About a year ago, I started looking for the perfect spot to host a reunion for my large, extended family.

We had a lot of requirements.

We wanted to be together, but have our own separate spaces. Some family members wanted to camp, other family members did NOT want to camp. We needed a central gathering site that could hold up to 30 people for the rounds of feasting and game-playing we planned. And we needed the place to be relatively affordable.

I trolled the Internet for weeks looking for the right spot to suit our needs before happily settling on a spot close to home (for me, at least): La Pine State Park.

The state park just north of La Pine sits along a lovely, winding section of the Deschutes River. The location was ideal for our purposes because, in addition to the camping sites, it also included five deluxe cabins and five rustic cabins, as well as a large meeting hall.

Had it not been for our reunion, I am not sure I would have opted to rent a cabin so close to home. But after this experience, I would highly recommend it. The deluxe cabins are equipped with a bathroom, shower, refrigerator and gas grill — plus separate living and bedrooms. We opted to rent one of the rustic cabins, which are one room with two large beds, plus electric heat and overhead lighting (no on-site bathroom or fridge). The state parks have separate group bathroom facilities, complete with flush toilets and showers.

This choice was a great way to ease into camping with our 2-year-old daughter. She could dig in the dirt, go on bug hunts and get as filthy as possible while playing with her cousins, and we could still wash her hands before dinner.

Renting a state park cabin — rustic or deluxe — isn’t like renting a hotel room or vacation home. There’s no stack of towels or bed linens. You have to bring all of your supplies, including dishes and cooking utensils.

My family gave the cabins and meeting hall rental high marks. The meeting hall was a large room with a sink and fridge, but no stove, oven or bathroom. The hall sits in the middle of a field in the center of the southern camping loop, nestled between the 10 cabins and not too far from the restroom and shower facility. It is a charming structure, made from logs to match the look of the cabins. The tables and chairs inside accommodated our family members, but just barely. The space was perfect spot for group dinners, our board game tournament and late-night charades.

The state park has more to offer than just cabins and halls and a rolling river.

On one day, my aunt, mom, daughter and I stole away from the family festivities to take advantage of one of the many hikes at the state park. There are six trail options, perhaps the most famous of which takes visitors to the Big Tree — one of the biggest ponderosa pines in the world.

We opted for a different trail, a 3.5-mile loop that circled around the campground; we picked up the trail there. The path soon came to the Deschutes River. We followed beside the river for a while, before it headed north away from the river. This part of the trail was typical for the High Desert, with dust, sparse ponderosa pines and little scrub bushes dotting the landscape. I caught peek-a-boo glimpses of Paulina Peak to the east.

To keep my daughter, Phoebe, moving on the hike, my aunt, mom and I took turns carrying her on our shoulders or scampering down the trail together. One good technique to keep her from stopping and stalling is to play “hide.” Basically, one person trots ahead and hides behind a tree along the trail. Phoebe then runs and finds them — usually both parties roar at each other and giggle. Phoebe could play this game (or the reverse where she hides) for an hour straight. And while we adults might like to stop playing the game or might enjoy saying something other than “Where’s Grammy?” or “Where did Phoebe go?” — my daughter’s unflagging enthusiasm combined with peals of laughter and delight spurred us on.

Around the halfway point, Phoebe grew a bit tired (napping during big family gatherings always proves tricky. It’s too exciting to sleep!). She finally consented to climb into our backpack carrier so I could carry her on my back. Within about 15 minutes of rhythmically walking down the trail, she fell asleep. I love the feeling of her limp little legs loosely thudding my sides and her head softly slumped against my back.

We came to a beautiful viewpoint (the map tells me it is called McGregor Memorial Viewpoint). It overlooked a lovely bend in the Deschutes River, lined with high banks.

From there, we followed the curving river back to camp. This was my favorite part of the hike. The plants and foliage are greener near the river, giving the hike a more lush, less dry atmosphere. And the river, rushing high and swift, kept the view interesting. We came upon several good swimming holes for summer.

The hike was level and easy, making it a good hike for a toddler and, once she was asleep, for the chance to catch up with my relatives.

The entire reunion weekend was a success, in big part thanks to the location, which provided everything on our wish list without a big price tag. There was even a lawn perfect for whiffle ball, wrestling matches and water fights.

There is scattered availability to rent the cabins for the remainder of the summer, but there are still plenty of reservations open for the fall (you can reserve the cabins up to nine months in advance).

I have a feeling we’ll be back next year.

If you go

What: La Pine State Park

Difficulty: Easy

Getting there: From Bend, head south on U.S. Highway 97. Turn right at the sign for La Pine State Park, onto La Pine State Recreation Road. Take the road until it ends and follow signs for your chosen destination. The cabins are located on the ‘S’ loop.

Rental details: Rustic cabins cost $42 per night, deluxe cabins cost $81 per night (or $59 Oct. 1 to April 30); meeting hall costs $75 per day

Contact: www.oregonstateparks.org or 800-452-5687