Many Jellystone Parks Rolling Out New Amenities in 2023

Jellystone Parks across the country are adding new amenities, including water features, as they prepare for a busy summer season. Credit: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort: Guadalupe River

For years, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts locations have established themselves as top family fun destinations, but the best news for families is that they keep getting better each year, according to a press release.

Twenty-five Jellystone Park locations across the U.S. are rolling out new attractions this year, ranging from multilevel water playgrounds and swim-up bars to ropes courses and laser tag fields.

“We want to keep raising the bar in terms of the quality and variety of attractions we offer at each Jellystone Park location,” said Trent Hershenson, vice president of marketing for Camp Jellystone, the Southfield, Michigan-based company that franchises Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts across the U.S. and Canada.

“Some of the new attractions will be in place before Memorial Day and the majority will be up and running during the summer,” Hershenson said.

Here’s a sampling of the attractions and enhancements being made at Jellystone Park locations this year:

Asheboro, N.C.: This location built a bear den for Yogi Bear, Boo Boo and Cindy Bear to hang out and entertain guests. The location is also expanding its playground. Longer-range enhancement projects at this location include adding an activity pond for kayaking, paddle boards, pedal boats and other water activities.

Bath, N.Y.: This location plans to install a splash pad with a shallow, heated, walk-in pool by Memorial Day weekend.

Binghamton, N.Y.: This new Jellystone Park location is adding a low ropes course, Gellyball, a softer form of paintball, an activity zone with multiple bounce houses, a Do-It-Yourself Cafe where guests can order the specific type of craft activity they would like to do and a dog park.

Bostic, N.C.: New attractions at this location include a three-story lookout tower, which is being erected on top of 1,665-foot Cove Mountain. The tower will feature viewing decks on the second and third floors. The park is also building an alpine coaster on Cove Mountain that will feature 1,025 feet of up track and 2,515 feet of down track for a total ride of 3,540 feet. Riders will be able to control how fast they go on the downhill section. The alpine coaster is expected to be in operation by Memorial Day weekend.

Brandon, S.D.: This location is adding snowless tubing (opening by Sept. 1) and is replacing its main playground with new equipment before May 1.

Burleson, Texas: This location opened a new 24,000-square-foot event center in January. A 16,000-square-foot wedding and corporate event facility will open in the spring. It is also planning to open an indoor pool, an exercise facility and a large Las Vegas-style outdoor pool this summer.

Caledonia, Wis.: This location’s new swimming pool will be completed this year along with a new recreation center and a new bathhouse.

Canyon Lake, Texas: This location is adding commercial-grade cornhole boards and a beverage wagon next to its Hill Country Hall and gem mining sluice.

Carver, Mass.: This location is adding a multitude of attractions this year, including a water zone with a multilevel water playground, water slides, a splashpad, water cannons, blasters, an activity pool and a hydrostorm bucket. Other new attractions include a new laser tag course, volleyball and cornhole courts, an arcade, a pizza kitchen, and a new ranger station.

Cave City, Ky.: This location plans to open a gel blaster course and a new jumping pad with a shade structure. The location’s splash pad is also being upgraded with all new splash toys, opening tentatively by Memorial Day.

Glen Ellis, N.H.: New attractions at this location include a second gem mining sluice and an additional Gaga ball arena. A food truck is scheduled to open Memorial Day weekend with a new activities pavilion opening by Father’s Day weekend.

Activities like laser tag are very popular at Jellystone Parks. Credit: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Williamsport

Kerrville, Texas: New attractions at this park include a larger laser tag area to accommodate more players at the same time, pickleball courts, a movie amphitheater, additional pool cabanas and an expanded pool cafe

Milton, N.H.: This location has added a Downpour Derby game with tipping buckets to its splashpad.

Mt. Gilead, Ohio: This location has installed a new resort-style swimming pool, nearly doubled the size of its floating obstacle course, installed a jumping pillow and added more paddle boats. The park has also built a new recreation center, a new pavilion and a new dog park.

Nelsonville, Ohio: This location is planning to add additional floating obstacles to its floating water slide, creating a micro aqua park.

North Lawrence, Ohio: This location is building a new multilevel water play structure, which it hopes to open by Memorial Day along with a new arcade and outdoor theatre. These new attractions follow a series of additional attractions that were added last year, including a new swimming pool, a warming tub, cabana rentals, laser tag, a new general store and a rooftop bar.

North Monmouth, Maine: This location is adding a laser tag course.

Pierceton, Ind.: New attractions at this location include a gaga ball pit and a new theater.

Pittsfield, Ill.: This location is adding a brand new splash pad and multiple large water slides, which it hopes to complete by Memorial Day weekend. The park also plans to install a Water Wars game before the end of the summer.

Tabor City, N.C.: This location is adding a new ball field, adding new shade structures to its outdoor pool areas, repainting its Aqua Play area and touching up its splash zone with new features and paint. This park also recently added Ztag, a gunless laser tag game.

Tyler, Texas: This location is adding a new swimming pool, a splashground, a warming tub and pool cabanas. The park is also adding a new bear’s den and a new playground in addition to renovating the park’s restaurant, its movie theater and other park facilities.

Uniontown, Ohio: This location has added a 20-foot climbing ropes tower as well as a third playground, complete with new swings and slides.

Waller, Texas: This location aims to install a new swim-up bar and new pool cabanas in time for Memorial Day weekend.

Wichita Falls, Texas: This location is planning to open a new restaurant and bar in its Grand Lodge this summer. The park is also planning to open a new amphitheater.

Williamstown, N.J.: This location is adding new sections to its floating obstacle course and will begin offering laser tag as well.

Source: https://rvbusiness.com/many-jellystone-parks-rolling-out-new-amenities-in-2023/