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
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