Exploring Fall Family Fun at Jellystone Park in Lodi
Hello, adventure seekers and nature enthusiasts! Are you looking for the perfect family-friendly camping getaway? Look no further than Jellystone Park in Lodi, a hidden gem nestled in the heart of California's beautiful wine country. This charming campground offers a world of outdoor excitement and family-friendly activities that will leave your kids begging to come back year after year.
Getting There
Jellystone Park in Lodi is conveniently located just a short drive from Sacramento and San Francisco, making it an ideal destination for families in Northern California. With easy access from major highways, you'll find your way to this haven of natural beauty without any fuss.
Accommodations
Whether you're a seasoned camper or prefer a little more comfort, Jellystone Park in Lodi has you covered. From tent sites to RV hookups and cozy cabins, there's an option for every type of adventurer. No need to rough it completely; you can enjoy modern amenities while still basking in the great outdoors. We stayed in the deluxe cabin, which slept 8 (twin bunks, a queen bed, 2 floor mattresses in the loft and a fold out full sleeper sofa) and purchased the linen options (loved that it came with towels, wash rags and face towels). The cabin also included a gas stove, over, refrigerator and microwave. All utensils, pots/pans, dishes and cups were also available for use.
Activities for Everyone
Water Fun: The highlight of Jellystone Park is it's amazing water attractions. The Water Zone features a giant water play structure, splash pads, and water slides, ensuring endless hours of wet and wild fun for kids of all ages. The lazy river was close, but our kids took FULL advantage of all the other water activities with it being about 80 degrees the weekend we went.
Recreation: Enjoy a game of mini-golf or explore the playground with equipment for all ages. My kids also loved the jumping pad and got all their energy out before dinner. Challenge the family to a friendly competition at the basketball and tennis courts. There's even a fishing pond where you can try your luck. Don’t forget to check out the lazer tag! It was just as fun for the adults as it was for the kids.
Outdoor Movies: Gather the family under the stars for outdoor movie nights. Bring your own popcorn, blankets, and meet friends in the outdoor theater for a memorable evening. Our favorite Halloween movie the Nightmare before Christmas was playing and my kids LOVED it.
Themed Weekends: Jellystone Park offers themed weekends throughout the year, featuring special activities and entertainment for the entire family. Halloween time is my personal favorite and they had so many fun activities, including a haunted mansion, trick or treating, golf cart decoration contests (people go ALL out so plan ahead) and costume contests (Best due, family, scariest, best DIY, etc.) that you could enter to win resort credit! The camper’s outdoor decorations were also SO good, it was like you were in a theme park! My kids loved just walking around and looking at the spooky set-ups. There was also a petting zoo on the weekend we went, which my youngest who is an animal lover absolutely flipped over. The magic pumpkin patch was also a fun festive activity. We buried ‘magic’ pumpkin seeds, said a spell and came back the next morning to find FULLY grown pumpkins. They also turn the pavilion into a scary haunted mansion at night, if your kids want to get spooked!
Yogi Bear™ and Friends: The beloved Yogi Bear™ and his friends make regular appearances, delighting children with meet-and-greets and interactive shows.
Nature Trails: Explore the beauty of Lodi's natural landscape with hiking trails and bird-watching opportunities. Don't forget your binoculars!
Arts and Crafts: Unleash your creative side with arts and crafts sessions that allow kids to make souvenirs to remember their visit. We got to do the tie dye shirts that were included in our fun pass!
Dining and Convenience
For those who prefer to dine out or need camping essentials, Lodi town is just a stone's throw away. You can explore local restaurants, wineries, and shops to complete your adventure. Prefer to eat in? You can also stop at a local grocery store about 15 minutes away and stock up on essentials or go to the on-site market if you forgot a camp essential. You can also buy firewood at the market, because bringing your own in was not allowed. We brought most of our own groceries but did treat the kids to a dinner at the Tower Park Waterfront Grille, which was convenient when you were too tired to cook.
Tips:
Was the Golf cart worth getting? I have a 3 year old who doesn’t like to walk and a 6 year old who brings a backpack of toys everywhere we go, so I thought it was perfect having the golf cart. It was also nice to have during trick or treating because the campgrounds are huge and of course my kids had to hit every campsite. If you’re not directly by the waterpark/pavilion it does get tiring walking back and forth, carrying all your things. If the golf cart is too expensive, I would suggest having a wagon, bike or scooter for the little kids to ride in.
Bring costumes and Halloween decor! They have multiple contests where you can earn resort credits like best group costumes, best decorated campsite, best golf cart, etc. Winners always seem to have a great theme!
Must bring items? The camping essentials like flashlights and bedding (or option to purchase there and delivered to your cabin for $61/ per bed and includes towels). Firewood can also be purchased at the market on site. Bring groceries, snacks and drinks, there is a small market on site but things are a little more expensive than they would be at the grocery store. We also saw people fishing with their own poles and fishing supplies. There was plenty of room on the dock, so bring your gear and take the kids fishing!
There’s a grocery store in Rio Vista before crossing the bridge that you can stop at before arriving in Lodi if you need to stock up on anything. We also found a walmart about 15 minutes away in the case you forget any essentials and need to stock up.
The fun pass included a lot of the activities, so if you think your kid would like to partake in any of the lazer tag, tie dye, etc. this is definitely a way to save money. Ours included a halloween glow bucket, a light up necklace, a free icee from the market, day time lazer tag, a pucker powder stick, a halloween golf ball, a glitter tattoo, a halloween water bottle, a magic pumpkin experience and the tie dye experience.