Let’s go-go-go to Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort!
By Ashley Daniels
Taking a family vacation has become a little tricky nowadays during the pandemic. It’s why RVs have sold out of showrooms across the country. Although we don’t own one – and we’re not quite ready to check into a hotel – we did get away for a few days at Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Tabor City, N.C., less than two hours from Chesterfield County.
Here’s a breakdown of our trip to the Tabor City destination and all of the fun you can expect before you travel to the campground as well!
Accommodations
We don’t own an RV; we do own a massive 10-person tent for our family of five. And, while both are accepted as forms of shelter at Jellystone, in the hellish heat of early August, the tent was not an option. So, we camped in a yurt!
Each of Jellystone’s seven yurts are a round, roomy 16 feet in diameter – and equipped with a brilliant heat/AC unit for your comfort in any season. We also loved that, inside, there was a picnic table and large cooler that we could get filled with ice, free, each day at the Camp Store, an overhead circular fan and light, a nightstand with a cute lamp and coffee station table for more storage.
The boys took the top double bed bunk, my husband and I slept on the bottom (you need to bring your own sheets, comforter and pillows); I disinfected the canvas-covered mattresses. My toddler cozied up on a single air mattress and our sweet dog, Sage, had space for her little bed pad, too. We could relax in some comfort, but still wake up to the sounds of birds overhead and fall asleep to a chorus of cicadas.
I also really appreciated that each yurt has its own personal bathroom, complete with lock and key, just a short walk away. In the mornings, we’d drink coffee on the wrap-around deck that overlooks the lake. At night, we’d gather with family and friends for dinner at the outdoor picnic table right outside, and a dessert of s’mores at the firepit.
If you have more money in your family budget, Jellystone also offers quaint cabins for rent that comfortably sleeps six to eight people, complete with a small kitchen.
Amenities
On the hot summer days during our stay, my kids couldn’t get enough of the water amenities available at Jellystone Park.
There’s the Ol’ Swimming Pool, a large, good old-fashioned pool to jump in and cool off. Next door, there’s the Aqua Bad, a multi-level waterpark/splash area for kids of all ages centered in the middle of a super shallow pool that’s nice to lay back in and watch the kiddos play. (Watch as they scramble from the huge dump bucket that pours a wave of water out every few minutes. And there’s also a spacious indoor pool, accompanied by an outdoor Splash Zone, featuring sprinklers, fun fountains and more dump buckets.
My boys took full advantage of the great outdoors here which was refreshing to see. Morning or evenings meant fishing in the pond bordering the yurt “village.” The mode of travel was bicycling everywhere on the campground – or hopping on our friend’s rented golf cart.
The campground also offers a full schedule of kids’ activities and a Camp Store stocked with Yogi Bear souvenirs. Keep in mind that, at the time of our visit during Covid, Jellystone Park did have to close down a few regular amenities, including: the Volleyball Pool, the Playground, Mini Golf, Amphitheater, Laser Tag, Jumping Pad, Basketball Court, Corn Hole Courts and Horseshoe Pits.
Dining
If you want a break from cooking over the fire pit or pulling something from the cooler for lunch, order something from the onsite Pic-A-Nic Basket. Their menu of munchies serves up chicken fingers, chicken wings, fried pickles, customized pizzas, mini donuts, French Fries, onion rings, cheese fries, mozzarella sticks, mac’n cheese bites, fried mushrooms, and jalapeno poppers. They’ll also throw a meal together with a group menu to fit your needs.
The Creamery dishes out sweet treats, like brownie sundaes, homemade ice cream cones, floats, milkshakes, and takeout pints and quarts. They also brew organic coffee ground locally at Rivertown Roasters on Main in Conway, S.C., and serve locally made pastries, , such as frosted cookie, cake pops, macaroons, and more.
To book your camping vacation now, visit https://taborcityjellystone.com/.
