Yunlin County’s Mountain and Sea Public Camping Areas Offer Scenic Beauty and Safety

The Tonghua Park Camping Area in Gukeng, Yunlin, is a well-equipped and safe public campground with captivating mountain and forest views. (Photo by Hsu Su-hui)

The Haikou Story Park Camping Area in Kouhu, Yunlin, features well-developed facilities, with capsule cabins as its highlight. Though lesser-known, it’s a coastal hidden gem and also a public campground. (Photo by Hsu Su-hui)

On the 16th, the Tourism Bureau will announce illegal camping areas. Yunlin County has two public camping areas: one is the Gukeng Hebao Tonghua Park, and the other is the Kouhu Township Jinhu Haikou Story Park—one in the mountains, one by the sea—both offering beautiful scenery, complete facilities, no risk of landslides, and proximity to villages for convenient emergency support.

Nationwide, there are currently around 1,500 camping areas, over 90% of which are operating illegally, many located in high-risk landslide zones. The Tourism Bureau plans to expose these illegal sites to warn campers.

Jiang Ming-xin, head of the Tourism Marketing Division at the Yunlin County Cultural Affairs Bureau, noted that there are 20 camping areas in the county. For safety, the division has identified relevant land plots and operators, conducts regular inspections, and requires owners to address key issues. In the future, they will work with the central government to quickly establish local camping site management regulations.

Jiang Ming-xin stated that Gukeng Huashan Elementary School has restrooms, classrooms, and a playground used as a campsite. The school sets fees and insurance standards and often hosts educational groups for camping, but it is not open to the general public and is designated for educational use.

The Gukeng Hebao Tonghua Park was originally a Scouts camping area, equipped with electricity, water, restrooms, tables, and terraces. It is just steps away from Hebao Village, with residences nearby. Located on gentle hills surrounded by towering trees, the park also offers views of Douliu City and dazzling night scenes. It is currently managed by the Gukeng Township Office.

The Kouhu Township Haikou Story Park allows canoeing and fishing, and features cute capsule cabins for camping. The area has full amenities such as bathrooms and pavilions, situated just a dike away from the sea. Though a little-known hidden spot, it has fallen into disuse due to low visitor numbers. The county government and Kouhu Township Office jointly secured NT$15 million for renovation, which is now underway.

Kouhu Township Mayor Lin Che-ling said the Haikou Story Park is not yet open as renovation is incomplete. Gukeng Township Mayor Huang Yi-ling noted that public camping areas are relatively safer, and the Gukeng Hebao Tonghua Park charges very affordably—at just NT$800 per campsite per day, making it a great choice for campers.