Is there anything more authentically Texan than staying at a ranch resort? Imagine your private accommodations surrounded by sprawling ranch land, grazing cattle, big skies, stunning sunsets and even better stars. Check out our list of the BEST ranch resorts in the Lone Star State.
Top 5 Best Ranch Resorts in Texas
1. Rough Creek Lodge and Resort– Glen Rose, Texas
The Rough Creek Lodge and Resort is located in Glen Rose, Texas about 2 hours southwest of Dallas . You can stay in the main lodge or opt to rent a private cabin or home and there is a restaurant onsite with an upscale, Texas-style seasonal menu. This ranch-style resort is our pick for the best ranch resort in Texas due to it’s extensive list of resort activities. If you can think of it, it’s probably here – swimming, fishing, shooting sports, mini golf, a giant maze, ziplining, hiking, a petting corral, wagon rides, lawn games, and live music… to name a few! And for the paleontologists in the making in your group, Rough Creek Resort has a fossil hunt complete with tools and a there’s even a chance to explore real dinosaur footprints in Dinosaur Valley just 20 miles from the resort.
What we love most about it: the giant maze and fossil hunting because it’s so unique!
2. Cibolo Creek Ranch Resort – Marfa, Texas
The Cibolo Creek Ranch Resort offers the perfect balance of a rugged, West Texas experience with the comforts and amenities of a Texas Family Resort. Explore the mountains, fishing, hunting, and looking for the mysterious Marfa Lights on a stay at this West Texas ranch resort.
What we love most about it: horseback riding and catching a glimpse of the Marfa Lights
3. Flying L Ranch Resort– Bandera, Texas
The Flying L Ranch Resort located outside of San Antonio in Bandera, Texas blends classic resort activities like swimming pools with water park features, sport courts, and golf with ranch activities such as horseback riding, wagon rides, and even a chuck wagon dinner and show. There is onsite dining at the Branding Iron Bar and Grill. What says ranch resort more than cowboy songs around a campfire with s’mores under the stars. You know what they say about the stars at night in the heart of Texas!
What we love most about it: chuck wagon dinner and a show by an authentic Texas cowboy
4. JL Bar Ranch, Resort, and Spa – Sonora, Texas
The JL Bar Ranch in Sonora, Texas is about 1.5 hours south of San Angelo in West Texas. It’s a little in the middle of nowhere but don’t worry, there’s a private airport(!). This resort has the nicest accommodations of the ranch resorts in Texas, an onsite spa and an upscale restaurant with locally sourced ingredients. Activities available at the ranch include archery, shooting sports, hunting, stargazing, s’mores and cowboy cookouts to name a few. Like the other best ranch resorts in Texas, horseback riding is also available but the JL Bar Ranch (to our knowledge) is the only one with a lesson in becoming a horse whisperer. A horse is a horse of course, of course.
What we love most about it: hunting excursions and cowboy cookouts… in that order
5. Wildcatter Ranch and Resort- Graham, Texas
The Wildcatter Ranch and Resort in Graham, Texas is about 2 hours west of Dallas in North Central Texas. There is a steakhouse on property known for traditional as well as the Texas staple, chicken fried steak. Activities at the ranch resort include shooting sports, archery, axe throwing, horseback riding, roping lessons and swimming. There are also lessons available in branding, complete with a set of leather coasters to take home to always remember Wildcatter Ranch.
What we love most about it: roping and branding lessons
