Lake Tobias Wildlife Park: The Complete 2026 Guide (Hours, Tickets & Safari Tours)

Overview

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park is a family-owned zoo and safari park in Halifax, Pennsylvania, spread across 150 acres of rolling hills, pasture, and woodlands in the central part of the state near Harrisburg. It's best known for its open-air safari tour, where specially converted cruisers carry visitors through the property to hand-feed bison, water buffalo, yak, eland, and watusi roaming freely alongside the road.

Beyond the safari, the park's zoo exhibits, petting zoo, and Reptiles & Exotics building bring the total animal count to more than 1,000 animals from six continents, including giraffes, tigers, zebras, lions, baboons, ostriches, gibbons, and kangaroos. It's a full-day option for families in central Pennsylvania looking for something more hands-on than a traditional zoo visit.

History of Lake Tobias

The park was founded in 1965 by the late J.R. Tobias on the same property where he was born and raised, and where he and his wife Pauline later raised their seven children. Tobias had a lifelong fascination with unusual and exotic animals, and he's credited with the original idea of touring herds in their natural habitat using converted school buses turned into "safari cruisers," a concept other parks have since copied. After his passing in 1996, the park passed to his children, who continue to run it today as a self-sustaining, family-owned business, with Mrs. Tobias still living in the farmhouse that also serves as the park office.

Hours & Season Dates

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park is open every day from May through Labor Day, then switches to weekends only through September and October, plus a special Columbus Day opening from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. The park does not operate through the winter months, so timing your trip within the open season matters.

Ticket Prices

Parking is always free, and prices are typically listed per person for ages 3 and up. It's worth double-checking current-season pricing directly with the park, since rates are adjusted from year to year.

Safari Tour Guide

The safari tour is the park's signature experience: an open-air cruiser takes visitors across the 150-acre property to see and feed herds of animals roaming free, including bison, water buffalo, yak, eland, and watusi. Tours run about 45 minutes, and cruisers depart every few minutes, with the last tour of the day leaving about an hour before closing.

Zoo Exhibits & Animals

Beyond the safari, self-guided zoo exhibits let visitors walk among giraffes, tigers, zebras, baboons, ostriches, gibbons, kangaroos, and lions, while the Reptiles & Exotics building and Petting Zoo round out the hands-on side of the visit. The Animal Care and Rehab exhibit is a favorite with kids, and the award-winning J.R. Tobias Museum & Education Center adds a more educational stop to the day.

Best Time to Visit

• Weekdays in June–August: Generally quieter than weekends, with full-day hours.
• Weekend mornings: Best for catching an early safari tour before crowds build.
• September–October weekends: Cooler weather and a quieter, shoulder-season visit.
• Special events: The park occasionally runs events during normal hours, so check ahead if you want to time your visit around one.

Food, Museum & Facilities

On-site dining and picnic areas make it easy to turn the visit into a full day without leaving the park, and the gift shop offers the usual souvenir stop on the way out. The J.R. Tobias Museum & Education Center adds an indoor, air-conditioned break from the walking-heavy exhibits, and catch-and-release fishing is available for visitors who want a quieter activity between the zoo and the safari.

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Location & Parking

Lake Tobias Wildlife Park is located at 760 Tobias Road, Halifax, Pennsylvania 17032, just off Route 225 in central Pennsylvania near Fisherville, roughly 25 minutes north of Harrisburg. A Lake Tobias sign marks the entrance to Tobias Road, making the turn easy to spot. Parking is always free, with a large lot and motorcoach parking available.

Family & Accessibility

The park is handicap accessible, and strollers and wagons are permitted throughout, which helps for families with young kids, though visitors should expect a fair amount of walking between exhibits, with some hilly paths. Comfortable, sturdy shoes are recommended over sandals or flip-flops given the terrain.

Nearby Attractions

Harrisburg, the Pennsylvania state capital, is about 25 minutes south and offers additional dining and sightseeing to pair with a Lake Tobias day trip. The broader central Pennsylvania region includes several other farms and small zoos worth combining into a longer weekend if you're exploring the area.

What Visitors Say

Insider Tips & Common Mistakes

• Book tickets in advance where possible, especially for weekend visits, to avoid long queues.
• Wear comfortable, sturdy shoes since the walking paths between exhibits can be hilly.
• Don't skip the safari tour; it's consistently rated the park's top experience.
• Arrive with enough time before closing, since the last safari tour departs an hour before the gates shut.
• Bring cash or a card for the on-site dining and gift shop in case you want lunch without leaving the park.
• Common mistake: showing up in the off-season. The park only operates from May through October, so confirm dates before planning a winter or early-spring visit.

Frequently Asked Questions