Yogi on the Lake - Campground Review

Our sunset view at Yogi on the Lake from our campsite.


We visited Yogi on the Lake in Pelahatchi, MS, for Labor Day Weekend.  This Jellystone campground located in central Mississippi has lots of amenities and provides accommodations for every camper.  From tents to cabins and RV sites, anyone could come to Yogi on the lake and have an excellent time.  As a private campground, how did this resort-style camping experience stack up to our expectations?


Yogi on the Lake is a Good Sam campground.  Members receive 10% off of their reservation.  This alone paid for my Good Sam Membership for the year from my one camping trip.  There are lots of Good Sam campgrounds around the country, and you can use your membership for a discount at these parks - including Jellystone parks.

We enjoyed meals at our picnic table during our stay.

Campsites

We found the campground to have plenty of sites.  However, if you are planning a trip for a holiday weekend, book early.  This popular spot was booked completely for Labor Day.  Halloween is another popular holiday.  You can make online reservations, but I have found that calling campgrounds can be beneficial in getting the best spots with options that are important to your group.

This campground has three types of sites available:
  • Tent Sites
  • Cabins
  • RV Sites
Tent Sites
There are 22 tent sites available.  Some of the tent sites are shady, but some are totally exposed to the elements.  I would call the campground and ask for recommendations for a shady spot if you are camping during the spring and summer so that you are not so hot.  Tent camping really is a bargain at Yogi on the Lake.  You get all of the amenities as any camper at $29 a night.  This price includes water and electric.  Bathhouse facilities are located near the camping sites.

Cabins
If you don't own any camping gear, rent a cabin.  These range in price from $89 per night to $299 per night.  There is a big difference in the prices are based on the number of people the cabin sleeps to the types of amenities.  The cabins don't include linens.  The Boo Boo Cabins don't include a bathroom, but for about $30 extra, you can rent a cabin with a full bath.  Check the amenities for each cabin to make sure that it has the features you will want and need during your stay.  Consider if you need a full kitchen or a kitchenette.  Some of the cabins are also on the water, and most are shady.  The cabins seem to be a great option.  Cabins are another way for friends and family to join you at the campground when they don't have an RV.  

RV Sites
You can rent Off Lake Sites, Waterfront Sites, Premium and Deluxe Sites for RVs.  We rented a Waterfront Site (311) and had a beautiful view of the lake.  Our spot was shady and level.   The Off Lake and Waterfront Sites are all gravel pads.  The Premium and Deluxe Sites are the ones that we liked the most.  These sites have concrete pads and full hookups.  Site P1, P3, P4, P5, and P14 are considered Delux sites.  They have the nicest views of the lake and water from this section of the campground.  I liked P3 and P4 the best in this area.

Our son was fascinated by the geese and really enjoyed watching them during our stay.

I enjoyed being able to cook outdoors near the water

Our site included a picnic table, fire ring, and attached grill.  We also had cable.  I felt like it was a good site but it was far from the activities.  The was the only downside to our site.

If you are RV Camping, I would recommend the Deluxe or Premium Sites.  These sites are nearest the action and would not require the use of a golf cart or a car.  You are close to the pool, camp store, golf and more.  I think that these sites are worth the money.  

The Off Lake Sites start at $39 a night.  If you rent a golf cart, this could cost you as much as $64 a day.  This alone is $108 a day.  Premium or Deluxe sites are $62 or $69 a night.  This is the cost of a golf cart rental alone.  Well worth the savings to be in the action on a paved pad.  I also felt like the other camping sites were really crowded because of the number of sites surrounding us.  There are far less Premium and Deluxe sites.  By sheer numbers alone, you have fewer people.  When we go back, we have already decided that we would prefer a Premium or Deluxe site.  You can see a full map of the campground to help you better decide.

Camp Store

Yogi on the Lake has one of the nicest camp stores that I have ever seen.  It is full of souvenirs, food, paper goods, camping gear, and cold beverages.  The food options at the store were more than basic, and if you forgot something at home there were quite a few options to keep you from having to leave the park.  Firewood is available for sale and a whole selection of s'more items.  The staff is friendly at the store and available to answer questions as needed.    

Amenities

This is what draws in so many campers to Jellystone parks each year.  There is no shortage of activities at Yogi on the Lake.  You can participate in:
  • Put Put Golf
  • Water Activities - Slide and Pool
  • Water Rentals - Including boats and floating tricycles
  • Fishing
  • Crafts
  • Outdoor Movies 
  • Jump Pad
  • Tennis
  • Corn Hole
  • Gaga Ball
  • Hey Hey Rides 
  • Cafe
  • Sunday Church Service
  • and more...
When you arrive at the campground, guests receive a visitor packet that includes a list of activities with the schedule.  You can participate in as many or as few as you like.  We didn't take advantage of all of the activities, but we did what was just right for our family. 

On a hot holiday weekend, the pool and slides were in high demand.  I thought that the staff kept the water play areas clean.  However, given the demand, there were not enough chairs for the guests staying there.  They could certainly add additional chairs and shade at the pool.  This is one improvement that would be nice.

The splash pad and water slides are both features our son enjoyed.

We also enjoyed cooling off in the pool.


We also enjoyed the crafts.  Our son painted a ceramic.  The craft center also had tee shirts and sand art.  It was a nice break from the heat in the mid-afternoon.  The selection of activities was nice, and there was plenty of room to spread out and work.  Even with several families working on crafts at the same time as us, we didn't feel crowded.

The activity center provided us with a break from the heat during the day.


If you are staying at one of the campsites that are farther away from the action, I recommend getting a golf cart.  You can certainly bike and walk, but in the heat, it is a lot.  Plus, my knee is out of commission.  So, biking is not part of the plan for me right now.  However, it is 

It was a great weekend at Yogi on the Lake.

We felt like this Jellystone park was worth the drive and money.  Sure, it is more expensive than a state park, but the amenities are well worth the price.  Our cost for three nights of camping, on a waterfront site during a holiday weekend was $253.12.  At $84.37 a night, this fee included taxes and all of the amenities the campground included. 

I liked that we had lots of options, but the beauty of the campground alone was enough too.  Our son begged to eat every meal outdoors in the heat just to watch the geese.  We plan to return next year for another weekend trip.  I think that a non-holiday weekend would be less crowded.

Have you tried a Jellystone Campground or resort-style camping?  We still love state parks and spending time in nature.  I felt like Yogi on the Lake gave us both.

Until next time...

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