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Nestled beside the Maquoketa River in Monticello between Dubuque and Cedar Rapids, Yogi Bear’s Jellystone ParkTM at Monticello is a family friendly camping destination that has been a family tradition since 1974 and widely recognized as one of the premier campgrounds in Iowa. Relax and enjoy the unique seasons of Iowa in your tent or RV – or one of our rental cabins and campers. Enjoy our heated pool while the kids enjoy our planned activities. Monticello Jellystone welcomes families and groups of all sizes. We are open from April to October.
From jct US 151 & Hwy 38N: Go 3 mi N on Hwy 38 N.
Our family has enjoyed many years of fun at walnut acres campground! It wasn't until recent ownership and management has taken over that the place has gone downhill. The new ownership does not bother to make it the enjoyable experience it once was, rather they would like to fabricate false statements from multiple family members regarding payment, telling us before hand where our campsites were and what those stipulations were and then not following through with what the stipulations were as well as the new management is very unprofessional in their customer service skills. I personally don't appreciate managements fabricated words about myself and others. They have all the activities to make it great like it used to be, unfortunately for us we will be searching for another park that we can continue to enjoy labor day weekend.
We decided to have a family get away and brought a friend for our 9 year old daughter. We reserved a Lakefront camping spot near the rental cabins. 2 days before our arrival, I get a text message about them closing the water course. That was crushing to the 2 girls looking so forward to it. The camping spots were very small and filthy. Cigarette butts everywhere, dog poop around the fire ring, and when you are stuck behind a cabin, you get the thrill of 2 mini split condensers, and large LP tank, and pvc drain piping staring you right in the face the entire time. Our premium site was so small that we barely had enough space for a 12'x12' awning between our camper and the condensers and LP tank. Starting your camping trip by cleaning your camping site of dog poop and cigarette butts is a great way to enjoy your stay. My opinion is there are too many permanent campers there and the hosts have lost site of how to maintain a campground. Wood delivered to the campsites was nice...but that was the only plus. We won't be back.
Our family has spent the past 14 years frequenting this campground for Labor Day and until recent years have thoroughly enjoyed our stays. To say this place has changed, not for the better, since new ownership took over is an understatement. The grounds for the most part are well kept, with the exception of a bath/shower house that hasn't been fixed for 2 years, and there are things for the kids to do if you want to pay for them. Everything costs extra at this campground so be prepared. Under current ownership, service and attention to the customer experience that made this campground a sought after location have taken a back seat to a staff that does not care what type of experience you have as long as they get paid. There was a multitude of miss communication leading up to and during the stay. All of which, our group was accused of fabricating truths and not paying the many many upcharge fees this campground has to offer.
We will be looking for a new gathering spot to enjoy quality family time and I recommend if you are reading this review you do the same.
We were there this past weekend. Prior to coming, found out the WitBit was closed for safety purposes which is understandable. However, the campsite where we stayed on the lakeside were small. People would walk through your campsite to get to the camper beside us from their cabin. The campsite was not clean at all - trash on the ground, cigarette butts everywhere. The kids enjoyed seeing the characters, park and bouncy pad behind the pool, which was a good part about the campground. Pricing for things were a little too high in the store. Some of the staff didn't look happy there. The service to have firewood delivered was good as the staff was friendly and enjoyed seeing our dogs. But it is not a campground that we would not be going back any time soon if we go at all.
Unfortunately, I wish I could put a better review. But a big tip for people trying to go here if your whole party isn't on your reservation your guests coming to visit you are charged a $10 admission fee per person for anyone over the age of 3, if your guest wants to go on the lake jungle gym it's $25 per person. But the standard not very well-treated chemical pool is the only activity for guests that's free with admission. Service was okay but could have been better. watch out for the speed limit on the roads through the park is 5 miles per hour and almost everyone disregards that and drives fast enough to kick up dust on the gravel roads and the speed limit isn't enforced either. And finally, the golf cart rentals were OUTRAGEOUS the carts had to be returned every time they needed a simple charge, and the carts barely held a charge if you're lucky. The experience they promise isn't the experience my family received most likely we will not return.
