A dude ranch offers a great getaway to reconnect with family and enjoy the great outdoors.

Consider a dude ranch for your family reunion this summer. Dude ranches offer the opportunity to share your love of horses with family.

USA Today recently offered up some suggestions for a unique family reunion — and we couldn’t agree more with one of the suggestions. A family reunion set at a dude ranch might be the chance for horse lovers to share their passion for horses with kinfolk who don’t often experience the thrill of being horseback.

Most dude ranches have horses to suit experienced riders, as well as beginners, and the accommodations range from no-frills to luxurious. Many dude ranches also offer additional activities to keep the whole family entertained, such as nearby golf courses, river rafting and fishing.

To help you plan the perfect horseback family reunion, AQHA has a relationship with the Dude Ranchers’ Association, which has more than 100 member ranches. You’re sure to find a ranch with great American Quarter Horses that your family will enjoy.

The Dude Ranchers’ Association offers many options to help you locate the perfect vacation spot for you. Ranches are broken down into three categories: working dude ranch, dude ranch and resort dude ranch. You can further narrow your search by selecting desired activities at your ranch destination. The www.duderanch.org Web site also offers an interactive map that will help you select a dude ranch near your favorite national park.

If you’re planning a family reunion this summer, don’t forget about the great times a dude ranch offers, especially when you’re riding an American Quarter Horse.