My family and I have been RVing for ages — 14 years to be exact. And while we’ve visited several RV resorts around the country (and several more that falsely advertised themselves as “resorts”), we’d never stayed at a Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park until our visit to Guadalupe River, located in Kerrville in Texas Hill Country.
Now I know what we’ve been missing, and I better understand how it is that my RV friends can stay at a single campground with no side excursions for an entire weekend. Guadalupe River had plenty to keep my crew happily occupied — and that’s saying something because on this particular trip, our ages ranged from 6 years old to 18 years old and beyond.
Accommodations at Jellystone Park
Guadalupe River has a wide selection of non-RV accommodations. In fact, it boasts nine categories ranging from cabins (starting at $122/night) to cottages (starting at $153/night) to bungalows (starting at $182/night) in various parts of the park, sleeping four to eight people. All the units include a kitchen — some with a stove and some without. Linens are extra ($20/bed).
There are six categories of RV sites, most with paved pads and full hookups, ranging in price from $50 to $85/night. If you happen to be traveling with another family who doesn’t have an RV, this park is a perfect place to camp — with you at your RV site and your friends in a cabin, or vice versa.
While those nightly rates may be a little higher than you’re accustomed to paying, keep in mind that all campers get access to the water park and other amenities at the park. I actually found it to be a good value.
Photo: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Guadalupe River 
Photo: Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Camp-Resort Guadalupe River
KidTripster Tip: Guadalupe River is a large campground. If your family is like mine, they’ll want to be close to the water park. That means, you should reserve a spot in sites 1-8 or 71-119 if you’re an RVer. Also, I’d look for a spot on the end of a row, as the lawn space is a little larger. The park does rent golf carts (starting $56/day), but we found them to be unnecessary.
Guadalupe River recommends making reservations six months in advance. If you’re thinking ahead to the 2024 Solar Eclipse, fill out an interest form now.
Activities at Jellystone Park
Here’s where Guadalupe River shines with a dizzying array of amenities and activities. With its daily offerings, it felt like being on a cruise ship where you need to strategically plan your schedule. However, it’s important to note that — like a cruise — not everything is free. Some activities involve an extra fee.
Let’s begin with what is included: the water park, which was a huge hit with everyone in my family. The water area has two racing slides and two corkscrew slides. The 242-foot Guadaloop-de-loop with its one- and two-person inflatables and oversized funnel was our favorite. (Must be 42-inches to ride any of the slides.) Next, you have Yogi Bear’s Water Zone with four slides for little tykes, countless shooting cannons and dumping buckets. Finally, relax in the three outdoor pools or one indoor pool. Cabana rentals (starting at $69/day) are available, but we, again, found those to be unnecessary.
Other family favorites included in your stay: mini golf, disc golf, gaga ball, basketball, sand volleyball, tetherball, horseshoes, billiards, jumping pillow and pad, scavenger hunt, “hey hey” rides, playgrounds, and a ninja playground which enticed even our teen. There are a number of fenced dog parks for your four-legged campers. The campground sits along the Guadalupe River where you can fish and go for nature walks. A short drive away, you can rent kayaks and canoes from Kerrville Kayak and Canoe.
Activities that involve an extra fee: laser tag, arcade, pedal carts, crafts, candy bingo, and gem mining.
Depending on the day, Guadalupe River offers bear meet-and-greets, glow roller skating, ice cream socials, movies and rocket launches, too; again, some involve extra fees. On our first night, the campground held a free foam dance party. It was a spectacle – two machines suspended in the air pouring out sudsy bubbles on top of willing participants’ heads. My young nephews declared it “the best campground shower ever!” It was memorable for sure!
If you do decide to leave the campground, explore some of the little Texan towns around Kerrville including Bandera, Comfort, Fredericksburg, and Luckenbach or a few of the 50 wineries in Texas Hill Country.
Dining at Jellystone Park
Guadalupe River offers some dining, though we didn’t have the occasion to sample. Cartoon Cafe serves up poolside snacks — like burgers, tacos and chicken wings. River Rock Pub and Pizzeria near the activity center offers brick oven pizzas and adult beverages, often with live music. Finally, the Ranger Station is home to a camp store with limited groceries and an ice cream counter.
If you’re looking for some off-site options, award-winning Buzzie’s BBQ and its famous brisket is less than five miles away. This joint has been voted “best brisket in Texas” by Texas Monthly and its owners won the title of Texas Champion on Destination America’s BBQ Pitmasters. (Note: closed on Monday and closes early on Sunday at 3 p.m.)
Getting to Jellystone Park
Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park Guadalupe River is a little over an hour’s drive from San Antonio and a two-hour drive from Austin.
Want more options in Texas Hill Country? Check out KidTripster’s review of Guadalupe River Houses (treehouses!) in New Braunfels or Geronimo Creek Retreat Treehouses and Cabins in Geronimo plus our weekend itineraries for both San Antonio and Austin.
