Jim Varney himself sang the song "Gee I'm Glad It's Raining" in a single take. Reportedly, when he finished performing the song, there wasn't a single dry eye on set.
In the last week of filming while shooting the battle scene, the state park booked another group, a Quaker retreat. The state park said they had to get permission from the Quakers, who are known for their pacifism. John R. Cherry III and the producer had a long meeting with the Quaker elders. They left and the Quakers prayed and discussed their request. After an hour, they emerged: "You have our permission with one requirement, we get to be in the movie". The battle scene was mainly cast using the Quakers and the Dickson, Tennessee Volunteer Fire Department.
Lyle Alzado broke Jim Varney's nose by mistake during the fight scene. Jim said the crack you hear in the movie wasn't added later.
This is the very first "Ernest" movie.
Several items in Ernest's cabin - alligator puppet, picture of his mother (also portrayed by Jim Varney), a helmet labeled "Fast Ernie" - were all used on commercials Jim Varney did in the early 1980s.