Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park

When I camp, it’s usually at a Scout camp, so I’m not used to staying at commercial campgrounds. However, we were attending a family reunion at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park, so we rented one of their resort cottages. They had a lot of campsites crowded into a small space, so each site was on top of the next one. Overall, it felt more crowded than natural.
The resort cottage concept was new for us. Our cottage had a very small bedroom, and also included a bunkroom, kitchenette, and a very tiny bathroom. We really felt cramped inside. Each campsite had a fire pit; however, the pits were right in the parking space for that site. The fire pits aren’t marked and don’t have any kind of protection around them. It would be all-​to-​easy to drop a wheel into the pit, especially at night, and I saw it almost happen several times.
The staff there was very gracious, and each person we dealt with seemed to be enjoying their role in helping their guests have fun. I really enjoyed having so many family members in one place and being able to spend time with each of them. We don’t have young children, but there were quite a few children at our reunion. There seemed to be a lot of activities for children, and all the children seemed to be having a great time. Jellystone turned out to be a good choice for our family gathering.

We don’t live far but were looking for a close place to camp on Father’s Day weekend. We’d stayed here before and enjoyed the clean facilities and amenities so we made a reservation on the website for a two night stay. As the weekend approached it the weather forecast called for lots of rain so hours before we arrived we called to see if we could upgrade to a cottage. They were very accommodating and we arrived right a 3 pm on Friday. The cottage was small but our family of five was comfortable and we had access to air conditioning and television as well as a full galley kitchen and refrigerator. The cottage was clean and we could pare down our packing list because utensils, dishes, towels and linens were provided. The kids enjoyed the weekend as the camp has lots of activities for the family. We enjoyed a flashlight scavenger hunt which allowed us to meet our neighboring campers. The staff is friendly and never hesitated to offer suggestions or provide their assistance. They nightly drive by to provide ice and firewood for an additional fee but you can’t beat the convenience. Not very many activities for teen and tween boys but a good time was had by all. We enjoyed the scavenger hunt, candy bar bingo — we won!, tie-​dyed t-​shirts and the all you can eat pancake breakfast. Oh and the views are lovely.

We live in the area and wanted a quick getaway for the family. Jellystone Park was everything we hoped it would be and more! Since we don’t have season passes to Six Flags we took advantage of the Jellystone Park Six Flags Super Saver package but the kids were having so much fun at Jellystone that the next time we won’t bother trying to fit in a Six Flags visit.
There is so much to do that I don’t even know where to start explaining it, especialy since the activities change every day. I recommend calling or visiting their website before visiting to decide what events are best for your family.
We stayed in a cottage. A word of warning, their cottages aren’t very big. I was a little put off at first but by the end of our stay we had so much fun it didn’t matter and the kids loved the «little house» as they called it.
Bottom line, the place is super clean, very well maintained, and everyone on staff is so friendl and caring. Not something you find very often these days! The pool is large and sparkling clean water. We got great photos of Yogi Bear with the kids. They loved the train and rode it every time they could.
This is a great place for families. Not so sure if singles would like it though, it’s really a place for kids & parents.

This place sucks and the camping sucks there and only Decent thing there is the is the Christmas lights and will never camp there again and it’s been along time since Been there at this this place it does suck the camping there

Enough lights to string from here to Springfield they say
imagine what the light bill is here
in a time where there is a shortage shift peoples electricity all the electricity goes here but at $ 20 a car this place had a 40 minute wait when I came
great lights about 45 minute wait for about a 15 minute ride through
The campground enjoying the lights decorations
On the way out there as a gift shop lots a little knickknacks and things from this region.

We have 7 people & 2 dogs on a road trip across the USA & back. We are from all over the country. Alabama, DC, California, & Virginia… we have visited a LOT of RV parks in the past few weeks and this park is absolutely hands down the BEST we have been to so far… Amazing pool, lots of fun things for the kids to do, a general store w everything you would ever need, a snack shack, I was able to wash 9 loads of clothes in a timely manner… We had a great time! We were in spot #2 at the front which isn’t a popular spot but was fantastic for us bc we had access to everything within a few feet away… The staff was so friendly and accommodating. The park was pricy compared to other places we have stayed BUT it was also worth it… Ill be looking for this chain in other areas we visit along the way!

We stayed at Jellystone while visiting family in the area. It was a blast! The kids were so comfortable there, that we had no problems with homesickness. The cabins were really comfortable. The family activities were exciting. My kids loved waking up every morning to a train ride and «waking up yogi bear»

We camp a lot and have recently been on the road in our RV for over 3 weeks, we run a program for kids w autism,
Helping kids w autism through skateboarding … it was really nice to pull up to an RV park that wasn’t behind a gas station as that’s just about all you get traveling across country on the 40. We took a detour road north and ended up at Jellystone. It was more expensive than I wanted to pay but def worth it. The pool wasn’t «green» during our trip like other reviews had said, the staff was more than accommodating, there was a general store that I visited about 4 times, it wasn’t a pull through but was easy to back in, they didn’t yell at us like most places do when my kids brought out their skateboards and started skating their curbs… it was just really nice to feel comfortable and safe. I washed about 9 loads of clothes (yes we had a crew of 8 plus 2 dogs in a 30 ft rv yikes, and they had enough washers and dryers for me to not be sitting there for 6 hours… I would camp here again if in the area and ever since camping here I have first looked for a Jellystone chain campground before others…

I enjoy going to see Christmas lights just about anywhere, and Jellystone is always on my list. Their prices have gotten way too expensive ($ 20 per car!) but we had a coupon so we paid under half price. There are TONS of lights in this park and it is definitely geared more towards kids because almost everything is kind of cheesy with cartoon cut outs and stuffed animals all around. However, I enjoy reminiscing on being a kid again so its still fun! Not the best display in STL but definitely worth doing, especially if you have a coupon. I think it is definitely not worth $ 20 to come here, especially when Tilles Park only charges $ 10 and their display is better and has a longer route. Maybe they will consider lowering the prices next year?

The light show was HORRIBLE! Not worth the money mostly just spotlights on creepy plywood cut outs. A lot of the Christmas lights were burned out. The most expensive lights and not worth the money.

First, the reasons we will never return:
–We chose this campground soley because they advertised that they were ¼ mile from Six Flags. When we found the campground we realized that this was certainly not true. When I checked in the employee told me that «It’s only a ½ mile from our gate to theirs». I double checked their brochure to make sure I had read it correctly and it did say «¼ mile from Six Flags». My husband and I walked to Six Flags as planned, but the walk was along an interstate access road and through some intersections with heavy traffic. I would not recommend the walk to anyone with children.
–Pulling into the campground was a complete shock. We have camped at state parks, koas and other private campgrounds for years, but neither of us have seen a property this crowded before. The sites for rvs and cabins are right on top of each other. The tent sites are also incredibly small and close together. We were glad that our stay was for a Saturday and Sunday night because the second night everyone cleared out and it was more peaceful.
–The bathrooms were small, overcrowded and not maintained well at all. Every time I went in the women’s restroom something was in a state of disrepair. It’s as if they didn’t even try to clean it on the weekend.
To their credit–
–The campground itself was attractive enough, it was just hard to enjoy with neighbors camping a few feet from us.
–We knew that there would be lots of children (duh!) but at 9:00 pm it looked like an unsupervised mob of munchkins. At 10:00 pm, as if by magic, it got quiet and remained that way. They did a good job of encouraging everyone to observe «quiet time».
— At dusk, a staff person from the store drove around selling wood and ice. It was a nice touch

Coming from California… its something ive never seen before. A beautiful light display and hilariously adorable Christmas cutouts. the kids loved it and its going to become a tradition each holiday season.

This park is so wonderfully tacky and is positively bursting with Christmas spirit! Millions and millions of tiny lights are jam packed onto this camping ground, creating stunning waterfalls, tunnels, and animated displays. The best old-​school Christmas music plays and it feels like you’ve stepped (well, driven) back in time to the days of Leave it to Beaver. Santa is even there to greet you on weekends!
I usually go on a weekday evening when the lines aren’t so long, but it’s always fun to have Santa welcome you to tinsel town. Keep in mind that they charge by the car so be sure to pack all your friends into one.
My only complaint are that most of the displays haven’t changed in about two decades so it’s not as fun for me to go anymore. But newcomers will certainly be impressed! I have to say, though, I’ve never taken part in the whole train ride thing… maybe I’ll try that this year.

This review is strictly for the light display since I can honestly say, I have not camped nor had any desire to camp, since my days as a Girl Scout.
That said, no holds bar, this is the best Christmas Light Display in the city. I know I am a bit ahead of my holidays here, but put this on your list this December. It’s $ 10 a car to get in, but incredibly easy to find tickets for free or half off in any number of papers around Christmas time. Also, they have a train you can ride through the park instead if that’s more your speed. I rode the train one year and I have to admit, it was far better than wearing out my clutch for the half hour trip through the park.
Now to describe the lights. They are amazing. There’s a huge waterfalls, big tacky cardboard cut outs, about 12 Santa’s, gingerbread houses, cheesey music you can get on your car stereo so you don’t have to roll your windows down and freeze, and an awesome light tunnel. They really do this park well and it’s just gorgeous to drive through. Also, no shortage of cheesey and tacky to keep you laughing at how ridiculous Christmas has truely become. I end up at this place every year to gaze at these lights with friends or family and I have a great time every year.