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Jellystone Park™ at Birchwood Acres was the perfect backdrop for reuniting with my sister during her travel nurse assignment. When a loved one is on a travel nursing assignment, quality time can be hard to come by. So when we had the chance to visit my sister and her family, temporarily living in the Catskills in New York this summer for a travel nursing contract, we jumped at the opportunity. We packed up the car—along with two toddlers and half the house, naturally—and made the two-hour drive to meet up at Jellystone Park™ at Birchwood Acres in beautiful upstate New York.
What we got was more than just a weekend away. It was a much-needed chance to reconnect, recharge, and make lasting memories with family we don’t often see. And honestly? Jellystone Park made it all feel effortless.
Why We Chose Jellystone Park™ at Birchwood Acres
We needed a spot that was drivable, family-friendly, and close enough to where my sister was staying on her travel nursing assignment. Jellystone Park at Birchwood Acres hit every mark. Between the well-maintained cabin rentals, on-site water park, themed weekend events, and its relaxed, welcoming atmosphere, it felt like the ideal place for a mini reunion that didn’t require anyone to host or over-plan. Even better—my sister and her family were able to visit on her day off with a simple $10 day guest pass (and kids under three were free!). That flexibility made coordinating easy and made the reunion feel like a real vacation for everyone.
Cabin Life: Rustic Comfort with a Side of AC
We booked one of the park’s cabins for two nights, and it turned out to be the perfect mix of rustic and practical. With bunk beds, a bathroom, air conditioning, and a small kitchen setup, it gave us everything we needed to “camp” comfortably with two toddlers. After unloading the car (which somehow had more toys than clothes), we were fully settled—and had a home base for naps, snacks, and post-activity quiet time. As any parent knows, that downtime is the key to surviving a weekend away with little ones!
Reconnecting Around the Fire (and the Grill)
We kept meals simple and low-stress. One night, we picked up sandwiches off-site for an easy dinner. The next, we grilled burgers and hot dogs on our cabin’s charcoal grill while the kids played nearby. It felt like classic summer camping—without needing to rough it. We grabbed s’mores essentials from the well-stocked campground store (which, to our surprise, had reasonable prices and plenty of last-minute must-haves). We also made an off-site grocery stop for contact solution and accidentally found the best candy aisle in history. Sugar rush = worth it.
What made this trip so special was the time spent together with no expectations—no one hosting, no rigid schedule. The kids splashed in the pool, bounced on the giant jumping pillow, and ran wild while the adults chatted by the fire. It was the kind of laid-back, low-maintenance magic that’s hard to create—but easy to enjoy when you’re in the right place.
Jellystone Park™ at Birchwood Acres Campground Highlights (aka Toddler Heaven)
Jellystone Park is packed with family-friendly activities and attractions—so many that we couldn’t even fit them all into one weekend. Some of our favorites included:
- Waterpark & Pools – The ultimate toddler magnet. Splash zones, shallow pools, and zero tears. They even had mini lounge chairs perfectly sized for tiny humans.
- Golf Cart Rental – Made campground navigation fun and easy. My 3-year-old felt like a VIP riding “with the doors off!”
- Giant Pillow Trampoline – A massive inflatable pillow made for jumping joy. Our oldest was obsessed.
- Arcade & Rec Center – Post-sun fun with racing games, sculpture painting, and enough tokens to keep them entertained.
- Yogi Bear™ & Cindy Bear™ Meet & Greets – Full-on character magic. Still talking about the “real bears” we met!
We used the Jellystone Park app to pick one or two structured activities per day and filled in the rest with play, snacks, and hang time. Highly recommend downloading the app to stay on top of activity times and campground events—it made planning super easy.
So Much to Do, So Little Time!
Even with a full weekend, we barely scratched the surface of everything Jellystone Park™ at Birchwood Acres has to offer. There’s just so much to do, which honestly makes it even more appealing for a return trip. Here are a few things we’re already planning to check off on our next visit:
- Paddleboats on the Lake – The peaceful lake had paddleboats ready and waiting, and I’m still kicking myself for not hopping in. It looked like the perfect way to slow down and enjoy the scenery—next time, we’re there.
- Fishing from the Dock – A few families were set up with poles, and it looked like such a relaxing way to spend the morning. We’ll definitely be renting some gear for our next stay!
- Human Foosball – One of the coolest inflatables I’ve ever seen! Picture life-size foosball in a bounce house-style setup. Our kids were just a little too small this time, but it’s at the top of our list for the next round.
- Gem Mining Adventure – While my oldest made do with a treasure-filled gem bag from the camp store (his version of “mining”), there’s actually a hands-on gem mining sluice right on-site. It looked like an awesome, mess-friendly activity that’s perfect for all ages.
Tips for Visiting a Travel Nurse on Assignment
If you’re trying to make time with a family member on a travel contract, here’s what worked for us:
Choose a convenient meet-up location. Jellystone Park was just 25 minutes from my sister’s travel nursing assignment and felt like a full vacation without going far.
Keep meals easy. Grilling, sandwiches, and snacks were our go-to. Minimal cleanup, maximum enjoyment.
Use the guest day pass. Just $10 per adult with full access to everything—totally worth it.
Plan around their schedule. Even one day together makes a big impact.
Expect schedule shifts. That’s the reality of travel nursing—flexible lodging (like a campground) makes last-minute changes less stressful.
Let the kids roam. Safe, stroller-friendly grounds gave them the freedom to explore and gave us a chance to relax.
Final Thoughts: Making Miles Feel Shorter
This trip reminded us that reconnecting with family doesn’t have to be complicated—just intentional. Jellystone Park at Birchwood Acres gave us the space, the flexibility, and the freedom to make our weekend together actually feel like a vacation. Whether you’re a travel nurse looking for a spot where your family can visit you, or you’re planning to visit someone on assignment, this kind of location makes all the difference. Kid-approved. Adult-relaxing. Memory-making.
What We’d Pack Next Time (Now That We Know Better) for Jellystone Park™ at Birchwood Acres
We quickly learned that “cabin” doesn’t mean “hotel.” Ours was a clean, comfortable blank slate—which meant we had to bring everything from bedding to paper towels. Here’s what we’ll pack next time:
Extras We Didn’t Know We’d Want:
- Drying rack for swimsuits + towels
- Extra towels (trust me!)
- Additional fan (AC didn’t always hit the bunks)
- Hamper or laundry bag
- Mini vacuum or dustbuster (dirt adds up fast with kids)
- Flashlights or glow sticks for nighttime play by the fire
Family Visit Rating:
🩺🩵🩵🩵🩵🩵 (5/5 hugs) – The perfect way to close the distance between nursing assignments
Thinking about planning a family-friendly getaway at a Blue Water Property? Explore Vivian Health’s partnership with Blue Water for exclusive discounted stays available to healthcare professionals and their families here.
Curious about a travel nurse’s experience staying at a Blue Water property? Take a look at her story here!
Want to discover more about Blue Water, their property locations, and what makes them unique? Watch our interview with Blue Water’s President and CFO, Rafael Correa here.
This post is in partnership with Blue Water Development, an owner of Jellystone Park™ at Birchwood Acres.
