100-Year-Old Park Still Free: No Admission, Never Will Be

While theme parks across America charge upwards of $100 per ticket, Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, still welcomes visitors without a single admission fee.

The park opened on July 4, 1926, and will celebrate its 100th birthday this year. Owner Brian Knoebel, 52, says he had to "pinky-swear" to his family he'd never change the free-admission model.

"It's who we are," Knoebel told PA Local. "It's that traditional park."

The story began when Knoebel's great-grandfather, a German immigrant who worked in lumber, started welcoming families to picnic by a stream after church on Sundays. He'd stable their horses for a quarter while they played in the water and enjoyed the shade.

Little by little, the family added picnic tables and benches. On opening day in 1926, they unveiled a swimming pool, a restaurant simply called "The Restaurant," and a steam-powered carousel they rented for the occasion.

Nearly a century later, the park has grown to 60 rides, 38 food stands, 24 games, water slides, and even an 18-hole golf course down the road. But the core values haven't changed.

Knoebel says the free model honors the reality of family budgets. Grandparents get more joy watching grandkids ride than riding themselves, and they're often on fixed incomes.

"So they don't pay to park," he explains. "We don't force you to buy food in the park. If you want to bring a picnic lunch, then bring a picnic lunch."

The Ripple Effect

Knoebels is now the largest free-admission amusement park in the United States. By sticking to its century-old promise, the park has become a model for accessibility in an industry that often prices out working families.

The canopy of trees, shaded walkways, and creekside seating remain intact. Classic attractions sit alongside modern thrills, creating what Knoebel calls "that throwback amusement park from yesteryear."

"We absolutely know our brand," he says. "We know our fans."

In a world of gated experiences and premium pricing, one family's pinky promise proves that doing good business and doing good for people can be the same thing.