Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts in North America is a winner of FTF's Top 10 (Cheap) Getaways For Family Travelers 2008 award.Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts in North America is a winner of FTF's Top 10 (Cheap) Getaways For Family Travelers 2008 award.

Camping always seems like a good idea for families and it's eco-friendly.  In the great outdoors, there is more space to play and that cozy home-away-from-home feeling that only a tent can provide.  Of course, that's until the kids learn they have to use a communal bathroom, sleep amongst tiny crawlers and miss episodes of their favorite television show.

When researching the best budget campground for a cheap family vacation, we had priorities:  it had to be rustic, but also provide some luxuries and fun-for-kids facilities that its competitors didn't. It had to have enough flexibility to accommodate first-timers and those who wait all year to sleep under the stars.  And most of all, our winner had to be a campground chain that was both cheap and good value.  We found two such chains, one in North America and another in Europe, that are the winners of the 2008 FTF Top (Cheap) Campground Getaway: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts and Eurocamp.  Check out Yogi Bear's Jellystone here, and happy camping!

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts

If any negative connotation goes along with camping it will vanish once you park your RV, pitch a tent, or rent a cabin at one of Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts. With great nature adventures, amenities and entertainment for all at a price that you’ll love, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts has over 70 locations across American and Canada.

Offering reasonable rates with a variety of accommodations, there is something for all types of families at Jellystone.  If you love the outdoors but don’t exactly want to “rough it” you can choose from two of the cabin categories: “Bear Bone” and “Full-Service.”  “Bear Bone” cabins offer more of a rustic feel and have one to two rooms, accommodating up to six people. Each cabin has a fire pit and picnic table. Bathhouses are located near your cabin and all you need to bring are linens, utensils and anything else to make your stay more comfortable.  “Full-Service” include a bathroom and kitchenette. Most have air conditioning, TV’s and front porches.

Perhaps you want to be one with nature and feel, smell and hear everything it has to offer by “roughing it.” Bring your tents and take advantage of either a “rustic” or “electric” campsite. Each comes with a fire ring and picnic table. RV campsites are available with water, electric and sewer hook-ups.  The majority have 30-amp service and some are available with 50-amp.

Since each Jellystone Park Camp-Resort is individually owned, prices fluctuate according to location. However, it was found that the average price for cabins ranges from $80 per night to $100, for cabins with luxuries. There are many locations that offered prices for basic cabins for less. Prices for tent and RV camping range, on average, from $25-$50 per night.  Children under 3- or 5-years of age stay free, depending on location. 

What really made Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts stand out is the number of family activities available at each location.  Each Jellystone Park is required to have a minimum of 125 campsites, a swimming pool, game room, children’s playground, video theater and a 20’ x 40’ covered pavilion.  Most of the activities are included in the price. Of course each location offers tons to do, such as mini-golf, golf carts, train rides, “hey” rides, fishing, and hiking.  The older crowds have activities to enjoy as well. Many locations offer live music, DJ’s and bingo. Very few, if any, other campsites offer so much to do at such a reasonable price.

Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts consider themselves a destination vacation because a minimum stay of three nights is required. Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts’ prices are 20%-30% cheaper and activities are 60%-100 % better than other campgrounds. Plus, seeing Yogi Bear brings a smile to almost everyone’s face. For exact pricing, amenities, locations and activities visit www.campjellystone.com or call 800/558-2954.