Campground of the Week RVFTA Podcast Network

There are over 75 Jellystone Parks across the country, and each one of them is very different. Some of them are quaint and rustic, with lots of activities for kids that harken back to summer camps of old, and others have off-the-hook water zones, gigantic water slides, laser tag courses--and much more. All of them are worth taking a look at for your next family vacation. But don't assume that they all offer the same level of amenities and activities. Know before you go and do your research so you can pick a Jellystone that is right for your family. Here is a list of eight amazing Jellystone Parks across the country that represent the best the brand has to offer. There are so many other great Jellystone Parks across the country. So after you check out the eight parks below, head over to their website to find one near you.

Jellystone Park Golden Valley (North Carolina)





This gorgeous campground is located along the base of the Blue Ridge Mountains between Asheville and Charlotte. The property is situated around a beautiful lake that is great for stand-up paddleboards, canoes, kayaks, fishing, and more. The RV sites here are very good, but those without an RV should not despair. This Jellystone's cabins and glamping accommodations are award winning and have appeared in travel magazines and blogs across the country. The Mountain View Treetop Cabins look particularly cozy and charming. At the time of this writing the campground is building a Lookout Tower at the top of Cove Mountain that should make for a great family hike right on the property. Activities like zip-lining across the lake, and laser tag (to name just a few) will keep your kids occupied all week long.

Jellystone Park Estes Park (Colorado)





This Jellystone Park's location near Rocky Mountain National Park is absolutely stunning. The RV sites here climb up the side of the mountain, and many have sweeping views--so choose wisely based on the size of your rig. There are good hiking trails that are accessible right from the campground, so bring a comfy pair of hiking boots. The heated swimming pool is great for kicking back and relaxing after spending a day in the National Park. Don't feel like cooking? The onsite Pic-a-Nic Basket offers up quick meals at reasonable prices. Combining a great Jellystone Park vacation with a national park adventure is always an epic option for making family memories.

Jellystone Park Lakes Region (New Hampshire)





The location of this Jellystone in New Hampshire's Lake Region looks absolutely epic. They have two sandy beaches right on Northeast Pond and the swimming is heavenly during the summer months. If the lake water is chilly then try the brand new activity pool with warming tubs. Contrary to popular belief, many Jellystone Parks are actually excellent for teenagers, and this is one of them. The basketball and GaGa ball courts, baseball field, laser tag course, and outdoor ping pong table will keep them occupied for hours. Want a hot tub delivered right to your waterfront RV site or cabin during your stay? Jellystone Park Lakes Region can make that happen. Just make sure you call ahead. The hot tubs (and the waterfront sites) are incredibly popular and sell out on most summer weekends.

Jellystone Park Mammoth Cave (Kentucky)





This is the best camping option near Mammoth Cave National Park--especially for families. Jellystone Park Mammoth Cave has an awesome Wibit on Karst Beach, their own private lake. What is a Wibit? It's an inflatable obstacle course and a wet and wild playground all wrapped into one. No matter how you describe it--it is a whole lot fun. Kentucky can get hot in the summertime, thankfully there are plenty of ways to stay cool at this popular Jellystone Park--playing on the Wibit is just one of them. Campers that love to fish will enjoy the stocked fishing pond with Bass, Bluegill, and Catfish galore.

Are you looking to become a snowbird and spend the winter months enjoying the gorgeous white sugar sand beaches and sparkling waters of Florida's Emerald Coast? Or are you just looking for a great place to spend spring break in your RV, or in a cabin or glamping tent? Either way, you should consider Camping on the Gulf (formerly known as Camp Gulf.)  It is an excellent choice that is beloved by RVers of all ages. The waterfront location of Camping on the Gulf in Miramar Beach is excellent. Downtown Destin and Henderson Beach State Park are a short drive to the west, and Topsail Hill Preserve State Park is a short drive to the east. Whether you want to stroll along quiet beaches, or eat terrific seafood in Destin's bustling downtown, the location of Camping on the Gulf has much to offer.



Let's zoom in and take a closer look at this popular resort-style campground, just minutes from Destin. We think it makes a great choice for most RVer's who want to visit the area. However, those camping on a strict budget should take a look at the state park campgrounds nearby. They cost significantly less.



To listen to our interview with Erik and Jeanne Anderson about their four month stay at Camping on the Gulf, click on the media player above. Or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your favorite podcasts. Thanks to Erik and Jeanne for providing the photos for this post and for their extensive notes about Camping on the Gulf!

RV Sites at Camping on the Gulf





Camping on the Gulf has 217 sites, 16 of which are directly on the beach. These beachfront sites are a bit narrow, but they are still popular because of the spectacular views of the Gulf of Mexico. Water and electric sites are available at these sites, but they do not have sewer hookups. It is also important to note that pets are not allowed on these sites, and they are not allowed on the beach in Walton County without a permit. So If you are camping with a pup, you will need to look for another site at Camping on the Gulf. Thankfully, the other sites are also very nice, and the rest of them have full hook ups.



Some of the sites here have shade, and others get direct sunlight. So depending on the time of year that you visit, you should choose wisely between shade and sun. Most sites are level and paved, with nice picnic tables. Also please note--you will need to bring your own above-ground fire pit if you would like to have a campfire at night.



Cabins and glamping tents are also available for those without RV's. Always check and see what is included with a cabin or glamping tent rental so you don't show up without essential items for your trip.

Amenities at Camping on the Gulf









The amenities at Camping on the Gulf are excellent.  Guests love the outdoor pool, and their kids love the large waterslide. During the winter months the domed indoor pool is also very popular--especially on chillier days. The indoor activity center is also a hub of activity when the weather does not cooperate. It has pool tables, foosball, board games, and plenty of room to spread out and relax. If you are are feeling cooped up in your RV, then this is a great place to get some work done or read a book.

Other Facilities at Camping on the Gulf





Camping on the Gulf has many other more practical amenities. Many of them are much appreciated by the snowbirding residents in the park. The bathhouses and laundry room are clean and well maintained, and they even have a nice dog washing station. Erik and Jeanne Anderson travel with their beloved Hershey Pup and he definitely loved getting a nice bath during their stay last winter (see above). You can also have your mail delivered right to the campground during your stay--which saves snowbirds like Erik and Jeanne from having to go to the post office over and over again.

Hocking Hills State Park in Ohio will have you wondering if you are still in the Midwest. With its waterfalls and unique geological features, it feels more like an exotic location in New Zealand. Yet, it's only 50 miles from Columbus, Ohio, and only 30 miles from Athens, home of Ohio University.

Does Little Arrow RV Resort live up to the hype that it has been receiving these past few years? Sorry to spoil the ending, but we think that it does. This is a beautiful campground in Townsend, Tennessee that is just minutes away from Cades Cove. It is located right next to the Townsend KOA right off of TN-73 in the heart of "the peaceful side of the Smokies." The entire property is beautiful, and all of the accommodations (from tent sites to tiny homes) are excellent in almost every way. And we think they are fairly priced across the board. We loved almost everything about our stay at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort.



To learn more about Little Arrow keep reading, or listen to our complete review on The RV Atlas podcast by clicking on the media player above, or subscribing wherever you get your favorite shows.

RV and Tent Sites 

RV Sites at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort



Back in sites along the river at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort



The RV and tent sites at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort range in price from about $50 dollars to $200 dollars and there is truly a site for everyone, depending on your budget and the requirements of your rig. We loved the luxury RV sites with covered bar/seating area, a sink with running water, and plenty of counter space for eating and entertaining. This sites are around $180-200 dollars per night, but we think they are a delightful splurge. You can also share these sites with a second RV buddy for a small, additional fee, and then split the cost in half. Doing so would make these sites a bargain. There are also a variety of back in sites along the Little River that are excellent and fairly priced at just under $100 per night. Overall, it is hard to find a bad RV site at Little Arrow. Tent campers may struggle to find a site with adequate privacy. But for RV owners--this is a little slice of heaven in the smokies.

Cabins, Tiny Homes, and Glamping Tents 





Glamping Tent at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort



Little Arrow does not call itself a campground. They call themselves an "outdoor resort." When you see the charming selection of cabins, tiny homes, and glamping tents, you can clearly see why. Much like the RV sites, all of these unique accommodations are lovely, and very reasonably priced for what you get. We stayed in the Magnolia Tiny Home (pictured above the glamping tent) for approximately $250 per night. It was clean, charming, and comfortable. The highlight for our kids was the double loft areas with plenty of space for them to spread out. The highlights for mom and dad were the comfortable master bedroom, spacious kitchen, and washer and dryer! It was wonderful being able to do laundry while on vacation. We create huge piles of dirty clothes when we are exploring a national park--and we used the washer/dryer every single day.

Pool and Hot Tub Area 





The Hot Tub at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort



The highlight for most guests at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort is the luxurious outdoor pool and hot tub area. Every inch of this area is comfortable and thoughtfully designed. The zero entry pool (with grottos!) was nicely heated, and the hot tub was an absolute delight. You take a short flight of steps up to the private hot tub area, so it feels like it is in a little hidden world away from the pool area. The sign on the hot tub gate says that kids are not allowed. But there was no one there to enforce this rule during our stay, and there were many, many kids in and out of the hot tub during our stay--including our own.

The Camp Store and Coffee Lounge 









During our stay the camp store at Little Arrow Outdoor Resort was only open from 9am to 5pm. We were in the park from early morning to after 5pm during our first few days there, so we could not get into the camp store for a few things we needed.

Great Smoky Mountains National Park is surrounded by a wide variety of camping options for RV owners. But none of them are quite like Camp Margaritaville RV Resort and Lodge in Pigeon Forge. This exciting new property seamlessly combines the best aspects of a luxury RV Resort with the best aspects of a cozy and comfortable lodge. The RV resort and lodge truly operate as one cohesive unit. Guests staying in the RV Resort have access to everything that the lodge offers, and vice versa.



This is resort-style camping at its absolute best. Too many places call themselves RV Resorts without delivering the goods, but Camp Margaritaville delivers the goods in spades.  Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge is our new favorite camping option outside of Great Smoky Mountains National Park. If you like parking your rig in the lap of luxury--then we think this will be your new favorite option too. RV owners that want to share a vacation with friends and family that don't own RVs should also rejoice--because a shared vacation with non campers doesn't get any better than this.



It's 5 o' Clock somewhere! Grab a cold drink and let's take a look around.



Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge offered us a complimentary stay at this property. The opinions expressed here are completely our own.

The Pool, Hot Tub, Kid's Zone, and Lazy River 

Hot Tub and Pool at Camp Margaritaville, Pigeon Forge



Pool and Splash Ground at Camp Margaritaville, Pigeon Forge







If you love swimming, hot tubbing, or being lazy on a lazy river, then this is your place.  The pool, kid's zone, waterslide, and hot tub are located directly next to the lodge. There is plenty of seating and lots of room to kick back and relax here while your kids play. There is also a bar with food options located directly next to the pool. But more on food and drink later. This whole pool complex (especially the hot tub!) is a terrific spot to return to after a morning of hiking in the park. The thoughtful layout manages to be fun for both kids and adults.



The lazy river is in a separate section of the property, located just behind the lodge. At first you might think that it is odd to have them separated. But we think that the design is very intentional. The lazy river was calm and peaceful. There were no kids splashing around and ruining the relaxed vibe. Kids are allowed here, but this area really seems to be catering to adults who want to earn their license to chill. Both of these areas are really terrific, with views of mountains ringing the property. You would be hard pressed to find better swimming options at a campground in the Pigeon Forge area. Please let us know if you do.

RV Sites at Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge

RV Sites at Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge











The RV resort at Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge is shiny new and super clean. We also found the sites to be very good. The concrete pads were level and the grass and landscaping were lovely. There is not much shade now, but that will improve as the newly planted trees take shape. We also found the sites to be generously sized, though none of them were gigantic. There are sites that are a short walk away from the lodge, for those that want peace and quiet.  There are also sites just steps away from the lodge if you want to be close to the pool and other amenities. Some of the sites have steep drop offs behind them. These sites are pleasantly situated, but those camping with small kids should avoid them. The roads throughout the resort are easy to navigate and backing into your site should be easy--even for a big rig.

Outdoor Activities and Recreation

Pickleball at Camp Margaritaville Pigeon Forge







Overall, the recreational options at this property are excellent. We loved the brand new pickleball courts and appreciate...

Yogi Bear is back in New Jersey! Thankfully he has found a terrific place to set up camp and steal some pic-a-nic baskets. Jellystone Park South Jersey is located in Williamstown, New Jersey, less than an hour away from Philadelphia and Wilmington, Delaware. The park was recently converted to a Jellystone, and there are many great things to come. But we think it is well worth visiting right now. There are so many things for kids to do already, especially if they love swimming. The setting is also surprisingly beautiful. We are thrilled to see a Jellystone Park franchise back in New Jersey, and to see that it is a truly excellent campground that families will return to again and again.



Let's take a look around and see what Jellystone Park South Jersey has to offer its campers!

Living the Lake Life

The Wibit at Jellystone Park South Jersey



The Picnic Area at Jellystone Park South Jersey



The central hub of Jellystone Park South Jersey is situated along Crane Lake. Here you will find a super fun Wibit (an inflatable obstacle course) and areas for picnicking, swimming, renting boats, and plenty of room to fish. This is clearly a resort-styled campground, but the area around the lake has the look and feel of a state park. There are plenty of picnic tables and families often set up camp for the day and even grill there while their kids are swimming.



The Wibit (which has multiple slides, a trampoline area, and more) is the star of the show for kids and teenagers, but there is also a nice swimming spot right next to it where adults can do laps, or just relax and keep an eye on their kids. There are two lifeguards in this area making sure that the kids behave, but it is also advisable to keep an eye on your kids while they play here.



The Wibit at Jellystone Park South Jersey is clearly a big hit and a real differentiator. We can't think of any other campgrounds in New Jersey that have one. There is no additional charge for using the Wibit at this campground.



Fishing is also a popular activity at this Jellystone, and kids and families were set up around the lake casting their lines. The entire atmosphere around the lake was chill and relaxing and filled with great summer vibes. There is also plenty of room to spread out and the overarching design seems to handle a crowd really well.



Yogi Bear's Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts is a sponsor of The RV Atlas podcast. To listen to our complete review of Jellystone Park South Jersey, please click on the media player above. Or subscribe to The RV Atlas wherever you get your shows.

Camp Store and Snack Stand









The well stocked camp store and snack stand (with walk up window) are right near the Wibit area. Families that are not grilling or eating their own prepared food can get burgers, dogs, chicken fingers, and more. The food is good and fairly priced. The service was also fast and friendly. Hand scooped ice cream is available here, and they dish up a variety of flavors with generous portion sizes.  It is a perfect set up for a day of fun in and around the water. Once you set up camp for the day in this spot by the lake there is really no reason to leave. You can easily spend the better part of a day right there.



A wide variety of Jellystone merch is available in the camp store. So are essentials like milk, eggs, and butter--just in case you forget something. They also stock a small selection of RV parts and things like band-aids, neosperene, and aspirin. Overall, it is a very cute little camp store. Make sure you grab a fun family souvenir before you leave.

Two Pools are Better Than One





The Swimming Pools at Jellystone Park South Jersey



Jellystone Park South Jersey also has two pools. The more relaxing adult-centric pool is located right alongside the lake.