Frequently Asked Questions

Location

We are located about 60+ miles NW of San Antonio (a bit more than one hour from the San Antonio airport area) If you go to the Contact page on our website, then click on “View Larger Map” and then click on directions to the Ranch you should get here fine. There are times a navigation system will get confused here in the Hill Country, and if so just give us a call and we’ll help navigate you in.

Transportation from San Antonio to the Ranch may be accomplished by a number of ways:
1. Renting a vehicle,
2. Uber is available and/or Cab Services – check with the concierge of your hotel
3. We sometimes can help arrange for someone to pick you up, but it’s expected that you pay them directly with cash, typically $90-$135.
4. Some guests have even negotiated with the cab services at the hotels in San Antonio. Rates range from $75 to $150 per trip, but you also have to negotiate the return when you make the arrangements.

Day Trips:
Full Day starts at 10 am and ends about 7:30 pm. Half Day starts at 1 pm and ends about 7:30 pm

Overnight Stays – We’re ready for you any time after 1:00 PM (check in). Dinner is included on check in day at 6 pm, so grab some lunch before arriving! If you think you may be late for supper, give us a call and we can plan together. A 1 hour trail ride is available if your arrival is before 3 pm.
*Check out time is 11 am. Breakfast and another 1 hour trail ride included on check out day.

Meals Breakfast is at 8 am, Lunch at 12 (noon), and dinner at 6 pm (in winter sometimes 5 pm, and Summer Friday nights at 5 pm before Rodeo)
Beverages: Coffee, Iced Tea/Hot Teas, Lemonade, & Milk are available at meal times. For soda drinkers we do have some sodas, and snacks for between meals, for purchase in the office/gift shop. Adult beverages are BYO.

*Our meals, including desserts are all home baked. Should you require a special diet we can work around food intolerances, allergies and preferences for vegetarian, vegan, gluten free, etc. If you can tell us your dietary needs when you make your reservations, we can be prepared.

The grocery store is about 15 miles from the Ranch, so preparation in advance is the key! If you need something you forgot at home, you might pick it up in Bandera before arriving.

*The Dining Hall where everyone eats has enough space for about 75 people. Guests may come in and get their drinks and utensils, then find a seat and you’re served a plate by kitchen staff. There are picnic tables just outside of the Dining Hall (covered) where you may take your plate and eat outside during nice weather.

BTW…..Coffee, and hot water for tea is usually ready by 7:00 am in the dining hall.

You may view some photos of our rooms on our “Overnight Stays at The Ranch” under Accommodations. Our housekeeping staff supplies cabins with linens and towels and small amenities, but we do not have TV’s, hair dryers or coffee makers in the cabins. The cabins do have apartment size fridges for meds, snacks, longer stays, etc.

  • Our Family Suites have either a King bed, or 2 Queens when you walk in, and all have a small alcove with bunk beds, and/or singles with full private bath, and we reserve them according to the number of people in each party/family.
  • Our “Hotel style” cabins have 1 Queen bed and full private bath.
  • The Bunkhouse is bunkbeds (top and bottom beds) in one room with 2 full private baths. Each bunkhouse has 7 bunkbeds.
  • We also have a couple of multi bedroom accommodations for larger families, or a couple of small families that don’t mind sharing bathrooms.
Your cabin is made up and disinfected prior to arrival, and set up for the number of guests in your party. We will not come into your cabin during your stay for cleaning, but if you require towels or linens replaced during while you are with us please ask an employee and we will be happy to get them for you.

Absolutely! Or, if you have a family member or friend who lives nearby, feel free to send them to inspect us. Give us a day’s notice, so we can be sure someone is available to welcome you. You can also check out our website and videos to get a feel for our Dude Ranch life!

Horseback Trail Rides – Scenery – It is very hard to describe the beauty in words! Some of our video and photo albums will give you an idea of the Texas Hill country.
Each of our trail rides are one hour in length at a leisurely walking pace to enjoy the views.

  • Our trail rides go out daily at 9, 10, and 11 am, and 1, 2, and 3 pm.
  • On Check in day a one hour trail ride is available if arrival is before 3 pm, then 2 one hour trail rides included on your full days at the Ranch, and another 1 hour trail ride on check out day after breakfast.
  • Children must be 6 years old to go out on the actual trail rides, but younger children may get into the arena on horseback with parental supervision. We do require children ages 15 and under to wear protective head gear (helmets) while riding horses which we have available, or you may bring your own. Parents may choose for older children and themselves on our liability form, to wear, or not to wear the head gear.
  • Should you be interested in “arena work” with more experienced riding, and/or lessons, we may be able to accommodate at additional rates.

Weather Issues: Given that most of our activities are accomplished outside, we do everything possible given the weather circumstances each day to offer a fun filled adventure for you. However, safety for you, the animals, and staff always comes first. We have been known to go out on trail rides in the misty “sprinkly” rain, but not in thunderstorms, and not if the terrain appears dangerous. The Ranch is in the Hill Country though, and the ground dries up very fast after the rain has run “downhill”.

We’re often asked what else is available, and what the little ones can do when the rest of the family is trail riding.
  • There are 2 pools and a hot tub for family enjoyment,
  • There is a children’s tree house and small playground area with swing, slide, little fort, and sand base for making castles for the little ones.
  • We have a large game room with ping pong, pool, foosball, checkerboard, and air hockey tables!
  • There’s a horseshoe pit,
  • Corn hole game,
  • Hiking trail with an obstacle course,
  • We also have a workout gym, for the guest that includes a fitness routine into their daily activities. No treadmills, elliptical, stair steps, or other machines, but weights, balls, bands, and mirrors to make sure your form is correct!
  • Since we also provide a fitness adventure, there may be a schedule of fitness activities while visiting. You may inquire upon check in what may be available.
  • The wranglers offer lasso lessons during the day when they are not guiding the trail rides. Sometimes they will give you actual times they will be available, but please be proactive and inquire of “when” if they do not provide you with a time frame.
  • We also make a trip on a wagon ride to feed the longhorns, which is typically late afternoon after the trail rides are over, and horses are fed and turned out. There are times however when the number of guests warrant more than one wagon ride, in which case again inquire of times from the staff.
  • Campfires are nightly, providing no weather issues, with marshmallows, chocolate, and grahams for making s’mores.
We offer Horse Camp for Girls ages 8-16 through the months of June and July with the last week in July an all-Boys Camp. It is a week-long camp which we provide meals and lodging, and as much riding as possible with the concentration on Barrel Racing for the girls, and rodeo events for the boys. Friday nights each week there’s an exhibition provided for family and friends to see what the kids have learned during the week, either at the local Rodeo, or at the Ranch.
Ranch is casual wear, but we do require closed toed/heeled footwear, and recommend long pants and for riding. A flashlight is a good item to pack for navigating around the Ranch after dark. Sunscreen and chap stick are good items to pack too, and don’t forget the swim wear for the pools! We have Towels by the pools, but if you’d like to bring your own — feel free!

Fishing/Hunting….We are high in the Texas Hill country, elevation about 1650 feet. We do not have fishing available on the Ranch, as there are no large water masses. However, the Medina River flows through Bandera, which does allow fishing. We do not allow hunting or shooting on the Ranch, but there is a public gun range (Bandera Gun Club) that is 9 miles from the Ranch.

Gratuity – Tips are NEVER expected, but graciously appreciated. Our rates do not have built in gratuity, and we are often asked by guests about how gratuities should be handled. We do not want you to feel pressured. If you feel you have received exceptional service, you may show your appreciation by leaving a tip for our staff. If added to your balance at check out, unless you specify differently, tips are divided equally among the staff that assisted you during your visit. If you feel as though someone has gone above and beyond, you may thank them personally. However, gratuities are left entirely to your discretion.