Family-friendly Resorts: Southwest

What a great state to visit: stupendous scenery, Navajo culture, rafting in canyons, houseboating, fun novelties such as Grand Canyon tourist railroad... And Arizona has excellent resort choices for families, from dude ranches to properties with lazy rivers and waterslides.

Low-key authentic "ranch resort" in Wickenburg Arizona has 60 years of history, kids' program, golf, spa, and of course, horses; guests can ride twice a day. Great chance to learn about Sonoran desert ecology while having fun.

Only fifteen minutes from the Phoenix airport, this resort has its own private 6-acre waterpark. Great golf and adjacent hiking, too.

This landmark and upscale Phoenix resort has kids programs, family activities, playground, waterslide.

All the horseback riding you want, at this ranch in the Sonoran desert founded in 1868: 640 acres in the foothills of the Rincon mountains east of Tucson.

Sort of like your own private floating resort - this guest article tells what it's like to do a houseboat rental for a family getaway.

On 500 acres of the Santa Ana Pueblo's reservation, the Hyatt Tamaya is near Albuquerque and Santa Fe. The Resort has three pools, Camp Hyatt, stables, and many family activities based on Native American culture - pueblo bread-baking, pottery, story-telling...

Hyatt Regency Tamaya - photos

4000 acres, AAA 4-Diamond... the numbers looks good, and this resort has kids' club, Junior and Teen nights, Family Movie nights and other family activities.