Feed Bison from a Train, Have Brunch with Llamas and More at These Destinations

Introducing kids at a young age to wildlife often allows them to develop a keener sense of empathy and a greater understanding of our world. Fortunately, there’s a bounty of ways for families to travel and have up-close encounters with animals. In fact, these five destinations have some pretty special wildlife experiences.

© Visit Cheyenne

Paddle Up to Hand-Holding Otters in Moss Landing, California

Book a kid-friendly, 1.5-hour kayaking experience with Monterey Bay Kayak and venture through Elkhorn Slough to encounter otters and harbor seals. If you’re lucky, you might even spot sea otters with hands interlinked. If the kids can’t get enough of wildlife, head over to Monterey Bay Aquarium to experience a kelp forest exhibit feeding and an interactive sea otter feeding and training session.

Feed Bison from a Train in Cheyenne, Wyoming

While you may not be able to pet bison in Yellowstone, further south in Wyoming, you’re actually encouraged to feed them on a bison train tour at Terry Bison Ranch. This ranch has a higher concentration of bison than nearly anywhere else, and the train ride allows visitors to also traverse the Colorado/Wyoming border. Trains operate daily with multiple departures (in winter, there’s even insulated train cars!).

© Travel South Dakota

Get a Front-Row Seat to 1,000 Thundering Bison in Custer State Park, South Dakota

This once-in-a-lifetime opportunity puts visitors front and center to one of the state’s crown jewel experiences. Witness cowboys and cowgirls round up hundreds of bison. These massive animals are gathered to ensure the overall health of the herd (like testing bison, sorting and branding for pregnancy, etc.). Roundups happen every late September. For the ultimate bison break, continue on to a Buffalo Jeep Safari or a self-guided driving tour along Wildlife Loop.

© Garden of the Gods Resort and Club

Have Brunch with Llamas in Colorado Springs, Colorado

At Garden of the Gods Resort and Club, join llamas Pedro and Zoro of Luxy Llama in a meet and greet to learn about the animals’ therapeutic benefits. Kids can snap a photo with the llamas, too. The company also just launched a special brunch experience with llamas (next available dates: Sept. 28 and Oct. 12).

Hand-Feed Prairie Dogs in Philip, South Dakota

There’s more to South Dakota than bison; at The Badlands Ranch Store, you’ll find a large prairie dog colony. Visitors can feed prairie dogs peanuts at certain times of the year (reopens next spring). This colony is regularly tested for diseases, so families don’t need to worry about the kids getting too close for comfort.