3 Things Every Family Reunion Needs

By Chad Taylor & Jake Wilhelmsen

October 26, 2017

A weird uncle and a blunt grandmother are a given. But here are a few aspects of a Utah family reunion you can control, and they just might salvage the whole thing.

Tucked away in northeastern Utah is Duchesne (doo-SHAYNE) County, gateway to the High Uinta Wilderness Area. It’s the perfect place to disconnect from the everyday and reconnect with second cousins you swear you’ve never seen before. Here are three things Duchesne has that your family needs to make memories (for better or worse).

3. Events

Is there any better way to bond as a family than going to a rodeo or a county fair? Yes there is: going to a car show. Luckily, Duchesne’s got all three, so you and your crew can get yourself a little culture and mix with the local community at the same time. Plan your family reunion around events like the Tabiona Rodeo in late June/early July, the Red Mud Run on July 4, or the Duchesne County Fair the second week of August. Your teenagers will be forever grateful as they hold onto the memories of “that gal/guy they met in the summer of 2018 at the family reunion in Utah.” Hopefully s/he isn’t a third cousin.

Click here to see a calendar of events

2. Recreation

Here’s what makes this place ideal for your kin: There’s so much to do outdoors and so few tourists to share the trails, lakes and rivers with. Take Starvation Reservoir for example. One of the best boating destinations in Utah. Water like glass and a pristine beach along with both developed and primitive campgrounds. Also awesome for canoeing, kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding.`

Like fishing? It’s great at Starvation and even better at one of the dozens of small lakes in the High Uintas.

It’s also one of Utah’s best areas for all types of hunting as well as exploring via ATVs/OHVs.

Click here for a list of guides and outfitters to rent gear from

1. Accommodations

You have a choice to make: Is this going to be a camping reunion, or one that’s more “convenient.” Both options have their advantages, and there are venues that can accommodate your family whicheve`r way you choose to stay. Here are some recommendations:

Camping

Six Lakes: A mix of cabins, tent sites and RV sites with fire pits and covered pavilions for large gatherings. Built for family reunions.

Click here to see other campgrounds

Hotels

Hidden Springs: Can handle groups of up to 90 with comfy accommodations, and activities like paintball (go easy on that annoying nephew), a climbing wall, clay pigeon shooting, swimming and more.