Family Ranching in the American West

Jackson Hole is the place to let your wildlings let off some steam, and there are a huge number of perfect family-orientated activities on offer. This activity-packed village is surrounded by the snow-capped peaks of Grand Teton to the west and the Gros Ventre range to the east, and is known for its historic Western-style buildings and picturesque country life. On a half-day guided driving safari, spend time exploring the Grand Teton National Park and the National Elk Refuge. Your guide will explain the history of these reserves and point out the region's extraordinarily diverse wildlife, including bison, elk, bears and even wolves. Make sure to look up every now and then as well to spot bald eagles with their distinctive white heads soaring high above you. When your youngsters have had enough of being in the car, head back to the hotel and have a go at anything from mountain biking and horse riding to hiking and fly fishing. Little ones will love a trip to the Beaver Creek Hat Co. where you will find a hat for every member of the family to truly embrace dressing like a cowboy. For a spot of truly western evening entertainment, head to the Jackson Hole Rodeo where the children can get a taste of a quintessential cowboy pastime.

Before you head to your next stop, don’t miss a visit to the Kid’s Ranch, one of Jackson Hole’s top family attractions. Children from the age of three can enjoy bungee trampolining, gondola rides and scenic tram rides as well as a slip'n'slide water park and endless arts and science games. The Kid's Ranch's Aerial Adventures high wire and rope bridge network is also great fun for older children wanting to conquer a fear of heights, and the mountain bike camp is great for those wanting a splash of adrenaline. When they’re good and tired, pick up your hire car and head out on the two-and-a-half-hour drive to Yellowstone National Park, America’s oldest national park and arguably the most impressive. Take in the breath-taking landscapes as you enter the park and keep your eyes peeled as you may even spot bison and deer on your way into the vast wilderness.

This iconic park was the world's first national park and is famous for its beautiful landscapes and wildlife, but perhaps most of all for its geysers - a reminder of the geological forces that created the dramatic surroundings. Spend the next few days on a self-drive tour of the national park, following a handy map that we will provide, naming all of the park’s highlights and suggested places to visit; hop out to stretch legs and explore the excellent walking trails that fill the park.

A highlight of the park for any age is without a doubt the world-famous Old Faithful geyser, which erupts 180ft in the air every hour or so. The park authorities post prediction times (which are around 90% accurate) and guessing when the next eruption will be is a fun game to while the time away. Surrounding this natural water fountain is a selection of amber-tinted terraces created by mineral-laden water at Mammoth Hot Springs and Norris Geysir Basin which is the park’s oldest, hottest and most colourful thermal spot. Any wannabe geographers will be in heaven among the park’s fumaroles, geysers, hot springs, mud pools and waterfalls, all while surrounded by spectacular mountains and canyons.

Although the park’s natural wonders are a highlight, its animals should not be forgotten. Head out early and try to get to the Lamar Valley in the far north of the park with binos at the ready for the best chance of spotting wolves, bears, elk and coyotes.

Today you will say goodbye to Yellowstone National Park with one last drive up through the northwest part of the park, before continuing on the two-hour-and-15-minute journey to Big Sky in Montana, making the switch from expansive national parks to truly western ranches. Mountains galore is what you can expect from this impressive ski resort. Nestled among these towering monochrome peaks is your hotel, a historic lodge that is brimming with ranch charm that you can use as a base for all your thrill-seeking activities. Spend the afternoon orientating yourselves before enjoying a hearty dinner and a good night’s sleep.

The soaring mountains and sprawling plains of Big Sky will draw in horsey and non-horsey types alike. Saddle up for a week filled with good 'ol fashioned outdoor activities that will have you and the children out and about, learning ranch skills and enjoying a digital detox in the wild. Youngsters can enjoy learning to lasso a bison or being taught how to make their own burgers on the grill, or if a more riding-focussed adventure is up your street, children can enjoy an authentic cowboy or cowgirl experience with stories and s’mores around the campfire. Few experiences are more quintessentially American.

The park is brimming with non-horsey activities too, including everything from fly fishing, archery and canoeing to geocaching, stagecoach rides and zip wires. A cowboy course is perfect for youngsters wanting to learn traditionally western outward bound and survival skills, followed by an evening spent country dancing with the whole family. When you aren’t horsing around, we suggest heading out into the wilderness where you can explore the seemingly endless walking trails through oceans of wildflowers and between towering lone peaks, before donning your cowboy boots for another night of fun around the campfire.

All good things come to an end. Prise the children away from the ranch this morning and drive an hour to Bozeman to catch your one-hour-and-40-minute domestic flight to Denver. From here, you will hop aboard your overnight flight back to London which will take around nine hours.