Southwest Best Family Reunion Places. Thinking of a family reunion? The best places for a family reunion or gathering in the Southwest cabins, ranches, campgrounds, and resorts with activities, amenities and benefits for all ages a are ready to create the best reunion ever.

Here's the scoop. I think anytime and any where togethering is worth the effort just to add to the family memories. I have a few suggestions to consider if the American Southwest is on your radar screen for a family reunion. 

New Mexico: Santa Fe, Hilton of Santa Fe Historic Plaza. Located just two blocks from the famous downtown Santa Fe Plaza on the grounds of the 350-year-old Ortiz Hacienda, this place exemplifies refined elegance. Discover traces of the areas rich history amid the eclectic spaces created by the original adobe walls which combine perfectly with modern conveniences. The Hilton of Santa Fe has 157 elegant and newly remodeled guest rooms designed to recreate the ambiance that existed 300 years ago. From the doorstep explore the city's unique collection of winding avenues and one-way streets. Reunion Benefit: The luxury casitas are built within the thick adobe walls of the historic coach house, found in 1625. Each casita has a kiva fireplace, kitchen, bathroom with custom tile, and a whirlpool bathtub. Two casitas are one-bedroom suites; one is a two-bedroom suite. They provide comfortable space to stretch out and enjoy getting together with family. Bonus Points: For young guests there is a children’s menu, as well as high chairs and cribs available. The property is pet friendly. (Hilton of Santa Fe Historic Plaza 100 Sandoval Street, Santa Fe, New Mexico, 87501-2131 www1.hilton.com)

Texas: Austin, Lost Pines Hyatt. East of Austin and west of Bastrop, Hyatt has opened a new luxurious wilderness resort escape for families. They have a variety of room options including suites, each with comfortable leather furniture and warm earth tones, Grand Beds, coffee maker with complimentary coffee, daily newspaper delivery, and computer data port. Enjoy a challenging golf course, and acres of natural beauty. They also have a water park with three pools, a 1,200 foot river pool and water slide, equestrian center, hiking and biking trails, river rafting on the Colorado River, GPS scavenger hunts, Texas folklore storytelling, yoga, Pilates, gypsy dance, fishing, birding and Camp Hyatt Tortuga just for our youngest guests. Reunion Benefit: Situated on the pond and near to the golf and spa amenities yet separated from the Resort complex is a 2600-sq.ft. Texas-style Litton house with an expansive living area with fireplace, and outdoor patio. The bedrooms offer secluded porches complete with outdoor table and covering viewing the last few holes of Wolfdancer golf course. (Hyatt Regency Lost Pines 575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road, Lost Pines, Texas, USA 78612 or www.LostPines.Hyatt.com)

Texas: Flying L Ranch. Located about two hours Southwest of Austin in the heart of Texas Hill Country this is the place for a Wild West family adventure. Guests will find Texas hospitality and plenty of cowboy humor. This resort ranch has a large heated outdoor pool, two-lighted tennis courts, basketball, volleyball, Ping-Pong, shuffleboard, horseshoes, washers, fishing and bicycling, and hayrides. There are deer watching hayrides at night followed by nightly Western entertainment around a campfire with good ol’ fashion S’mores. The Flying L offers numerous activities and all-inclusive pricing allowing everyone to enjoy their time away without breaking the bank. No matter how many people in your group and their ages, there is something for everyone. Reunion Benefit: Unique to this resort is a bunkhouse that has private sleeping rooms around a central gathering area. They have a Catering Director who will help with any group needs. Families in the planning stage can call for an appointment to have a site visit of the ranch. (Flying L Ranch. 566 Flying L Drive, Bandera, 78003. Toll-free 1-800-292-5134, (830) 460-3001 or www.flyingl.com)

Oklahoma: Beavers Bend State Park. We learned about Beavers Bend State Park in the southeastern part of the state from a Texas family. The complex has both cabins and campsites for vacationers and pavilions for gatherings. There is no official coordinator but the park works well for all ages. Trees crowd the river's edge and the Forest Heritage Visitor’s Center is the place to meet and learn about the area and engage in ranger led activities. Not far away is the charming town of Hugo. They have and excursion train that makes a round trip runs to nearby Paris, Texas. What better way to celebrate a reunion? The museum itself is loaded with train memorabilia as well as frontier artifacts. The old Fred Harvey Restaurant serves outrageous American comfort food. Beavers Bend is one of the most popular parks in the region and place families return year after year. Reunion Benefit: Sleeping arrangements span the gamut from lodge rooms and cottages to campsites in the woods. There are several open air pavilions suitable for gathering. (Beavers Bend State Park, Broken Bow, 74728. (580) 494-6300 for Cabin/RV Reservations, (580) 494-6179 for the lodge office toll-free 1-800-435-5514 or www.beaversbend.com)

Arizona: The Cabins on Strawberry Hill. This location came to us from a family in Tucson. They described the resort as safe, friendly and stress free. This resort is located just above 6,000 feet in the midst of the three million acres of the Tonto National Forest. The area is known for great hiking, fishing, hunting, exploring and horseback riding. They have a stable for horses. They are only one mile away from the Coconino National Forest, and are close to Fossil Springs Wilderness Area, Mazatzal Wilderness Area, Clear Creek Wilderness Area, and Verde Valley State Park. Beautiful views and relaxing atmosphere make this is a popular location family reunions. This small, friendly, family-run resort has 14 stand alone private one or two-bedroom pine cabins, each with a kitchenette, cable TV, freestanding wood fireplace, charcoal BBQ and deck. Reunion Benefit: For small gatherings they have an indoor meeting space and for larger groups they have a large tent. Anything is possible because they have a can do attitude. Bonus Points: The bonus for families they have several hundred strawberry plants growing on the grounds. It is really a great to see the amazement of children when they discover a lovely ripe strawberry in the garden. (The Cabins on Strawberry Hill. HC 1 Box 302 Strawberry, 85544. (928) 476-4252 or www.azcabins.com)

Arizona: The Arizona Mountain Inn. The city of Flagstaff offers fascinating museums, abundant shopping and fine dinning. The surrounding area is diverse with history as well as natural beauty so, no one will be bored. The Arizona Mountain Inn, not far from Flagstaff, has 17 eclectic cabins and a Tudor style inn nestled among a forest of Ponderosa Pines. The cabins include wood-burning stoves/fireplaces, fully furnished kitchens/kitchenettes, outdoor BBQ grills, and the quiet whispering of the pines. Onsite you will also find a basketball court and a volley ball court. Dogs are always welcome. The children’s playground and the mini cabin seem to draw the little ones like a magnet, important because at reunions when kids have fun, fun is had by all. Families can enjoy organized group activities, hike nearby trails or just watch deer grazing while listening to the pines whisper. This is a perfect location just off-the-beaten path yet within easy driving time to the best things in the area. Reunion Benefit: For families who want real togethering they have a Hogan-style cabin large enough to accommodate sixteen people. Bonus Points: A bonus to this location is the option of going to the south rim of the Grand Canyon for a day. We have taken the "Rails to the Rim" excursion train from Williams. It is a living history experience created for all generations to enjoy and it works. The Grand Canyon Railway provides AAA members with special discounts and benefits. (Arizona Mountain Inn 4200 Lake Mary Road, Flagstaff, AZ 86001. Toll-free 1-800-239-5236, (928) 774-8959 or www.arizonamountaininn.com)

Researched and posted by Nancy Nelson-Duac, Curator of the Good Stuff for the Family Travel Files. Copyright updated 2015.