A Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort is set to reopen in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, on June 1, following a multimillion-dollar renovation of the former Bear Cove Village campground by new owner Blue Ridge Development.
The reopening restores a branded campground adjacent to Dollywood, a location previously operated as a Jellystone Park site until 2024.
The project signals renewed investment in the high-traffic family tourism corridor and reintroduces the franchise’s themed camping experience to the market ahead of the peak summer travel season.
Reservations for spring and summer stays are now open, with the property offering RV sites, cabins, and glamping accommodations.
The campground will operate year-round, with a limited number of seasonal RV sites available.
Renovations have been extensive, with upgrades completed throughout the property during the winter.
Improvements include refurbished cabins with new flooring, decks, and mattresses, installation of Wi-Fi, repaved roads and RV sites, and the addition of big rig-friendly spaces.
Recreational enhancements include a new jump pad, Gaga Ball pit, community fire pit, and fully remodeled pools with expanded decking and updated furniture. The park’s bathhouse facilities and Ranger Station camp store have also been upgraded.
Additional developments include the renovation of the fishing pond area to accommodate foam parties and the planned opening of a new activity center, called the Bear’s Den, later this year.
Starting June 1, the campground will introduce a full schedule of organized activities, including wagon rides and themed weekends, along with character appearances featuring Yogi Bear, Cindy Bear, and Boo Boo.
“We are upgrading every area of the park and adding new activities that were not offered previously,” Dan Barnett, founder of Blue Ridge Development, said in a press release. “Jellystone Park Pigeon Forge will be the perfect place for families to stay, no matter whether they are RVers or prefer to stay in luxury cabins.”
Rob Schutter, president of Camp Jellystone, said the destination aligns with the brand’s family-focused positioning. “The Pigeon Forge area is among the country’s top family travel destinations, making it ideal for a Jellystone Park location,” Schutter said.
The Pigeon Forge campground will join more than 75 Jellystone Park locations across the United States and Canada operating under a franchise system in partnership with Warner Bros. Discovery Global Experiences.
Featured image by Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort