There are many dude ranches, working ranches, and guest ranches that still exist in Texas and give visitors a taste of what it’s like to be a cowboy. The town of Bandera is considered to be the “Cowboy Capital of the World” and has a higher concentration of ranches than anywhere else in the state. But there are also other options if you’re visiting another part of Texas and interested in horseback rides, livestock demonstrations, or just a peaceful place to stay in the countryside. Every ranch has something different to offer its guests, but these are some of our favorite ones you can visit in Texas.
Y.O. Ranch – Kerrville
Y.O. Ranch is a popular ranch-style hotel and conference center that’s right off Interstate 10 in the Texas Hill Country. Located in Kerrville, this is a large ranch that sprawls over 600,000 acres in a beautiful landscape and truly celebrates the Old West. The décor features antiques and exotic game trophies, and the rooms are cozy. If you decide to extend your stay past a day trip, Y.O is the perfect option. Amenities include free Wi-Fi, flat-screen TVs, and patios or balconies. The Y.O. Ranch Headquarters offers guided horseback riding, deer hunting, and wildlife tours. Nearby in Kerrville, you can visit the Kerrville Hills Winery, play golf, go kayaking or canoeing, and visit the Museum of Western Art.
Texas Ranch Life – Chappell Hill
Texas Ranch Life is a 1,800-acre working ranch that is in the hills of Austin County. It’s an hour west of Houston and a bed & breakfast that was originally settled in 1823. On the ranch, you’ll find American bison, quarter horses, Texas Longhorn herds, and other wildlife. Eight historic Texas homes have been restored and decorated with authentic Texas décor to accommodate guests. There are overnight accommodations here, as well as an indoor banquet. Horseback riding experiences are available to both lodging guests and day visitors and will take you through the rolling hills and wildflower meadows. Other featured activities here include ranch work demos, hunting, fishing, mountain biking, Kawasaki adventures, cattle drives, ranch work, tomahawk throwing, and skeet shooting. This is a ranch that values the natural ecosystem and has organic gardens, practices open range grazing with humane animal practices, and recycles to protect the environment.
Dixie Dude Ranch – Bandera
The Dixie Dude Ranch is one of the most fun places you can visit in Bandera. This is a rustic and old-time working stock ranch in the Texas Hill Country that is family-friendly and offers excellent horseback riding opportunities. It has been a Texas vacation destination for over 75 years and draws visitors from all over the world. It’s a real working ranch with longhorn cattle, pigs, goats, and horses, but it also has a large pool with a hot tub, family-style meals, and a souvenir gift shop. For accommodations, there are duplex cabins, cottages, a two-story bunkhouse, and lodge rooms. Guest ranch packages include horseback rides that last about an hour.
Beaumont Ranch – Grandview
Beaumont is a guest ranch that has an outdoor adventure resort and event center on 800 acres of land among the rolling hills. Just 35 minutes south of Dallas/Fort Worth, this North Texas destination is home to longhorns, horses, llamas, and wildlife. There are suites, rooms, and guest cabins here that are suited for romantic getaways and also business retreats. Outdoor adventure activities to try when you stay here include horseback trail rides, sporting clay shooting, archery, extreme ATV tours, zip-lining, and cattle drives.
Prude Ranch – Fort Davis
Prude Ranch is an old-school ranch with rustic cabins, horseback riding, and a history that dates back over 120 years. For accommodations, there are cozy cabins, bunkhouses for families, modern lodge rooms, and even 30 RV sites with water, 30-amp electric, and sewer hookups. This is a nice place in the Fort Davis area to take a horseback ride through the mountains and experience the rugged beauty of West Texas. Trail rides are available and require a reservation. At the ranch, you’ll also find a large indoor pool, tennis and basketball courts, a gym, an open-air pavilion, and a dining room.
Rancho Cortez – Bandera
Rancho Cortez is an all-inclusive dude ranch and a “cowboy fitness farm.” It’s less than an hour from San Antonio and offers Western-style horseback riding instruction for full days or half days. “Day at the Ranch” packages include meals, rides, storytelling, and a hayride. But what really sets this ranch apart is its fitness program. Come here for a fitness-based ranch vacation that focuses on strength training, water aerobics, stress reduction, healthy nutrition, and behavior modification. There are some weight loss program options that you can take advantage of while staying in the suites, hotel-style units, and bunkhouses.
Southfork Ranch – Parker
Southfork Ranch was used as the setting for the “Dallas” television series and is now a special events venue in the Dallas area of Texas. It’s been called “The World’s Most Famous Ranch” and is a popular place for weddings and festivals. Check the ranch’s events page to see what’s happening during your visit, such as a free concert or 5K race. You can take a guided tour of the ranch grounds, eat at the onsite deli, and see memorabilia from the TV series and the grounds. You can also take a trail ride. But to get the most out of this ranch, sign up for the Day on the Ranch experience, which includes horse education, a trail ride, mansion tour, lunch, snack, and gift shop credit.
Lightning Ranch – Pipe Creek
Lightning Ranch is a family-friendly ranch destination that has a few cabins available for rent, a covered arena for events, horsemanship lessons, and spaces to camp in your RV. You’ll find space rentals for daily, weekly, and long-term residents, with its quiet setting a perfect escape from the big-city life. There is a horse pasture and stables, while a nature hike through the property offers a chance to spot whitetail and axis deer along with a variety of birds.
