Yogi Bear’s Water Zone is a popular part of the Lake Monroe Jellystone Park in Indiana.
Increasing occupancies are prompting the Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park at Lake Monroe in Bloomington, Ind., to add 18 more RV sites and invest in numerous other improvements in preparation for camping season, which kicks off Friday (April 28), according to an announcement from the park.
“Interest has really spiked over the past couple of years so we know the demand is there for more campsites,” said Rachael Stine, the park’s general manager, adding that eight of the new campsites will be available by Memorial Day with the remainder available by Father’s Day.
Jellystone Park at Lake Monroe has numerous amenities, including Yogi Bear’s Water Zone, which includes water slides, water blasters and dozens of interactive water features that spray, splash and dump thousands of gallons of water — likea 30-foot tall Giant Hydro Storm that dumps 500 gallons of water. The water zone opens May 12.
This year, the park is also adding a shade structure for its Water Zone area as well as gaga ball, a type of dodgeball game that is played inside an octagonal or hexagonal pit. The park has also created a soccer field and it’s bringing back its volleyball and basketball courts, which had previously been used for other activities. The park has made improvements to its entrance and exit areas and installed new signage.
Additionally, the park has expanded its summer recreation program and offers new activities and themed weekends.
Upcoming activities at Jellystone Park at Lake Monroe include a Fiesta Weekend May 5-7 with a party on the jumping pillow; maraca making as a craft activity; a chili pepper eating contest; and a Saturday night dance party.
The park’s Hawaiian luau weekend will be July 28-30 when the dress code will include grass skirts, leis and tropical shirts. There will also be hula lessons; a pineapple eating contest; and the park’s third annual Mr. Jellystone Pageant in which guests can dress their favorite guy with an avant-garde look for the runway walk.
A Chocolate Lovers Weekend will take place Aug. 11-13 and will include a chocolate Slip ‘n Slide; candy bar bingo; a chocolate-pudding-eating contest; chocolate finger painting; and opportunities to make your own chocolate pretzels.
Daily activities at the park include wagon rides; arts and crafts; visits with Yogi Bear, Boo Boo and Cindy Bear, plus games and entertainment. Guests also have free access to park amenities such as the jumping pillow, playground, splash park, pools and recreation center. Other amenities, such as gem mining and pedal karts, can be used for a small fee.
Tent sites and rental accommodations are also available for Jellystone Park campers who don’t have an RV.
Yogi hangs out at one of the park’s “Hoosier Hideaway” cabins, all five of which saw recent upgrades.
The park’s 20 cabin rentals include five recently upgraded Hoosier Hideaways, each of which now has new screened-in porches, outdoor furniture, outside barbecue grills and concrete pads for picnic tables. The interiors of these cabins have recently been remodeled with new futons, new sinks and kitchen appliances. In addition, the park’s five white pine cabins now feature bunk beds, which are popular with families with kids.
Other cabin rentals include eight “Cozy Lodges” and two “Deluxe Lodges,” which are ideal for a larger family with a full kitchen and bathroom.
The Jellystone Park at Lake Monroe is located off Highway 37 at the Monroe Reservoir/Harrodsburg Exit. The park is open from April 28 through the end of October. For more information and special offers, visit www.lakemonroejellystone.com.
