Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts are expanding pet-friendly amenities, accommodations, and activities across their network of more than 75 franchised locations in the U.S. and Canada, as demand grows among RVers traveling with pets.
“We’re as pet-friendly as we are family-friendly,” said Trent Hershenson, vice president of marketing for Camp Jellystone, the Southfield, Michigan-based franchisor.
New dog-friendly amenities roll out across parks
New features include added infrastructure at several parks, highlighted by a dog splash park at the Uniontown, Ohio location—the first Yogi Bear-themed campground to introduce a dedicated water play area for dogs. The setup includes a wading pool and dog-friendly splash elements, joining existing amenities like dog parks, agility courses, and pet wash stations found at multiple locations.
Campgrounds are also increasing pet-friendly accommodations. More parks now offer RV sites and cabins designed with pets in mind, including fenced-in areas and private enclosures. Locations in Pelahatchie, Mississippi, and Quarryville, Pennsylvania, report pet-friendly cabins, while others have added dog runs, bark parks, and designated pet activity zones.
Campgrounds introduce pet-focused events
Programming is expanding alongside the physical upgrades. Many locations now host pet-centered events such as dog costume contests, pet parades, and themed weekends like “Pet Lovers Weekend,” “Pet Palooza,” and “Furry Friends Weekend.” Activities often include petting zoos, animal encounters, and interactive contests for both pets and their owners.
Some parks are also adding structured, ongoing programming. The Pittsfield, Illinois, location offers daily meetups for large and small dogs, while the Pelahatchie park hosts a weeklong event featuring pet-themed crafts and competitions. Other parks incorporate traveling petting zoos, wildlife weekends, and adoption events.
The pet-focused expansion builds on Jellystone Park’s broader family-oriented model, which includes pools, water slides, mini golf, and Yogi Bear-themed entertainment through its partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences.
For RVers, the move reflects a broader shift across the campground industry to better accommodate travelers who want to bring pets along—without sacrificing the amenities and activities typically geared toward families.
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RVT1257
Thank you, RV Travel, for the news. I do find it a bit odd in that the response seems to signify a perceived increase in RVers traveling with pets. My own observation is that there has been no perceptible increase, but that the percentage is well beyond 50 percent for the past decade if not longer. In Jellystone’s defense, we have never stayed at one of their parks, so their experience may be radically different than mine. Have a great day and safe travels!