CONTRIBUTED CONTENT — The long-awaited grand opening of Zion Utah Jellystone Park Resort in Hurricane is just around the corner. Scott Nielson, both the visionary behind the project and its sole owner, recently announced that construction of the first phase is complete and the final touches are being added.

“We’re opening Memorial Day weekend given we don’t have any unforeseeable delays, such as a final permit. The city has passed us off on nearly everything and have been positive on meeting that date.” Nielson said. “We’re ready for that deadline.” 

Zion Utah Jellystone Park Resort is the first water zone and amenity-rich, family-oriented RV park in Southern Utah. The resort will be open all year long to welcome visitors from around the world as well as locals looking for a next-level daycation.

The resort aims to create a fun and relaxing experience for both kids and adults, Nielson said. A dynamic lineup of all-ages events and activities has been designed to provide guests with a wealth of entertainment options to enjoy during their stay. 

Families can make memories while watching movies, tie-dying shirts, painting ceramics, enjoying hay wagon rides and much more. The resort will also host themed weekends with appearances by Yogi Bear and other favorite characters.

Indeed, there’s plenty to see and do throughout the 53-acre resort. The first phase of the sprawling property features nearly 100 campsites, two comfort stations, two pavilions and the ranger station, which is a clubhouse with a gift shop and convenience store. Numerous food options will be available, including pizza, wings, tacos, barbecue, hand-scooped ice cream and frozen custard.

Located conveniently near the pristine lake and sandy white beach are 11 Yogi Bear cabins, which sleep up to 12 people each. Each is a custom mini home with dual master bedrooms and bathrooms, an upstairs loft for the kids, a kitchen and an outdoor deck with its own fire pit. Specific units are pet-friendly.

The resort also features 26 Boo Boo daycation pods, an ideal base camp for day guests. Designed to offer a comfortable retreat, they provide plenty of room to change, gather for lunch or simply relax and unwind while the kids continue to burn off excess energy throughout the park. These units are expected to be available in mid-June. 

With the Boo Boo daycation pods, you’ll receive three water zone passes. Additional occupants cost $27.50 each and are unlimited. However, parking is still limited to the amount of vehicles that can be parked at your campsite, so guests in larger groups will need to plan accordingly and carpool.

For locals, the best way to enjoy water activities at Zion Utah Jellystone Park Resort this summer is by booking a “daycation” at one of the Boo Boo daycation pods or a campsite. The water zone opens at 10 a.m. daily and closes at 6 p.m. 

“This is ideal for locals that want to simply spend one entire day at our resort and water zone, yet have the flexibility to drive home before the sun sets, or stay later and roast s’mores and hot dogs by the open fire ring located at each campsite,” Nielson said.

Of course, the main attraction is the 4-plus-acre Yogi Bear Water Zone. Thrilling adventures await on the waterslides: two speeder slides, a body slide and the dome-shaped “plunge bowl” slide. There’s a lap pool for adults, two hot tubs and a large kids’ pool that features aquatic basketball, and don’t forget the over 700-linear-foot lazy river perfect for guests’ relaxation needs.

A WIBIT Water Obstacle Course is located on the pond and will be available for guests to enjoy their whole stay for an additional charge. It features 16 components including a large action tower, monkey bars, a 12-foot springboard cliff and much more.

Families can enjoy a variety of games on dry land as well, including table tennis, pickleball, basketball, cornhole, ladder toss and outdoor laser tag. The resort also offers unique attractions like an inflatable jump pillow and pits for playing gaga, a high-energy variant of dodgeball.

Nielson said that Southern Utah locals have been eagerly anticipating the opening of the resort, and especially the water zone, for years. His team is currently exploring options that will allow visitors to access the water zone on a day-use basis, but it’s dependent on parking availability and resort occupancy. 

They’re also working with the city of Hurricane to resolve parking concerns.   Meanwhile, you can book your daycation or staycation and enjoy everything the resort has to offer.  

Building a water zone in Southern Utah has been no easy feat, Nielson said. It’s an ambitious project that other developers have tried, yet failed to bring to fruition.

One of the largest challenges Nielson’s team encountered during the construction of Zion Utah Jellystone Park Resort was the area’s geographic makeup. The resort sits atop a bed of igneous rock from a nearby dormant volcano that erupted millions of years ago. 

“We had to blast and hammer every square inch in order to lay miles of sewer, water, power, communications and other pipe,” he added. “It was a monumental task to navigate through each utility department in order to get the approvals needed to move forward.” 

Looking further ahead, the second phase of the resort is expected to open within the next few months. Nielson said that all hookups at the campsites have been installed, and construction crews are currently working on the roads, curbs and landscaping. This new phase will add another 200 campsites plus an additional comfort station.

As the project continues to evolve and expand, Nielson is committed to enhancing the overall guest experience and creating lasting memories for families traveling from both near and far. With a focus on quality service and guest satisfaction, Zion Utah Jellystone Park Resort stands out as a premier destination for those seeking adventure, relaxation and fun in a picturesque setting.

Visit zionutahjellystonepark.com to learn more and book your stay. 

Written by ALEXA MORGAN for St. George News.

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Resources

• Zion Utah Jellystone Park Resort | Address: 505 S. Sand Hollow Road, Hurricane | Telephone: 866-934-5267 | Website.

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