Knoebels Amusement Resort () (oftened shortened to just Knoebels) is a family-owned and operated amusement park, picnic grove, and campground in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. Opened in 1926, it is the United States' largest free-admission park. Visitors are able to ride the park's attractions by purchasing unlimited-access wristbands, limited-access hand stamps, or books of tickets.Knoebels price page, then open "Pay One Price" tab Retrieved 2012-02-15
The amusement park is owned and operated by the Knoebel family. The park's name has traditionally been spelled "Knoebels" without an apostrophe, and appears that way on all official park advertising and correspondence.
The park has 58 rides, including three wooden roller coasters, three steel roller coasters, a 1913 carousel, and a dark ride. The park and its rides have won awards from organizations such as Amusement Today, American Coaster Enthusiasts (ACE), and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions (IAAPA). In 2014, Travel Channel rated Knoebels one of their Top 10 Family Friendly Amusement Parks in the United States, and in 2026, TripAdvisor ranked it as the number one amusement park in the United States.
History Knoebels is located in a small wooded valley in central Pennsylvania. In 1828, a local man by the name of Henry Knoebel purchased the land for $931 (equivalent to $32,360 in 2026). The valley, originally known as Peggy's Farm, was used as farming land until the early 1900s, when a creek-fed swimming hole was introduced. Knoebel turned the property into a popular picnic destination, attracting Sunday travelers and horse-drawn hayride wagons. Soft drinks, ice cream, and snacks were sold to visitors. As the popularity of the area (which was known as Knoebels Grove by this point) grew, the owners leased plots of land along the creeks for use as summer cottage sites. Some of these privately owned cottages still exist on the property today.
Development of select park features
In 1926, Knoebels added a restaurant, a steam-powered Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters (PTC) carousel, and a few simple games to the grove, marking the beginning of Knoebels Amusement Park. On July 4, 1926, a large concrete swimming pool was opened on the site of the original swimming hole. Featuring a filtration system that provided clean water instead of muddy creek water, the pool was named Crystal Pool. Since then, the park has developed around the pool, adding rides, games, concession stands, and other attractions.
In 1962, a campground with six sites opened behind the amusement park. As of 2004, the campground spanned with 500 campsites.
After the 1972 flood, the roller rink building was re-floored and used as a skating rink until the mid-1980s, when it was converted into the Roaring Creek Saloon. The building now contains a concession stand, an arcade, the XD Theater, and a place for live performances.
In 1973, the Haunted Mansion dark ride opened. The ride has been recognized as one of America's best dark rides by organizations such as Dark Ride and Funhouse Enthusiasts (DAFE) and the National Amusement Park Historical Association (NAPHA). In 2008, it was the subject of a one-hour documentary, "Laff In The Dark's Behind The Scenes At Knoebel's Haunted House".
From 2007 to 2019, the park's Grand Carousel was consistently voted the best carousel in the Golden Ticket Awards. The carousel competition was retired in 2019 because the Grand Carousel was undefeated.
For the 2013 season, Knoebels added StratosFear, the park's tallest ride at . In October of that season, Flying Turns, a wooden bobsled coaster inspired by similar early 20th century rides, opened after seven years of delays.
In 2015, a new roller coaster named Impulse opened, replacing two former rides: Bumper Boats and Boat Tag.
In 2023, the Pennsylvania Trolley Museum acquired a trolley that had been converted into a cottage at Knoebels.
Richard “Dick” Knoebel, who was the long-standing president of the park and led many significant projects, died at the age of 87 in July 2026.
Floods
Because the park sits at the confluence of the South Branch Roaring Creek and Mugser Run creeks, it has suffered several major floods and a marker at the park shows the flood levels for them.
June 1972: Resulting from Hurricane Agnes, this was the park's worst flood. The creeks rose over their banks. The flood destroyed six cottages and damaged many other buildings, including 24 of the park's then-25 rides, as well as the roller rink.
September 1975: Resulting from Hurricane Eloise
January 1996: Resulting from a blizzard that was followed by a quick thaw
September 2004: Resulting from Hurricane Ivan
June 2006: Resulting from heavy rains
September 2011: Resulting from Tropical Storm Lee, this was the park's second-worst flood with waters reaching nearly as high as the 1972 flood.
July 2018: Resulting from heavy rains and flash flooding
Rides and attractions Roller coasters Knoebels has six operating roller coasters. Knoebels' two main wooden roller coasters are well-known, with Phoenix consistently rated in top ten lists and Twister ranking high as well. RideOpenedManufacturerDescriptionPhotoPhoenix1985Designed by Herbert Paul Schmeck, built by Philadelphia Toboggan CoastersA relocated and restored Herbert Paul Schmeck/Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters wooden roller coaster. This coaster has consistently been rated as one of the top ten wooden roller coasters in the Golden Ticket Awards, placing first every year since 2018. The ride was originally built in 1947 and known as The Rocket. It was purchased from Playland Park in San Antonio, Texas after the park's 1980 closure. It was moved to Knoebels in 1985. It utilizes buzz bars.Twister1999Designed by John Fetterman, built in-houseA wooden roller coaster heavily inspired by Mr. Twister, a 1964 Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters ride that was designed by John Allen.Flying Turns2013Designed by John Fetterman, built in-houseA wooden bobsled roller coaster modeled after a 1920s John Norman Bartlett and John A. Miller design and built on the site of the former Whirlwind coaster. The coaster was completed in 2007, but its opening was pushed back numerous times due to problems with cars navigating the course. It opened on October 5, 2013. It won the Golden Ticket Award for Best New Ride in 2014.Kozmo's Kurves2009E&F Miler IndustriesA steel children's roller coaster that operates on the site of the former High Speed Thrill CoasterBlack Diamond2011Philadelphia Toboggan CoastersA steel enclosed roller coaster. It was originally known as Golden Nugget and operated at Dinosaur Beach in Wildwood, New Jersey from 1960 to 1998. The ride was eventually purchased by Knoebels, and was built on the former site of the relocated Bald Eagle Habitat. The name change to Black Diamond was in recognition of the anthracite coal industry, which is prevalent in the area.Knoebels 2011 Hallo-Fun Nights brochure Retrieved 2011-09-26Impulse2015ZiererA steel roller coaster. It has a high-hat initial rise to , and features a cobra roll, a vertical inversion, and a zero-g roll. It replaced Bumper Boats and Boat Tag.
Rides
The park operates many historic rides RideOpenedManufacturerDescription1940LusseBumper carsGrand Carousel1942Kremer's Carousel Works, Charles I. D. Looff, and Charles CarmelA carousel that was originally built in 1913. It was purchased from Riverside Park in Piscataway Township, New Jersey. One of the largest carousels in the world, with 63 horses and 3 chariots. One of few carousels remaining with a working ring dispenser game. Three band organs provide its music.1944William F. MangelsA The Whip originally built in 1915. Purchased from Croop's Glen in Hunlock Creek, Pennsylvania.Kiddie Wheel1945UnknownA children's Ferris wheel1948Allan Herschell CompanyA restored Looper1950Allan Herschell CompanyA children's spinning boat ride1950In-houseA helter skelter. Has been out of operation for several years pending a refurbishment.1952Kasper KlausAn elevated spinning rideHand Cars1955UnknownA children's rider-powered car rideMotor Boats1955UnknownA boat ride1960Allan Herschell CompanyA children's spinning helicopter rideOle Smokey Train1960Crown Metal ProductsA gauge anthracite coal-fueled steam locomotive1960Frank Hrubetz & CompanyA ParatrooperPioneer Train1960Allan Herschell CompanyA gauge gasoline-powered half-mile railroad1967Garbrick Amusements, Inc.A ScramblerJet Skyfighter1968UnknownA children's spinning rocket ship rideKiddie Boats1968UnknownA children's spinning boat ride1968Philadelphia Toboggan CompanyA children's car ride1970Eyerly Aircraft CompanyA Roll-O-Plane1972Bisch RoccoA Flying ScootersHaunted Mansion1973UnknownA dark rideS&G Carousel1976Stein & GoldsteinA carousel that was originally built in 1910. One of only two Stein & Goldstein carousels still in operation.1976Frank Hrubetz & CompanyA Round-Up. Has been out of operation since 2025 pending a refurbishment.1980Philadelphia Toboggan CoastersTeacupsRed Baron1982UnknownA children's spinning plane rideSpanish Bambini1986UnknownA children's spinning car ride1990D. H. Morgan ManufacturingAn Antique Car ride. The original cars were purchased at auction from Rocky Glen Park in Moosic, Pennsylvania after its 1987 closure.1990Hopkins RidesA log flume1990SoliChildren's bumper cars1990William F. MangelsA children's spinning fire truck ride1990William F. MangelsA children's The Whips1991ZamperlaA children's spinning ride1991Chance RidesA Ferris wheelTilt-A-Whirl1991Sellner ManufacturingA Tilt-A-WhirlBalloon Race1992UnknownA Balloon RaceParadrop1995UnknownA parachute tower!1997Hopkins RidesA shoot the-chute1998Wisdom RidesAn enclosed Himalaya1999ZamperlaA swing ride2000ZamperlaA children's swinging ride2000ZamperlaA spinning ride2000Hampton Amusement CompanyA children's spinning car ride2003Hopkins RidesA chairlift. Formerly known as Spring Fling when it operated at Sugarbush Resort.Goin' Buggy2009UnknownA children's spinning rideKiddie Himalaya2009UnknownA children's Himalaya2010Moser's RidesA FrisbeeRibbit2011Moser's RidesA children's drop tower2013A.R.M. Rides, Larson InternationalA drop tower, the tallest ride at Knoebels.Pony Carts2014UnknownA children's spinning pony ride2016ZamperlaA swinging ship2019Battech EnterprisesA Downdraft2019SBF Visa GroupA spinning ride2021Wisdom RidesA Tornado2024Eyerly Aircraft CompanyA Rock-O-Plane. Purchased from Joyland Amusement Park in Lubbock, Texas after its 2022 closure.TBDSchwarzkopfA refurbished Bayern KurveKiddie TurtlesTBDR. E. Chambers CompanyA spinning children's ride relocated from Conneaut Lake Park
Former rides 1001 Nacht - HUSS Park Attractions/Weber - 1001 Nights Axis - Zamperla Mixer Boat Tag - Boat ride Bumper Boats - Bumper boats Eli Ferris Wheel - Eli Bridge Company - Ferris wheel Flying Cages Fire Ball Frog Hopper - Children's drop tower German Carousel - Wilhelm Hennecke Uelzen Hey Dey - Spillman Manufacturing High Speed Thrill Coaster - Overland Amusements - Steel children's roller coaster that operated from 1955 to 2008 Jet Star - Schwarzkopf - Steel Jet Star roller coaster that operated from 1977 to 1992. The ride was purchased from independent operators from Coney Island who had fallen on hard times. After being removed from Knoebels, it was relocated to Morey's Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey, where it operated under the same name. In 2000, the coaster was sold to a traveling showman in France. Kiddie Carousel - Allan Herschell Company Kiddie Cars - Allan Herschell Company Kiddie Planes Lindy Loop - Spillman Manufacturing Merry-Go-Round - Edward Joy Morris Moon Rocker - Overland Amusements Spindle Space Ship - Converted into Sky Slide Strat-O-Ship Over the Top - SBF Visa Group - Operated for only a few weeks in 2018 before being removed due to complications Wipeout - Removed following the 2020 season The Whip - Earlier 8-car model replaced by the 12-car Whipper