Went to this park as part of a "roller coaster road trip." Out of all of our destinations this one seemed the most "sketchy" since it's just a bunch of high intensity rides grouped together in a small field, reminiscent of a carnival that's easily put up and taken down. The staff was a little on the goofy/joking side - they have to test the bungee jumping before customers. Our guide did a fancy flip but something went wrong and he ended up needing his emergency cord. I guess it was good to see that the safety back-ups are in fact functional. They were professional when they needed to be, but definitely did their fair share of goading trying to worry us about the next extreme ride we were facing.
Ended up doing all 5 rides - you can pay per ride or do multiple for a reduced rate. I'm glad I did all of the rides, but probably wouldn't do Skycoaster (giant swing on your stomach) or Ejection Seat (slingshot style) again. I've seen/done other ones in other parks that were better for the cost.
Must do Nothin' But Net! Just being unclipped and freefalling has to be one of the scariest things I've ever done. They've even done tests that measure a human's reaction time with extreme adrenaline - fast flashing numbers on a watch that one cannot read under normal circumstances, but while falling have the ability to see - so time really does "slow down" while you're falling!
Nice on a clear day, views of Mt. Hood as you're getting started on the trail.
Great mini hike! The climb was a bit steep - especially if you aren't used to breathing at that altitude (7000ish to 8000ish) but well worth it! You can go a bit past the lake (higher and less than 1/4 mile) to Spouting Rock, which with the right amount of rain/runoff can be quite the mini waterfall. You can walk right up to it and behind it as well. Also be warned if you like solitary hiking - even in a more off-season trip (early May) it was fairly crowded around the lake.
This lake is technically a reservoir and was created by the giant dam on one side. Someone told me that they drain it down pretty far in preparation for the mountain runoff - so low that sometimes you can see the stumps of trees that used to populate the valley in which it was created. I was just passing through on my way to Portland, but there was some intense and amazing fog that caused me to stop for a few photos. I recommend it as a detour to get you off the 5 on your way north to Portland/Seattle.
I didn't end up having time to actually stop inside the museum, but it was still cool walking around outside as a break. The street it's on - Main Street- is actually quite nice and it's worth walking around a few blocks - lots of outdoor art installations etc.
Taking the Imlay exit is a good idea. I went a little later in the evening, it was cloudy, I was alone and this place was quite eerie - still cool and interesting though, got some great pictures. It was a great stop in the middle of nowhere, but toward the end of my visit I got so creeped out that I had to give a friend a call to have someone to talk to while I walked through the park. I would like to stop again on a sunny day when I had more time.
Short, easy hike (pretty quick elevation change though) - well worth it! The view from the top was great! Nice quiet place for lunch with amazing views.
This trip was well worth the drive down the dirt road off the main highway! I would describe it almost as the (natural) Stonehenge of Kansas - it pops out of nowhere and stands on its own in the middle of an otherwise completely empty and flat surrounding area. The complete solitude and quietness of this place is what really struck me. I was alone, never saw another car, and when the wind wasn't whipping across the plains it was so quiet I could hear the blood pumping in my own head.