The Perfect Dude Ranch Getaways for Channeling Your Inner Texan
In the heart of Texas Hill Country sits the JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, a 13,000-acre property, perfect for solitude and venturing out in wide-open spaces.
Image: Courtesy Murphy O'Brien
WHEN YOU’RE SURROUNDED BY CONGESTED ROADS, crowded restaurants, and what could easily be deemed a concrete jungle, you forget how much rural space the Lone Star State encompasses. Good thing for Texans, you don't have to travel far to relax and see views so mesmerizing you feel like you’re standing in a postcard.
And what better place to do just that than a getaway at a sprawling dude ranch? Let your everyday worries fade away as you live out your cowboy fantasies and roam in wide-open spaces. It could be like City Slickers, only less sad at the end. (Spoiler alert for that 1991 classic.) Choose anything from luxury ranch resorts with high-end amenities to family-friendly working ranches and activities. As Johnny Cash would say, “Bury me not on the lone prairie.” Here are seven dude ranches that’ll take you back to simpler times.
A quiet weekend getaway might be just what you need to escape the city life.
Image: Courtesy Jumping Rock
Blisswood Bed & Breakfast Ranch
CAT SPRING
While staying at this blissful B&B—which offers 350 acres of privacy just an hour west of Houston—you can expect to see plenty of animals roaming around the property. There are the usual suspects of cattle, deer, and horses, but a guided safari ride will get you up close and personal with miniature donkeys, ostriches, and peacocks. Other on-site activities include horseback riding, catch-and-release fishing, paddleboarding, and wandering around the oak forest and meadows. Choose to take your sweetheart and stay in a romantic suite, or for the ultimate "glamping" experience, rent out other charming accommodations like a farmhouse, covered wagon, or safari tent complete with private baths, kitchens, and antique furnishings.
Cibolo Creek Ranch
Marfa
Looking to get far away from Houston? Stay in one of Texas’s oldest ranches, located in vast plains near Marfa, Texas’s favorite artsy town. Established in the mid-1800s, Cibolo Creek Ranch is a historical artifact in itself. Upon arrival, visitors are greeted with various activities, including pickleball, mountain tours, horseback riding, ATV tours, and Big Bend bike tours. Make a road trip out of it and continue west to explore 30,000 acres of wilderness.
Dixie Dude Ranch
Bandera
Dixie Dude Ranch, situated just an hour west of San Antonio in Bandera, has been a go-to getaway for families—and dudes—for over 85 years. Located near the Hill Country State Park, this all-inclusive 725-acre resort is filled with historic charm and several lodging options that date back to the 1940s and '50s. Three home-cooked, family-style meals and two horseback rides a day are part of the package during your stay. Other activities to look forward to include campfires, a hot tub that’s open year-round, fishing, horseshoes, Ping-Pong tables, and even hayrides.
Prude Ranch
Fort davis
There’s nothing quite like being surrounded by rolling hills and the glorious mountains of Big Bend. First established over 125 years ago as a cattle ranch, Prude Ranch began sharing its beauty with guests in 1921. Now, visitors can spend their days riding horses on the rustic trails, relaxing in the pool, or simply breathing in the fresh air and taking in all the scenery. With its educational programing, family reunions, fitness camps, RV camping, and experiential learning, the ranch is perfect for a getaway, whatever style you prefer. Prude Ranch also features modern amenities that have a strong tie to its Old Western history. This includes an indoor swimming pool, basketball and tennis courts, and a large open-air pavilion.
Horseback riding is one of the many activities Wildcatter Ranch has to offer.
Image: courtesy wildcatter ranch
Wildcatter Ranch Resort and Spa
Graham
Located about 90 minutes from the Dallas/Fort Worth airport, this upscale working ranch gives views to the rolling hills of North Texas. Wildcatter Ranch Resort offers therapeutic massages, authentic Texas cuisine at its steak house, and popular activities including horseback riding, skeet shooting, Jeep tours, and archery. At the end of a long day, guests can wind down in the hot tub or infinity pool while overlooking the Brazos River before ending the night in a Western-style cabin, guesthouse, or hotel room.
Texas Ranch Life
Chappell hill
Lonesome Pine Ranch's close proximity to Houston makes it the perfect weekend getaway. Located just an hour north, the 1,800-acre ranch was originally founded in 1823. And it's safe to say that the old-timey Texas cowboy energy remains with seven authentically restored and luxuriously Texas homes—all dating back to the 1850s. And aside from getting serious R&R surrounded by wildflowers and fresh air, some significant outdoor activities include cattle drives, skeet shooting, tomahawk throwing, mountain biking, Kawasaki adventures, and horseback riding.
Whether its a trail ride or a dip in the pool, find a ranch that is perfect for your weekend getaway needs.
Image: courtesy murphy o’brien
The JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa
sonora
In the heart of Texas Hill Country sits the 13,000-acre JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa. The resort features 32 private and luxurious resort accommodations, a private airport, full-service spa, infinity pool, restaurant, coffee house, wine cellar and tasting room, a number of bars spread across the building, and a private villa for large parties looking for more privacy. Meanwhile, those seeking adventure can enjoy various activities, such as a ranch excursion, a horseback trail ride, and some fun with its eight different shooting activities. From long (1,500 yards) and pistol range, to sporting clays, 3D archery, and hunting, there is something for everyone to enjoy. The ranch also offers trails for hiking and biking, a hot tub, indoor gym, and game room.
