Good Ol'Fashioned Summer Time Fun

“If you knew Knoebles, like We know Knoebles, oh, oh, oh what a good time!”

Imagine that you have transcended back in time to the lush green mountains of Susquehanna River Valley, Northumberland County of Pennsylvania. Not too far from Bloomsburg University and approximately 2 ½ hours from Philadelphia. Your mission is to find an old-fashioned, family-owned and family operated amusement park that will satisfy your wallet and bring a relaxing smile to multiple family faces.

Looking no further than Elysburg, PA just south of Catawissa on Route  487 is Knoebels Amusement Resort, ( pronounced Ka –nobles ) sometimes called Knoebels Grove, is located in Elysburg, PA. Knoebels Amusement Resort spans more than 200 acres. Knoebels is America's largest free admission     (did you hear that…FREE admission) amusement park and also offers low-priced camping, free parking, and free picnic facilities. Knoebels offers nearly 60 rides including two world-class wooden roller coasters as well as an old-style water park with 4 waterslide. And while the park itself reminds you of the 1960’s venue, it is respectably clean and amazingly not that crowded.

My sister, and her family, like to camp right at the on-grounds campsite in Knoebles. It affords them access to the park within minutes of walking from their campsite. Much to my own family’s dismay, I personally am not much of a camper (actually I don’t hate it, well… just don’t prefer it), so we often stay at our place in the Poconos and travel about 50 miles west to spend the day. Rumor had it that Cub Scout Pack 503 from Springfield happened to be there the day we were there too!

Once in the park there is a down-home feel of Middle America with diverse range of ages, ethnicity and tattoos. Dogs on leashes are permitted and the walk-about-ing wooden roller coaster enthusiasts venture happily towards the Pheonix,  which is rated the #2 best wooden coaster in the US. Low priced Wrist bands are available (except on Saturdays) but we often opt for the tickets. Most rides are about $1.50 to ride, so a $20 book of tickets can last a while.  The lines are generally not that bad and no one seems that impatient or in a hurry to get on a ride.

The food there is not that bad and best of all reasonably priced. I tried my first ice cold “pickle on a stick” for $1.00 which was surprisingly refreshing on a hot summer day. There is boardwalk- like game booths for $1.00 a try, and entertainment venues of showcase wantabees throughout the day. And if you are lucky you can end up with a stuffed animal or two to bring home. But the best part of the day is to get soaking wet on the Skloosh, especially if it is a hot day.

While Disney, Hershey and Dorney have their place, Knoebles is our kind of place. Less stressful than the other parks, you don’t feel like you have to race around to get your money’s worth. Their motto is  “K-nothing is better than Knoebles”. We agree.