Family Reunion 2027
Votes have been tallied. Tuesday, August 17, 2027, in Wyoming will be our first Family Reunion. I'm not counting anything prior to the current century.
Next Steps:
- Book your room - Canyon Lodge availability opens on a 13-month rolling calendar (start booking July 2026). Check the links below to find your future happy place. Some may allow booking sooner.
- Get plane tickets unless you're driving (we're driving!)
- Get a park pass prior to trip ($35 per vehicle lasts 7 days) https://www.nps.gov/yell/planyourvisit/fees.htm
- Confirm you are coming! Once you have your room and tickets, let us know how many will be in your party. We need to make sure there's enough food for all.
Where to Stay:
yellowstonenationalparklodges.com
This link shows all lodging within the park - make sure you pick the location you want from the dropdown.
I plan to book Ryan and I at Canyon Lodge & Cabins. Roosevelt Lodge Cabins and Lake Yellowstone Hotel & Cabins are within 30 minutes.
Canyon Campground is a couple of minutes away. Mammoth Hot Springs Hotel & Cabins (Mammoth Hotel) is about 40 minutes away with rooms that can sleep up to 6 people.
*Read room details as they don't appear to have air conditioning and some don't have private bathrooms in the room.
https://www.shoshonelodge.com/weekly-schedule-rates/
This historic family-run dude ranch delivers cozy log-cabin charm, hearty home-cooked feasts that'll spoil you rotten, and non-stop Wild West fun. From trail rides and river floats to rodeo nights and campfire s'mores. Plenty for you to do before and/or after the reunion.
* Drive time is about 1 to 1.5 hours away.
https://hotelyellowstonejh.com/
Exclusive adults-only luxury boutique retreat perched atop East Gros Ventre Butte, offering unobstructed panoramic views of the majestic Teton Mountain Range and Snake River Valley. This serene sanctuary features 36 sumptuous suites with private balconies, an on-site spa, infinity pool, and fine dining, serving as an ideal gateway to adventures in Grand Teton and Yellowstone National Parks.
*Best if visiting before or after the reunion as this is anywhere from 2.5 hours to 3.5 hours away.
The Family Reunion:
Yellowstone has plenty of picnic areas, but none that are reservable. We will just need to be quick to grab a location early. Continuing with our original plan, we'll gather as a group for a full day of visiting, eating, and hopefully some outdoor activities to keep us all entertained. Barbeque if available (open campfires are only permitted in picnic areas that have fire grates which many don't). Let's aim to meet around 10-11 AM to snag our spot and get the fun started! Feel free to e-mail me with any suggestions.
Before and/or After the Reunion:
Please don't feel obligated to spend every moment together just because we're all here. There's so much to explore in Yellowstone! I'd be happy to help organize some group activities if anyone's interested. I look forward to convincing someone or a few someones to go horseback riding with me as Ryan opts out of that. There's plenty of sightseeing, tons of tours, kayaking, hiking, fishing, and possibly Junior Ranger Programs for kids.
In the Future:
For now, we're keeping it simple so no group rates needed. If we get a big turnout, we can level up next time!
Don't want to wait to see us? I know, we're just so loveable. Anyone 18+ can cruise with us in February 2027. 4 countries plus a private island? Yes, please! https://virg.in/3YsnkKi
A HUGE Thank You! to all of you:
I've been considering a career as a travel advisor for a few years but hesitated because of the time and cost involved. Planning our family reunion and researching Yellowstone (along with several other parks) changed everything. I realized how much I truly enjoy curating travel experiences for more than just Ryan, the kids, and me. The reunion was simply a bigger version of what I already love doing. With that in mind, I've officially jumped in and joined Fora Travel as an advisor! You can check me out here if you're interested: https://www.foratravel.com/advisor/jolene-richison
I'm excited to help with any and all bookings now or in the future - let me take the hassle off your plate!
Tell me what you want me to handle, and I'll confirm details with you before booking. By working with Fora, I have access to all their partnerships and perks, including free room upgrades, free breakfast, and in-room/onboard credit.
*Most economy plane tickets I can get are slightly more expensive than retail, but business and first class are usually discounted.