10 Perfect Spots for a Family Reunion

Stationed along northern Colorado’s Elk River is charming Home Ranch. Dense meadows and aspen groves cover the estate, making for stunning scenery year-round. With an abundance of group outdoor sports like mountain biking in the warmer months and free sleigh rides in the winter, there’s no bad time to rent out the eight wood-paneled cabins. Settle in for a true farm-to-table experience at the Ranch’s acclaimed restaurant. New Executive Chef Jonathon Gillepsie churns out an impressively curated menu of seasonal delights that utilize ingredients straight from the ranch’s greenhouse.

Inside pristine Mission Bay is private island getaway, Paradise Point Resort & Spa, with tropical lagoons and sweeping water views. In fact, you and your family will be hard pressed to find a bad vista anywhere on the 44-acre property. Spend your time working up an appetite doing the backstroke in one of the five swimming pools and then grab a slice at nearby Caveman Pizza Company. Take a post-meal walk back in time through the gardens to see California’s largest collection of original El Camino Real mission bells. There’s plenty to keep the entire group happy, but if you do get island fever, downtown San Diego is only a 7-mile bike ride away.

There may be nothing more iconic when it comes to family fun than the Aulani, a Disney Resort & Spa, and for good reason. Located on the sunny coast of Oahu, the resort has enough surf, sand, and smiles to go around. Let the kids run around Aunty’s Beach House while the older generation catches up at the adult-only ‘Alohi Point. Even teenagers get their own space to unwind with the teen-only Painted Sky Spa, where they can overcome FOMO and get a pedicure at the same time. Regroup for dinner with seasonal dishes at the family-friendly Makahiki.

Montana’s The Resort at Paws Up is a complete planner’s paradise. The 37,000-acre ranch offers customizable family reunion packages, modeled after your needs. Choose from rustic homes year-round; in May through October, connect with nature in luxury safari-style tents. Ride off into the sunset on horseback. For a ride with more cushion, plan to hop in the carriage for a lazy Chuck Wagon ride under Montana’s big, open sky. The horse-drawn affair drops your group off at the rushing banks of the Blackfoot River for a cozy meal and a complimentary glass of sangria for the 21-and-older members of your family.

Break out the cowboy boots and Stetsons for this working dude ranch overlooking Wyoming’s bucolic Platte River Valley. Brush Creek Ranch is the premier spot to tap into your family’s wild side—with class. Head out from your lavish cabin lodge for a day of heart-pounding activities. Pick from skeet shooting, archery, or the rope courses. When your group is looking to tone down the adrenaline, mosey over to the Trailhead Spa housed in authentic outdoor teepees for a BCR signature massage, a healing rub-down that uses native Wyoming herbs to relax the body.

At the end of a dirt path is secluded Red Rock Ranch, with rolling mountain views and wide-open skies. Built in 2001 by Rick Prill, this rustic ranch is for the low-key, DIY brood. “Families can come here and pick what they want to do, and only pay for that,” Prill says of his a la carte activity menu. Divide your time between three houses nestled beside one another. Each sports a gourmet kitchen where you can come together over treasured family recipes. Assign who gets to cook—and clean—over a game of horseshoes at the outdoor pits. The western-styled saloon is a big hit among the over-21 family members.

Natural treasures and panoramic views collide in central Arizona’s Cabins on Strawberry Hill. 14 cozy pet-friendly cabins dot the tree-lined grounds. Catch the Strawberry Canyon Trail right off the property for an easy 1.5-mile jaunt up to stellar canyon views. Really test your family’s resolve at the nearby state park with a steep hike up to the Tonto Natural Bridge, the world’s largest travertine bridge. Soothe your joints in a post-climb soak at the natural Verde Hot Springs. For even more environmental wonders, the Grand Canyon’s South Rim looms 150 miles away.

Family-owned Odell Lake Lodge & Resort infuses your reunion with a choose-your-own-adventure format. Tucked inside Deschutes National Forest, the lakeside oasis has every outdoor activity needed to keep big groups pleased. Test your luck casting a reel in Odell’s fresh-water lake. Take in the woodsy sights with a walk along the property’s flat terrain. The lodge cabins can collectively sleep up to 80 guests, and each cabin is equipped with a full kitchen. Or let Odell Lodge Restaurant handle the food, with a menu of family-favorites like breadcrumb-topped mac and cheese made with Oregon-local Tillamook cheddar, elevated with a refined Black Butte porter reduction sauce.

Tucked along the coast of Washington’s Orcas Island is picturesque Pebble Cove Farm. The peaceful farm is built for the more intimate family reunion, with the property sleeping up to 16 people. Pair off in the double kayaks for a paddle around the serene stretch of Massacre Bay. Back on dry land, try maneuvering around the chickens and goats on the sprawling organic farm for a helping handful of seasonal goodies. Take an easy stroll down to the private beach for an uninterrupted view of the water. For the more adventurous ones, Moran State Park's jaw-dropping mountain views are only 12 miles away.

For the water-worshipping family, Carnival Cruises has liners that accommodate large groups. Climb aboard in Los Angeles for six relaxed days down the Mexican Riviera, with stops at fan favorites Cabo San Lucas and Puerto Vallarta. Spend your time on the deck leisurely enjoying the Pacific vistas with relatives. Nosh on three square meals in the cushy family dining room. While the kids tire themselves out careening down the onboard waterslides, take an adult fieldtrip to the spa for a little well-deserved pampering.