Adult admission: KRW 8,000
Child admission: KRW 6,000
Tractor carriage: Adults KRW 10,000; children KRW 8,000
Sheep hay feeding: KRW 2,000
April–September: 09:00–18:00
October–March: 09:00–17:30
Closing days: None listed; open year-round
Parking: Available and free
Suggested time: About 2.5–4 hours
Tractor operation and animal programs can stop because of snow, rain or strong wind. Check the ranch notice and the timetable posted at the ticket office on the day of your visit.
Where Is Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch?
The ranch is in the highlands of Daegwallyeong, an area known for cool summers, snowy winters and large open pastures. Unlike forested mountain destinations, the defining feature here is space: grassland rolls toward the horizon with very few buildings interrupting the view.
458-23 Kkotbadyangji-gil,
Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun,
Gangwon State, South Korea
Korean: 강원특별자치도 평창군 대관령면 꽃밭양지길 458-23
Current Opening Hours and Ticket Deadlines
Ranch: 09:00–18:00
Ticket office: 09:00–17:00
Hay-feeding experience: 09:00–17:50
OCTOBER–MARCH
Ranch: 09:00–17:30
Ticket office: 09:00–16:30
Hay-feeding experience: 09:00–17:00
The ranch is listed as open year-round, but arriving shortly before the ticket office closes leaves too little time for the upper viewpoints. Tractor departure times are posted separately at the ticket office and can change with weather or visitor conditions.
The ranch is large, and the tractor runs on scheduled departures. Arrive at least two to three hours before closing if you want the ride, viewpoints and animal area without rushing.
Admission and Experience Prices
Adult: KRW 8,000
Child: KRW 6,000
Adult group of 30 or more: KRW 6,000 per person
Child group of 30 or more: KRW 4,000 per person
OPTIONAL EXPERIENCES
Tractor carriage, adult: KRW 10,000
Tractor carriage, child: KRW 8,000
Sheep hay feeding: KRW 2,000
The ranch defines a child as someone from 36 months old through elementary-school age. Children younger than 36 months are listed for free admission. Bring identification or supporting documents if you plan to request an age-based or other official discount.
General admission and the tractor ticket are separate. A first-time adult using both currently pays KRW 18,000 before adding feeding or other purchases.
Why the Tractor Carriage Is Worth Considering
The tractor carriage is more than a ride for children. Sky Ranch is large, and reaching the upper grasslands entirely on foot takes time and energy. The carriage makes the scenery accessible to families and visitors who want the highland view without a long uphill walk.
Official tourism information describes the full ranch circuit as approximately 45 minutes. Actual timing can vary with the route, stops and weather, so use that as a planning estimate rather than a guaranteed duration.
Buy or reserve the tractor ticket soon after arrival and check the exact boarding time. If you miss a departure, the wait for the next one can affect the rest of your visit.
Take the tractor uphill, spend your energy at the viewpoints and walk selected downhill sections only if the weather and your group are comfortable.
Sky Deck and the Upper Grasslands
The upper viewpoint is where the ranch begins to feel different from a small animal farm. Rolling fields spread across the highlands, and wind turbines and distant ridges emphasize the scale of the landscape.
Clear weather creates the classic view of bright grass under a deep blue sky. Fog produces a quieter atmosphere but can erase the panorama completely. Because the viewpoint is exposed, the temperature can feel noticeably colder than it did near the entrance.
Give yourself time to look around rather than taking one photograph and boarding immediately. The best composition often comes from stepping away from the busiest platform and using fences, paths or a single person to show scale.
Sheep, Cattle, Horses and Feeding
Sky Ranch raises more than one type of animal. Official tourism information describes over 400 cattle, sheep and horses, which is an important difference from a ranch built mainly around sheep.
The KRW 2,000 hay-feeding experience gives children a close interaction without requiring the family to spend the entire day in the animal area. Use only the feed provided by the ranch, wash hands afterward and do not chase or touch animals outside the permitted zone.
Horses may be visible at the ranch, but the current official price page says horseback trekking and riding lessons are temporarily unavailable because the riding arena is under repair. Check the official page before visiting if riding is an important part of your plan.
Livestock visibility and outdoor activity change with heat, snow, rain and animal care needs. A ticket does not guarantee that every animal will be in the same location on every visit.
BLACKPINK's Lovesick Girls Filming Location
Parts of BLACKPINK's Lovesick Girls music video were filmed at Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch. The official Korea Tourism Organization guide identifies the large open field used for the convertible-driving scene.
The location makes sense even if you are not following a filming-location itinerary. The pasture has very few urban objects, leaving enough open ground and sky to create a cinematic frame.
When taking photographs, use the empty field rather than standing directly in front of every sign. Leaving negative space around a person is what gives the scene its scale.
Best Season to Visit
Late Spring and Early Summer
The pasture becomes green, animals spend more time outdoors and temperatures are usually comfortable for walking. Carry a light outer layer because the highlands can be cooler than Seoul or lower parts of Gangwon.
Midsummer
Summer produces the brightest green landscape, but the upper fields offer little shade. Start earlier, use sunscreen and bring water even when the highland forecast looks cooler than the city.
Autumn
Cooler air makes longer walking routes comfortable, and visibility often improves. The fields shift from vivid green toward softer brown and gold rather than the intense maple colors of a forest.
Winter
Snow transforms the ranch into broad white hills, but strong wind and icy ground make the visit more demanding. Tractor routes and animal programs may be adjusted for safety.
Green pasture: Late spring through summer
Comfortable walking: Late spring or autumn
Snow scenery: Winter, after checking road and ranch conditions
Wind and Weather Matter More Than Expected
Temperature alone does not describe Daegwallyeong conditions. The exposed hills have few trees or buildings to block wind, so an apparently mild day can feel much colder at the upper viewpoint.
Fog can also move in quickly and remove the long-distance view. A little mist creates atmosphere, but heavy rain or dense fog takes away most of the reason to visit.
Clear: Best for wide grassland views
Partly cloudy: Usually very good
Light fog: Atmospheric but limited
Heavy rain, snow or strong wind: Check for tractor and program changes
Secure hats and loose belongings. In winter, use warm gloves and shoes with grip; in summer, add a hat, sunscreen and water.
Is Sky Ranch Good for Families?
Yes. The tractor reduces uphill walking, while the animal area gives children a clear activity after the wide viewpoints. Families can also shorten the route at any point instead of forcing everyone to complete a long trail.
Parents should remember that this is a working outdoor ranch. Paths can be dusty, muddy or slippery, and weather changes faster than it does inside a city attraction.
Tractor carriage → upper viewpoint → short grassland walk → sheep feeding → café or rest area
Can You Bring a Dog?
The current official price page lists pet admission at KRW 5,000 for small, medium and large dogs. A tractor ticket for a dog is also listed at KRW 5,000, but only small dogs may board, and they must be inside a carrier or held securely.
Keep dogs under control and away from livestock unless staff direct otherwise. Pet access may differ by animal zone, weather or ranch operations, so check the current rules before traveling.
Shoes and Accessibility
Technical hiking boots are unnecessary for an ordinary visit, but comfortable shoes with grip are much better than fashion footwear. Grass, soil and sloping paths become muddy after rain and icy after snow.
The tractor makes the ranch easier for older travelers and people who want to limit walking. However, boarding steps, unpaved ground and weather-exposed viewpoints may still present difficulties. Contact the ranch before visiting if someone in your group uses a wheelchair or has significant mobility limitations.
Driving, Parking and Public Transportation
Driving is the easiest option. Visitors leave their cars in the external parking area and enter on foot after ticketing; private vehicles are not used to tour the ranch itself. Current tourism information lists parking as available and free.
Without a car, take a train toward Jinbu Station or a bus toward Hoenggye, then use a taxi for the final section. The official ranch directions state that no regular public transportation connects Hoenggye Intercity Bus Terminal directly with Sky Ranch.
Train and bus timetables change, so search your actual date rather than copying the first and last departure times from an older post. Arrange the return trip before entering the ranch, especially on a quiet weekday.
Best Photo Ideas
Tractor on the Ranch Road
Photograph from a safe side position with the road curving behind it. The surrounding field shows movement and scale.
Upper Viewpoint
Leave plenty of sky in the frame. One small person or a fence line can show how broad the grassland is.
Animal-Feeding Area
Use a closer composition focused on the interaction rather than trying to include the entire ranch.
Winter Road
Fence lines and snow-covered curves create a simple composition when the usual pasture color disappears.
Stay behind barriers and follow staff instructions. The filming location and working fields are not permission to enter restricted livestock or vehicle areas.
A Simple 3-Hour Sky Ranch Itinerary
1. Arrive, park and buy admission.
2. Check the tractor timetable and secure your departure.
3. Ride toward the upper grassland and viewpoint.
4. Spend time at Sky Deck and take a short walk.
5. Continue through the ranch route.
6. Visit the animal area and add hay feeding if interested.
7. Finish at the café, store or an easy lower trail.
Do not schedule every paid activity. The grassland itself is the reason to visit, and a slower route leaves room for weather changes and the tractor timetable.
Sky Ranch vs Sheep Ranch vs Balwangsan
These Pyeongchang attractions can appear similar in photographs, but they serve different travel plans.
A tractor-based ranch tour, large grasslands, several animal species and the BLACKPINK filming location.
A more compact walking circuit with sheep as the main focus.
A cable-car trip, summit-height scenery and a mountain skywalk rather than a working ranch.
Keeping these search intentions separate prevents the three places from becoming interchangeable. Sky Ranch is the strongest match when the tractor ride and open pasture are the priorities.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the tractor ticket included with admission?
No. General admission and the tractor carriage are separate. Adults currently pay KRW 8,000 admission plus KRW 10,000 for the tractor.
Is the tractor ride worth it?
For most first-time visitors, yes. It makes the upper grasslands easier to reach and leaves more energy for viewpoints and short walking sections.
Can visitors currently go horseback riding?
The official ranch page says horseback trekking and riding lessons are temporarily unavailable because the riding arena is under repair. Check for reopening before visiting.
Is Sky Ranch mainly for children?
No. Families enjoy the animal activities, but the grassland views, tractor route and filming location also suit couples, photographers and independent travelers.
How long should I stay?
Allow about 2.5–4 hours. Your timing depends on the tractor departure, weather, walking distance and whether you add feeding or a café stop.
Final Thoughts
Do not judge Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch from the entrance. The reason to come is the moment the upper landscape opens and the grassland begins to feel larger than expected.
Take the tractor if it fits your budget, spend time at the viewpoint and slow down near the animals on the return. On a clear day, the combination of open fields and oversized sky offers a side of Pyeongchang that feels far removed from Korea's cities.
Official Information
Place: Daegwallyeong Sky Ranch (대관령 하늘목장)
Address: 458-23 Kkotbadyangji-gil, Daegwallyeong-myeon, Pyeongchang-gun
April–September: 09:00–18:00; ticket office closes at 17:00
October–March: 09:00–17:30; ticket office closes at 16:30
Adult admission: KRW 8,000
Child admission: KRW 6,000
Tractor carriage: Adults KRW 10,000; children KRW 8,000
Hay feeding: KRW 2,000
Pet admission: KRW 5,000
Parking: Available and free
Inquiry: +82-507-1321-8061
Check official Sky Ranch hours, prices and temporary program notices
Check official directions and transportation information
Read the Korea Tourism Organization Sky Ranch guide
Prices, tractor departures, animal programs and riding facilities can change because of weather or ranch operations. Confirm the latest information before departure.






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