Yogi Bear debuted in 1958 as a supporting character on The Huckleberry Hound Show.

Yogi became very popular, and in 1961 was given his own show, which included the following sequences: Snagglepuss and Yakky Doodle. Over the years he would appear in many other spin-off series as well, including Yogi's Gang (1973), Yogi's Space Race (1978), Galaxy Goof-Ups (1978), Yogi's Treasure Hunt (1985), The New Yogi Bear Show (1988) and Yo Yogi (1991).

Like many Hanna-Barbera characters, Yogi's personality and mannerisms were based on a popular celebrity of the time. Art Carney's character on The Honeymooners was said to be Yogi's inspiration. Yogi's name is an obvious nod to the famed baseball star Yogi Berra.

The plot of most of Yogi's cartoons centered around his antics in the fictional Jellystone Park, a takeoff on the famous Yellowstone National Park. Yogi, accompanied by his reluctant best friend Boo Boo would often try to steal picnic baskets from campers in the park, much to the chagrin of Park Ranger Smith.

Yogi Bear is well-known for a variety of different catchphrases, including his pet name for picnic baskets ("pic-a-nic baskets") and his favorite self-promotion ("I'm smarter than the average bear!"). although he often overestimated his own cleverness.