Yogi Bear RV Park: A Nice Place with a Not-So-Nice Customer Experience
If you're looking for a picturesque spot to park your RV, Yogi Bear RV Park might catch your eye. Nestled near Lake Michigan it looks like the perfect getaway at first glance. The facilities are clean, the grounds are well-maintained, and the park itself is beautiful. However, beneath the charming exterior lies an experience that’s far from relaxing.
Nickel-and-Dime Nightmare
At Yogi Bear, it feels like you're being charged for every breath you take. Sure, the nightly rate might seem reasonable, but be prepared to shell out extra for just about everything else.
Even basic amenities are up for grabs. Need to use the laundry facilities? Get ready to pay, want to do a craft with your child yep that will be $26 for a $1.50 ceramic that was purchased at the Dollar Tree. Thinking of using the playing a family game or riding a bike they supply Yep, those have a fee too. And don’t even think about having guests over without paying an additional “visitor” fee, which conveniently increases periodically and parking a personal vehicle is horrible as you vehicles can barely fit on your site without hanging in the road.
Prison-Like Patrols
As if the constant charges weren’t enough, Yogi Bear RV Park is run with the strictness of a high-security prison. The park's staff, or “wardens” as they’re often referred to by the guests, are always on patrol. They drive around at all hours, meticulously checking that your license plate matches your hang tag, that your car is park on your site and don't ever forget to hang that pink tag in window.
Curfew is strictly enforced, and anyone on park playground and play accessories is rushed out at 9:00 no questions asked while leaving your child wondering what just happened as they were having the time of their life.
Security cameras are positioned at every angle, and it feels like they’re watching your every move (look at the office and recreational building) Even harmless activities like grilling or sitting around a campfire are subject to scrutiny.
The park rules are so rigid and comprehensive that they could rival a legal document. Expect to receive a stern warning if your RV steps an inch over the line or if your dog’s leash isn’t the exact length specified in the rulebook. And forget about having any late-night gatherings—even low-key chats by the campfire are considered disturbances. Camper beware as you will be removed from the park if you do not purchase their firewood if they catch you bringing wood from your home or a place that's much cheaper such as their price of $56 for 31 pieces of wood. We were questioned for 5 mins because the wood on our site didn't match the color of the wood they sell and was finally allowed to burn it yet we purchased it at the main office. The employee made us feel like criminals and the whole encounter shocked us to say the least.
Final Thoughts
Yogi Bear Rv Park is a beautiful place to stay , very clean and well maintained facilities if you’re willing to overlook the constant fees and the uncomfortable, heavily-monitored dystopian environment. While the scenery might be inviting, the experience is anything but If you’re looking for a peaceful, relaxing vacation, this isn’t the place for you. However, if you don’t mind feeling like you’re under surveillance and paying extra for every little thing you do, then Yogi Bear RV Park in South Haven Michigan might just be...
Read moreOur three-day stay at this campground left much to be desired. While my aunt had already paid for a cabin and a campsite, upon arrival, we were bombarded with additional fees. $7 per day for the car, and an extra $12 per person per day, on top of the already paid-for campsite, felt excessive.
Although the park itself was clean and well-maintained, with decent facilities and a pool, the small campsites were a disappointment, especially when compared to state campgrounds. While there were plenty of activities for kids, most of them came with additional fees, which felt like nickel-and-diming.
To add insult to injury, the staff's attitude was less than welcoming. I was met with condescending remarks when I raised concerns about the wet, green wood we received after paying $100 for firewood. The response, "Would you like me to send somebody to light your fire for you?" was not only unhelpful but downright disrespectful.
Overall, the campground's controlling atmosphere, coupled with the numerous extra fees, left a sour taste in our mouths. For close to $2,000 for three nights, we expected better treatment and value for our money. Next time, we'll be opting for a state campground where the prices are more reasonable, and the staff treats customers...
Read moreThe rooms and grounds at Yogi Jellystone Park are clean and well maintained, which we appreciated. However, our experience was let down by unfriendly staff and a restrictive atmosphere. We waited over ten minutes at the gift shop while the staff took a phone reservation, with no apology or even a bag offered for our purchase.
Many amenities opened late or closed early, which was frustrating since we paid for access and planned our days around the posted times. On top of that, there were lots of extra charges and strict rules, and some neighbors seemed to complain about everything.
Overall, while the property is nice, the staff and overall environment would make me think twice...
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