WEEKENDER: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort
Ease into camping with Yogi Bear and friends
Whether your family excels at pitching a tent or needs step-by-step instructions, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Bostic, North Carolina allows everyone to experience nature at their own pace. The 600-acre site has a range of accommodations including luxury cabins and lodges, full hook-up RV sites, glamping tents with lake views, and premium tent sites. Spend the day in a kayak or canoe, ride an alpine coaster, explore the interactive water playground, or play a few rounds of mini golf. Jellystone is a 90-minute drive from Charlotte and a great spot to unplug and have an outdoor weekend to remember.
STAY
Jellystone’s accommodations give families the choice to camp in a way that works for them. Wood cabins have a bedroom, loft, bunk beds, bathrooms, a small kitchen, and a screened-in porch. Cabins include lighting, beds, and a refrigerator. Guests bring sheets, towels, toiletries, and food, and a picnic table, fire ring, and charcoal grill are just a few steps away. Tent sites with mountain or creek views offer a picnic table, fire ring, and grill. Campers bring a tent and all the supplies. The Comfort Station, a shared building with toilets and showers, is within walking distance of most campsites.
EAT
It’s not unusual to see Yogi and his friends walk through Scout’s Table, a dining room for resort guests, giving high-fives and taking photos with families. Nosh on burgers, chicken tenders, pizza, and ice cream at the poolside Creekside Café. The over-21 crowd can imbibe with adult icees, beer, wine, and cocktails at the Blue Ridge Tavern. You can also stock up at the grocery store before you arrive and make family meals on the grill, or visit the Ranger Station for snacks and drinks.
PLAY
Each week, Jellystone celebrates a different theme, from the Wild West and Tropical Bearadise to holidays like Easter and July Fourth with special games and events. Participate in a hot pepper eating contest, a food fight, or a foam party by the property’s 12-acre Murray Hilton Lake. Yogi Bear, Cindy Bear, and Boo-Boo-Bear make appearances throughout the day, and Yogi leads the golf cart parade on Friday evenings during peak season, which is May 24 through August 10. If you like to spend the day on the water, check out the Wibit, a floating water obstacle course with inflatable steps and slides. Rent kayaks and stand-up paddleboards for a picturesque view of the lake—or fly across it on the zipline.
Younger kids can go gem mining, do arts and crafts, or explore the playground; older kids can partake in miniature golf, laser tag, pickleball, and tennis. Adventure seekers can ride the Blue Ridge Mountain Coaster, a 3,226-foot ride through the woods. Operators control the speed, so you can go slow or fly down the mountain at 27 mph. Next door is the Ranger Smith Pool with lounge chairs, a basketball hoop, warming tubs, and a swim-up bar. Add a Pool Cabana to your reservation and receive a mini fridge, Smart TV, and ceiling fan in a private seating area beside the pool.
For more information, visit campgoldenvalley.com.
