Knoebels Amusement Resort

4.3 (428 reviews)

Amusement Parks

Closed • 12:00 pm - 7:00 PM

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Knoebels Amusement Resort - My husband got the golden ring! That earns you a free ride! Ralph and I were on the bench so we couldn't reach the rings. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Orangade - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - the motor boats are a nice opportunity to relax and take a trip around the park on their lazy river. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Knoebels Amusement Resort - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Aesha E.

We had SO MUCH FUN at Knoebels. Whilst in NEPA, the folks we were visiting here suggested going to Knoebels. They're regulars since it's within an hour drive for them. I wasn't sure at first but now I'm a fan. This is a pretty old-school park. There is no admission; instead, you buy ticket books at the park and "pay" using tickets. Many of the rides--at least the kid's rides--are $2.50 per ride. And apparently the tickets never expire; the people we visited with have used a decades-old leftover ticket book and it was accepted. It was really easy to use the tickets, which are in the book in $1 and 50-cent denominations. In addition to no entrance fee, they have free parking. I honestly don't know where I've been in a long time that has free parking; I don't even think the county fair in my hometown offers free parking anymore. They have acres of it but we didn't have to park too far away, perhaps because we got there a few minutes before the park opened. They have lots of disabled parking spots and there's also a tram with several tram stops. Inside the park, I saw several baby changing/nursing mothers stations. The rides are lots of fun. I mentioned before that they have kid's rides, but they in fact have an entire kiddie *section*. There are over a dozen rides that are only for kids, and have maximum height limits. We spent our time in this section of the park almost exclusively. The girls loved it, and so did I! It was so much fun to see them having a blast on these rides all by themselves. We spent a good chunk of our day here--we were there for 6 or 7 hours, I think--and still we missed a few. I'm bummed that we missed some but that just gives us something to look forward to next time we visit, which I hope is before my daughter hits the height limit for some of the rides since she's a tall kiddo. I'm not sure how it usually is, but we may have just come at the right time. We were here on a Saturday and our friends were surprised; usually they come on weekdays to avoid crowds, but it was not bad at all. It only took us 5 minutes or so in line to get ticket books. The upside to coming on a weekend, too, was that there were rides operating that aren't always open when they've come during the week. Whatever was happening on this day (which was Juneteenth weekend, so I expected it to be packed!), our kids were able to ride at least 5-6 rides within the first hour at the park and there were only a couple times the entire day where we had to wait in line to enter a ride--and even then, it was waiting in line for one ride to finish and then we got the kids on the next one. The longest line we waited on all day was to get some fries! Speaking of food, although we didn't get much, what we did get was great. We got the aforementioned fries, which they cut and cook right there. My friend's mom always gets ice cream when they visit, specifically the waffle sandwich, which I also got and it was so good I wish that other ice cream places did warm waffles instead of waffle cones. We got some cotton candy, and they had some very delicious frozen iced tea (I added peach flavor which was really good, and it was quite refreshing). There's several stores around where you can pick up souvenirs, too. We stopped at the apparel shop and got some t-shirts and sweatshirts. At the Christmas shop at the North Pole, we wandered around to check out the ornaments and Christmas decor. There was another shop that in all the times our friends have been here they said they didn't remember ever stopping at. They have postcards, so make sure to pick up some postcard stamps somewhere! I had so much fun and can't wait to return to Knoebels. I bought two $50 ticket books and we used exactly one book, so we're already ahead on our next visit. Perhaps the cutest ride in the park is the Pony Carts, which don't have real ponies but the kids ride in what looks like horse drawn carriages as though they're the cart driver. I did enjoy going on the Skloosh, which I went on with my daughter; even though she's only two she's a daredevil and loves a good water ride as long as she doesn't get splashed in the eyes too much. I only wish we'd been able to go on the other water ride! But I didn't actually miss or mind not going on rides; it was a wonderful day just watching the little ones in their joy and excitement.

Xiomara C.

I genuinely love visiting Knoebels. It's a beautiful park with so much to do, free admission, great food and my family has enjoyed coming here for years. Many of the employees have been kind, welcoming, and patient, which is why it disappoints me to have to write this review. Unfortunately, this is the second year I've experienced what I believe was discriminatory treatment toward my Black and Brown family, including my autistic children. This isn't something I'm saying because I was upset in the moment. These experiences were serious enough that I felt obligated to report them to Guest Services. We visited on July 9, 2026. My children are autistic and were wearing Knoebels' accessibility wristbands. We understand how the program works because we've visited before. The wristband allows individuals who cannot tolerate long waits to board through the designated accessible entrance according to the park's accessibility procedures. The first incident occurred at the Satellite ride. There were only two children waiting and virtually no line. My son went to the accessible entrance with his wristband, and the ride operator refused to let him board. I explained that he was autistic and showed his accessibility wristband. The operator acknowledged that he knew what the wristband was for, but still told my son to go wait at the regular entrance while allowing other children to board first. My son became increasingly distressed, repeatedly asking why he couldn't ride. Guest Services later told me that the operator had not followed the accessibility policy correctly and said they would report the incident to a supervisor. The second incident happened at the Looper. Three male ride operators were working that attraction. My son and nephew absolutely love this ride. They are polite, well-behaved boys, but like many autistic children, they ask a lot of questions and become excited about rides they enjoy. The park was not crowded, and there were little to no lines. I watched from a nearby bench as the boys rode several times. As time went on, I noticed the operators becoming visibly irritated whenever the boys returned. Eventually, the operators told them they had to wait 30 minutes before riding again. I understood that this applies when using the accessibility entrance, so I instructed the boys to simply enter through the regular queue instead, which only had a few children waiting. When they walked to the entrance, the situation escalated. One operator, Carl, scolded my nephew for going under a bar instead of walking around it, even though the children immediately ahead of him had done the exact same thing. When I respectfully pointed this out, Carl responded, "Well, I didn't see them, and stop shouting at me." I was not shouting. Another operator, Mark, then began yelling at me, telling me that if I had a problem, I should go to Guest Services. My sister became upset because of the way he was speaking to me. When my husband came over, Mark stated that he "yells at children all day long" and that our children were no different. I found that statement especially concerning given that he knew they were autistic. No employee should be yelling at children, regardless of disability. Supervisors eventually came over, but instead of addressing the employees' behavior, they largely defended it. One operator also insisted the boys had to wait another 30 minutes before riding again, despite the fact that they had unlimited ride wristbands and were now entering through the regular queue, where there was almost no wait. I asked why they hadn't simply told the boys they were welcome to use the regular entrance if they wanted to ride again. There was no response. I want to be clear that not every employee at Knoebels treated us this way. In fact, many staff members throughout the park were wonderful, patient, and kind to my family. However, these interactions left us feeling singled out, dismissed, and treated differently. Whether it was because of our race, our children's disabilities, or a combination of both, it was deeply upsetting. I sincerely hope Knoebels takes these concerns seriously by providing additional training on disability accommodations, respectful communication with families, and ensuring that all guests are treated equally and with dignity. We love this park and want to continue making memories here, but no family should leave feeling the way we did.

Cruzita T.

My son(14), and I spent the day here. Every Tuesday in June it is BOGO for wrist bands, $60. Definitely worth it. This does not include the pool or the Haunted House ($4.00 per person). So many rides and plenty of places to eat that are affordable and priced. You definitely can come here and have an enjoyable day. There are plenty of games, golf, stores to shop and pavilions. Bathrooms are considerably clean. I definitely had a great time and my son did too. Check out their website for pricing and ticket prices. You can buy ticket books. You pay per ride. Parking is free and it is free to get in. You may also bring dogs. I saw plenty of people with their dogs. So much fun!

Main entrance. No turnstile. No tickets. Free admission.

Jerry P.

I have been coming to Knoebel's almost every summer since 1979. I have watched it change and grow, but what's remarkable is how much it has stayed true to itself. It is still family owned. It still feels personal. It still feels like the kind of place built for joy rather than spreadsheets. Knoebel's has one of the most unique setups of any amusement park in the country. There is no admission fee. None. You pay only for what you want to ride, or you can get an all-day wristband on weekdays. Parking is free too. You can bring in your own food and non-alcoholic drinks without any hassle. The food they sell is good and affordable, and the variety is incredible. This is not frozen burger-and-fries territory. Knoebel's regularly wins the Golden Ticket Award for Best Food, beating out giant, big-budget parks from across the nation. And it is not just the food that gets recognition. The Phoenix, a masterpiece of a wooden roller coaster rebuilt from the bones of a coaster in Texas, has been named the Best Wooden Coaster in the world more than once. The Haunted Mansion is consistently ranked among the best dark rides anywhere. These rides are not nostalgia pieces coasting on reputation. They are legitimately great. Add in the one-of-a-kind Flying Turns, the steel thrill of Impulse, the twisting chaos of Twister, and the wonderfully unpredictable Flyer, and you have a lineup that would stand out even in parks five times the size. The park's setting is part of its magic. It is nestled in the mountains, shaded by towering trees. On hot days, the shade makes all the difference. The paths wind like a midway at a state fair, and in fact, that is what Knoebel's most closely resembles: a permanent state fair where you are not constantly being wrung for every dollar. It is relaxed, welcoming, and wonderfully unpolished in the right ways. It is dog friendly, which means you can bring the whole family, four-legged members included. For those who want to stay overnight, there is an on-site campground with everything from tent sites to cabins, as well as the Crystal Pool for swimming on hot summer afternoons. Knoebel's has been part of my life for over four decades, and it remains my favorite amusement park in the world. I love being able to watch my sons create memories on some of the same rides I loved at their age while exploring new additions together. It is proof that you can grow and improve without losing your heart. Every year I leave with the same thought: I cannot wait to come back.

Bill W.

What can be said that has not already been said before. This is a very quaint family owned amusement park nestled down in the woods, which makes for an amazing backdrop to view and it's really nice is there are plenty of trees throughout the park so if it is one of those 90° days you'll find relief under a shade tree somewhere in the park . We went there for the first of their Halloween nights and it was decorated really nice. I was impressed and we had our granddaughter with us so we spent a lot of time in the children's area for the rides and we were able to get her in on a few big people rides, which was very nice. We did want to go on the haunted train, but it was closed, which was kind of strange They do have plenty of food selections and it seems their prices are just a little bit on high side for what they offer and what portion you get so I would walk around and take a look and see what you really really want and the pricing but the food that we had was freshly prepared. It was good worth the money no The lines were not that long at times we were able to go on the rides pretty much when we walked up to them until it started to get more in the evening and the rides got a little bit longer lines, but it move very fast. The rides are in great shape. They're very well lit very very nice looking Parking on the other hand, we forgot where we parked and it took us a lot to find our vehicle so make sure when you park you look at the road number for which we failed to do It's a really nice ride at this time of year out of Harrisburg to go up there. Plenty of open highway traffic moved well getting off the highway and going down the back roads to the park. We had no problems whatsoever. Note there is a Starbucks there that it's not an actual true Starbucks you need to put your own cream and sugar and other items in your drink so just be aware of that We highly recommend us amusement park and we look forward to many more visits over the next coming years

Donna P.

My husband and I are amusement park enthusiasts. This park has great roller coasters, Phoenix has won awards a bunch of years, Twister is one of my favorite coasters anywhere, Impulse and Flying Turns are great too. I'm not here to talk about these top-notch rides. I'm here to talk about the amazing trip I had while watching my mom's dog. You read that right, I'm here to talk about going to an amusement park with Ralph, the best boy ever. When I told my husband we were going to be dog-sitting the first thing he asked is "are you sure he's a good boy?" but only moments later he asked "are we taking him to Knoebels?!" First off, the tram people were kind, and patient. I was slow getting on as I have never tried to board a tram while holding..well anything more than a water bottle, let alone a dog and more dog supplies than I really needed. Me and my husband passing Ralph and the bag of things I brought for him back and forth was probably funny to watch. (Spoiler alert, we did get the hang of it before the day was over.) We all enjoyed the tram ride. After we were dropped off near the entrance Ralph had to smell everything. And I mean it everything. There are a lot of shady trees for sniffing or sitting under. They are of course dog-friendly, so lots of dog smells for him to smell. Luckily the dog smells aren't strong enough for me or my husband to notice, but Ralph sure did. A lot of people old and young asked if they could pet Ralph, what kind of dog he is, how old he is, etc. He's a Hava-poo, 1.5 years old, and seriously the best boy. With the best doggy in the world we rode both trains, both carousels, and his absolute favorite the antique cars. Ralph got to ride for free. He sat on my lap for both trains, and next to me on the carousels and cars. It was a lot of fun for all three of us! Ralph even got a milk bone dog biscuit from one of the train conductors. My husband and I got soft serve ice cream and got a pup cup for Ralph, which I didn't know was an option, but it was offered, and we took it! He loved his first bowl of ice cream. Knoebels with a dog...if you have an easy going pup in your life, who can handle being around lots of other dogs and people while still remaining calm and happy, and if you like amusement parks, great rides, and yummy food I can not recommend Knoebels enough. Also, if you don't have a dog you should still go, it's just a really great park. Free parking, free admission, pay per ride or buy a bracelet to enjoy all of the rides (haunted house is always extra I think.) And since it's free admission if you just want to pop in for a snack it's not costing you anything to walk in a buy whatever you want!

Angela H.

Love Knoebels! It has been a vacation spot for me over & over. The favorite rides are Impulse, Tilt a Whirl & Phoenix. The food--so much variety. I love the baked potato with pulled pork and crunchy onion straws. Omg, so good!

Bill B.

Went on Saturday sept 13 th hoping to avoid the huge crowds. Sadly this was not the case as it was totally packed. However, everything about the place is fantastic! There is no admission. It's pay per ride with old style tickets. The ride prices are very cheap ($2.50 to $5). The food prices are very reasonable compare to other parks that price gouge (pepperoni pizza slice $4.25, hot dog $3). The museum was excellent. I did notice the people in the photos in the museum (posted) those oeoole from back in the day weren't extremely large, misshapen, heavily tattooed and stupidly pierced, but that's not the parks fault. Just be prepared to see a good portion of the clientele that looks like this. They even allow dogs. We even saw a cat in a stroller! There were none of the certain demographic to cause problems like in other parks. No usual suspects coning in on busses! I do not smoke, but sadly the park does allow cigarette and cigar smoking anywhere that's not on a ride. The lines for the rides were very long, often overextending the queues. It was a day trip so I can't comment on camping or prices. Unused tickets can be used again and do not expire. Overall a great day!

Peggy C.

My family and I visited Rochester and decided to make our way to Pennsylvania to visit this park. The drive was definitely worth it with free admission and free parking. Best of all is they allow you to bring in your own food and drinks which is amazing especially if you have kids. Food and drink prices at amusement parks are usually pricey so if you can bring in your own food, you can certainly save some money. The park is really big with lots of things to do. The tickets for the rides aren't expensive. They have huge rollar coasters, bumper cars and lots of kiddy rides. We went when they opened and spent the full day there. My kids had a blast! I wish we had something similar to this in Toronto. I would definitely be coming back in the future if we're in Pennsylvania.

Brad P.

What can I say on the 350th review that hasn't already been said? Probably nothing new but I will give you my take on why Knoebel's is a great trip to make. First, you get free parking where as most other parks charge $20-40 just to park. There is plenty of parking space and the free lot is a short walk from the amusement park with shuttle service available if you need it. Next, free, no hassle admission. There are no gates, you just walk in wherever and whenever you want. You can bring coolers, strollers, and dogs with no issue. This is especially good if people in your family or group don't do rides, they can still come in and hang out for free. For those who want to do the rides, they have all day wristbands available on weekdays only, and reasonably priced ticket books as well. If you are a military vet you can get a $20 book for free, and $40 if you are current active duty. Additionally, on Armed Services Day military gets a free all day wristband. The lines and wait times for rides are much better here than the other big parks. They might not have the latest super rides, but they are definitely fun and the short wait times makes it enjoyable. The concessions are some of the most reasonably priced I have seen at any park, stadium, or event. They have plenty of decent food prices that aren't ridiculously priced like so many other places. They have a separate water park which costs from $6-15 a person depending on what you want. I definitely recommend trying this. All of the kids in the park were enjoying doing jumps and flips off the diving boards. The water rides have virtually no lines and you can go right up as many times as you want. Overall Knoebels is fun, hassle-free, and affordable. The scenic mountainous backdrops just make it that much cooler.

G H.

We love this place! Such a great place to chill out and have fun! This is the largest admission free park in the United States. It's located in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. It's surrounded by woods. Parking is free and you can even bring in your own food! There is a picnic area with grills. You can sit down and enjoy your own food as long as the area hasn't been reserved. The food is good and lot more affordable than other amusement parks. We ate chicken burritos at the Oasis Cafe, $4 each. We also tried a pulled pork sandwich at the BBQ Shack $7, very tasty. We got black cherry ice cream at the Old Mill, 2 large scoops for $6. For dinner we dined at the Alamo restaurant. It was air conditioned. Staff was friendly and attentive. We got fish and chips $15, grilled chicken Caesar salad $8 & a turkey club sandwich for $8. Rides are very affordable $2.50 for kiddie rides and $4.50 for roller coasters. You can purchase $20 of tickets for $17 at Weis supermarkets. You can also purchase a pass to ride all the rides that you want (sorry I don't know how much). If you are active duty military or a veteran you can get a $20 book of ride tickets for FREE! Just checking in with Customer Service across from the Big Wheel (ferris wheel) Knoebels is home to 2 wooden roller coasters: Twister and the Phoenix. There is also Impulse, a stand up roller coaster! There is also a trackless roller coaster: Flying Turns! They also have 2 coal fired steam trains: Pioneer train (7 minutes ride) and Old Smokey (3.5 minutes ride). There are two rides that you will get wet: Giant Flume (a little wet) and Skloosh (you will get soaked!) There are 2 carousels, motor boats, antique cars, bumper cars and many kiddie rides. There is even a giant pool with water slides. Knoebels is a great place for family fun!

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S R.

136

6 years ago

Knoebels is always a good time and great especially if you are camping here. We are here in September during Covid... the park is pretty busy and I'm just gonna say that social distancing is not being followed most everywhere in the park- rides especially. We were just at Disney last weekend and it was quite the difference. I actually felt safer at Disney than Knoebels as far as containing the spread. It's a shame because they do have markings, it's just people not following them. As far as masks, almost everyone is wearing one and correctly. So I'll take that (and just limit ride exposure) Hopefully this time next year we are in a better position as far as the virus... read more

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Stan O.

124

7 years ago

Classic amusement park with classic rides. They may not have the latest hypercoaster, but Knoebels knows their market. The park is filled fun rides, nostalgia, and good eats. read more

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Rachel T.

Elite 21

7 years ago

Food is amazing and the most affordable of all parks. Entry is FREE. Parking is FREE. WiFi is FREE. You buy a book of tickets for rides or can buy an all day ride pass. Also dogs are allowed so your furry friend can come along too! This place is great and this is now my second time here and this is one of my favorite theme parks. read more

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Michael G.

221

4 years ago

I love Knoebels but if I bought my tickets online, why am I waiting in line with everyone who still has to pay? Have a separate line for people that paid online! And if you tried that, and one line wasn't enough, then maybe two lines or three lines. Knoebels is a great place but this was very confusing. read more

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Omar C.

173

1010

5 years ago

Amazing places for kids it more for 1-teens not like heresy park which is more for teens and adults less expensive to love taking the little ones here read more

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Harington J.

Elite 21

225

7 years ago

I hear people travel to Pennsylvania just for this resort. I came to it with high expectations, and it did not disappoint. Variety of thrill seeking rides. Plenty of carnival and comfort food. Suitable for all sizes and ages. Definitely a first date kind of place. read more

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J R.

367

4 years ago

Nice park but don't appreciate employees keeping change as a tip. Tri tater station the employees are hassling customers who want their change back and putting it in their pockets. Witnessed it 3 times and tried to pull it on me. LC !! read more

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Anthony M.

7 years ago

Free parking. Free admission. Reasonbly priced concessions. Pay only for the rides you want. It's literally the most perfect amusement park in the world outside of the exceptionally long lines for the most popular rides...which is also a problem at every other amusement park that charged you $60 just to get in. It's basically an amusment park/county fair hybrid. Oh, and just on the outskirts of the park are picnic areas incase you brought your own food. This place is every giant theme park's worst nightmare because it turns out you actually can run a very profitable business that doesn't extort hundreds (and in some cases, thousands) of dollars from its visitors. Best part is that your tickets NEVER EXPIRE! So don't worry if you still have $10 in tickets left over at the end of the day. Bring them with you next week, next month, next year, or next decade. A few years ago my mom unearthed a zip lock back full of Knoebels tickets (about $40 worth) that was probably close to 10 years old. They don't even have the same design as the current tickets and none of the ticket takers even batted an eye when I handed them these old tickets. This is the most incredible park that practically no one outside of the region has ever heard of. It doesn't have the "ride depth" of the larger, more recognizable parks, but it has a little something for everyone. There's a few solid thrill rides and roller coasters. The kiddie rides are plentiful. There's several classic rides that never go out of style. Do you have someone in your family that doesn't really like most rides? I do - one of my daughters just isn't into rides. No problem because I didn't have to pay $60 bucks just to get her through the gate...because there is no gate! Did you end up parking a mile away from the entrance? No big deal because they have shuttles roaming the parking lot at all times...also FREE! This place is unbelievable and the only excuse not to go there is because you're allergic to having low cost fun. read more

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Kurt M.

171

4 years ago

Best amusement park in the country! Love everything about it. Free parking and admission, great food, friendly staff

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Jim K.

3 years ago

Horribly over priced for a small amusement park! Ticket prices are truly ridiculous, any and all food is price gouging!

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Katherine V.

3 years ago

It was extremely hot so we decided to go later in the evening. We arrived about 7:15 only to have the park shutting down. Highly disappointing because this was always the best time to experience the park under the trees and filled with lights. Please start offering some evening hours. read more

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Phil E.

3 years ago

Great place! Been going here for the last 15 years whenever I'm in the area to visit family. Really great amusement park even if it is a bit out of the way read more

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Sheryl Fehr C.

3 years ago

Always a fun time. Plenty of parking and things to do for all ages. Some rides have a longer wait but not excessive

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Jason T.

102

156

7 years ago

There is nothing negative to say about this place. The rides are fantastic and they have plenty for all ages. The food is fantastic but a bit spendy. The employees are friendly. The prices are good considering it's an amusement park. They have picnic ground, camping, basically everything you need to have fun. If you're ever in the area, make sure you stop by and have fun. The rides do not open until 11:00 AM. read more

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Giant wheel - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Chair lift. Top view going down - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Park map - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Black Diamond Mine Ride. $3 in tickets per person - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Dana S.

Elite 26

1375

895

5441

10 years ago

Went since I am military and they give out a free booklet of tickets to military personnel. Love the fact that it's free to get in the park and you can buy your tickets to ride. Has an old time feel to the park. A nice selection of rides, foods, and games. For the funnel cake and pickle on a stick from the shops, so delicious. Ice cream is great there too! read more

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Brandi G.

4 years ago

One of the biggest free admission parks. Something for everyone any age! Great food and memories

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Markus N.

Elite 26

236

681

1757

13 years ago

A list. By Markus N. 1. It's a long flight from California and at least a two-hour drive from the nearest commercial airport but there's no question that you'd spend less and live more here, even counting airfare and lodging, than you would at Disney or Magic Mountain. 2. Knoebels I don't think even cares like the rest of the world seems in a death race with itself, all division and greed. Knoebels lets you in for free, charges you reasonably for what you wish to stuff in your head, let's you ride the biggest coaster for $2.50 and most everything else for less than two clams. Major league baseball has seen fit to make it impossible for working class America to go to a game without first taking out a Payday Loan. To me, MLB has burned its right to be called America's past-time. Screw MLB. Knoebels takes its place. 3. Miles of smiles. 4. Flood markers. 5. Even a serious gully washer doesn't have them turn off the rides. Lightening does cancel the ones that stick up in the air. That's a good thing. 6. In this life in these days over and above many other things we ought keep front and center the fact that if we can make one person smile every day (other than our own bad selves), if we can lighten another's burden, then we've had a day well spent. It's nice to know that the Knoebels family gets this too. Singlehandedly lightening the burden of hundreds of folks each and every summer day. Thank you K. You make this world a better place. The End. read more

Knoebels Amusement Resort - There will be bruises. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Meet Pete. Blood of my blood. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Nary a brass ring in the lot. Never give up. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Totes worth a buck seventy five. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - With luck, the only place I'll ever see this guy is in the Scary House at Knoebels. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - The ladies of Funnel Cake. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Nailed it. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Ray T.

Elite 26

453

271

13 years ago

I hesitate to write this review, partially because I can't do Knoebels justice, and partially because i want to keep this secret to my greedy self. I've been to Knoebels every summer for probably the past ten years, and honestly, I have nothing negative about this park that I can even imagine saying. It's a magical place, nestled in the woods. Yes, tinker bell has abducted me and taken me to a place like I recall in my childhood...safe, wholesome, family oriented, and fun. America, I mourn what you've become. So, here it is... It's safe. I'd let my 10 year old daughter go free here, and not worry about what she will hear, see, or where she will end up. Try that at great adventure. It's cheap. No parking fees, no gate fees...just walk in, buy tickets, and ride. Wednesday and Friday night sport bargain night...$10 buys anyone over 48" unlimited rides, from 6-10 pm, excluding major coasters. Try that at your local fair, or at Hershey Park. Nope. It's fun. Rides are originals, from the 50's, through modern thrillers, and no, you haven't seen them all. The Flyer is a personal favorite, the train ride, carousel...all very well done. Bumper cars are the best I've ever ridden...they hit hard! Kids also tried the hamster wheel, and loved it. The twister, a wooden roller coaster, is soo much better than Hershey's harsh and brutal wildcat, and the Phoenix will give any adrenaline junky his fix. In all fairness, this is not great adventure...there aren't 20 coasters ready to make you hurl...be that good, or bad, I don't know. This spot hits the sweet spot of ages 3-16 very well, but if you need to black out on rides due to the g's, or need to use up your adrenal gland, you might weary quickly. It's family friendly. Yes, you can even bring your dog, and yes, take it on he train rides. People here seem to adapt to the basic vibe...nobody is rude, obnoxious, pushy, foul mouthed. Maybe that's because it's far away from major cities...oops, did I just say that? clientele, ride operators, security guards, all are really friendly. Sorry, Dorney, you can't make that claim. It's good extras! Food is really good, worthy of being called food, and you don't have to Morgage a child to eat. We were disappointed the honey-dipped fried chicken ws absent the other night, but the freshly cut French fries made up for it. Also, the crystal pool is really worth arriving early to do. No, nothing crazy, no tsunami wave pools...but 4 fun lengthy water slides, a kids splash park, a beautiful pool, and yes...I haven't seen one of these at a pool for-Evah...two, count em, two, high dives. Wow. Plus, plan ahead, and camp out on the park property, in the shadows of the thriller, or catch the bus to lake glory campground, 10 minutes away. Both are great places to stay. Oh, and lines-at least during bargain night- are short. This is a special place...some where that everyone should visit once, and if you have young kids, keep them coming back. Let them experience fun the way it was done "back when I was a boy." Times may have changed, but what they will see at Knoebels are the constants all kids should experience. read more

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Jeff M.

Elite 26

501

493

1805

13 years ago

I grew up roughly 15 miles away. It was THEE local amusement park, forget Dorney or Hershey......they are overpriced and too corporate. I've had 100+ visits here, not just the silly Yelp check-ins that are more recent and only recorded because I get excited going back and reliving my childhood memories at one of, if not the best amusement park in America. Forget getting extra cash out because they overcharge for parking, it's completely FREE. Have Grandma with you and are upset that even though she won't ride anything, she will have to pay $50 just to walk in the gate? Not here, there is no such thing as a "gate".......free admission is from a bygone era and simply unheard of in the rest of the country. They have the following best anything in all of the world. Bumper cars, parking, haunted house, admission price and a top 3 wooden coaster (The Twister) I've ever been on in my life. You can no joke, spend less than $15 a person here any day of the week. Just buy a book of tickets and let everyone ride their favorite rides. The most expensive are the coasters at $2.50 (the sky ride I've never been on is $3). Most are in the neighborhood of $1.00 - $1.50. Is it 2013 or 1953? I have a hard time telling while I'm here. You won't break the bank on food either, $2.75 for cotton candy or a $1.50 for a soft pretzel. You read that right, don't try adjusting your screen or wiping the sleeps from your eyes. I'm bummed I've still never camped here since I lived so close and I haven't been in the water park in over 20 years. Both of those things will change very soon, hopefully in the summer of 2014 when I can plan out a 3-day visit here. Man, what a place! read more

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Darren W.

2952

1437

4662

13 years ago

Fulfilling a promise made in my previous review, this past weekend, Kay and I visited Knoebels once more with family and friends. A handstamp for $10 allowed each of us to board many rides that evening without the need for tickets. And just 4 rides in, I became too nauseous to continue. The Phoenix battered my acid reflux-afflicted stomach and jarred my neck and wrists initially. The Flyer spun me nearly into submission. The Fandango crippled me with its dance of death, and the Power Surge finished me off, whirling me into a vortex of confusion and dyspeptic distress. Later on, the neon majesty of The Giant Wheel consoled me with a cool evening breeze that soothed my aching head as our carriage idled in the inky sky. You see, I ate first, because who could resist Knoebel's quality array of fair food options? Their Honey Stung Chicken sits proudly near the peak of my preferred deep-fried birds with its flaky, bronzed batter and juicy poultry proteins. Siding with the clucker thigh and breast was beautifully ripened and milky corn-on-the-cob along with a splendidly spongy biscuit. Tell Der Colonel that amusement park chicken owns him. Sometime afterwards, in a torch-sized waffle cone came a serving of a chocolate soft serve ice cream so butterfat-laden it might as well have been custard. Customizing it with something called Krunch-Kote, I ate the entire blessed thing with a spoon, stooping as one would when partaking in an Italian Beef sandwich to avoid drips, relishing the clash of textures, finishing off the candy-filled bottom (M&M's are used to stop up leaks) of the pinwheel-cookie-like vessel with but 2 bites. Still family-owned, still a wonderful city in itself, Knoebel's continues to allure. Plan a trip this summer. P.S. Due to our late arrival and limited time (not to mention my stomach), we still didn't get to try the Black Diamond. Also, as of this writing, the Flying Turns has yet to open. read more

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Swimming Pool - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - International Food Court - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Mike M.

Elite 15

223

319

13 years ago

I just love going to knoebels. It is a great place to take your kids for a few ticketed rides and take a stroll in one of the nicest looking parks in the world. Very throwback. Shaded tree covered areas everywhere. Two of the best wooden coasters anywhere. My company does their summer picnic here every year. Glad they do. Kids and everyone have a blast. Oh, and the parking is free. read more

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Black Diamond dark ride - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Dan R.

Elite 12

197

998

4569

14 years ago

This is a great family owned amusement park, and it's my favorite! ItT is a pay-as-you go park, with most rides costing between .75 and 1.25 per person. It is located just outside of Elysburg, PA. Unlike almost all other amusemnt parks you can get in for free, bring a wagon, stroller ore even your own pets an it's fine. I tend t ostick to the family rides or the kiddie rides so I cant elaborate on the Thrill rides, although I hear the Phoenix is great. #2 Rollercoaster in the US! Because of the large mature trees everwhere there is an abundance of shade throughout the park. They even let you bring your own food (don't worry, their food is moderately prices compared to HP, DorneyPark or Ductch Wonderland) If you visit in the summer be sure to check out the Crystal Pool (6.50 per adult) its worth a drench.Some note worthy features are: free parking, free entertainment and free fun! Knoebels.com read more

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Knoebel's Grove Amusement Park - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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TJ N.

Elite 23

118

180

7 years ago

Great place with good accommodations. Very clean. There are little hints of their faith somewhat hidden throughout the park. Great themes. The rides were reasonably prices. Free admission, free parking. Family members who dont ride anything dont pay anything. There is a little something for everyone. There are many good rides and amenities in the park. Wait times even during their busiest times were approximately 30-40 min at worse, 10-15 minutes at best. Better than the 60-90 minute wait times at Six Flags or Cedar Fair parks. First is Phoenix which is really good. In the front you get to view everything which isn't too impressive. For a ride that was built in the first half of the 20th century (1940s) and imported here in the 80's it was pretty good. The restraints are... loose fitting bars. The ride was very smooth for its age. The awesome way to ride this ride is at the back and at night around 9:30pm right before it closes. What was crazy was the amount of air time you get in the back. I came out of my seat by like 7-10 inches unintentionally. You cant see anything on this ride at night with no chaser lights on, so drops are somewhat unexpected. Would definitely go back again for this ride. The other ride that everyone goes for is Flying Turns. What is nice is that this ride is accommodating for larger individuals as well. Each individual car is able to hold up to 400lbs. Whether that is 1 person or 2 people combined. So larger guests who weigh up to 400lbs are able to ride this ride without a problem. They do weigh you, but they do not display your weight. The displays are there just to direct you to which car you should go to. The weighing is just to properly distribute the weight amongst the train. Dont be afraid to ride this if you feel like the restraints wont fit. It is a retractable seatbelt that is meant to fit around 2 average sized individuals and there is a pretty decent amount of slack. Additionally the staff is very friendly and are very accommodating to individuals with accessibility needs. Another ride that is noteworthy is stratos-fear. This is a flat ride that is a drop tower. This ride has no bell or whistles. It picks you up and puts you down. That is about 148" in the air. It doesnt start braking until about 20 feet. This ride is freaking terrifying. A lot of other parks usually brake about half way down, they toy with you a little. This one is straight and to the point. The haunted mansion ride was a good ride. A lot of good misdirection and spooks. Try not to watch point of view videos of the the haunted mansion before getting on this. Just go on this fresh with no knowledge of where the spooks are. All in all a very good experience. You cant go here with the expectation that this is Hershey or cedar point. The rides wont be as thrilling. They wont be as extreme. But this is a very unique place that is family owned. They are very accommodating and friendly people. They cater to a wide range of individuals. They are very family friendly. They are budget friendly. Their rides run a lot longer (in duration) than most other parks. Everything about this place is really amazing and unique. You wont experience this at any other amusement park. If you come to this park with the mindset that this will not be a "Six Flags", that this will be a very different experience, then you will not be disappointed. read more

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Linda M.

187

1089

13 years ago

I Love Knoebels!!!! How could you not Love a place that has roller coasters, camping and some pretty great food choices? Go here and make some memories with your family and friends!!! You won't be disappointed. read more

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Merry Mixer - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Beth K.

Elite 26

504

514

3269

8 years ago

Baseball , Hot dogs, Apple pie and oh yeah! Knoebels. I had never even heard of this place until a week prior to going. This park is over 91 years old! Free admission, free parking, and free entertainment. Wooden roller coasters. Off to Elysburg we go! We purchased the sundowners plan to ride unlimited rides starting at 5:00 p.m. until close for under $30.00 per person. We are going for thrill rides. They have over 60 rides. I have never been on a roller coaster that I actually was lifted out of my seat. This amazing wooden roller coaster "The Phoenix" brought tears to my eyes. There were no waits in the lines and we rode the coaster three times. The "Stratosphere" slowly rising the 148 foot tower and dropping at 48 mph. This ride gives you an incredible view of how beautiful the park is. The park has over 6 roller coasters including two wooden roller coasters. Lots of polish food (kielbasa, fried pierogis, haluski, potato pancakes, hot dogs and kraut), Mexican food (tacos, burritos, and enchiladas), cheesesteaks, potato bar, alligator bites, and so much more. The best part is the food is cheap. Interesting to see a park that allows you to bring your dog and I saw one couple with a pull behind wagon with their pot bellied pig. Old time feeling being in Knoebels and made me feel like a little kid again. This is not Six Flags or Busch Gardens those places are packed, and out to get you for every dollar! read more

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Kee K.

11 years ago

What a treat Knoebels was! I spontaneously decided to surprise my 7 year old for her birthday by taking her, and my son to Knoebel's. Here is where she was introduced to riding her very first big rollercoaster :-) Please note: The main determining factor to visiting Knoebels is the FACT that there was nothing she couldn't ride. The most common height requirement is 48". She is 49" and I wanted her to have no limitations :-) The drive to Knoebels was about 2 and a half hours from Philadelphia. When we arrived we were quickly guided to our FREE parking spot :-) Once inside I purchased 3-$20 booklets for $18.50 each, saving $1.50 each book. $20 booklets consist of 10-$1 tickets, 15-.50 cent tickets and 10-.25 cent tickets. Rides range from $1 to $3. Within a few minutes of purchase we were on our first line for a coaster. How thrilling! It was fun and the drop was literally straight down. This coaster was surprisingly different because it only held 8 people at a time. Nice. My daughter received a booster seat since she is 49". This ride required $3 per rider. There are 3 roller coasters here. 2 wooden, 1 metal. There's a section of kiddie rides, classic rides, a haunted house ride and a very large swimming pool requiring its own fee. Knoebels has all the sweet, sour and salty treats you can imagine. The food selections was pretty unique and diverse too. Oh and you can bring your own food into the park as well as have a birthday party. Yes there's a birthday party section. Woohoo!!!! The park is quite clean. Rides are fairly close to each other. Tickets are budget friendly. Stayed from noon to 5pm. For a Monday afternoon, some rides had no line while others had a 10-15 minute wait. Here is my one and only downer that kept this review from 5-stars. The staff/ ride operators weren't friendly. None of them greeted us back after I spoke "hello", which I found unusual. I believe that maybe a refresher course in hospitality is in order. My opinion. Overall, 4-stars. Don't hesitate making that trip to Knoebels :-) read more

Knoebels Amusement Resort - My baby on a sweet ride :-) - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Greg L.

Elite 26

122

1036

1785

14 years ago

My family has been to Knoebel's three times now over the past several years and we just love coming here. When I say fun for the whole family, I mean the *whole* family, including dogs! This is a great family park with no parking and no entrance fee. You simply buy ride tickets and pay for the rides you go on. They do offer wristbands during slower times which allows you to basically ride all of the rides with the exception of a few. Rides are very reasonably priced and we usually end up spending around $60 on rides for a family of four. The food at the park is actually pretty good and Food Network rated it as one of the best amusement park foods in the country. Again, prices are very reasonable. The one thing to note is that the concession and ticket stands do not take credit or debit cards, so bring cash. There are ATMs around, but if you need to use a credit card to buy ride tickets, you'll have to go to the park office. This is a dog friendly place and your K9 friends are even allowed to ride the trains, at no cost. There are usually quite a few dogs around so if your dog is not friendly, then you might want to think twice about bringing them. There are plenty of outdoor seating areas where you can dine with your pooch and there are plenty of water fountains around to fill up their water bowls. Make sure you bring bags though to clean up any messes they may make! There are lots of rides here including ones for families and younger children. There are a couple of good wooden roller coasters here, but in general, not a lot of thrill rides, so older kids may be a bit disappointed. All of the staff we've encountered has been very friendly. In fact, the one lady at the stroller rental place even offered to hold our dogs while we went in and rented a stroller. This really is a great place to take the family, and we will definitely be back! read more

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Lily C.

Elite 26

322

859

1747

14 years ago

We've been coming to Knoebels for the last four years with our most recent visit this week. Having read many of the earlier reviews, I agree that most of what's been said is what I love about Knoebels too. The food, the rides, the vibe, the value. Let's talk about food. Must eats are: - Funnel cake. It's perfection. Deliciously light and fluffy, not at all greasy and better than any other funnel cake you may have had at a local fair. This year I had it with vanilla soft serve (which is nearby) and I've been dreaming of it ever since. I usually go for the cinnamon and powdered sugar. If you're a traditionalist, go for the powdered sugar but I still prefer the cinnamon with sugar. - The Mill ice-cream sundae. For $4.95, you can share it with someone because it's HUGE and delicious. - The potato pancakes. - The creamed chipped beef on toast for breakfast - The Polish breakfast sampler - Apple slices with caramel and whipped cream - Orangeade from the stand that's shaped like a lemon - The Antonio - vanilla ice-cream in a deep-fried taco bowl dusted with cinnamon and sugar, topped with whipped cream. It's served in the Mexican section of the International Food Court. It's supposed to be like fried ice-cream. While it's not, it doesn't matter because it's delicious. My favorite ride is, "The Looper" which resembles a gerbil cage. It is THE most fun, unique and crazy ride. It's not at all nauseating, contrary to what it looks like. You have to try it because it is that much fun. My husband didn't want to try it for years because he's prone to motion sickness but he tried it for the first time this year. I wish I had a video recorder on me to capture his reaction. He was laughing so much and so hard. It was priceless. The carousel is one of my favorites. You'll want to go on this ride a few times to get a feel for how to get the rings. My girlfriend suggests holding out your palm and then grabbing the rings. I don't do this personally but if you're a beginning, this method works well. You have no idea how gratifying it is to get those rings. It makes riding a merry-go-round a completely different experience. Don't miss the bumper cars. There's a reason this ride is one of the few rides that has a line. It's worth the wait unlike the Tilt-a-Whirl, which I'm not sure why there's always a line for it. Just my opinion. If you have kids, 4-11 or so, don't miss the shows where they can be part of the performance. It is so much fun for them to be part of the play and so much fun to watch them have fun. At night, don't miss the Sky Ride. It's a beautiful view heading down the mountain. I love Knoebels. It's as good as it gets! read more

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Quijana B.

Elite 25

532

682

5573

14 years ago

Family fun at very affordable prices! I spent today at Knoebels. I spent it surrounded by my family and by my past. It was so good to visit with both. I spent nearly a decade living in Central Pennsylvania, and m family would go to Knoebels once or twice each summer. In those days my cousin and I would eat our packed lunch, pick our rides with care, and treasure each moment that we had at this gem of an amusement park. Today we ate with abandon, not worried about carrying our lunch with us. Our children ran from one ride to the next, stopping only long enough to collect the tickets needed for the next event. Our entire family, which has gained and lost members since my last visit, treasured each moment that we had together in this special place. Knoebels is an old fashioned amusement park. It is not owned by a corporation. The Knoebel family still owns and operates the property, and the employees have been with the company for decades. I can almost promise that the woman who made my funnel cake today has been making them in that same spot for long enough that she probably made me one of my first. This is an amazing thing, and is a testament to the atmosphere in this park. No parking fee. No entrance fee. Reasonable prices on all of the food sold in the park, and picnic tables and water fountains spread in every section of the park. Rides are pay-as-you-go, and only 5 of the 57 current rides cost more than $2.00. Of those 5, one of thirds, The Phoenix roller coaster, is a world class wooden coaster, consistently winning a spot in the top 10 wooden coasters every year for multiple contests. The food offered has also won recognition within the amusement park world. Today I visited Knoebels with a group of 16 people. We arrived in 4 separate vehicles. All of us puled tickets out of a variety of closets (tickets never expire, and I'm pretty sure mine were at least 5 years old!) and bought a few extra books to see us through the day. Not including lunch, my day (covering 4 of the 16) cost me $30. With lunch, I doubt I spent more than $60. Had we needed to spend the night, campsites begin at a mere $40. I can not say enough good things about this park. I can only encourage you to visit. Go! read more

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Old fashioned midway games are scattered through the park. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - True! - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Beautiful bumper cars. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Flood markers are everywhere. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Turn any corner and find something unexpected. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Polish Sampler. Sausage, potato cakes, and haluska. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Funnel cake. Perfect, fluffy, sugared cake. Mmmmmmm - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Becky T.

Elite 19

299

389

11 years ago

Knoebles is a family friendly place that is fun to visit when in the area. One of its biggest selling points is that there is no admission charge, and no parking fees. So you are free to wander in, and only pay for the food, rides, or shopping items you actually wish to use. These items are also relatively inexpensive. Most kid rides seem to be $1.25-2 each, and the adult rides are generally $2-3. (The Phoenix roller coaster is $3, for example.) Food items can vary, but I found pretzels were often around $2, sodas $2-3, and meals $8-10. However, you can also take in your own picnic items if wanting to save on food costs. I also think they have plenty of benches and shade throughout, which is helpful when a brief rest is wanted, Now, you should know this does not have the newness/shininess of Disney World - you take a two-laned road to get here, parking on grass/rocks, and several of the rides date to my Dad's era (40-50 years), but it is a fun place to spend a day while in the area. read more

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Knoebles Ferris wheel - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Jason Z.

Elite 17

172

10 years ago

Free parking. Free admission. This park is family-owned and budget friendly. It's like stepping back in time. Tip: when arriving at the park, don't go to the first ticket booth nearest the parking lot because it's always busy. There are lots of other ticket booths around the park with no lines. read more

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Vanessa L.

Elite 25

309

282

8 years ago

I never really had amazing food here, yet I've never had a badly prepared meal or snack here either. It's amusement park fare and they truly try their best based on the intended low prices. They keep their prices low and just recently started relying on commissaries for some hot food stands, but everything from the tators to the funnel cakes still takes me back to those years gone by. Ice cream at the Old Mill is actually just Turkey Hill as I fortunately and unfortunately learned that from a friend who used to work there. Growing up in the coal regions, you either worked at Knoebels or know someone or a group who did. It'd be really unique if it were handmade like what Creme-Freeze does down the road. But again, man... how the Old Mill does those banana splits can't be beat. At another stand by the sky ride and the Loaf, they also recently started doling out (pun intended) Dole Whips as well. If you're a Disney fan, yep! That means pineapple! The Alamo is more diner style than anything. For something slightly more refined, look into the Nickel Plate. For gourmet coffee, keep going into the town of Elysburg and head to Profile for a good cuppa. Everything is organic and some of the baristas can do latte art! And in the summer, try their lavender lemonade or a mint lemonade! They usually source their lavender locally and the color of their mint lemonade (especially when Andy makes it) is gorg! As for amusements, the rides are recreations of vintage favorites like the Flying Turns to the salt n paper shakers to a haunted house. It's more than a carnival in the woods. Although they are aware of modernism, it isn't the style and theme of the park. The park is accepting of pets, but it can be challenging in the heat (no pun intended) of summer with the crowds. Depends how your pooch does with people! Heh... read more

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Ken Y.

Elite 26 All-Star

496

1275

9 years ago

Knoebels is a an old school park with quite a few fun rides from days past. It's a beautiful and scenic place smack dab in the middle of the Pokonos. Although the park has a number of great attractions, my main reason for going was the Phoenix, a roller coaster relocated from a 60s-70s San Antonio amusement park. I recall many Sunday afternoons screaming my head off with my siblings on that thing. Now being a Marylander, and discovering it's "rebirth" in PA... hadda go!! My first ride on it after over 30+ years made me shed a tear. read more

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Chase M.

4 years ago

The place is cheap you do not have to come for parking or to walk in if you really want to you can walk around tickets are cheap and the food really cheap the rides are also fun. read more

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Carol B.

3 years ago

We recently had a family reunion at Knoebels as we had many great memories from our early years there and camping at their campground. We stayed (3 nights) at the LaTorre House and their efficiency apartment. 21 happy family members ( several from the west coast and some from NC) had a wonderful time! Especially the kids (4 years old) who had never been there before. Everything was fantastic! The LaTorre Bed & Breakfast hosts, Doreen, Lacey and Casey were wonderful! We are already planning a return visit! read more

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Stephanie K.

Elite 22

274

148

255

8 years ago

How can I possibly write a review about a place that has meant so much to not only my life, but my entire family? This park is an institution, and rightfully so. We've had 5 generations of my family come to this park, and year over year it gets better and better. If you are looking for the hullabaloo of the Disneys and Six Flags of the world, this is not the place. When you step into Knoebels, you're transported back in time and treated like family, and they like to keep it that way. Entrance to the park is free, parking is free, the food is delicious and reasonably priced, and you won't wait for 5 hours on one ride line. This isn't to say that they don't have some amazing thrill rides. The Phoenix and the Twister are two of the best wooden roller coasters in the world. The Impulse is a newer, metal roller coaster that will give anyone a healthy dose of adrenaline. But some of the best rides are their rides that have been in operation for decades and decades. Besides the great rides, the park has great games, shops and museums, so even when you need a break from the rides, there's always something fun to do. Another awesome feature of Knoebels is the availability of camp grounds and cabins directly next to the park. There are cabins to accommodate a range of sizes of groups, from couples to 10 or more. Various camp grounds allow trailers or tents, so you can get any camping experience you'd like. And the best part? They are all walking distance to the park. This place really is a treasure and I'm so glad to see the park continue to be successful year after year. read more

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Michael S.

16 years ago

I was recently at Knoebels for a picnic with my wife and two year old son. I was impressed with the property itself and the "old school" carnival atmosphere. The day was overcast with occasional showers but the less than spectacular weather did not keep us from having a good time. There are plenty of rides for the toddler crowd and all are priced from .75 cents to 1.00. My wife was pleased that there were a few rides we could go on as a family. The prices were reasonable for both food and rides. All in all - a great day that did not break the bank. read more

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Ron B.

3 years ago

Family friendly, however there are way too many mutts walking around the park! People need to let their dogs at home

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Erica L.

138

11 years ago

Hands down one of the best family amusement parks in the U.S. You can't beat FREE PARKING & FREE ENTRY & it's pet friendly! The location is ideal for a park as it has a lot of shade and tree coverage. Patrons can come for the day, camp or rent a cottage. There are even separate pool areas for people who stay overnight in these locations. It is a great place for family reunions (we've had one here) or even work picnics. You can ride rides by purchasing an all day hand stamp or buying tickets. Some rides have been there for years and are crowd favorites, but Knoebels always keeps things interesting by adding new rides such as Flying Turns (a bobsled style wooden coaster). The Haunted House (inside the old skating rink) is ranked as one of the best in the country! Another plus is the food! Everything is delicious here and one of my favorites is the chicken fry platter with coleslaw and French fries. Yum! This park also has a large pool are complete with water slides and diving boards. Surprisingly I have never gone in this area, but plan to on my next visit! Another favorite is the arcade area because they still have old black and white photo booths which is a must on every trip to Knoebels! If you like history, this place has plenty of it. I get a feeling of nostalgia every time I go. There is a carousel museum as well as a mining museum complete with Knoebels history as well as coal minor history from the surrounding area. Knoebels truly seems to have something for everyone! You can even see beautiful bald eagles here! I cannot wait to go back! :) read more

Knoebels Amusement Resort - View from the scenic sky ride! - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Chicken fry platter with coal slaw and french fries! Yum! - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Entering the park! - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

Knoebels Amusement Resort - Creek runs through the park. - Amusement Parks Near Me - Elysburg, Pennsylvania

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Kelly N.

3 years ago

This is my happy place. I grew up going to Knoebels. It's a beautiful park and I believe there's stuff for everyone. It's free admission/free parking which is amazing. Most parks are a fortune to get in and to pay for parking. You can bring your dog and just enjoy spending time. There's good food, rides, games, music/shows, swimming pool and so much more. I absolutely love it. read more

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Page 4 of 11

391 Knoebels Blvd Rte 487
Elysburg, PA 17824
Directions
(800) 487-4386
Call Now
Visit Website
http://www.knoebels.com

Hours

What time does Knoebels Amusement Resort open?

Knoebels Amusement Resort opens at 12:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

What time does Knoebels Amusement Resort close?

Knoebels Amusement Resort closes at 7:00 PM on Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday.Knoebels Amusement Resort closes at 8:00 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

Mon-Thu 12:00 PM - 7:00 PMFri-Sun 12:00 PM - 8:00 PM

Payment methods

Does Knoebels Amusement Resort take credit cards?

Yes, Knoebels Amusement Resort takes credit cards.

Indoor Amenities

Does Knoebels Amusement Resort allow dogs?

Yes, Knoebels Amusement Resort allows dogs.

Outdoor Amenities

Does Knoebels Amusement Resort have bike parking?

Yes, Knoebels Amusement Resort has bike parking.

Does Knoebels Amusement Resort have parking?

Yes, Knoebels Amusement Resort has parking options. Private Lot Parking

Other Amenities

Is Knoebels Amusement Resort wheelchair accessible?

Yes, Knoebels Amusement Resort is wheelchair accessible.

Ask the Community - Knoebels Amusement Resort

Is the Crystal pool water cold. It's spring fed and unheated, so I'm assuming it's rather cold?

Yes the water is rather cold since it is spring fed.

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How much does a ride cost?

Kiddie rides start as low as $1.50 and the roller coasters go up to $4.50. You can also get a ride all day wristband that's $55 for riders over 48" that includes unlimited rides on everything except the Haunted House. You can see each rides…

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What should I expect if I go here memorial weekend, is it crowded? Thanks :)

No answers yet. Be the first to answer.

I have 3 kids is there something like a bracelet/ stamp where the kids can ride unlimited at least for a day? If there is about how much is it?

Yes! I am not sure how much it is but I think you can get it with or without rollercoasters-they do sundown special unlimited rides too. You could check their website. If you go-have fun! It's a great park!

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Are there restrooms and changing rooms by the swimming pool and at the amusement parks?

Restrooms and changing rooms at the pool, yes. Restrooms are also throughout the park. Not any changing rooms in the park that I can recall, but there are a number of Family Restrooms right by the Bumper Cars that could be used to change in if need…

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This place is in the boonies of PA. Is there a city close enough where I can find a suitable family hotel for overnight stay? Lancaster ? Harrisburg? Please advise. PA is so big.

Your best best is Bloomsburg. It's 15-20 minutes away. It's a college town, so it has a range of lodging options from motels to mid-level hotels (Holiday Inn Express, Hampton Inn, etc.). Plenty of restaurants and shopping as well, including a 24…

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Is the swimming separate from the amusement park? Are there slides ? What is the admission for swimming?

Yes there is a pool called the “Crystal pool” There are water slides.…

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Was told to put phone away on the Carousel by a staff. Is it part of their policy?

I would think if the ride was about to start and the employee was going through her check of making sure everyone is secure along with personal belongings, I would say yes.

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How are the showers and the restrooms at Knoebels campground? Can anyone insert pictures if available

Rustic but much cleaner than most campgrounds! 6 restrooms (in stalls) per side , at least 14 showers with hook/bench. Then you also have outside sinks with mirror for teeth brushing/makeup/hot hair tools if needed. Everything was cleaned several…

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Review Highlights - Knoebels Amusement Resort

“They feature some of the best wooden roller coasters, dark rides and Halloween theme events anywhere in the world.”

Mentioned in 15 reviews

Impulse Roller Coaster

4.3(4 reviews)

0.3 mi

Impulse is a fun ride. Like its western cousin Wicked in Utah's Lagoon, it features a full course…read moreof hills, inversions, and turns. However, it is missing the launch at the beginning that Lagoon's Wicked has. With that said, it is still a good, fun ride, it could just be a little better with if it had that launch.

As someone who loves roller coasters, this is definitely a good one…read more Knobles is a good park and is mostly old, wooden, and small rides. Impulse is a great ride as knobles needs at least 1 metal roller coaster. The experience is phenomenal I get into a tight, but comfortable seat, there are 2 carts running at a time and each cart fits 8 people 4 front 4 back This is great for friends so they can all fit. Not to mention it's better than other coasters because you have a 50 -50 chance to be in the front, a lot of people prefer the front for better experience This ride is super smooth, and intense not to mention the 88 degree drop. WOWZERS Anyone who loves roller coasters should go on impulse

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Impulse roller coaster

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Impulse roller coaster

Twister Rollercoaster

3.6(10 reviews)

0.2 mi

Wuh-ho, ladies-n-gentlemen! After riding this coaster I can safely say it is the best twister…read morecoaster I've ever been on! And that's a statment the Rollercoaster Queen doesn't make too lightly. For those of you who are wondering what twisters are, they're a relatively new breed of wooden rollercoasters. Recent technological advances have allowed for higher hills and more sharply banked turns and twists, hence the name (and name of this particular coaster) "Twister." I mean, you know it's gonna be one hell of a thrill ride when the coaster has not one, but two lift hills! This beast is over 3900 feet long, reaches a height of 101 feet, and has a bowl so twisted, you'd think you're looking at spaghetti gone haywire. It was designed completely in house by the folks at Knoebel's and was built by Philadelphia Toboggan Company, who've put their name on many, many famous coasters. So we're gonna take a couple of rides, first in the front for the view and then in the back for the G-forces. Ready? The Twister does a bit of a drop out of the station and then clips along towards the initial lift hill. This lift hill is actually within the rest of the coaster's structure. This one does a rather rapid ascent and for me that's the only negative. Me, I love it when coasters ascend their lift hills slowly. Builds up anticipation, y'know. So the lift chain releases and we drop slightly into a very rapid "S" curve before we hit the second lift hill. The lift chain engages and if we look ahead, we see nothing but sky. But if we look to the sides we get a beautiful view of the surrounding countryside. As we crest the hill, we take a look of the foothills. We do a short drop and then into another "S" curve before we take the big drop. Ah, the big drop! We get maybe a nanosecond to take in the view of the twists, turns, and bowls of The Twister! We plunge Earthwards under the bowl before going back up again, then a 180 into a boomerang before we go into the bowl itself. We're on the outer part of the bowl as we do a high-banked curve. We're going almost too fast to see it, but we're now on the inner bowl with even more sharply banked curves. The a twist into a high-banked boomerang, an airtime hill, then we plunge into the short tunnel for another hidden airtime hill. Finally we do another curve as we hit the brake run into the station. So as we get off the ride, I hope you've caught your breath, your heartrate returns to normal, and your innards have caught up with you. 'Cos we're gonna ride again!

I've been to about 20 amusement parks throughout my life, mostly on the east coast and a little…read morefurther south to King's Dominion and those in FL. Although I'm a bit biased because I grew up just a few towns over from Knoebels, it is still the best park in America hands down for not only the free admission but because they have gems like the Twister that make you want to come back over and over again. The Twister has to easily be on the top 10 wooden coaster list in all of America, if not cracking the top 5. The BEST I've ever been on, even though it is a hybrid coaster, would be El Toro at Six Flags Great Adventure. The Phoenix was obviously ranked for many years and for good reason but now Knoebels has TWO of the top coasters in the entire country and can be ridden any day you'd like for only $5 for BOTH! Who offers up that kind of deal anywhere else?? I've posted a few "different" pictures, one of the golden bolt when the coaster was finished in 1999 and the lovely train that goes under the two large lift hills and back into the woods. I don't have enough gumption to pull out my camera going down the lift hills so you get to enjoy those instead. The only complaint about the ride itself is the headaches it can cause from all the jarring, especially if you ride it more than once in a row. One time, I rode 3x in a span of 20 min because the lines were so short on a fall day and that was not smart given how I felt afterwards. The bouncing around happens throughout the ride, beginning in the decent down a small hill out of the station. EVERYTHING else, and I mean everything....is great about the Twister. From the first teaser hill (sorry for ruining it) to the "double helix" twist you engage in while making circles around the queue line. It's so genuine and original, I can't think of another single coaster I've been on that compares to the Twister. It's in a category all on its own and the thrills don't end. Coaster enthusiasts need to head to rural PA for a day to experience this as well as the Phoenix....and I can't stress enough, it'll only cost you $5 and the gas to get there.

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High drop 2015.

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Entrance 2015.

Playland

4.5(2 reviews)

0.1 mi

Welcome to one of the few arcade's left in Eastern/Central Pennsylvania. While arcades were once…read morecommon with virtually every mall having one, most have closed including Boardwalk Boulevard, Pocket Change, and Tilt. This arcade is located within Knoebles, so there is no admission fee. Playland is an interesting arcade that has modernized to keep with the times. Building is not fancy but is decently large. This is NOT a retro arcade, so you will not see games like X-Men, Simpsons, or Centipede. They have a wide array of new $1 a play games along with other recent games such as Dance Dance Revolution. Playland has many new ticket games with the usual array of prizes available. Some older ticket games include Skee ball and Pop-A-Ball poker. A few pinball machines are located in the back of the building. It's easy to walk into Playland and spend $5 quickly. As a child of the 80's it's nice to see at least one arcade can continue to thrive. There's no right time to visit as it's always crowded, so if you're at Knoebles, make sure to stop!

Fun arcade in the middle of Knoebels. The main draw for me is that in addition to video games and…read moreticket games, they also usually have three or four pinball machines!

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Interior decoration!

Skeeball!

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Scenic Skyway

5.0(1 review)

0.0 mi

The Scenic Skyway is a scenic and relaxing way to spend some time at Knoebels. Leaving, you get…read moregreat views of the mountains. Coming back, you get great views of the park. Because of this, this is something you must do at least once when visiting Knoebels.

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Scenic Skyway

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Scenic Skyway

The Phoenix

4.8(16 reviews)

0.5 mi

Holy airtime! If you go, make sure to sit in the back seat…read morefor the best experience of this historic wooden coaster.

In the 1980s, when the Knoebels family announced they were resurrecting a dead roller coaster from…read moreTexas, a wooden relic called The Rocket, there were skeptics. "Wooden coasters don't rise from the dead," they said. "Once they're gone, they're gone," they said. "Extreme coasters with ever-growing numbers of loops are the future!" But Knoebels, being run by either visionaries or lunatics (or both), instead dug up the corpse, hauled it across the country beam-by-beam, and brought it back to life. They named it The Phoenix, because what else do you call a miracle? And what a resurrection it was. The Phoenix is a wooden coaster as God intended. No over-the-shoulder restraints, no plastic prison to hold you down. Just a single, beautiful buzz bar, a safety system designed under the assumption that riders are either thrill-seekers or daredevils, and that both deserve respect. The bar does not staple you to your seat. It merely suggests that you stay. And so, if you are fortunate enough to ride in the back row, and you should ride in the back row, you will experience what can only be described as flight. The first drop pulls you down like a siren's call, but it is the return trip, the final act of this wooden symphony, where The Phoenix truly earns its legend. The bunny hills do not simply lift you from your seat. They rip you from gravity itself. Your body becomes a loose suggestion, held in place only by momentum and the faint hope that this ancient engineering will continue to defy physics for just a little longer. You will scream. You will laugh. You will ascend. There are flashier roller coasters in the world. Taller ones. Faster ones. Louder ones. But none of them feel like this. The Phoenix doesn't consistently place in the top three (and often win) the Golden Ticket Award for best wooden coaster because of it's speed or height. It is a coaster built entirely of transcendence. So if you ever find yourself in Elysburg, PA, among the trees and the laughter and the smell of frying dough, do yourself a favor: go ride The Phoenix. And for those brief, breathtaking moments when you are no longer touching your seat, remember this: sometimes, dead things do come back. And sometimes, they are better than ever.

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Phoenix as seen from Wipeout

Main hill 2015.

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Golden Ticket Awards Best Wooden Coaster 2018.

Flying Turns

4.4(7 reviews)

0.1 mi

There are faster rides at Knoebel's. There are rides that pull your hair back like an unpaid debt…read morecollector and rides that make you taste the corndog you ate three hours ago. Flying Turns is not one of them. It tops out at 24 miles per hour, which is about the speed your uncle drives when he is looking for the turnoff he missed ten minutes ago. And yet, here I am, grinning like a fool every year as I step into its line. As far as I know, this is the only wooden bobsled coaster on Earth. The only one. Each car slides and rattles through a curving trough of planks with no rails to keep it in check. Gravity and momentum have the wheel. You are cargo. You are a marble in a chute, an egg in a spoon race against nothing but yourself. And here's the strange thing: even though it is only 24 miles per hour, because you are sitting so low in the car and there are no tracks beneath you, it feels much faster and far more chaotic than that number suggests. The line does not move quickly. There are three cars per train. Six humans ride at a time. Knoebel's built this ride over seven years and only opened it when it was perfect, so I respect the slowness. Before you even get in line, they weigh you. Before you ride, they weigh you again to arrange the load. No numbers are shown. Someone just nods yes or no like a prophet who has seen the future and decided you may proceed. If you ride with someone else you sit in single file and share a single seatbelt like two sardines who have agreed to a joint adventure. People say get there first thing in the morning. I say no. This week by noon the line snaked all the way past the North Pole shop. Around dinner time I walked on in about 25 minutes. That is my pilgrimage hour. Every year I ride Flying Turns. Every year it is worth it. It is slow. It is rare. It is as joyful as it is improbable. I cannot imagine Knoebel's without it.

Flying Turns is the only wooden bobsled coaster at least in the United States, if not the world…read more This causes it to hug every little dip and turn, which makes for an exhilarating ride despite the low heights. The only downside is that this has a low capacity, and therefore often has the longest line in the park.

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Flying Turns roller coaster

Bumper Cars

5.0(3 reviews)

0.0 mi

The Bumper Cars, also known as the Dodgems or Skooters, are a Knoebels staple. Everyone has a…read moredifferent opinion of what the best ride is at Knoebels. Many will say the Phoenix; others will say the Train, there are countless possible answers. I would argue that this is the parks well known but best dark horse ride. The bumper cars are like many of the older rides at Knoebels: not perfect, edgy, and full of individual personality. Two different styles of cars are in-use (older medal vs newer plastic), with the medal ones being the standard operating cars. These cars are edgy, you might get one that is fast and maneuverable, but the next one is slow and sluggish, it's part of the experience. I've had a car break at the start of the ride, it happens. As for the individual ride, it can vary per the group. Floor is configured as an oval, one way, and no head on's allowed. Many kids have issues controlling the cars as they do not drive yet. Often, the ride has to be briefly stopped due to people being unable to understand directions. Cars can hit very hard and pick up some decent speed, and it can be a physical experience. Overall, worth the price of the ride for the fun experience. The Bumper Cars are one of the best rides in the park without question.

Come for a great time but try not to stay for the whiplash!…read more Often quoted as "the best bumper cars in America", this statement is fairly legit for those that I have been on throughout the northeast. These are a classic mainstay and part of the unique charm of Knoebels in general. I'll never forget the older gentleman who worked here for years and is glorified in a painting on the wall yelling "NO HEAD-ON COLLISIONS!" I believe he has passed away considering he was probably in his 70's back in the 1990's. RIP Awesome Bumper Car Man Whoever is working here, they are still sassy as hell no matter who it is and you'll hear someone get yelled at no less than three times throughout a ride. But this is for good reason and the heeded warnings are important because you will legit get injured if you decide to take your buddy on at full speed, head-on. Don't think about trying it because your neck will hurt for weeks AND you'll probably get kicked out of the park. The smell of these cars while running, the loud bangs and the sparks flying on the ceiling make it a must see attraction every single visit. These can't be missed and at under $2 per ride, it's probably the best value in the park besides the Grand Carousel. The line is rarely longer than 2-3 cycles of riders and the ride seems fairly long, like close to five minutes.

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Ride art.

Well worn ride ID tag.

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Spare cars.

Treasure Castle Playland

4.3(3 reviews)

35.8 mi

Treasure Castle Playland is a pretty cool place to visit in South Williamsport if you have younger…read morekids. It's an older church converted into a child's playland. Very similar to Chuck-E-Cheese, Gymboree or Bounce U. Admission is 6 dollars for ages 1-3 and 9 dollars for 4-12, one parent is free per child, extra parents are 2 dollars a person. They have two floors of adventure, including padded play area, fortress climb wall, blocks, panning for gold, a Castle Garden for younger kids, coin-operated amusements, a food court, learning computers, free wi-fi, and all sorts of kids stuff available for purchase. Our 2 year old had a blast there. Ample parking available, next to Little Tresures Daycare.

We wish we lived closer! We were passing through and stopped to get some energy out with our 1 and…read more4 year olds. It was awesome. Pizza was amazing and great priced. Love the family owned feel. Super cool place! Thank you.

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Fortress slide area

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Castle Garden

Hersheypark

3.3(1.6k reviews)

41.7 mi

I am a longtime fan of Hershey Park, but as the years go on, it is getting outrageously expensive…read more My friend and I bought tickets ahead of time and got fast pass, about $400 ish. We didn't get any food because everything was high priced. I stopped at a dunkin & a medium refresher was almost $7. We did enjoy the water park & the lines were short today probably due to the heat but the ride attendants were nice & did their jobs well. We went to the boardwalk & a large locker was $25, which seemed insanely pricy to put personal items away. Also parking is so expensive. $30 with tax to park the car on their lot I did notice the water at tidal force was brown & murky. I know we had that thunderstorm semi recently but the water color was a turn off to ride. I do appreciate how well kept the park is, the rides are very safe & the employees seem well trained. The waterpark was also a huge relief with the heat today! Overall, I do suggest trying HP if you're looking to have a fun day.

Hersheypark needs to elevate its standards. Today's visit was an unmitigated disappointment, aside…read morefrom the pleasure of spending time with family. This follows a concerning trend in recent visits we've experienced. Major issues include high prices, numerous closures, season ticket discounts with more exclusions than inclusions, discontinuation of towel service in cabanas, and opaque communication about closures. After four years of loyalty as a season ticket holder, I'm choosing not to renew next year due to these unresolved issues. Hersheypark needs to elevate its standards. Today's visit was an unmitigated disappointment, aside from the pleasure of spending time with family. This follows a concerning trend in recent visits we've experienced. Major issues include high prices, numerous closures, season ticket discounts with more exclusions than inclusions, discontinuation of towel service in cabanas, and opaque communication about closures. After four years of loyalty as a season ticket holder, I'm choosing not to renew next year due to these unresolved issues.

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Hershey Triple Towers

We have arrived. My grandsons

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Boardwalk Waterpark

Susquehanna Sports Place

4.9(8 reviews)

18.1 mi

What a hidden gem! So glad my son & I visited! Really enjoyed not only the challenging 22 holes but…read morethe grounds were beautiful and peaceful, like you were in a secret garden. The owners a husband & wife team are super friendly! Would definitely come back if in the area!

Beautiful scenery (forgot to take pictures lol) with a very unique course, definitely a bit…read moredifficult but was extremely enjoyable. Quiet, not a lot of people, but you are accompanied by bullfrogs, butterflies, and dragonflies. We got distracted watching the frogs and taking pictures of the butterflies. Definitely is a hidden treasure.

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Dragonfly sunning himself.

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Ann S.

7 years ago

Autism/ eloper/ wandering child/ energetic toddler alert!!! visited this park with my children and husband recently. Pros: -The park is quite nice; pretty, clean, lots of trees and shade -Tons of covered picnic area seating and benches everywhere throughout the park -There is a very reasonable sundown rate for a bracelet to ride anything after 4:00. They close at 10pm so 4-10 is plenty of time to get around the entire park. The bonus is that it's half price, cooler temps and less crowded! Plus you only pay if you are actually going on rides, instead of a flat entry fee. -The little bit of food we had there was just ok, however the price was very reasonable! Three bottles of water, 4 hot dogs, one hamburger and a chicken sandwich for about $27. I've paid waaaay more than that at other parks. -Parking is free and since we went after 4:00, we parked very close to the entrance. There are trollies running through the parking lot constantly to transport people from the lot to the entrance, so even if you park very far, it's easy to get in. I noticed abundant handicapped parking. -Not super crowded, short to non existent lines for rides -Nice variety of rides for little ones through adults Cons: -Why in the world is the place to get park bracelets located a mile inside the park? You get to the park, kids are all excited to go on rides, and you have to walk past all the rides on the way, deep into the park, to get a ride bracelet and then walk back to the beginning to all the rides you've already passed. It doesn't make sense. Why not sell them at the entrance? -The sit down family restaurant closed at 6. Why??? -MOST IMPORTANTLY there is NO fencing/wall/barrier or even bushes separating the park from the street in some areas (if anywhere at all). A child can easily wander off the park grounds as it is probably a matter of feet from some rides to the outside. If a child has a disability/ is an eloper/ is an energetic toddler/ etc. This can be VERY dangerous. I was by the little kid roller coaster and was shocked at how open the park is and cars are driving by just feet away. If you are visiting with someone with a disability and/or young children, be careful! -There are way too many gift shops and places to get food. It's totally unnecessary, redundant and probably takes up about half of the entire park overall. You walk for hours to get around the place and realize you're just passing gift shop and food stall after gift shop and food stall! I think they should remove half of them and add more rides or other interesting attractions. -Location is in the middle of nowhere, which they can't really help. I'm just writing so visitors know to be prepared for a lot of winding, back, (pitch black at night), country roads to find the park. Overall it was a nice experience and I would recommend Knoebels to any family, with the caution about fencing, if that may be a problem for them read more

Mike W.

11 years ago

This is a great amusement park to bring the family for a cheap, fun filled experience. Knoebels offers a different quality of entertainment from the likes of a Six Flags. Parking is completley free. To enter, is also free of charge and pet friendly. Walking around the park people watching could almost be as fun as going on the rides themselves! Pricing: On certain days, a wristband with big coasters included goes for around $42. I would go with this option because the Phoenix and Twister are main attractions. Ticket books can be purchased at certain denominations, at booths all around the park. Rides can go up to $3.00 per. Rides: There are really only three wooden roller coasters and a new steel coaster. Other smaller rides are scattered about the park, so everyone can find a favorite. Some rides look like they are straight from the 80's, because they are. Knoebels maintains the rides regularly so I don't worry too much about it. Food: Excellent and well priced to feed the family. I remember years back the park was rated #1 in their food and I would have to agree. Between the funnel cakes, candy apples, pizza and burgers, everything is quality food. Best of all, you can even bring your own food and drinks into the park to circumnavigate the costs all together. Many picnic benches under pavilions are available. Entertainment: They have a live band playing on stage daily, with ample seating. Additionally, Knoebels offers children's shows and entertainment spread throughout the park. If you are in the mood for side games, there are a ton of them. For you gamblers, id recommend the game, "Fascination." Hotel accommodations: There is an on-sight camp ground that Knoebels offers for a very reasonable price. If that is not your, "Thing," many hotels are within the area. However, I would look for hotels near Bloomsburg (or that distance away) to avoid paying tourist hotel prices closer to the park. Knoebels was very close to get a 5 star rating from me, but I chose not to based on the clientele of people it attracts. Even though I feel 100% safe, there are a lot of "Rednecks," that frequent the park. The park can be covered in one full day, so multi-days are not necessary. With that aside, this is a must visit place for any family vacation. read more

J H.

2 months ago

there are 3 important men in history barack obama walt disney kozmo knoebels grew up going here. my dad used to bring the trailer and we would camp out under the stars and the phoenix . now i have a tradition going with my friends - we still bring the trailer and this year was special celebrating americas 250 bday (we aren't trump supporters) man i hope i dont make it til 250. just pull my plug like terry shiavo. rip. anyway we had a funday celebrating my friends 21st she had a BALL however i took some stars away bc she requested Sir James Buffet on the cozmotron and they didn't have it. W t f. i was pissed .... who doesn't have a buffet song on their playlist. i wonder if they use free spotify of they pay. i didn't hear an ad (i have the free bc i am on a fixed income) so that tells me she could have downloaded it. whatever i wasnt a cheese burger in paradise hut Whatever i got over it. We ate at a steakhouse for lunch. delicious. i didn't see steak on the menu so i got the hotdog and delicious corn on the cob which caught up with me the next day in the bathroom if u get my drift (lol) my sis got a funnel cake. made a mess. all over her electric wheel chair ....what can i do. happy it was a diet pepsi facility - could've used lemons (just a thought!) read more

James M.

10 years ago

No, Knoebel's is not Cedar Point or Kng's Island. It's not a Six Flags Rip-ff or the amazing and equally expensive Disneyland. What it is goes to the very core of what I expect out of a great amusement park. Walk in to any of the aforementioned theme parks, and you're out $100 for 2 people and parking, and you have had nothing to eat or been on any rides. There is NO admission, NO parking fee, NO picnic fee, and FREE entertainment. Add to that 2 huge campgrounds, a gigantic and well-maintained swimming pool with water slides, 2 world class coasters, and an army of vintage rides. What else? Of the 63 rides, several are designed and built in house, like their nationally ranked Haunted Mansion, the fantastic flume ride, a 20 minute sky ride, a fantastic train ride (one of 2), the nation's best bumper cars and the world's ONLY flying turns. Add to this America's best amusement park food, all reasonably priced, REAL trees by the thousands, and a very friendly and professional staff. This park is a gem of Amusement Parks in America. I'll go here any day over standing in 3 hour lines for rides and losing half my bank account just to walk around. read more

Sharon L.

12 years ago

Our family has been going to Knoebels grove since my daughter was a baby (32 years) . As a young family, that lives 11/2 hours away we would do at least 1 trip a summer, as the kids got older and could last longer the number of trips per summer increased. As the kids became teens we here able to take advantage of the night time specials. There is no better place for a day long family outing. WE are now grandparents to a set of 2 year old boy/girl twins. (They live 3 hours from the park ) Last year we all went to Knoebels for an outing. I'm not sure who had more fun my daughter and her husband, the twins or my husband and myself. The key the this parks success is the affordability, family focus on safety, being clean and well laid out. Being able to see my grandbabies reactions to all that they saw, was as they saw priceless. I can't wait to this years trip . I was so special that we have talked the other set of grandparents into making the trip as well. Can't wait till the twins are big enough to do a sleep over in a hotel will be making a two day event out of the park. read more

Casey-Laura K.

6 years ago

Had a wonderful this weekend for Halloween fun! The kids enjoyed it as well! They have social distancing precautions in place, it's just other human beings don't follow it which is to be expected. Lines were line BUT their running half capacity due to Covid. Again understandable. It is one of the oldest parks in country that is free to walk around in, you just pay for foods and rides. It's not your atypical amusement parks. It's got charm and nostalgia! It's also family owned since the 1920's. It's a gem to locals. If you buy ride all day of course you pay more! But if you buy tickets when it's crowded you pay less. Even through Covid I watched them clean, they have social distance markers everywhere, sooo much hand sanitizer, all staff wearing masks or shields. They also have you come at own risk. They follow CDC procedures, it's just some people don't follow them , which is to be expected for a public place. I have some compassion and don't expect perfection, you'll always be disappointed then . read more

Chris C.

107

5 years ago

Knoebels is an independent amusement park in rural, north central Pennsylvania. The closest towns of significance are Danville and Bloomsburg, both about 30 minutes north, just off I-80. Parking is free and the rides are a la cart (via tickets) or unlimited ride wristbands. The food is decent and the crowds well behaved. I've been here a few times, but never overnight in their campground. It's a little too rustic for me. This was my first visit during Covid and it was on May 29, Memorial Day weekend. The cool and damp air plus cloudy sky kept crowd levels at far below 50 percent capacity. I felt comfortable removing my mask and wasn't hassled for wearing it when I chose. The rides are typical carnival. They have a pool, some water rides, and rollercoasters too. It's a fun, local park that's an inexpensive alternative to Hershey or Dorney. read more

J B.

6 years ago

Being a roller coaster enthusiast, I've ridden over 150 different roller coasters around the country. Knoebels has one of the best wooden roller coaster collections of any park. The food here is fantastic and the best of the amusement parks I've visited. Along with the wooden coasters and food, the operations are fantastic. Rides rarely go down maintenance on my multiple visits and the roller coasters have very short turnover periods in the station. This speed is seen when buying food as well - at most amusement parks food lines are slow, but Knoebels is the opposite. Many Six Flags parks feel run-down, yet Knoebels manges to look fantastic; every ride is freshly painted and well maintained. Visiting Knoebels is a fantastic way to spend a day! read more

Lindsey A.

1 year ago

We had the best time at Knoebels and Lake Glory Campground! Knoebels is the perfect mix of nostalgic charm and family fun -- no entrance fees, tons of rides for all ages, and delicious food . The park was clean, well-staffed, and had such a friendly vibe. Lake Glory Campground made the trip even better. It's peaceful and tucked away, but close enough for a quick shuttle to the park. The bathrooms were mostly well-kept, and our site had plenty of space. We loved the campfires, roasting marshmallows, and waking up to the quiet beauty of nature. Even the rainy moments and "camping chaos" (sweaty nights, a questionable shower or two ) couldn't take away from how much fun we had. Highly recommend for a wholesome, affordable getaway! read more

Kent Z.

9 years ago

No park will ever come close to Knoebels! From the beautifully maintained wooden coasters, to the INCREDIBLE food, Knoebels has something for everyone! Even grandma and grandpa can enjoy the wonderful family atmosphere of this classic park. They have rides old and new, ranging from mild to wild (all wonderfully maintained, of course) guaranteed to make you want to go back! Where else can you ride a coaster as great as the Phoenix, visit a Christmas shop, and enjoy alligator bites all in the same day??? If you love amusement parks, you really need to visit Knoebels! I suggest a midweek visit as weekends tend to be crowded and you can get a handstamp (handstamps aren't available on the weekends.) read more

Dee T.

10 years ago

Hands down 5 *. I would give it a 10 if they had it. LOL! I have been going there since I was 3 or 4 yo. This family has kept bringing it back even after all the flooding they had endured w/that place & I hope they continue. If they don't, a lot of us will still have the wonderful memories. I can't say enough about the park. In my opinion, it's the best park ever. And I don't have to worry about safety for family/self. Thank you so much to Knoebels for continuing on w/this park picking yourselves up even after all these years. I give these people & who they employ much credit. Keep up the good work & I will plan to come again this summer if our finances allow. read more

April P.

14 years ago

I have gone to this park since I was a kid, well no more. I was officially stopped by the smoking police and told to"put it out, you know you have to put it out!". I was smoking in the outdoors for gods sake!!! Yet the owners of the resort let people bring their dogs there, I saw 3 pit bulls today, and that really makes me feel safe having all these dogs walking around making all over the place. I didn't see any dog police.! There were no signs posted saying you weren't allowed to smoke, and for gods sake, your outside!!! Knoebels has gone too far!!!! Never will i visit you again. read more

Chicken_Tater-Tot 1.

8 years ago

I went to Knoebels for the first time with my family and it was a blast! The food and drinks were cheap and awesome. My little cousin loved it because there were a bunch of rides for him too and he is only 2! My favorite ride probably the Phoenix and I was nervous at first but my aunt started talking about how awesome it was, then I was super exited! I liked all the rides I went on expect for one, satellite. I didn't like that one because my friend and I went on it and we were leaning on each other and it was too cramped in it! Other than that ride I loved Knoebels! Keep it up! read more

Gerhard R.

8 years ago

Free to get in. Can pack a picnic to eat at one of the many pavilions. You can bring your dog. Very Clean. The all-day ride pass is cheaper than other amusement parks. They don't have as many rides as other parks but the park isn't nearly as busy so the wait times are no more than 20-25 mins. Very low key. Great for families. Grandparents can go and have fun with the grand kids. More trees than typical amusement parks so more shade on those hot days. Love this place! read more

Dianne S.

13 years ago

i had grew up going to this park. better than the large parks more friendly. atmosphere is great. gonna go back one day. Loved the roller rink especially when my brothers would take me there and show off their backward skating. love you DON AND TERRY oh Don do you remember the skunk by the roller rink? Plus it had a great dancing night there also, you all can remember..... read more

Jadyn C.

13 years ago

Good old American fun. The food here is great, you can find them in the city. Its not so commercialized like the other big name theme parks. It has small town charm that you don't easily find elsewhere. I drove 4 hours to get here with my family and we had a blast. Great value, friendly staff, beautiful location. I just wish I could have live closer to this place. read more

Mike D.

12 years ago

Knoebles Rocks! August was my first time back to the park since I was a kid.45 years ago.Man the kid came out in ,me again. Great time with the family. Park very clean with a great lay out. Food great and prices very reasonable. Loved the one dipper ice cream cone and watching a 5 year older trying to eat it.Dont change anything keep the way it is. read more

Glenda T.

9 years ago

Went last year for the first time with my grandchildren and it was by far the best ever. Will never go to Hershey Park, King Dominion or Bush Gardens again. In the mountains, not super hot/humid, friendly staff with pavilions for you to bring/cook your own food w/electrical outlets. The three hour drive was well worth it! read more

Brian F.

5 years ago

Half of the rides are closed, which you don't know until after you buy your all day pass. The few rides that are open have lengthy waits. Every single person here is complaining and there are many seeking refunds. Don't come this year, maybe it'll be better when the generous covid unemployment benefits expire. read more

Fran S.

10 years ago

Love this park...we come every year and camp with grandchildren...free to get in since I don't do rides is great...the food is very good and reasonably priced...it always is painted every year...the BOGO wrist bands are a plus and love that the Military get FREE tickets read more

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44 Knoebels Amusement Resort reviews that are not currently recommended

Why does Yelp recommend reviews?

44 reviews that are not currently recommended

Knoebels Amusement Resort - amusementparks - Updated August 2026

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People found Knoebels Amusement Resort by searching for…

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