PA - Quarryville Yogi Bear

[MACK C-85]

We really enjoyed this campground last year, nice activities for the kids convenient to Strasburg and Lancaster Area activities, however.........

While browsing the website to make some reservations for this season, I discovered they have put in a new water park, and essentially doubled all of thier rates from last year A basic 30 amp W/S/E site that was about $45 a night is now $88

It will be interesting to see how this effects thier business. We will not be going there as much (three weekends last year), if at all, this year because we can't justify the cost increase. I would much rather pay the $10 entry fee if we were going to use the water park vs. an extra $80 per weekend to camp.

[Al in PA]

While I'm sure they spent a lot to put in a water park, it doesn't justify $88 per night. They should recoup their investment from water park admission fees, not from campground fees. With family budgets straining in the past few years, I'd be surprised if they get many campers at this summer's prices.

As an alternative, you might want to check out Knoebels Amusement Park in Elysburg, PA. The admission is free and they have a campground at the park. You pay-as-you-go buying tickets for the rides that you/kids really want to use. They also have good food and a picnic area if you bring your own food. Check out their website:

http://www.knoebels.com/family-vacation.asp

Personally, I prefer J&D Campground which is one mile down the road. The sites are larger and it is much more relaxing.

http://www.hikercentral.com/campgrounds/110160.html

[MACK C-85]

Al: We went to Knoebels last August and I must say it wasn't one of our best experiences. The park was extremely crowded, it seemed like everyone was having an end of year picnic. Long walk from car, the people (customers) in the park were very rude, the gravel in most of the areas made it very difficult to push my 79 year old mother-in-law around in a wheel chair, and the pay as you go got real expensive real quick with two kids. Anyhow, it will be a cold day in......before I get mdfiregal back there. I had lots of people tell me how nice it was, but not our experience.

We stayed at thier Lake Glory Campground that is about 3-4 miles away. We passed J&D in between Lake Glory and Knoebels. The campground was nice, but we got caught in a storm and lost the awning on our trailer to extreme rain. Actually believe that there was a small tornado through the camp(others lost awnings, roofs, tents, and several trees down) but, that wasn't campgrounds fault.

Anyhow, I agree that Quarryville will see a drop in their business. We are already looking at cutting back this year between increased fuel costs, MD's new Spendacrat Gov. has raised the sales tax, raised just about every other tax, plus allowed the power company huge increases, the end result being a big hit in the disposable income for camping trips. When I can go to most other campgrounds in the area for $50 a night I won't be going to Quarryville to pay for a water park I probably won't use.

[Al in PA]

MACK C-85:

I'm sorry to hear that things have changed for the worse at Knoebels in the past few years. When our kids were young, it still had its old fashioned charm. I know that it wasn't fun for a person in a wheel chair on the gravel surface or for the person pushing them. Thanks for the update on the park's atmosphere.

[MACK C-85]

I got the brochure today....in addition to the doubling of the fees they have added a $7 per person, per night, for the first three nights "Resort Activity Fee" and have also changed the rules to limit to two pets (we have three). Bye, Bye Quarryville Jellystone.....I figure they might last the season. When I can still go to approximately 15 miles away to Old Mill Stream for $55 a night, I will not be paying $136

[Diane]

I've not stayed in a Jellystone facility and will certainly not go to this one. With all the economic concerns in this country, why would a campground/resort raise prices and establish new fees that equal some hotel rooms? Makes no sense to me.

[MACK C-85]

Makes no sense to me either, my kids love Dutch Wonderland and with the prices at Quarryville. I can go to Old Mill Stream and in 2.4 trips pay for the season passes at DW. Like I said, it will surprise me if they make it through the season.

[MACK C-85]

They have redone their website, and now the rates state that the $7 "resort activity fee" for four people is included. However, that is still a doubling of their daily total rate. Just wanted to clarify, still won't be going back.