Just 25 miles north of Harrisburg, Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, with its hundreds of animals from around the world, celebrates its 48th season this year. It remains a popular destination for locals and out-of-staters alike.
“We attract approximately 150,000 visitors from May through October,” said Jan Tobias, director of public relations and advertising.
The park appeals to both young and old who arrive in anticipation of getting up close and personal with a whole host of wildlife, including African lions, alligators, bears, Bengal tigers, ostriches, two-toed sloths, poison dart frogs, camels and peacocks, to name just a few of the creatures that call the 150-acre woodland their home.
Jan’s father, the late J.R. Tobias, was always fascinated with wildlife, initially planning a career path that involved studying animals and agriculture, but that path veered off into a little detour when he was drafted into the marines.
After serving in the military, he founded Lake Tobias on his childhood homestead near Halifax and was finally able to indulge his passion for wildlife, a hobby that morphed quickly into a business.
Since 1965, millions of visitors have streamed through the entrance to the park anticipating a great animal adventure. People of all ages usually consider the educational safari tour a highlight of the trip. Riding along with a tour guide in a converted open-air school bus, passengers are given a birds-eye view of approximately 500 head of mammals and flightless birds.
“The 50-minute safari tour is the favorite attraction for everyone who comes to the park and we usually add a few new animals each year,” Tobias said.
Dauphin resident Shawn Marie Mann, a fan of the park and a blogger at amusementparkmom.com, takes her family there often. “My three children love it and it’s very affordable. My oldest daughter spent her last five birthdays there,” she said.
And apparently she’s not alone; in 2011, Central Penn Parent Magazine named Lake Tobias the best party facility and the best place for a picnic.
Mann likes bringing her own food to the park. “It saves money and our family suffers from allergies, so if we can bring our own, it’s one less thing to worry about,” she said. For those who would rather purchase food, there is a concession stand on site where hungry visitors can order picnic food like burgers, fries and chicken.
Halifax resident Mary Gualtier worked at Lake Tobias for several years during her retirement. “They hire retirees before the kids are off school,” she said. “I liked everything about working there. It’s in a beautiful location.”
Those who haven’t visited the park in several years may be surprised at the changes.
In 2006, a new tiger and black bear exhibit was added; two years later, an African lion and baboon exhibit; and last June, a new reptile and exotics building with a 15-minute educational program offered several times a day.
“Local people don’t realize how much we have changed throughout the years,” Tobias said. “When they come back, they are amazed at how advanced the park is.”
So grab the kids, get out of the house and prepare to spend a day enjoying the great outdoors in the beautiful countryside. Your adventure waits.
Lake Tobias Wildlife Park, 760 Tobias Rd., Halifax, 717-362-9126 or www.laketobias.com. Open May-Sept., 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sat. & Sun.; Between Memorial Day and Labor Day, 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Mon.-Fri.; 10 a.m. – 7 p.m., Sat. & Sun.; Oct. 10 a.m. – 6 p.m., Sat. & Sun.
