The flood destroyed six cottages and damaged many other buildings, including 24 of 25 rides and the park's roller rink. On June 22, 1972, the creeks that run through Knoebels, swollen with heavy rains from Hurricane Agnes, rose 6 feet (1.8 m) over their banks. A campground with six sites opened behind the amusement park in 1962, and as of 2004, the campground covered 160 acres (65 ha) with 500 sites. Since then, the park has developed around the pool, adding 50 rides, assorted games, concession stands, and other attractions. Featuring a filtration system that provided clean water instead of muddy creek water, the pool was named "The Crystal Pool". On July 4, 1926, he opened a large concrete swimming pool on the site of the old swimming hole. In 1926, Knoebel added a restaurant, a steam-powered Philadelphia Toboggan Company carousel, and a few simple games to his grove, marking the beginning of Knoebels Amusement Park. Some of these privately owned cottages, as well as cottages Knoebel built and rented, still exist in the park. As the popularity of "Knoebels Grove" grew, Knoebel leased plots of land along the creeks for use as summer cottage sites. Henry Knoebel, who farmed in the area, tended the horses and later sold soft drinks, ice cream, and snacks to the visitors. The valley, originally known as "Peggy's Farm", with its creek-fed swimming hole, was a popular picnic destination in the early 20th century, attracting Sunday travelers and horse-drawn hayride wagons. Knoebels is located in a small wooded valley in central Pennsylvania. In 2014, Travel Channel rated Knoebels one of their Top 10 Family Friendly Amusement Parks in the United States. The park and its rides have won awards from organizations such as Amusement Today, American Coaster Enthusiasts, and the International Association of Amusement Parks and Attractions. The complex is mainly in the Columbia County townships of Cleveland and Franklin and is in Ralpho Township on the Northumberland County side of the South Branch Roaring Creek. The park straddles the line between Northumberland and Columbia Counties. The park's name has traditionally been spelled "Knoebels" without the apostrophe, and appears that way on all official park advertising and correspondence. The amusement park is owned and operated by the Knoebel (pronounced kuh-NO-bel) family, who also operate a lumber yard next to the park. The park has more than 60 rides including three wooden roller coasters, three steel roller coasters, a 1913 carousel, and a haunted house dark ride. Opened in 1926, it is America's largest free-admission park. Knoebels Amusement Resort ( / k ə ˈ n oʊ b əl z/) is a family-owned and operated amusement park, picnic grove, and campground in Elysburg, Pennsylvania. "Make New Memories the old fashioned way"Īpril–September (including limited Days in October For Hallo-Fun Nights, and limited days from Black Friday to January 2 for Joy through the Grove)."It's My Kind of Fun (Is Knoebels Fun)!".