Knoebels Amusement Resort Tops Tripadvisor 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards

Knoebels Amusement Resort in Elysburg, Pennsylvania, took the top spot in Tripadvisor’s 2026 Travelers’ Choice Awards for U.S. amusement parks. The ranking draws from traveler reviews submitted between February 1, 2025, and January 31, 2026.

The family-owned park has charged no admission fee since it opened on July 4, 1926. It remains America’s largest free-admission amusement park and is marking its 100th anniversary in 2026. Guests pay only for individual rides.

Eric Bowman, editor-in-chief of TravelPulse, said cost influenced the results. “Number one and two may surprise people on this list, but I think cost is playing a major factor here,” he said. “Knoebels Amusement Resort is free admission and a per ride cost.

Knoebels doesn’t get too busy. ” Dollywood in Pigeon Forge, Tennessee, placed second. Magic Kingdom in Bay Lake, Florida, ranked third, followed by Disney’s Hollywood Studios in Bay Lake, Florida, in fourth place and Universal Islands of Adventure in Orlando, Florida, in fifth.

Bowman noted Magic Kingdom’s position was expected and credited recent additions at Hollywood Studios for its rise. “No surprise at all [that] Magic Kingdom is the top Disney park here,” he said. ” Epcot, LEGOLAND California, Universal Studios Florida, Disneyland Park and Silver Dollar City completed the top 10.

Bowman added that Universal Volcano Bay Waterpark also deserved recognition. nypost.com reported that Dollywood’s affordability relative to Florida parks helped sustain its high placement.