Jellystone Campground in Quarryville, PA Review

I heard about Jellystone campgrounds a few years ago and was immediately excited at the idea to get to share some of my childhood with my kids. Jellystone did not disappoint.

Overview of Jellystone Campgrounds

According to the main Jellystone Park website, there are more than 75 locations across the U.S. While I’ve only been to two so far, I imagine each one is unique in amenities and layout. Some of this might be specific to the Quarryville, PA location, but here’s a quick synopsis of Jellystone:

• While it is a campground, visitors rent an RV site, tent site or cabins of various sizes.
• Visitors can rent golf carts to get around the campground. Depending on your location in the park and if you have kids with you, these can be crucial for getting around quickly.
• The park is themed after Hanna-Barbera’s Yogi Bear show. Yes, there are pictures, statues and merchandise of the characters, but it isn’t over the top. You don’t have to know anything about Yogi to enjoy it.
• Yes, you will see and meet Yogi Bear and friends at daily activities, walking around or taking golf carts around. My kids got lots of bear hugs.
• Every day, there are set activities you can join, some free and some you have to pay for.

Visit the main Jellystone Park website »

Review of Our Trip to Quarryville Jellystone

Our family had A BLAST at the Quarryville Jellystone Park. From the moment we let them go out onto the playground until lazer tag was done, they were on the go.

• We stayed in a Deluxe cabin, which had a small bedroom with four bunkbeds and a full bathroom. It also had a fridge, freezer, microwave and stovetop. It was a good size for our small family of 5. We avoided those with the loft so we didn’t have to worry about the toddler and stairs.
• The daily schedule was available on the campersAPP. The mobile app reminded us 15 minutes before each activity, which was really helpful.
• While the campground was packed, the activities really weren’t. There were enough people who were just staying there for the camping and various options throughout the day that the only place that it was crowded was at the pool and waterpark.
• Their pool and waterpark set-up is AWESOME! The water was a bit cold (we went early June) but the kids spent hours every day there. The water park structure is big enough for adults too.
• If you want to get a good seat in the shade at the pool, get to the gate about 20 minutes before it opens. Otherwise, you may end up with a spot in the sun. Their tables have umbrellas but they’re see-through so if you are trying to avoid sunburns, they’re no bueno. You can also rent a pool cabana.
• Some of the free activities we enjoyed were: mini-golf, bingo, character meet and greet, playground, jumping pillow, hayride, dance party with Boo Boo, basketball, and they received kid mail from their favorite bear.
• Some of the paid activities we enjoyed were: gem mining, lazer tag, tye-die t-shirt making, pancake breakfast and the arcade.
• The “small” ice cream cones they gave us were as big as my kids heads. They were thrilled!
• They stagger times when things open, which helped us prioritize what to do during the day.

If you’re going to the Quarryville Jellystone Park, here are a few extra things to note:

• My daughter was disappointed that Cindy Bear was “hibernating” the whole trip and did not make an appearance. She reminded us every time we saw a bear. I’m thinking they may not have a Cindy costume.
• If you forget some key items, they have a ranger station where you can buy goods (and plenty of Jellystone merchandise). Of course they’re likely at a higher price and subject to availability. We forgot peanut butter and they were out. Womp womp. There are stores nearby but they’re not golf cart accessible.
• The campground is surrounded by farm fields, including those from the Amish. You will likely see carts and buggies pulled by horses on the way. On Saturday morning, they had a table of Amish goods by the ranger station where we bought a few jarred items. Bring cash!
• You can rent a hot tub. They add it to your campsite or cabin. We saw forklifts delivering hot tubs.
• Perhaps it doesn’t need to be said, but even if you’re staying in a cabin, you need to bring basically everything that isn’t furniture. Paper towels, hand soap, dishwasher soap, sheets, towels, food, etc.
• Our cabin had a fly swatter but we brought our own too. They were definitely needed!
• The pool area does have a food trailer (The Pic-a-nic Basket), but it was only open once during our entire stay. Don’t rely on it for food!
• Sunday seemed like a big move-out day so the pool was at low capacity.

Other than Cindy Bear not making an appearance, the only other somewhat negative part was when during the Boo Boo dance party (with primarily little children), the DJ played some wildly inappropriate songs. Boo Boo actually walked up to the DJ and nixed one song, but the DJ didn’t seem to get the message. Luckily, the kids weren’t really paying attention.

Overall, if you’re thinking about visiting Jellystone Park, I highly recommend it. Want to learn more or book a stay? Visit the Jellystone Quarryville, PA website »

Cabin packing list

You all know I love my lists! Before we left Jellystone, I made a list of items to remember to bring when we come back in the future.

Cabins with running water and air conditioning are “roughing it” for me so while this list is not all must-haves, I wrote it to help make packing for our next trip easier. Of course, this list doesn’t include clothes, diapers, etc. which would be regular items to bring on any trip.

Have you ever been to a Jellystone Park or are interested in going to one? Please comment below, I’d love to hear about your experience or any questions you might have!