HILL COUNTRY DUDE (GUEST) RANCHES

Dude ranches are special places where adults and children alike can experience something of the cowboy life. The Hill Country has a few notable dude ranches where you can partake in this life on a guest basis, and typically enjoy horseback riding, hiking, camp fires, outdoor cooking, clean air, beautiful starry nights and a simpler, quieter, less rushed atmosphere. Here is our list of guest/dude ranches. The emphasis usually is on a family vacation with a combination of organized and informal activities in a multi-family setting.

Dude ranches tend to have more organized activities with most everything done at their ranch, while guest ranches tend to have less organized activities where you make your own plans and arrangements. Both have full lodging accommodations.

Be sure to check out the detailed profile page in this Portal site for each town to see their event calendar and more detail on fun things to do in the area.

Best to check their web site or call them to get the latest details.

(We welcome submission of updates, additions, corrections & digital photos, without compensation.)

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B.R. LIGHTNING RANCH: 800-994-7373; 818 FM 1283, Pipe Creek, TX 78063; www.lightningranch.com

DIXIE DUDE RANCH: 830-796-7771; Bandera, TX; A working stock ranch in Bandera. Explore the ranch on hiking trails, hunt for fossils and arrowheads or check out their century-old barn and Range War Cemetery. Enjoy your choice of planned activities such as horseback riding, swimming, hayrides, campfire sing-alongs, dancing and lots of Western fun. Ranch

THE FARM COUNTRY CLUB: 830-589-2276; www.farmcc.com

FLYING L GUEST RANCH: 800-292-5134; PO Box 1959, Bandera, TX 78003; www.flyingl.com

HILL COUNTRY EQUESTRIAN LODGE: 830-796-7950; 1580 Hay Hollar Road, Bandera, TX 78003; Email: info@hillcountryequestlodge.com; www.hillcountryequestlodge.com

LH7 RANCH: 830-796-4314; Bandera, TX 78003

MAYAN DUDE RANCH: 830-796-3312; 1300 Pecan Street, PO Box 577, Bandera, TX 78003; www.mayanranch.com

PURPLE SAGE RANCH CORPORATE CONFERENCE CENTER RANCH: 800-373-0931 or 830-796-7703; www.purplesageranch.com

RANCHO CORTEZ: 830-796-9339; 872 Hay Hollar Road, Bandera, TX 78003; www.ranchocortez.com

RUNNING-R GUEST RANCH: 830-796-3984; 9059 Bandera Creek Rd, Bandera, TX 78003; www.rrranch.com. A dude ranch with 14 rooms, established on an old cattle ranch, with focus on horseback riding. Horse on 40 miles of trails in neighboring State Park.

SILVER SPUR GUEST RANCH: 830-796-3037; 9266 Bandera Creek Road, Bandera, TX 78003; www.silverspur-ranch.com, www.silverspurranchweddings.com

TWIN ELM GUEST RANCH: 888-567-3049; PO Box 117, Bandera, TX 78003; www.twinelmranch.com

7 CANYONS RANCH: 830-562-3333; www.7canyonsranch.com.

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