The Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Uniontown, Ohio has become the first in the Yogi Bear-themed campground network to introduce a full-scale water zone designed specifically for pets.
The new amenity reflects growing demand for pet-friendly features at campgrounds and is part of a broader initiative by Jellystone Park locations across the United States to expand offerings for guests traveling with pets.
“We’ve never had anything like this before,” said Trent Hershenson, vice president of marketing for Camp Jellystone, the Southfield, Michigan-based company that franchises the Jellystone Park brand in the U.S. and Canada.
The Uniontown park’s new pet water zone includes splash features for dogs, an agility course, and interactive elements such as fire hydrants, tennis balls, and dog bowls that spray water.
Maddie Hillyard, the location’s activities director, said the idea stemmed from the popularity of the park’s annual dog swim, which takes place on the last day of the regular pool season.
“We noticed there were more and more people coming for the dog swim, and people would tell us they looked forward to the dog swim each year so we came up with the idea of creating a dog water zone,” Hillyard said.
Uniontown’s initiative is part of a larger trend within the Jellystone Park franchise network to enhance pet-centric programming and accommodations. Several locations now offer pet-themed weekends and specialized lodging.
For example, the Jellystone Park in Mt. Gilead, Ohio will host a “We Love Our Pups Week” from July 7–13, featuring a dog talent show, a “Puppy Party,” and dog yoga.
In Mansfield, Pennsylvania, a “Pet Lovers Weekend” from June 6–8 will include a visit from a local shelter and a pet parade.
Many locations are also expanding their pet-friendly accommodations. In Delaware, the Lincoln park offers pet-friendly RV sites and rentals.
In Illinois, the New Douglas park is adding a dog park this year. Indiana parks in Pierceton and Plymouth are enhancing dog park amenities, with the latter adding a new park in 2025.
Madison, Maine provides pet-friendly tiny homes and a fenced-in dog park with agility features.
Pet-friendly accommodations continue to grow in states including Michigan (Petoskey), Missouri (Monroe City), North Carolina (Bostic, Cherokee, and Tabor City), New Hampshire (Glen), and New York (Gardiner and Jamestown).
Ohio’s Mt. Gilead and North Lawrence locations offer a range of pet-focused amenities, including fenced-in RV sites and multiple cabin options.
Pennsylvania locations such as Harrisville, Mill Run, and Quarryville also offer a range of dog parks and pet-welcoming cabins. Other participating states include South Dakota, Texas (Burleson, Fredericksburg, Kerrville, Waller, and Wichita Falls), Virginia, and Wisconsin (Caledonia and Wisconsin Dells).
Jellystone Park Camp-Resorts, operated in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences, currently has over 75 franchised locations in North America.
The brand, known for its themed attractions, family-friendly activities, and glamping-style accommodations, continues to adapt to evolving guest preferences by incorporating more pet-inclusive features.
Featured image by Camp Jellystone