Perryville Campground becomes Missouri’s third Jellystone Park Camp-Resort this season as it re-opens with a host of new amenities and activities ready to welcome guests of all ages.
“We’re really excited about the improvements we’re making and the fact that we’re going to be operating as a Jellystone Park,” said park manager Nathaniel Gabriel. “We’re trying to get people into the park and show them that it’s not the same campground anymore.”
The campground, which first opened 40 years ago, had its official grand opening as a Jellystone Park over Memorial Day weekend. The Perryville campground will be Missouri’s third, complementing other Jellystone Park locations in Forsyth and Eureka. It is conveniently located off I-55, about 80 miles south of St. Louis.
Gabriel said he plans to bring continuity of management and consistent improvements to the park, including upgrading its water, sewer and electrical hookups.
The park store and restrooms have been remodeled, giant inflatable water toys have been added, and new landscaping and re-graveled campsites installed throughout the campground, whose RV and tent sites are complemented by four primitive and five full-service cabins.
“Our goal is to give the park that ‘Wow!’ factor as you pull up,” Gabriel said, adding that the park has beautiful 100-year-old oak, sycamore and hickory trees, and provides access to a 4.4 mile hiking trail around Perry County Lake.
In addition to featuring daily appearances by Yogi Bear, the Jellystone Park in Perryville will have a dramatically expanded arts and crafts program.
“We have a designated recreation center where children and their families can create birdhouses, ceramics, tie dye t-shirts and other crafts with fabric products,” Gabriel said. “We will also have crafts using recycled materials to make it educational too.”
The park’s summer activities calendar is filled with Jellystone Park’s signature theme weekends; consider saying ole to June 26-27, a fiesta-themed celebration of fun with activities, crafts, and a Fiesta Buffet. Or Christmas in July (July 17-18); Chocolate Weekend spreads across the July 31-August 1, with plenty of sweet activities to satisfy your sugar cravings.
The park is also a great home base for checking out nearby Southeast Missouri wineries like Apple Creek Vineyard and Winery, and the Cave Vineyard, where you can enjoy your wine selections and a picnic deep underground in a natural saltpeter cave.
Southeast Missouri Jellystone Park is located on Lake Drive in Perryville, MO. Visit the park’s website, www.semojellystone.com, or call 573.547.8303 to find out more and make reservations.
