When you've got the family in tow, summer vacation costs can quickly pile up. At Mammoth in the rugged Eastern High Sierra, the discerning family can find a lot to do among the region's many summer activities that will keep the family vacation fund intact. Here are two.

The mountain bikers in the group can spend an entire day at Mammoth's Mountain Bike Park for just $39, which includes a lift ticket for the gondola that transports bikers up to Mammoth Mountain's 11,053-foot summit. From there bikers have access to 100 miles of single-track trails, with water stops in shaded areas, and bike rangers roaming the park to answer questions and help with gear.

A trip to Mammoth wouldn't be complete without a visit to Devil's Postpile National Monument, the site of an astounding geologic formation of 60-foot-high columns of basalt. Access to this natural phenomenon is via the Red's Meadow shuttle bus, which costs $7 for adults and $4 for children aged 3 to 15 years. It's a 0.4-mile walk to the base of the postpile; from there, it's another 2.5 miles to 101-foot-high Rainbow Falls.

Throughout the summer, many lodges, inns and motels in the Mammoth area offer special rates at various times; the following link lists many of these offers.

More information.