North Carolina Jellystone Park Locations Prepare to Welcome Families this Weekend

Each resort is a locally operated, independent franchise. Guests are encouraged to contact parks directly for the most current information and to make reservations. The Jellystone Park in Cherokee remains closed, with the owner hoping to open soon.

“There’s a huge pent-up demand among parents and kids to get outside,” said Trent Hershenson, vice president of Marketing. He noted that Jellystone Park is helping resort owners open safely. “Our goal is to do everything we can to make sure everyone has a fun experience and feels comfortable staying at a North Carolina Jellystone Park.”

In keeping with social distancing guidelines, some services and amenities, including pools and splashgrounds, are not available right now, but locations hope to open them in the coming weeks. Depending upon the resort, guests will be encouraged to hike, fish, bike and participate in activities such as gem mining, scavenger hunts, character appearances, mini golf, and arts and crafts sessions by appointment. Virtual activities and campsite activity kits may be available. Activities, services and amenities vary by park.

“Camping and glamping are really about families spending time together outdoors,” Hershenson said. “Hiking, making s’mores around a campfire and just relaxing in a luxury cabin or your own RV are great ways to unwind and bring back a sense of normalcy to life.”

The parks are following federal, state, and local authorities’ directives, and they have been provided with best practices and recommendations from the nation’s leading health organizations. In addition to social distancing requests, guests can expect enhanced sanitation procedures, including more frequent cleaning of restrooms (if open), increased use of disinfectants during cabin servicing, and cleaning of golf carts and bicycles between rentals. Hand sanitizer dispensers have placed around parks, and some employees will be wearing masks.