3 decades after my 1st visit, Knoebels amusement park is still my favorite — here's why you should plan a trip
I took a deep breath and handed the ride operator a fistful of tickets — enough for me, a friend and her young daughter to step onto the platform and into a giant teacup. Although I love thrill rides, I was sweating profusely.
When I was 3, my mom took me to the very same place — Knoebels Amusement Resort — where I was traumatized by the very same ride. When I began to scream, she pleaded with the operator to slow down; instead, he made the cups go even faster. That resulted in some face time with Mr. Knoebel himself, who my mom said handled the situation expertly.
Thirty-five years later, the partially wooded 45-acre park is still owned by the Knoebel (pronounced kuh-NO-bel, #SayTheK) family, and it's clear they take pride in their product. On my most recent visit — during which I finally conquered my teacup fears — I noticed many of the same rides are still in place and look immaculate despite their age.
There's not a spot of rust to be found, and all of the rides boast fresh coats of paint in the same shades one would have seen during a visit in the 70s or 80s. It's like stepping back in time; doing so with my friend's toddler in tow helped me see it all through a fresh lens.
Here's why I love Knoebels, along with a guide to how you can plan your own trip there.
Why I love Knoebels amusement park
Childhood memories
Knoebels holds tons of memories for me, thanks to the numerous childhood visits that followed the teacup fiasco. Around one corner is where I ate my first candy apple, which was almost bigger than my head.
Around another is where I proudly admired the glass unicorn my parents bought me from the gift shop. (Five minutes later, I tripped while carrying it and watched, horrified, as it smashed to pieces.)
And across a small bridge lies the spot where my cousins and I fought over who would control the joystick on the Roto-Jet, which is still operating today.
The perfect combination of classic and new
The park opened in 1926 and is coming up on its 100th anniversary. The popular Haunted Mansion, which fostered my love of haunted houses and horror movies, has been around for more than half of that time; it's celebrating its 50th this year.
Then there are the historic rides that the Knoebel family rescued from other parks. The Phoenix, one of Knoebels' three wooden coasters, dates back to 1947 when it was operated in Texas as The Rocket. The Grand Carousel, a carousel built in 1913, came to Knoebels from a park in New Jersey in 1941. While a giant calliope pipes out music, riders attempt to grab brass rings during each revolution, making the attraction a park showpiece.
That's not to say the park hasn't been innovating. Relatively new rides at Knoebels include the Tornado, a spinning ride with arms attached to four-person cars; a super-popular trackless wooden bobsled coaster called Flying Turns; and Bayern Kurve, a circular track with 16 cars connected like a train that reaches up to 70 miles per hour.
Bayern Kurve was originally built in 1947 and pieced together at Knoebels using parts from two rides rescued from Louisiana. It's one of only three rides of its kind currently in operation worldwide.
Accessibility
At a time when theme park ticket prices for places like Disney World and Universal Studios have hit all-time highs, it's nice to know that affordable, small-town options still exist. With a true focus on family and community over commercialism, people on almost any budget can visit Knoebels and have a wonderful day without breaking the bank.
During my last visit, it cost less than $150 total for me, my friend and her daughter to ride rides, have lunch and purchase snacks, drinks and souvenirs. For context, at the time of publication, Disney World was charging $109 per adult for a one-day admission ticket alone — no food, snacks or other incidentals included.
In addition to price accessibility, the park is largely flat and wheelchair-friendly. Accessible restrooms are available, including some with areas for visitors requiring assistance from someone in their party. Most attractions, shops, games, food stands and restaurants are also accessible. Special boarding for riders with disabilities is permitted through exit gates when a valid International Board of Credentialing and Continuing Education Standards card is registered with guest services upon entry to the park. Accessible parking is also offered.
In 2019, Knoebels became a Certified Autism Center through IBCCES. Staff has been specially trained to cater to visitors with special needs related to autism, and the park has a dedicated sensory-friendly comfort room for guests with sensory processing needs.
Related: 8 quirky US theme parks you have to see to believe
Knoebels Amusement Resort guide
What is Knoebels Amusement Resort?
Knoebels Amusement Resort is a 45-acre, dog-friendly amusement park. It opened in 1926 as Knoebels Grove, and it's still operated by the Knoebel family today.
It offers more than 60 rides and attractions — many of them vintage — including thrill rides, roller coasters, kids rides, slow-moving rides (such as antique cars and a train ride through the woods), miniature golf, an arcade, a bald eagle habitat, a carousel, a coal mining museum and a giant spring-fed pool that was one of the original draws when the park first began welcoming visitors.
Parking (with tram service back and forth to the park entrance), a full 18-hole golf course, several food stands, restaurants and souvenir shops are also located on the property. It also features a campground with cabins for rent, and sites for RVs and campers.
Directions to Knoebels Amusement Resort
Knoebel's location is another thing that makes it so intriguing: It's in the middle of nowhere in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. The Knoebels Amusement Resort address is 391 Knoebels Boulevard, Route 487, Elysburg, PA, 17824. For specific GPS directions, use these coordinates: 40°53'01.39" N 76°30'21.99" W (amusement resort parking lot) or 40°52'36.990" N 76°30'23.19" W (campground entrance).
Directions to Knoebels amusement park:
- From I-80 west: Take the Bloomsburg/Buckhorn exit (exit 232) for Route 42 south to Catawissa. After crossing the bridge, bear right to take Route 487 south for 6 miles. Turn left into the park.
- From I-80 east: Take the Danville exit (exit 224) to Route 54 east. Drive through Danville, and follow route 54 left toward Elysburg. At the light, turn left onto Route 487 north. At the light, turn right into the park.
- From I-81 south: At the I-80 and I-81 junction near Hazleton, follow I-80 west. Then use above directions for I-80 west.
- From I-81 north: Take the Minersville exit (exit 116) onto Route 901 west to Route 54 west. At the light, follow Route 487 north. Turn right on PA Route 487 north at the light. Turn right into the park.
What are Knoebels hours?
Due to staffing shortages, Knoebels Amusement Resort hours have been condensed each season since it reopened after COVID-19. (That also means some of the less popular rides haven't been operating regularly.)
The park generally opens for the season in late April each year with scheduled hours from noon to 8 p.m. or 9 p.m., depending on the day, during the summer months when school is not in session. In the spring and fall, hours are often shorter. On some days in the summer, the park opens earlier.
On Wednesdays and Fridays from June through August, the park has Bargain Nights, offering discounts on ride prices after 5 p.m. There are also Sundown Specials on unlimited ride wristbands, which begin at 4 p.m. on most weekdays in June, July and part of August.
On Fridays, Saturdays and Sundays each October, the park operates Hallo-Fun Weekends with activities like pumpkin painting and cookie decorating. From late November through December, visitors can check out Joy Through The Grove, a drive-through lights display at the park and campground. At the golf course, you can enjoy character breakfast, make s'mores, take photos with Santa and even buy a Christmas tree.
Is Knoebels free?
Parking and admission are free at Knoebels, which is another reason I adore it. It provides access to people on just about any budget — something many other theme parks sorely lack. When you go to big-name parks, you often wait in long lines, pay expensive ticket fees for entry and deal with overpriced parking and food. None of this (except maybe the occasional but manageable line) is the case at Knoebels.
You can enter the park for free, but you'll have to pay for rides by purchasing a prepaid book of tickets ($5, $20 and $50 books available) that never expires; or you can get a "ride all day" wristband. A wristband allows you access to unlimited rides (with some exclusions, such as the Haunted Mansion, which always requires tickets) on the day you purchase it.
Individual ride costs range from $2 for most kids rides to $4.50 for roller coasters, and $5 for activities like minigolf and laser tag. Wristbands are available on weekdays between Memorial Day and Labor Day. Ticket books never expire, so you can use them on future visits. The latter is better if you only plan to experience a handful of attractions.
Dining options are plentiful at Knoebels, but the park also allows visitors to bring their own food and drinks (no alcohol or glass bottles) into the park, providing even more value. Should you decide to buy lunch or dinner from one of the many vendors, the items are reasonably priced.
Hotels near Knoebels Amusement Resort
If you aren't planning to stay at the on-site campground, the closest hotels near Knoebels Amusement Resort are in Danville, Pennsylvania, about 10 miles from Elysburg. Options include Red Roof Inn, Hampton Inn, Best Western, Quality Inn and Super 8. If you're willing to venture just a little farther afield to Bloomsburg, you'll find more choices like Comfort Suites, Holiday Inn Express, Fairfield Inn & Suites and another Quality Inn.
Wondering which hotel chain is right for you? Explore them in our hotel brand guide.
There are also several bed and breakfast locations, vacation rentals and lodges in the surrounding areas.
Bottom line
Although my personal opinion of Knoebels Amusement Resort is subjective and closely tied to many fond memories, the park is objectively one of the most affordable, accessible and family-friendly to visit for a day of fun.
Whether it's the food, the atmosphere or even the teacups, it's a place that should top your amusement park bucket list.