Han River Night Pools Extended to 10 PM: 2026 Evening Swim Guide

The 2026 Han River Night Pools program is now in its extended evening season, with selected riverside swimming and water-play sites open until 10 PM from July 3 through August 30. The late-night extension applies to four locations: Ttukseom and Yeouido swimming pools, plus Jamsil and Nanji water-play areas, while Gwangnaru and Yanghwa continue only until 6 PM.¹

For anyone planning an after-work swim, a family evening outing, or a cooler visit during Seoul’s summer heat, the most important point is that the 10 PM schedule is not available at every Han River water facility. The full 2026 season runs from June 19 to August 30 across six locations, but the night opening is limited to the four designated sites.²

Where the 10 PM Han River Night Pools Extension Applies

The extended evening operation runs for 59 days, from July 3 to August 30, at Ttukseom Swimming Pool, Yeouido Swimming Pool, Jamsil Water-Play Area, and Nanji Water-Play Area. During this period, these four facilities operate from 9 AM to 10 PM.²

Gwangnaru Water-Play Area and Yanghwa Water-Play Area are part of the 2026 Han River swimming and water-play season, but they are excluded from the 10 PM night opening and close at 6 PM.³ This distinction matters because all six sites are often discussed together under the Han River summer pool program, but the evening schedule is narrower.

The Seoul Metropolitan Government described the facilities as an “optimal summer refuge in daily life,” a phrase that captures the program’s practical purpose: making summer cooling options available inside the city rather than only through travel outside Seoul.¹ In a YTN Radio interview, Yoo Hye-mi, Park Department Director at Seoul Future Hangang Headquarters, also summarized the key night-use benefit by saying visitors can enjoy night swimming and water play “until 10 PM” at the four participating sites.⁴

The 2026 lineup is Ttukseom and Yeouido as swimming pools, and Jamsil, Gwangnaru, Nanji, and Yanghwa as water-play areas. Jamwon Swimming Pool is not operating in 2026 because of construction for a natural-style water-play area.⁵

Hours, Fees, and Use Rules to Know Before Going

For the four night-opening sites, plan around the 9 AM to 10 PM operating day during the July 3 to August 30 extended period. The broader 2026 season began on June 19 and ends on August 30, covering 73 days across the six Han River facilities.¹

Admission prices differ by facility type. Adult admission is 5,000 won for swimming pools and 3,000 won for water-play areas, while children under age 6 enter free.¹ Because Ttukseom and Yeouido are classified as swimming pools, their adult fee is higher than Jamsil and Nanji, which are water-play areas.

Visitors should also pay attention to timed use rules. One Seoul city article lists a 45-minute use period followed by a 15-minute rest period, along with no-entry-to-water periods during lunch and dinner. It also notes that users should wear swimwear and swim caps.³ These rules are especially relevant for evening visitors because arriving late does not mean uninterrupted water access until closing.

For reservations and access details, Seoul Future Hangang Headquarters’ official 2026 operation notice includes Naver Map reservation information, changes related to Jamsil Hangang Park parking lot use, and the notice that Jamwon Hangang Park Swimming Pool is closed for the 2026 season.⁶ If you are choosing between public transport and driving, check the official notice before departure, particularly for Jamsil.

Safety and Practical Planning Notes

The night extension follows positive public response to trial evening openings over the previous two years, and the city has paired the longer hours with safety and water-quality measures. Seoul announced 138 CCTV cameras, 58 safety personnel, and daily simplified water-quality checks for the 2026 operation.² Park Jin-young, head of Seoul Future Hangang Headquarters, said the city would do its best on “water quality, safety, and price management.”²

Even with the later closing time, the best planning approach is simple: choose the facility first, then confirm whether it is one of the four night-opening locations. If the goal is specifically a 10 PM visit, choose Ttukseom, Yeouido, Jamsil, or Nanji. If you choose Gwangnaru or Yanghwa, plan for a daytime or early evening visit because those two are not included in the extended night schedule.³

The 2025 season drew 552,003 visitors, a 77% increase from 2024, according to the YTN Radio interview summary.⁴ That figure suggests the evening program may be busy during peak heat, weekends, and school vacation periods, so visitors who need lockers, parking, or easier entry should avoid assuming that late hours automatically mean lighter crowds.

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Patrick Choi

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