If you are looking for a fun, affordable, and nostalgic place to spend a day with your family or friends, look no further than Knoebels Amusement Resort. Knoebels is a family-owned and operated park in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, that has been delighting visitors since 1926. It has over 60 rides, including two of the best wooden roller coasters in the world, a variety of food options, and plenty of entertainment for all ages. Here are some of the reasons why I love visiting Knoebels and why you should too.

Knoebels Amusement Resort is a place where you can feel the charm and nostalgia of a traditional amusement park, while enjoying the comfort and convenience of a modern one. Knoebels has a park atmosphere that is friendly, relaxed, and fun for the whole family. Here are some of the features and details of the park atmosphere at Knoebels:

• Shade and Seating: One of the best things about Knoebels is that it has plenty of shade and seating throughout the park. You can find trees, pavilions, benches, picnic tables, and chairs in almost every area of the park, providing you with a cool and cozy place to rest, eat, or watch the rides. You can also bring your own chairs, blankets, or umbrellas, and use the free picnic facilities that are available for all guests. You don’t have to worry about the sun or the heat, as Knoebels has you covered.
• Admission Free: One of the best things about Knoebels is that it has free admission and parking, so you can enjoy the entertainment without paying anything extra. You can also find live music, shows, and events throughout the season, such as the Covered Bridge Festival, the Phoenix Phall Phunfest, and the Joy Through the Grove Christmas light display.

The Rides

Knoebels Amusement Resort is a place where you can experience the thrill and joy of riding some of the best and most unique rides in the world. Knoebels has over 60 rides, ranging from classic to modern, from mild to wild, from dry to wet. You can find rides for every age and preference at Knoebels. Some of the rides that you should not miss at Knoebels are:

• The roller coasters: Knoebels has four roller coasters, each with its own personality and thrill factor. They are:
  • The Phoenix: This is a legendary wooden coaster that was built in 1947 and relocated to Knoebels in 1985. It is ranked as one of the best wooden coasters in the world by coaster enthusiasts, and for good reason. It has plenty of airtime, twists, turns, and drops that will make you scream with joy.
  • The Flying Turns: This is a rare and historic ride that is the only one of its kind in operation today. It is a wooden bobsled coaster that has no track, but instead runs on wooden troughs. It is a smooth and exhilarating ride that makes you feel like you are flying.
  • The Twister: This is a twisted and intense wooden coaster that features two lift hills, four helixes, two tunnels, and several banked turns. It is a fast and fun ride that has a lot of lateral forces and positive g-forces.
  • The Impulse: This is a sleek and smooth steel coaster that features four inversions, a vertical lift hill, and a beyond-vertical drop. It is a modern and exciting ride that has a lot of speed and loops.
• The Haunted Mansion: This is a dark ride that is widely regarded as one of the best in the country. It has over 20 scenes of spooky and humorous effects, animatronics, and surprises that will make you jump and laugh.
• The Grand Carousel: This is a beautiful and historic carousel that dates back to 1913. It has 63 horses and four chariots, and is one of the few carousels in the world that still has a brass ring dispenser. You can try to grab a brass ring as you ride, and if you do, you get a free ride.

The Food

Another reason why I love Knoebels is the food. Knoebels has a wide variety of food options, from traditional amusement park fare to ethnic specialties. Some of the delicious food options available at Knoebels are:

• The pierogies: These are homemade dumplings filled with cheese, potato, or sauerkraut, and topped with butter and onions. They are a Pennsylvania Dutch delicacy that you can find at the International Food Court.
• The funnel cakes: These are deep-fried pastries sprinkled with powdered sugar, and optionally topped with fruit, whipped cream, or ice cream. They are a sweet treat that you can find at several stands throughout the park.
• The pizza: This is a thin-crust pizza that is made fresh and baked in a brick oven. It has a crispy crust, a tangy sauce, and a generous amount of cheese. You can find it at Cesari’s Pizza, which also serves salads, sandwiches, and pasta.
• The ice cream: This is a creamy and refreshing ice cream that comes in many flavors, such as vanilla, chocolate, strawberry, mint chocolate chip, and peanut butter ripple. You can find it at the Old Mill Ice Cream, which also serves sundaes, shakes, and floats.

One of the best things about Knoebels is that you can bring your own food and drinks, and use the free picnic areas throughout the park. You can also find vending machines, water fountains, and restrooms conveniently located in the park.

Pools and Water Slides

Knoebels Amusement Resort is not only a place for rides and food, but also a place for swimming and sliding. Knoebels has a large and clean pool, four exciting water slides, and a kiddie play area that are perfect for cooling off and having fun on a hot summer day. Here are some of the features and details of the pools and water slides at Knoebels:

• Crystal Pool: This is the main pool at Knoebels, and it is where the amusement park got its roots. The pool was built in 1926, and it is filled with nearly 900,000 gallons of refreshing mountain stream water. The pool has a zero depth entry shallow end, a stepped entry, and a deep end with multiple diving boards. The pool also has two sliding boards that are suitable for all ages. The pool is surrounded by a variety of rides, attractions, food, and fantasy, making it a convenient and enjoyable place to swim and relax. The pool is typically open from Memorial Day to Labor Day, from 11 AM to 6 PM. You can buy a day pass or a season pass to access the pool and the kiddie area. The pool has American Red Cross Certified lifeguards on duty at all times.
• Water Slides and Rides: These are water slides that are located next to the Crystal Pool, and they are designed for thrill-seekers and splash-lovers. The water slides are:
  • Two Slide Winders: These are tunnel tube slides that offer exciting twists, turns, and drops before you land in a splash pool. The height requirement for these slides is 42 inches with an adult, or 48 inches alone.
  • Twin Twister Slides: These are speed slides that will have you flying down an almost vertical drop at super-sonic speeds! (Height requirements: 48 inches).
  • Sklooosh: This is a giant flume ride that will make you feel refreshed with its huge splashdown. The height requirement for this ride is 36 inches.
  • Giant Flume: Travel along a rolling river through tranquil wooded areas, gentle rapids and a dark cavern. Two thrilling drops are sure to cool you off on a hot summer day! The height requirement for this ride is 36 inches with an adult or 42 inches to ride alone.
• Kiddie Play Area: This is a splash area just for the little ones. Kids love running under fountains and waterfalls, playing with the water cannons, going on the seesaw and splashing around in the shallow water.

The Entertainment

Knoebels has more than just rides and food, it also has a lot of other activities and attractions that make it a fun and educational place to visit. Some of the other activities and attractions that Knoebels offers are:

• The mini golf: This is a 18-hole mini golf course that is landscaped with flowers, trees, and water features. It is a fun and challenging course that is suitable for all ages and skill levels.
• The arcade: This is a large and modern arcade that has over 100 games, including video games, pinball machines, skee-ball, and claw machines. You can win tickets and redeem them for prizes at the redemption center.
• The bald eagle habitat: This is a natural and spacious habitat that houses two bald eagles, named Knoebel and Autumn. They are rescued and rehabilitated eagles that cannot be released into the wild due to injuries. You can learn more about them and their conservation efforts at the educational signs and displays.
• The coal mining museum: This is a museum that showcases the history and culture of coal mining in Pennsylvania. It has exhibits, artifacts, and memorabilia that tell the stories of the miners and their families. You can also take a guided tour of a replica coal mine and experience what it was like to work underground.

Lodging Options

If you want to extend your stay at Knoebels and enjoy more of its attractions, you have several lodging options to choose from. You can stay at the park itself, or at nearby hotels or bed and breakfasts. Here are some of the lodging options that you can consider:

• Knoebels Campground: This is the closest and most convenient option for staying at Knoebels. You can pitch your tent, park your RV, or rent a cabin at the campground, which is located within walking distance of the park entrance. The campground has amenities such as restrooms, showers, laundry, playground, and camp store. You can also enjoy free entertainment, such as bingo, movies, and live music, at the campground pavilion. The campground rates vary depending on the season, the site type, and the number of guests.
• Lake Glory Campground: This is another option for staying at Knoebels, especially if you prefer a more secluded and scenic setting. Lake Glory Campground is located about 8 miles away from the park, on the shores of a beautiful lake. You can choose from tent sites, RV sites, or cottages at the campground, which has amenities such as restrooms, showers, laundry, playground, and camp store. You can also enjoy fishing, boating, hiking, and wildlife watching at the lake. The campground rates vary depending on the season, the site type, and the number of guests.
• Knoebels Cottages: This is another option for staying at Knoebels, especially if you want more comfort and privacy. Knoebels Cottages are located near the park entrance, and they offer a variety of sizes and styles to suit your family’s needs. The cottages have amenities such as refrigerator, stove, microwave, TV, heating, air conditioning, grill, and fire ring. You need to bring your own dishes, utensils, towels, linens, toilet paper, and charcoal. The cottage rates vary depending on the season, the cottage type, and the number of guests.
• Latorre House Bed & Breakfast: This is an option for staying near Knoebels, especially if you want a cozy and charming experience. Latorre House Bed & Breakfast is located about 3 miles away from the park, in a historic Victorian house. You can choose from four guest rooms, each with a private bathroom, a queen bed, and a TV. You can also enjoy a delicious breakfast, a relaxing porch, a spacious yard, and a friendly host.
• Comfort Suites: This is an option for staying near Knoebels, especially if you want a modern and convenient hotel. Comfort Suites is located about 10 miles away from the park, in Bloomsburg. You can choose from well-equipped guest rooms, each with a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker, a sofa bed, and a flat-screen TV. You can also enjoy free Wi-Fi, free breakfast, free parking, a fitness center, and a business center.
• Pine Barn Inn: This is another option for staying near Knoebels, especially if you want a rustic and elegant hotel. Pine Barn Inn is located about 12 miles away from the park, in Danville. You can choose from stylish guest rooms, each with a refrigerator, a microwave, a coffee maker, and a flat-screen TV. You can also enjoy free Wi-Fi, free parking, a restaurant, a bar, and a banquet hall. The hotel rates vary depending on the season, the room type, and the number of guests.

Conclusion

Knoebels Amusement Resort is a wonderful place to visit for anyone who loves amusement parks, or just having fun. There is something for everyone, from thrilling rides, to delicious food, to entertaining attractions. The park preserves the past, while embracing the present and the future. It is a place that I love visiting, and I hope you will too.

For me personally, Knoebels holds sentimental value as the site of many annual family day trips as well as my first rollercoaster experience. I have fond memories of my family taking me here, having a picnic at one of the many pavilions, and taking in a bunch of the rides before heading home. I look forward to continuing the tradition of bringing my family on trips here for years to come. If you have been to Knoebels, or want to go, please share your thoughts, questions, or experiences in the comments below. I would love to hear from you.