Jellystone Park in WF not just for pic-a-nics
When I was young, we were a large family on a grad student income. Rocky Mountain National Park was an hour away, so we enjoyed tent-camping in the mountains amidst some of the best scenery in the country. When I came to Texas, I discovered camping meant fire ants, mosquitoes, and humidity, so it never had much appeal. When I attended a function at the Burleson Jellystone, however, I discovered a glamping sub-culture that I had no idea existed.
Aha! There was a Jellystone Park Camp-Resort in Wichita Falls! With theming based on Hanna Barbera’s Yogi Bear and friends, it offered an assortment of cabins, RV parking space, and tent camping options. An app published the day’s schedule, so you would know when to join the Hey-Hey-Hey Ride, paintball, or Candy Bar Bingo. If you weren’t in the mood for group activities, there were numerous options for freestyle recreation.
It began in 2010 as the Coyote Ranch RV Resort and joined the Jellystone franchise from 2014-2020, balancing a dual identity up until the shutdowns. In 2021, Northgate Resorts acquired the property, rejoining the Jellystone franchise. This summer, we visited it for the first time under its new ownership.
Different tiers of cabins were always set at different price points with different amenities. Under new management, however, even the best cabins now require you to bring your own bedding. A checklist of things-to-bring is provided prior to booking. Previously, you could encounter a variety of barnyard animals in their petting zoo. Those have been rehomed. Bring your own DVDs or streaming devices if you want to unwind after a full day, because the video library was packed up.
Another change involved laser tag. Before, the resort fee allowed you to play for the whole session. Participants were limited by the amount of equipment, giving incentive for on-time attendance. Now, laser tag is priced a la carte per-round. And that’s clunky if there are few people there at the start time. If a big group shows up after your round concludes, you need to leave the area and pay for another round with no guarantee on how long it might take to play again. For activities involving consumables, such as paintball, paying perround makes a lot of sense, but for laser tag, it felt like nickel-and-diming.
Construction was underway on a new water slide and a renovated splash pad. We spent many hours enjoying the pools, human maze, and mini golf opportunities. The Wet ‘n Wild Hay Ride was conducted with vigor and the Gaga Ball staff were attentive and enthusiastic. Everyone had a great time playing in the foam in the bubble pit and jumping on the massive bounce pillows. Register 24 hours in advance for the Pizza Party, which includes a visit from Yogi Bear and pizza served on a Jellystone Frisbee.
Since it’s only 45 minutes from Olney, consider a day pass outing, or make a weekend of it. Check their website for prices, hours, and availability at wichitafallsjellystonepark. com.
Olney may be a small town, but there are so many adventures right in our backyard. E-mail scenicrouteolney@gmail.com to share your favorite family-friendly area outings. Deanna Baran moved to Olney in 2006, and no matter where she goes, she’s always happy to come home.