Knoebels Amusement Resort

Knoebels Amusement Resort, often just called Knoebels, is a special place where families can have fun together. It is located in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, and has been owned and run by the Knoebel family since it opened in 1926. What makes Knoebels different from many other amusement parks is that visitors don’t have to pay an entrance fee. Instead, they can buy wristbands, hand stamps, or books of tickets to ride the attractions.

The park has 58 exciting rides, including three wooden roller coasters and three steel roller coasters. There is also a carousel that dates back to 1913 and a dark ride that takes visitors on a thrilling journey. Knoebels is very well-known and has received awards from groups like Amusement Today, American Coaster Enthusiasts, and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. In 2014, the Travel Channel named Knoebels one of the Top 10 Family Friendly Amusement Parks in the United States, showing just how special and welcoming it is for families.

History

Knoebels is set in a leafy valley in Pennsylvania. In 1828, a man named Henry Knoebel bought the land for farming. Later, a swimming spot became popular, and people started picnicking there. By 1926, Knoebels added a restaurant, a carousel, and simple games, starting the amusement park. A big swimming pool opened on July 4, 1926.

The park faced big floods over the years, especially in 1972 from Hurricane Agnes, which damaged many rides and buildings. After each flood, the park was repaired and improved. In 2013, a tall ride called StratosFear was added, and in 2015, a new roller coaster named Impulse opened.

Rides and attractions

Roller coasters

Knoebels has six roller coasters. Two big wooden ones are famous, with Phoenix often in top ten lists and Twister also highly ranked.

Rides

The park has many historic rides.

Former rides

Some past rides include:

• 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 from 1955 to 2008
• Jet Star - Schwarzkopf - Steel Jet Star roller coaster from 1977 to 1992. It was moved to Morey's Piers in Wildwood, New Jersey. In 2000, it was sold to a 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 a few weeks in 2018
• Wipeout - Removed after 2020
• The Whip - Earlier model replaced by Whipper
• Whirlwind - Vekoma - A steel roller coaster from 1993 to 2004. It was moved to Parque Diversiones in San José, Costa Rica, where it now runs as Bocaraca.

Restaurants and food

Knoebels has many places to eat, and it has won awards for its food. It won Amusement Today's Golden Ticket Award for Best Food many times. In 2025, it received a special "Legend" award. Some foods, like alligator bites, are famous for being unique.

Three Ponds Golf Course

Near the park is a golf course with eighteen holes. There is also a restaurant there.

Ride	Opened	Manufacturer	Description	Photo
Phoenix	1985	Designed by Herbert Paul Schmeck, built by Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters	A 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.
Twister	1999	Designed by John Fetterman, built in-house	A wooden roller coaster heavily inspired by Mr. Twister, a 1964 Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters ride that was designed by John Allen.
Flying Turns	2013	Designed by John Fetterman, built in-house	A 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 Kurves	2009	E&F Miler Industries	A steel children's roller coaster that operates on the site of the former High Speed Thrill Coaster
Black Diamond	2011	Philadelphia Toboggan Coasters	A 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.
Impulse	2015	Zierer	A steel roller coaster. It has a high-hat initial rise to 98 feet (30 m), and features a cobra roll, a vertical inversion, and a zero-g roll. It replaced Bumper Boats and Boat Tag.