Family Reunions Target National Parks

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on location: west O

elana andersen

Family Reunions Target National Parks Reunions are all about creating occasions for family members to join together and celebrate bonds of lineage.

California’s Yosemite National Park attracts 3.3 million visitors annually.

WHETHER A SMALL GROUP OF

apart, the afternoon picnic at Grandma’s

tions. Amenities include shops, museums,

siblings or a large gathering with multi-

house is no longer practical. Many fami-

visitor centers, and dining and refresh-

ple generations, family members eagerly

lies now plan annual or bi-annual re-

ment outlets. Accommodation options,

mark their calendars and make travel

union events to fit in individual

from campgrounds to full-service hotels,

plans for these special festivities.

members’ vacation plans.

are found both in the parks and nearby.

More than 72 million Americans at-

Location, reasonable travel time and

Wilderness guides, outfitters and opera-

tend family reunions, and more than half

cost, recreation, a relaxed atmosphere,

tors of adventure programs are also

do so every year. Reunions magazine

and group facilities and services are just

available. Many parks offer transporta-

[reunionsmag.com], a leader in tracking

some of the criteria considered when se-

tion shuttle services between lodgings

the growth and trends of various kinds of

lecting a reunion destination. U.S. na-

and key sights.

reunion groups, reports that families are

tional parks have great appeal not only

unique in that the motivation is to create

for ambiance and recreation facilities;

Here is a sampling of parks that are ideal

a meaningful way for relatives to stay in

they also invoke memories of fun family

locations for family reunions:

touch and pass on their heritage to new

gatherings throughout the generations.

generations. Among significant changes that affect

Western wilderness parks preserve

GLACIER NATIONAL PARK

thousands of acres of the country’s most

Located in northwest Montana, this 1.4-

family reunions are the advent of a

majestic and pristine landscapes, offering

million-acre park encompasses one of the

longer life span and extended family

groups everything from scenic sights and

most dramatically beautiful mountain re-

units that represent four to five genera-

wildlife viewing to recreation options, in-

gions in the West. Scenic features include

tions. Because relatives often live far

terpretive programs and seasonal celebra-

dense forests and alpine tundra, more

60 April 2009

LeisureGroupTravel.com


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