NPS #3: Elk & Bison at Grand Teton National Park

Grand Teton National Park Entrance, Photo by Krenda

The year after visiting Yellowstone & Grand Teton, I asked my son where he'd like to visit on vacation.   He exclaimed "where there's bison!".  You can show your kids bison and elk at both Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park.  The Jackson elk herd takes claim as the largest herd in North America.  The park objective given states having a herd of approximately 11,000 elk migrating between Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge.  In Yellowstone, we found the most elk in the Mammoth area (North Side) where they wandered among the campground lawns.  In the Grand Teton National Park, we saw them grazing in the fields.

Mountains, boats, and lake at Grand Teton

Grand Teton National Park offers more than viewing animals in nature.  The park offers educational talks, mountain scenery perfect for photography, plenty of hiking trails, and even a boat ride on the lake.

Author Patricia Schultz lists Grand Teton National Park in Wyoming as a must see site in her book 1,000 Places to See Before You Die.  While she notes the overall photographic beauty, she points out a particular place, "At the foot of the range, glacial advance gouged a string of deep, cold, sapphire-blue lakes, of which Jenny Lake is one of the most beautiful and therefore most popular and visited."  For a reasonable rate, you can rent a kayak or take a ferry.  

If you want to show your kids elk, you can also find them in the eastern part of the United States. Consider a trip to the Great Smoky Mountains National Park.

Bison at Teton National Park; Photo by Krenda

1.  Cataloochee Valley, Great Smoky Mountains National Park:  Park released elk in 2001 and now nearly 140 elk live in the area.  Besides elk, visit the 9 historic buildings.  If you need to rent a nearby cabin, contact me or check out Lightning Bug Lodge or Indigo Moon Lodge. 

2.  Ponca Elk Center in Ponca, AR:  Drive into the Boxley Valley near the Buffalo National River, elk wer re-introduced and now there's nearly 450 elk along the river.  Visit the center for education open 5 days a week (closed Tue./Wed.); free admission.

3.  Elk Country Visitor Center in Benezette, PA:  Learn at the center which opened in 2010.  Most people drive to Winslow Hill with viewing areas and off road parking.  If you want to camp near elk, try Sinnemahoning State Park which has a small herd.

Exhausted kids after hiking and searching for animals.

Gym Class #11: 7 Bungee Trampoline Places

Bungee Trampoline, Photo by Krenda

If your kids like trampoline parks and want to go even higher, consider a bungee trampoline.  Take jumping to a whole new level using bungee cord tethers attached to a jump harness.  Not only do you gain height, it also allows you to try flip after flip.  Do this activity at your own risk.  Operators act as safety spotters, but they will require you signing a release waiver before jumping.  We splurged for bungee trampoline ($15 per 5 minutes) at the Northstar California resort in Truckee (near Lake Tahoe).  We stayed at this beautiful resort for my friend's wedding.  While the resort is known for skiing (Outside Magazine 2014 Best Ski Mountain for Families, Travel Channel Top 5 Spots to Snowboard in the World), we visited during the summer and still found plenty of activities.  The Northstar's Kid Zone also offers spider climb, miniature golf, roller skating, and gem painting. 

Here's seven other places within the United States offering bungee trampoline experience: 

1.  Jackson Hole, WY: Cody Lake Teton Village, WY.  We stayed at a condo in Jackson Hole, but must have been so busy with national park activities that we missed the kid activity area.  1 activity ticket $14, must weigh between 40-60 lbs., fly up to 24 feet in the air.  Drop tower ($14), tramp sightseeing, and ropes course ($37).
2.  Big Sky Mountain, MT: 50 Big Sky Resort Rd, Big Sky, MT, near Yellowstone Park, 3 minute jump for those weighing 40 lb. to 180 lb., also offers skeet shooting for adults, whitewater rafting, and fly fishing

3.  Mt. Hood Skibowl, OR: Adventure Park, 87000 US 26 Government Camp, OR.  recorded a jump of 15 feet; also offers alpine slide, batting cages, zip line, and disc golf.

4.  Beaver Creek resort Vail, Colorado:  I've also stayed at this resort, but during ski season.  The bungee jumping opens June and ends in September.  One session $14.  Adventure Center also offers gem panning, ropes course, and climbing wall.

5.  Okemo Mountain Resort, VT: 77 Okemo Ridge Rd, Ludlow, VT, single jump $10, four jumping stations, heights of 20 feet plus, also offers mountain coaster, Segway tour, AMP energy big air bag
6.  Treehouse World, PA: 1442 Phoenixville Pike, West Chester, PA; no age min. as long as meeting min. 20 pounds, also offer archery tag, rock climbing on trees, and wooded nature trails
7.  Fun Stop Family Action Park, TN: Pigeon Forge TN, $7 ticket, also offers BOGO go kart tickets 9AM to noon and big top arcade; if you are looking for nearby lodging consider our luxury rental cabin in Pigeon Forge named Indigo Moon Lodge
www.indigomoonlodge.blogspot.com