Lake Tobias is one of my favorite places to visit when I am in PA! Friendly staff, affordable food, and the opportunities to interact with and feed a variety of animals make this wildlife park a unique and special place.The safari bus tours are my favorite part of this park! You are able to feed a variety of bison, gazelles, emus, etc. from your seat! You can purchase either pellets, popcorn, or carrots from the park and the prices are very reasonable. Pro tip: I have found that the animals really like the carrots and the kiddos really like the popcorn. The line for the tour can be long on busy days so make sure to bring something to entertain your kids. The animals eat right from your hand, which can be overwhelming for little ones or people with sensory sensitivities. The bus drivers are very knowledgeable and provide a variety facts about the animals and the park during the tour.The petting zoo has standard goats, camels, deer, etc. Be careful with the camels, some of them like scratches but some of them do not! Make sure that you stop by and pet the baby animals that are being socialized to humans near the petting zoo! I have been able to pet a baby bison, a calf, and a bunch of baby emus that were not as soft as I thought they were going to be. The exhibits are informative and some of the animals have a lot of space. The giraffes are a really long walk from the rest of the exhibits so be prepared! There is a hiking trail that will take you to the entrance of the giraffe exhibit that has birds and a very grumpy bobcat along the way. The trail has hills and is not disability or senior friendly so keep that in mind. If you stop by at the right time, then you may have the chance to feed a giraffe some lettuce or some other snack!Speaking of snacks, the food at the concession stands are delicious and very affordable! The burgers, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs at the Grille & Grub are all reasonably priced and hit the spot after all of that walking. The ice cream portions are generous and refreshing on hot summer days. There are a lot of covered seating areas near the concessions stands and scattered around the lakes. You can bring your own food if you want but with the affordable pricing at the concession stands you don't need to.If it is hot then make sure that you visit the reptile house or the museum for some air conditioning and information. The reptile house has exhibits around the walls of the building and you may get the chance to pet a snake or an alligator! There is a small amphitheater in the middle where keepers will bring out animals and give talks throughout the day. These talks are popular so get there early if you want a seat with a good view! The museum goes through the history of the park and is a loving tribute to the founder. There is an aquarium in the museum and staff who will show you some of the antlers or horns that the animals at the park have dropped.The park is open 10am - 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 6pm on weekends from June to August with shorter hours, limited activities, and/or only open weekends in April, May, September, October, and November (see the 2023 schedule below). Check back with the park website for their updated 2024 hours but the general concepts (only open for safari drive through in April and November, only open on weekends some months, etc.) have not changed in the past 3 years that I have been visiting. If you are coming from the south and taking the 225, there is a crazy bend in the road that you really need to be careful of (see the photo below). The park is located in a rural area but there is signage as you get closer to let you know that you are going the right way. You need to go past the John Deere store to get to the entrance. Parking is always free and admission at the time of this review was $19 for anyone age 3+ and includes all of the exhibits and the safari. You can pay $10 for the exhibits alone, but I highly recommend that you add on the safari! Active duty military and veterans are free with military ID. They don't have a way to purchase ti
Chelsea M.
We came here as a family on Sunday. The park is really beautiful and the safari was really fun to do as well. Our kids loved feeding the animals. We felt the goats in the petting zoo were a little aggressive and although we loved seeing all the animals we felt some of the enclosures were small. I would recommend this place for a safari. I think some of the enclosures could be upgraded though.
Brian M.
This is a terrific zoo experience for the whole family. You can get close up to some amazing animals. Great selection of animals too. You can pet a little alligator, a super cute baby kangaroo and a number of farm animals. Lots of monkeys to watch have fun. Great big cats and a bunch of reptiles too. So much better than the big industrial zoo. Need to come back so I can finish seeing everything.
Taina R.
We loved Lake Tobias. The day we went it was not busy at all.So much to see and do and not feeling over crowded with doing it. The safari tour was worth the wait. We waited in line for about 25-30 mins. With my 3 year old who is usually impatient she did very well! We gotPopcorn and candy before getting in line and it was worth it . The prices aren't bad. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and funny . We can't wait to go again !
Daniel S.
What a fun place to go and spend the day at. $17 per person is actually a great price. As a veteran I was able to get in for free. Lots of fun and amazing animals to see. The safari tour was amazing.My 4 year old had a blast. I did as well.A must see place.Enjoy
Britt C.
We were in the area and needed something to keep the kids busy. This is definitely a 5 star place but let me advice that fall would be the perfect season to visit. When we were there iy was beyond hot and humid. It was a lot for the kids and a lot for this California girl. The paths to get around are gravel and lots of hills. Due to my back this wasn't easy. So if you have medical conditions keep this In mind. Employees are extremely nice, especially Lisa that got me to the car in her golf cart. Thanks for your kindness. Pricing is not bad, they don't offer senior discounts. Kids younger than 3 are free. If you are a veteran your admission is free. The owner of this place was a veteran himself. Highly recommend.
Ron F.
Went to Lake Tobias while on a visit to Hershey. Who would've thought you'd find all these animals in Central PA?Loved the safari and feeding the animals. We'll worth a trip!
Janay S.
When my husband said we were talking the kids to the petting zoo, I had very low expectations. Then we arrived, I was shocked. This animal park was nicely laid out, clean and the perfect size! They have exotic animals, a petting zoo and a few playgrounds. My favorite parts were the safari and feeding the giraffes. Please bring your camera because it is absolutely beautiful. Another great plus is everyone we came in contact with was pleasant. Highly recommend!
Brian S.
We visited with our teenagers on Mother's Day and we all enjoyed ourselves. We have been visiting since the kids were little and we never get tired of the park. We haven't been here since COVID and the park has done a terrific job with its renovations. It was very crowded, so I recommend visiting on a weekday. Todd was our safari driver and he was very entertaining. $17 includes the park and safari, so these days I would consider that a pretty inexpensive day.
Katy R.
We really enjoyed this park! It's got tons to offer for the price which was fair. We did a safari drive thru ride on the big truck and got to see, pet, and feed many animals. Food was $4 a cup. After we went to see the giraffes and got to feed them branches. It's insane that the branches are $10 but it's not much to get up close and personal with a giraffe and they offer produce for $6 but the branches were more fun. There's tons of other exhibits to see, I don't think we made it to all of them. Lots of monkeys that you get to be pretty up close to. A petting zoo that you can walk into , full of baby goats and mama goats!!Lastly, we got to see a peacock open his feathers, pet a baby alligator, and see a sloth in person. They also have a few playgrounds and food places. We missed out on some things I'm sure since there's so much to see but we definitely enjoyed our experience here. There's lots of hills and sun so be prepared for that.
HIGHLY recommend! This park has been on my bucket list for the last few years. I brought my boys here on a Saturday for a fun family day trip. There's plenty of parking with different parking lots around the park, some which are near pavilions with picnic tables. The staff was so incredibly kind and patient, especially in the food areas. They were always smiling and answered any questions we had like bathrooms, etc. I thought the admission to get in was fairly priced and you're also able to purchase food for the animals at different spots. The animals looked happy and healthy, which isn't overly common in zoos/parks. The exhibits were clean and well maintained. They offered a variety of animals and my boys LOVED the petting zoo. We didn't feed the giraffes as there was a line, but I highly recommend. The safari was AWESOME! We all enjoyed feeding the animals and there were so many we could feed (advise to pace yourself if you buy food). Todd was our safari driver and he was SO funny while making the whole safari even better. The food options here were MUCH better than other places I've tried. The food was hot and prepared correctly. The lines moved quickly and the staff was efficient. However, if you don't want to purchase any food here you are able to bring in your own food and drinks, which is DEF not common. Overall, I highly recommend this as a fun day out with your kids.
robert geer
Food was fresh,fast, cheap and good. Don't forget to bring your own reusable straw, if needed. They do not offer them.
John A.
Very clean. Well kept. 17.00 for Safari and Zoo. The new giraffe exhibit was great. Looking forward to seeing new lion exhibit. The line for Safari was crazy long. But it was a Saturday and beautiful weather. So understood. Safari could have more variety animals. Reptile building was beautiful. The show in there was short and fun. The ability to pet the boa and baby gator was cool. Food and drink isn't too expensive. You can bring your own if you'd like to budget. The bison burger was tasty. A+ on the fries. Bathrooms were all very clean. All animal exhibits looked well kept. They are taken care of nicely. We live about 45 mins away. We will be back. Had a wonderful day.
Jessica W.
Came across this place by happenstance and we're so glad we did! After a 3-mile hike, lunch at a waterfront park and fishing, we decided to take the scenic route home from our Father's Day outing and found this little gem. It's big enough for some real cool animals but not too big where you can't visit them all in one day. We fed an ostrich and heard a lion roar and we were delighted to see peacocks and chickens and roosters walking around freely. It was such a unique experience. Definitely going back to feed the giraffes!
Alex Linkey
Lake Tobias is a great place for a day trip for the family! Lots of animals to see, beautiful grounds to explore, a food court, and a safari tour (from the comfort of your own car). I recommend it!
Lake Tobias is one of my favorite places to visit when I am in PA! Friendly staff, affordable food, and the opportunities to interact with and feed a variety of animals make this wildlife park a unique and special place.The safari bus tours are my favorite part of this park! You are able to feed a variety of bison, gazelles, emus, etc. from your seat! You can purchase either pellets, popcorn, or carrots from the park and the prices are very reasonable. Pro tip: I have found that the animals really like the carrots and the kiddos really like the popcorn. The line for the tour can be long on busy days so make sure to bring something to entertain your kids. The animals eat right from your hand, which can be overwhelming for little ones or people with sensory sensitivities. The bus drivers are very knowledgeable and provide a variety facts about the animals and the park during the tour.The petting zoo has standard goats, camels, deer, etc. Be careful with the camels, some of them like scratches but some of them do not! Make sure that you stop by and pet the baby animals that are being socialized to humans near the petting zoo! I have been able to pet a baby bison, a calf, and a bunch of baby emus that were not as soft as I thought they were going to be. The exhibits are informative and some of the animals have a lot of space. The giraffes are a really long walk from the rest of the exhibits so be prepared! There is a hiking trail that will take you to the entrance of the giraffe exhibit that has birds and a very grumpy bobcat along the way. The trail has hills and is not disability or senior friendly so keep that in mind. If you stop by at the right time, then you may have the chance to feed a giraffe some lettuce or some other snack!Speaking of snacks, the food at the concession stands are delicious and very affordable! The burgers, chicken nuggets, and hot dogs at the Grille & Grub are all reasonably priced and hit the spot after all of that walking. The ice cream portions are generous and refreshing on hot summer days. There are a lot of covered seating areas near the concessions stands and scattered around the lakes. You can bring your own food if you want but with the affordable pricing at the concession stands you don't need to.If it is hot then make sure that you visit the reptile house or the museum for some air conditioning and information. The reptile house has exhibits around the walls of the building and you may get the chance to pet a snake or an alligator! There is a small amphitheater in the middle where keepers will bring out animals and give talks throughout the day. These talks are popular so get there early if you want a seat with a good view! The museum goes through the history of the park and is a loving tribute to the founder. There is an aquarium in the museum and staff who will show you some of the antlers or horns that the animals at the park have dropped.The park is open 10am - 5pm Monday to Friday and 10am - 6pm on weekends from June to August with shorter hours, limited activities, and/or only open weekends in April, May, September, October, and November (see the 2023 schedule below). Check back with the park website for their updated 2024 hours but the general concepts (only open for safari drive through in April and November, only open on weekends some months, etc.) have not changed in the past 3 years that I have been visiting. If you are coming from the south and taking the 225, there is a crazy bend in the road that you really need to be careful of (see the photo below). The park is located in a rural area but there is signage as you get closer to let you know that you are going the right way. You need to go past the John Deere store to get to the entrance. Parking is always free and admission at the time of this review was $19 for anyone age 3+ and includes all of the exhibits and the safari. You can pay $10 for the exhibits alone, but I highly recommend that you add on the safari! Active duty military and veterans are free with military ID. They don't have a way to purchase ti
We came here as a family on Sunday. The park is really beautiful and the safari was really fun to do as well. Our kids loved feeding the animals. We felt the goats in the petting zoo were a little aggressive and although we loved seeing all the animals we felt some of the enclosures were small. I would recommend this place for a safari. I think some of the enclosures could be upgraded though.
This is a terrific zoo experience for the whole family. You can get close up to some amazing animals. Great selection of animals too. You can pet a little alligator, a super cute baby kangaroo and a number of farm animals. Lots of monkeys to watch have fun. Great big cats and a bunch of reptiles too. So much better than the big industrial zoo. Need to come back so I can finish seeing everything.
We loved Lake Tobias. The day we went it was not busy at all.So much to see and do and not feeling over crowded with doing it. The safari tour was worth the wait. We waited in line for about 25-30 mins. With my 3 year old who is usually impatient she did very well! We gotPopcorn and candy before getting in line and it was worth it . The prices aren't bad. Our tour guide was very knowledgeable and funny . We can't wait to go again !
What a fun place to go and spend the day at. $17 per person is actually a great price. As a veteran I was able to get in for free. Lots of fun and amazing animals to see. The safari tour was amazing.My 4 year old had a blast. I did as well.A must see place.Enjoy
We were in the area and needed something to keep the kids busy. This is definitely a 5 star place but let me advice that fall would be the perfect season to visit. When we were there iy was beyond hot and humid. It was a lot for the kids and a lot for this California girl. The paths to get around are gravel and lots of hills. Due to my back this wasn't easy. So if you have medical conditions keep this In mind. Employees are extremely nice, especially Lisa that got me to the car in her golf cart. Thanks for your kindness. Pricing is not bad, they don't offer senior discounts. Kids younger than 3 are free. If you are a veteran your admission is free. The owner of this place was a veteran himself. Highly recommend.
Went to Lake Tobias while on a visit to Hershey. Who would've thought you'd find all these animals in Central PA?Loved the safari and feeding the animals. We'll worth a trip!
When my husband said we were talking the kids to the petting zoo, I had very low expectations. Then we arrived, I was shocked. This animal park was nicely laid out, clean and the perfect size! They have exotic animals, a petting zoo and a few playgrounds. My favorite parts were the safari and feeding the giraffes. Please bring your camera because it is absolutely beautiful. Another great plus is everyone we came in contact with was pleasant. Highly recommend!
We visited with our teenagers on Mother's Day and we all enjoyed ourselves. We have been visiting since the kids were little and we never get tired of the park. We haven't been here since COVID and the park has done a terrific job with its renovations. It was very crowded, so I recommend visiting on a weekday. Todd was our safari driver and he was very entertaining. $17 includes the park and safari, so these days I would consider that a pretty inexpensive day.
We really enjoyed this park! It's got tons to offer for the price which was fair. We did a safari drive thru ride on the big truck and got to see, pet, and feed many animals. Food was $4 a cup. After we went to see the giraffes and got to feed them branches. It's insane that the branches are $10 but it's not much to get up close and personal with a giraffe and they offer produce for $6 but the branches were more fun. There's tons of other exhibits to see, I don't think we made it to all of them. Lots of monkeys that you get to be pretty up close to. A petting zoo that you can walk into , full of baby goats and mama goats!!Lastly, we got to see a peacock open his feathers, pet a baby alligator, and see a sloth in person. They also have a few playgrounds and food places. We missed out on some things I'm sure since there's so much to see but we definitely enjoyed our experience here. There's lots of hills and sun so be prepared for that.
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HIGHLY recommend! This park has been on my bucket list for the last few years. I brought my boys here on a Saturday for a fun family day trip. There's plenty of parking with different parking lots around the park, some which are near pavilions with picnic tables. The staff was so incredibly kind and patient, especially in the food areas. They were always smiling and answered any questions we had like bathrooms, etc. I thought the admission to get in was fairly priced and you're also able to purchase food for the animals at different spots. The animals looked happy and healthy, which isn't overly common in zoos/parks. The exhibits were clean and well maintained. They offered a variety of animals and my boys LOVED the petting zoo. We didn't feed the giraffes as there was a line, but I highly recommend. The safari was AWESOME! We all enjoyed feeding the animals and there were so many we could feed (advise to pace yourself if you buy food). Todd was our safari driver and he was SO funny while making the whole safari even better. The food options here were MUCH better than other places I've tried. The food was hot and prepared correctly. The lines moved quickly and the staff was efficient. However, if you don't want to purchase any food here you are able to bring in your own food and drinks, which is DEF not common. Overall, I highly recommend this as a fun day out with your kids.
Food was fresh,fast, cheap and good. Don't forget to bring your own reusable straw, if needed. They do not offer them.
Very clean. Well kept. 17.00 for Safari and Zoo. The new giraffe exhibit was great. Looking forward to seeing new lion exhibit. The line for Safari was crazy long. But it was a Saturday and beautiful weather. So understood. Safari could have more variety animals. Reptile building was beautiful. The show in there was short and fun. The ability to pet the boa and baby gator was cool. Food and drink isn't too expensive. You can bring your own if you'd like to budget. The bison burger was tasty. A+ on the fries. Bathrooms were all very clean. All animal exhibits looked well kept. They are taken care of nicely. We live about 45 mins away. We will be back. Had a wonderful day.
Came across this place by happenstance and we're so glad we did! After a 3-mile hike, lunch at a waterfront park and fishing, we decided to take the scenic route home from our Father's Day outing and found this little gem. It's big enough for some real cool animals but not too big where you can't visit them all in one day. We fed an ostrich and heard a lion roar and we were delighted to see peacocks and chickens and roosters walking around freely. It was such a unique experience. Definitely going back to feed the giraffes!
Lake Tobias is a great place for a day trip for the family! Lots of animals to see, beautiful grounds to explore, a food court, and a safari tour (from the comfort of your own car). I recommend it!