Building a Campground
Please note, LSI does not purchase land, finance construction, or build a campground for you.
Our franchise concept offers developers and newcomers to the RV Park and Campground industry a complete education and marketing program to help them become profitable at a faster rate than they would as an independent park operator.
Our widely recognized Yogi Bear™ brand attracts the family camping market which is a clientele more profitable than the Baby Boomer market. Family campers are also more price resistant (rather than always looking for a discount), and offer more opportunities for ancillary revenue streams within the campground. For example, the average ancillary income for an overnight site in a Jellystone Park™ for 2016 was $19.83 per site – on top of the site fee.
Requirements & Facts
Minimum Financial Requirements: Net Worth $1,000,000
Liquid Assets: $500,000
Land: A minimum of 30 usable acres of land, already in your possession
Initial Development: 125 RV Sites, 4 cabins, swimming pool, store, modern bathhouse, commercial pavilion, playground equipment
Average Cost: $2.5-$10 million (excludes the cost of land and additional costs such as engineering and permitting)
Based on historical data and certain assumptions, our estimated costs are realistic, but actual costs may vary greatly. These costs are offered only as a starting point to evaluate the feasibility of building a new Jellystone Park™ campground. Local zoning, environmental impact studies, highway traffic studies, local sewer and water impact/usage fees need to be understood by you, the developer. Neighboring properties may voice a concern with traffic, noise and other issues regarding your project. It is suggested that you obtain their feedback before starting any project. We strongly urge you to investigate and make your own informed determination as to costs and feasibility before beginning any construction.
The Process
- Contact our Director of Franchise Sales & Development to discuss the viability of your plan
- Complete our New Build Franchise Request form
- Submit a five-year business plan for review by the Director of Franchise Sales
- Provide proof of financing
Developing a campground can be a challenge given some local planning and zoning issues, but with a solid business plan and realistic goals, our franchise can offer the brand recognition and support to help you through the process.
Please note, LSI does not purchase land, finance construction, or build a campground for you.
Erv & Marilyn Banes – Frankenmuth, MI
We decided to convert to the Jellystone Park™ system in 1996 because the market conditions were changing. Several of our colleagues had converted and grown in the process. We found that by changing our customer base to families, rather than seniors, we expanded.
The advantage of a Jellystone Park™ is that it is so much more alive than the average park. Plu… Read more
Joey Coleman & Rick Coleman – Tabor City, NC
In 2001, we began a unique challenge to build a campground on our family farm 35 miles inland from Myrtle Beach. People responded to our design of large concrete pads, full hook-ups, plenty of open space, and ultimate customer service. But we soon had “growing pains” with procedures and operations.
In 2003, we joined Jellystone Park™. The operations… Read more
Bill Pott – Cave City, KY
I really like the way it brings me a nice class of customers. I get happy families. I get people who want to come and to spend money to have fun. They enjoy our park. It’s just wonderful they way they come in, and you get so many that want to meet the other guests, they want to go have fun on the Jumping Pillow, then they want to go to the Splash Pad – and they want … Read more
Rick Spear – Estes Park, CO
We’ve been in the Jellystone franchise system for 20 years this year. It was a family endeavor to begin with, but over those 20 years we’ve seen significant growth of our campground. In particular, just the last three years in a row we’ve been up double digits, 10-11% points three years in a row. We’ve really been coming on strong, and continue to see good grow… Read more
Brent Fannin – Delaware Beaches
2011 was our first year as a Yogi Bear’s Jellystone Park™. We saw record occupancy levels with increases of more than 35% year over year! The addition of nine cabins to our park yielded occupancy levels well over 90% each weekend! The conversion to a Jellystone Park™ did exactly what we expected – it grew our business.
Theresa Isaacson – Caledonia, WI
We’re going to be entering our 13th season, and I sure would hate to own a property without being Yogi branded. The reason we really like Jellystone Parks is because of the support behind us. With 80 other parks in the system, we have 80 sources of question-and-answer type people to go to. The support is wonderful. The franchise, the LSI system itself – their … Read more
Roger & Anna Barry – Fremont, IN
When we joined the Jellystone Park™ system in 1980, we were a small operation without a plan. What we have learned through the years from LSI and our fellow Yogi Bear™ owners and operators has been extremely valuable. We now have over 500 sites, RV Sales, waterslides, and a seven family member team of owners and operating managers. We couldn’t have done it w… Read more
Chip Smith – Monticello, IA
We got into the Jellystone brand at the beginning of last year. This is the end of our first season. We are pretty excited about it. What I like most about the brand is the fact that they are drawing in families from three hours away. They all know what we’re there for, and they’re willing to spend a longer time at our park than just the weekend. The investme… Read more
Denny Quigley & Tami Alessio – Harrisville, PA
2011 was our first year as a Jellystone Park™. Since then, we have definitely noticed that we are attracting a lot more guests from a much larger radius that extends nationwide. And we are seeing more guests from Canada. Over this three year time period, our store sales have increased almost 45%! The increased business also helped to allow us to do… Read more