How do Korea's national park reservations actually work—Hallasan summit & Jirisan shelters?

(1/2) Two different systems—part 1, Hallasan. ① Hallasan Baengnokdam — Seongpanak & Gwaneumsa trails These two summit trails require advance reservation; without one, you can be turned away at the QR check at the trailhead. No reservation? Use a trail that doesn't need one—Yeongsil, Eorimok, Eoseungsaeng-ak, Donnaeko, or Seokgulam. Book through the Hallasan Reservation System (visithalla.jeju.go.kr), run by Jeju Province—separate from the Korea National Park Service. The entire next month opens at once at 9 AM on the first business day of each month, and you can book up to 4 people per reservation. An entry/exit QR code is then texted to your registered number. Weekends, autumn foliage (Oct), and snow season (Jan–Feb) have fixed daily quotas, so grab a spot right at 9 AM on opening day. Note: reserve, don't cancel, and don't show up, and you're blocked for 3 months (1st) or 1 year (2nd). Can't make it? Cancel before your entry-end time—cancelled slots can reopen. (Jirisan in 2/2)

(2/2) ② Jirisan shelters — Jangteomok, Seseok, Byeoksomyeong, etc. Shelters are booked via the Korea National Park Service system (reservation.knps.or.kr). Jangteomok, for example, holds 120 reservations + 12 waitlist; rates are ₩20,000 weekdays / ₩30,000 weekends & peak. Day categories matter: weekdays are Sun–Thu excluding the day before a public holiday (so Sunday is a weekday rate); the weekend rate covers Fri, Sat, and the day before a holiday. In peak periods (Jul 1–Aug 31, Oct 1–Nov 15), the peak rate applies regardless of day. Booking varies by season—not always first-come. In peak periods a lottery runs first, then slots freed by non-applications, non-payments, or cancellations open first-come on separate dates. So don't just spam-click at opening—check the official lottery guidance and notices first, and watch the page since cancellations reopen often. Gear: don't count on renting/buying blankets or sleeping bags—bring your own. Other shelters' capacities differ, and some may