Dude Ranch Vacations in the Texas Hill Country

The beautiful hill country of central Texas is a world away from the stress of city rat races. Like a land from another place and time, dude ranches in the Cowboy Capitol of the world offer one of the best getaway vacations available.

Horseback Riding and Dude Ranch Activities

Activities are usually centered around several horseback rides each day, including overnight trail rides, but most guest ranches allow plenty of free time for other activities such as shooting pool, playing cards, pitching horseshoes, swimming, hiking, biking, volleyball, cookouts, crafts, campfire sing-a-longs, hayrides, and dances. Lessons in horseback riding and the Texas two step dancing are sometimes available.

Sitting in the saddle, connecting with nature, guests get a feel for what life was like in Old West days when everything was slower and simpler. Fresh air, the sun on your back, the sway of the horse, the squeak of the saddle, the scent of oak leaves along winding trails through beautiful tree covered hills, all soothe the senses and melt away stress. At the end of the day, guests may be tired but it's a good tired.

Evenings are reserved for rocking on the porch, sipping a cool drink, watching silver stars twinkle like diamonds in a black, country sky untouched by city lights. Darkness filled with friendly night sounds from horses, cattle, owls, coyotes, and crickets lull guests into the deepest sleep they haven't had in a long time.

Dude Ranch Lodging and Accommodations

Overnight accommodations usually revolve around a rustic theme of wood and stone with hand hewn cedar furniture, Indian rugs and decorative touches of barbed wire, horseshoes, and arrowheads. Although air conditioning and heating is available, many guests love to open windows and allow the thin curtains to blow in fresh hill country breezes.

Barbeque and Other Dude Ranch Foods

Outdoor barbeques with all the trimmings are a favorite with guests while campfire breakfasts of bacon, biscuits, eggs, grits, and coffee taste mighty good as a brilliant sun rises over the morning hills. However, most dude ranches also have a lodge where hearty meals of home cooked country food are dished up. Guests look forward to the chow bell so they can fill up on fried chicken, beans, potatoes, okra and cobbler. Anyone discovering themselves in electronic withdrawal can sometimes also find modern conveniences like television, computer, and microwave hidden away in the lodge.

Popular Hill Country Guest Ranches

Several popular dude ranches in the Texas hill country are the Mayan Dude Ranch, the Flying L, and the Running R. For a list of more ranches in Texas, visit DudeRanches.com.

With meals, lodging, and activities all included in the price, dude ranches can be an economical vacation package far away from the city frenzy. Some also offer day visits which may include a long horseback ride, use of swimming pool and games, and some good country food.

Surrounding towns of Kerrville, Bandera, San Marcos, Fredericksberg, and San Antonio with its Riverwalk, Sea World, Alamo, and Natural Bridge Caverns are only a few miles away offering all the conveniences and attractions of civilization.

Check out a Texas Hill Country dude ranch vacation and experience a scene out of the Old West.