Take the family on an outdoorsy vacation with our list of rugged lodges. With a wide variety of activities for all ages and interests, connecting in the great outdoors can be a relaxing family trip.
Tanque Verde Ranch Resort in Tucson, Ariz., was named the best dude ranch in the state by the Travel Channel for good reason. This cattle and guest ranch sits on more than 60,000 acres of the Sonoran Desert terrain and offers something fun for the entire family. Nestled at the foot of the Rincon Mountains and next door to Coronado National Forest and Saguaro National Park, needless to say Tanque Verde Ranch boasts incredible mountain vistas and breathtaking views in every direction.
Take horseback riding lessons or head out with the pros on the ride and walking trails. Explore the ranch’s endless on-site activities from watercolor workshops for kids to tennis, fishing, swimming, yoga and Jeep adventure excursions for the whole family. Head to nearby towns for hot air balloon rides to golfing, spelunking and shopping.
Photo: Gregory Johnston | Dreamstime
Head to Santa Rosa, Calif., and experience Safari West, known as the Sonoma Serengeti. Spend the night in a luxury safari tent surrounded by wilderness and head out on safari with friends and family. Explore the 400-acre preserve in an open-air, all-terrain vehicle viewing nearly 1,000 animals including ring-tailed lemurs, zebras and rhinos.
Whether soaking in the summer, watching leaves change in fall or hitting the slopes in the winter, Steamboat in Steamboat Springs, Colo., has something for everyone. The family resort provides horseback riding, rafting, rides, hot springs, golfing, hiking, biking, hot air balloon tours, an alpine slide and mountain coaster. Parents enjoy spa treatments and shopping before the whole family gathers for mountainside dining boasting incredible views in every direction.
Take the kids to Takilma, Ore., for the ultimate in treehouse accommodations. Out’n’About Treesort provides unique treehouse bed-and-breakfast lodging the Swiss Family Robinson would envy. Zip line from place to place, take a dip in the river pool, explore the big meadow and ride the Tarzan swing. Take horseback rides and crafting workshops with the whole family, relax by the fire pit or head out rafting on the river.
Read This Next
Become a Kid Again at These 4 Fun Hotels
Adult Children
May 14, 2026#WhereverFamily
Insta FeedDestinations / North America
Jul 14, 2026Texas’ Best Spots for Flying a Kite This Summer
With steady winds and wide-open spaces, Texas is a great spot to take kids to fly a kite. In fact, the state is home to the country’s longest-running kite festival, as well as a variety of family-friendly celebrations with kite-flying opportunities. So, pack some kites and head to these spots and festivals across the state!
Sponsored Content
Best of Both Worlds
Enjoy the best of both worlds when you fly with TAP Air Portugal thanks to the Portugal Stopover program. With the program, TAP passengers, whether traveling for business, leisure or both, can stop in Portugal for up to 10 days at no additional airfare on the way to their final destination. What does this mean for travelers wishing to explore by both land and sea? It means after flying to Portugal with TAP and experiencing the country in an entirely new way, travelers can then embark on scenic river and ocean cruises from Portugal’s port cities, or fly with TAP to another European destination.
Hotels
Jul 13, 20263 Hotels Around the World Where You Can Cook Locally
The need for human connection with locals when traveling is growing in popularity among younger generations. Food has become one of the most authentic and powerful ways to help create these connections, and many hotels around the world offer unique experiences to help turn this into a reality.
Destinations / North America
Jul 13, 2026Hipcamp Names 50 Most Family-Friendly Campsites for 2026
Planning a family camping trip but unsure if your chosen campsite will meet your expectations? Camping app Hipcamp just released its 2026 list of 50 Favorite Places to Camp Right Now, a curated guide to standout campsites across the United States based on camper reviews and ratings, settings, regional diversity, cultural and travel trends, host hospitality, and editorial debate.
North America
Jul 13, 20263 Florida Resorts Perfect for a Family Vacation
Florida has more than its fair share of reasons for families to plan vacations there, and the state has so many resorts to choose from that choosing where to stay can be overwhelming. We’ve shortlisted three resorts perfect for families to have a great stay without the stress of sorting through hundreds of options.
Europe
Jul 10, 2026New Luxury Family Beach Resort on Caorle Seafront in Italy: Cavallino Bianco Caorle
Overlooking the sea in Caorle, Italy, Cavallino Bianco Caorle - Venezia, a 101-room, 5-star, family-oriented beach resort, recently opened. Every space on the property was intentionally designed to reflect different facets of the same promise: to give true value back to family time, following the resort’s philosophy of “It’s Family Time – Live it Now.”
ShareThis