Yogi Bear’s Sturbridge Jellystone Park

A siren is heard in the campground on a Saturday afternoon in the fall. Small children stop their play and a sense of excitement fills the air. Soon with red lights flashing, a small fire truck appears. Is there an emergency? No! Seated atop the fire truck s a smiling Yogi Bear waving to all as he passes by.

Just one of the many small entertainments that keep many families returning to Sturbridge Jellystone for the season. The campground has a high seasonal population of tightly packed campsites. With a 30' travel trailer we were put in a section where campers are parked back to back with only a few feet seperation. Wooden fences separate neighbors on each side. 

While we have used Sturbridge Jellystone for visits to the area a number of times in the last 30 years the charm of the past is fading as the toll of the years shows in the the overall condition of utilities and signs of needed maintenance. 

The desk staff seemed very preoccupied on our Friday evening arrival. I managed to register while the clerk was busy on the phone with an acquaintance discussing visits to Connecticut casinos. I waited for the conversation to end to get directions to our campsite.

The campstore offers the usual assortment of needed items, quick pick grocery items as well as souvenirs of your visit. The campground grill offers a wide variety of food and snacks. The hours of operation are convenient vary according to the season.

The attractions of the area are a visit to Old Sturbridge Village. It's pricey for a family but a wonderful education of a past era. Local shopping includes a visit to the Yankee Peddler, The Handmaiden and Basketville. There are many stores familiar to most New Englanders such as Walmart, Marshals and Shaws Supermarket nearby. 

One of my favorite past trips to the area included a stop at Rom's family restaurant. From the look of the parking lot it is still as popular as ever. I hope to return for a mid week visit to see if the long buffet featuring a huge Steamship Round is still available.

In the fall their are a number of apple orchards ready for picking and there are great times to be had searching for the perfect pumpkin. Nearby are the well known Brookfield Antique Flea Markets, check local calendars for dates and times.

The Quabbin reservoir is within a 40 minute drive. The Quabbin region provides a multitude of outdoor recreation. For more information visit:http://www.northquabbinwoods.org.