Land of Little Horses Closed: What Happened and Where to Go Instead

If you've been planning a family trip to the Gettysburg area and had Land of Little Horses on your list, I have some unfortunate news: the park has permanently closed its doors. After 54 years of entertaining families with miniature horse shows, pig races, and one of the most hands-on petting zoos in Pennsylvania, Land of Little Horses shut down in 2024.

As someone who runs Pine Ridge Campground just 20 minutes up the road, I watched generations of our campers make this a go-to day trip. Grandparents would take the grandkids. Families with toddlers would spend a relaxed morning there between battlefield tours. It was one of those places that just worked for everyone.

So what happened, and where should families go instead? Let me break it down.

Why Did Land of Little Horses Close?

The short answer: staffing. Like a lot of small, specialized attractions that came out of the pandemic era, Land of Little Horses struggled to find and keep the kind of dedicated animal care staff the park required. Running a performing animal park is not like running a gift shop. You need trained handlers, veterinary support, and people who genuinely know how to work with animals every single day.

The park tried to push through. They reduced hours, went to weekend-only schedules, and adjusted their show lineup. But eventually the owners determined they could not maintain the standard of care that their animals and their visitors deserved. Rather than compromise on quality, they made the difficult call to close for good.

The miniature horses and other animals were rehomed to appropriate care situations. The property on Glenwood Drive sits quiet now.

What Made It Special

Land of Little Horses opened in 1970, right at the height of the roadside attraction era in Pennsylvania. But it was never a gimmick. The park's miniature horses were genuine performers, and the shows were surprisingly well produced for a small-town animal park.

The Mane Event was the headliner, featuring miniature horses alongside other trained animals in a covered arena. The Sprinting Pig Show at what they called the Pig Colosseum was always a crowd favorite with kids. And the Exploring Everything Equine program was genuinely educational, teaching kids about horse breeds, care, and history in a way that stuck with them.

What really set it apart, though, was the hands-on element. Kids did not just look at animals through a fence. They groomed miniature horses. They fed farm animals in the petting zoo. They got pony rides. For preschool and early elementary kids, that kind of tactile experience is irreplaceable.

The Best Alternatives for Families

Here is the honest truth: nothing in Gettysburg directly replaces Land of Little Horses. But that does not mean your family trip is sunk. There are excellent options, and some of them are actually better for certain ages.

ZooAmerica (Hershey) — Best for Animal Lovers

About 45 minutes from Pine Ridge, ZooAmerica is your closest real animal experience. It is AZA-accredited with over 200 North American animals across five habitats. You will see black bears, bison, elk, river otters, and birds of prey. It is open year-round, which Land of Little Horses never was.

The tradeoff: it is a traditional zoo. Kids observe rather than interact hands-on. But the exhibits are well designed and the animals are genuinely interesting. Allow 2 to 3 hours.

Dutch Wonderland (Lancaster) — Best for Young Kids

If your kids are under 10 and you want a full day of entertainment, Dutch Wonderland is hard to beat. It is about an hour from Pine Ridge, but it is specifically designed for young children with age-appropriate rides, water play areas, and live shows.

This is a bigger production than Land of Little Horses ever was. The Duke's Lagoon water area alone will keep kids busy for hours on a hot day. It is pricier and more crowded, but for a full day-trip event, it delivers.

Hollabaugh Bros (Biglerville) — Best for Farm Fun

For something closer and lower-key, Hollabaugh Bros is right up the road from Pine Ridge. It is a working farm with seasonal pick-your-own fruit, a farm market, and family activities. Apple picking in September, strawberries in June, and their farm stand year-round.

It does not have animals like Land of Little Horses did, but the farm experience scratches a similar itch for families who want their kids outdoors doing something real.

Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum (Orrtanna) — Best Free Stop

Mr. Ed's Elephant Museum is one of those only-in-Pennsylvania roadside attractions that you either love or scratch your head at. Free admission, thousands of elephant figurines, and a candy shop. It takes about 30 minutes to see everything, making it a perfect add-on to another activity rather than a destination on its own.

What This Means for Pine Ridge Campers

If you are booked for a seasonal site at Pine Ridge and were counting on Land of Little Horses as part of your summer routine, here is my honest advice: lean into the alternatives and do not forget what you already have at camp.

Our pool, playground, and pavilion are right here. Kids do not always need a destination. Sometimes the best day is the one where they swim all morning, ride bikes around the loop in the afternoon, and roast marshmallows after dark.

For the days when you do want to get out, plan a ZooAmerica trip early in the season and save Dutch Wonderland for a special occasion. Fill the gaps with Hollabaugh Bros, the battlefield, and the half-dozen other nearby attractions within 30 minutes of camp.

The loss of Land of Little Horses stings. It was a Gettysburg institution. But families will adapt, and the area is still one of the best places in Pennsylvania for a campground-based family vacation.