In this study, we analyzed the surface temperature of Chuncheon from 2014 to 2020 using Landsat 8 images. The findings revealed that man-made structures such as asphalt roads and buildings cause significant increases in land surface temperatures in urbanized, arid, and residential areas. Industrial areas exhibited the highest relative land surface temperature (RLST) index, while densely populated residential areas showed relatively high RLST values. Conversely, areas with high-rise apartments had lower land surface temperatures due to shade and green space. Natural land cover areas demonstrated negative mean RLST, highlighting the usefulness of RLST in distinguishing temperature differences between land cover types. A 0 °C reference surface temperature was used in RLST to standardize land surface temperature measurements, which helped understand land cover status. As the urban heat island phenomenon continues, land surface temperatures are gradually rising. To build a sustainable urban ecosystem, policies and plans to expand and improve green spaces and waterfront environments are essential. To achieve these goals, a comprehensive strategy for expanding and improving green spaces is needed, as well as various policies to improve water quality.