Texas Dude Ranches

Dapper and dexterous, roper Kevin Fitzpatrick wows the crowd at the Dixie Dude Ranch, near Bandera. Although Bandera justifiably bills itself as "Cowboy Capital of the World," you can "dude it up" at ranches all around the state.

Depending on which ranch you select, "dude-ing it up" in Texas also means the opportunity to do a little "butt-busting" in a cooling river, exchange come-hither looks with a giraffe, learn the "Cotton-Eyed Joe," and take in a local rodeo or two along the way.

Although the basic, all-inclusive formula–overnight lodgings, three squares a day, trail rides, chuck-wagon cookouts, and nightly campres–rarely varies, no two Texas dude ranches are alike. Each has its own personality, and finding the right "t" that matches both your expectations and budget takes a little research.

Although space constraints prevent coverage of all the dude ranches in the state, the following popular places illustrate well the variety available. Three of our selections nestle in or near Bandera, 47 miles northwest of San Antonio in the beautiful Texas Hill Country; a fourth sprawls over two area codes west of Kerrville; and yet another rides high in the cool Davis Mountains of West Texas. All offer different but memorable experiences that keep the repeat guest levels high. So pack up your boots and jeans, practice your "Gee-Haws," and let's ride!

Dude Ranches

The first three ranches listed below include lodging, 3 meals a day, horseback riding, and normal ranch activities in their daily rates.

The Mayan Dude Ranch accommodates up to 160 people. Rates: $120/day, $805/week per adult; $55/day, $350/week per child age 12 and younger; $80/day, $525/week ages 13-17. Tax and 10% gratuity in lieu of tips are added to all bills, and there's a 2-night minimum stay. Eight rooms are wheelchair accessible, as are the main lodge and swimming pool area. Write to Box 577, Bandera 78003; 830/796-3312 or 460-3036; fax 830/796-8205. Email: mayan@express-news.net. Web site: www.mayanranch.com.

The Dixie Dude Ranch accommodates 65 overnight guests. Rates: $102/day, $680/week per single adult; $92/day, $590/week per adult, double occupancy; $30/day, $185/week ages 2-5, $50/day, $325/week ages 6-12; $60/day, $400/week ages 13-16. Children under 2 stay free. Tax and gratuity extra. Rates are slightly reduced during low season (Dec. 1-Feb. 28, excluding holidays); 3-night minimum stay June-Aug and major holidays; 2-night minimum stay Sep-May, excluding major holidays. Not wheelchair accessible. Write to Box 548, Bandera 78003; 830/796-7771 or 800/375-Y'ALL (9255); fax 830/796-4481. Email: cccdixie@hctc.net. Web site: www.dixieduderanch.com.

The Bald Eagle Ranch accommodates 16 adults (no children). Per-person rates: $515-$565 (3 nights), $675-$740 (4 nights), $825-$900 (5 nights), $970-$1,060 (6 nights). Tax and a 15% service charge in lieu of tipping are additional, and there's a 3-night minimum stay. Not wheelchair accessible. Write to Box 1177, Bandera 78003; 830/460-3012; fax 830/460-3013. Email: info@baldeagleranch.com. Web site: www.baldeagleranch.com.

The YO Ranch accommodates 42 overnight guests. The daily rate includes lodging, 3 meals daily, one hour of horseback riding, and a ranch tour. Rates: $125 per adult, $83.50 age 12 and younger for the overnight guest package; $199.50 per adult and $115.50 age 12 and younger for the 2-night weekday package (Sun-Thu); $228.50 per adult and $138.50 age 12 and younger for the 2-night weekend package (Fri-Sat). Other options/ rates available. Photo safaris (sunrise to sunset) cost $150 guide fee, plus $95 for the first photographer, $75 for each additional photographer, and $25 for each non-photographer. The Longhorn cattle drives, held every Memorial Day weekend, are $200 if you bring your own horse, and $350 if the YO provides your mount. Not wheelchair accessible. Write to the YO Ranch, Mountain Home 78058; 830/640-3222; fax 830/640-3227. Email: yolhwrs@htc.net. Web site: www.yoranch.com.

The Prude Guest Ranch accommodates a maximum of 150 people and includes only lodging in its basic rate. Guest-lodge rate: $65 single, $75 double. Family bunk rooms start at $49 single, $58 double, with additional charges per extra guest; linens are extra. Full-hookup RV sites: $15/night, $84/week. For age 60 and older, 10% discount for cash, 5% for credit card payments. Tax added to all rates quoted; gratuities at guests' discretion. No minimum stay. Meals paid separately; all meals are buffet and must be reserved as far in advance as possible. Breakfast starts at $5.50, lunch at $6, dinner at $7.95, half-price for ages 3-10. Trail rides are $15 per hour, and some evening entertainment carries an additional $5 charge. This year's overnight trail rides, scheduled for June 3-4, Aug. 26-27, Sep. 9-10, and Oct. 14-15, cost $200 per person and include 4 meals, tents, sleeping bags, horses, and tack. One room is wheelchair accessible. Write to Box 1431, Fort Davis 79734; 915/426-3202 or 800/458-6232; fax 915/426-3502. Email: prude@overland.net. Web site: www.prude-ranch.com.

Other dude ranches in Texas include Flying L Guest Ranch, Box 1959, Bandera 78003 (830/460-3001 or 800/292-5134); Running R Ranch, Rt. 1, Box 590, Bandera 78003 (830/796-3984); Silver Spur Dude Ranch, Box 1657, Bandera 78003 (830/796-3037); Twin Elm Guest Ranch, Box 117, Bandera 78003 (830/796-3628 or 888/567-3049); and Lazy Hills Guest Ranch, Box G, 373 Henderson Branch Rd., Ingram 78025 (830/367-5600 or 800/880-0632).

On the Internet, you can check out the Texas dude- ranch scene at www.tourtexas.comand duderanches.com.

Working Ranches

Dos Vaqueros Ranch Resort welcomes up to 16 teen and adult guests (no small children) Feb-Sep. Per-day rates for the all-inclusive Cowboy Adventure: $250 single, $150-$170 per person double; rates include horse and tack, lodging, meals, and all ranch activities. Week-end and half-day excursions ($30-$40) include a chuckwagon breakfast or dinner, hayride, and either team steer-roping or cowboys working cattle. Horseback riding per hour is $20; golf carries a $10 green fee (cart extra). Refugio County Airport (Rooke Field) is on the ranch. Gratuities at guests' discretion; 2-night minimum stay. Not wheelchair accessible. Write to owner Joan Rooke, Box 1035, Refugio 78377; 361/543-4905; fax 361/543-5888. Web site: www.dosvaqueros.com.

The Bar H Dude Ranch accommodates up to 60 guests year round, but activities vary with the seasons; ask what's going on when you'll be there. Adult single-occupancy rates: $75 daily, $485 weekly. Adult double-occupancy rates: $65 daily, $425 weekly. Ages 2-5, $28 daily, $165 weekly; ages 6-11, $45 daily, $285 weekly; ages 12-16, $55 daily, $365 weekly. Rates include lodging, 3 meals, at least 2 horseback rides daily, and all other ranch activities. The 5-day, 4-night cattle drives cost $625 per adult; inquire about rates for children. Tax added to all rates; gratuities at guests' discretion. Not wheelchair accessible. Write to the Bar H Dude Ranch, Box 1191, Clarendon 79226; 806/874-2634 or 800/627-9871; fax 806/874-8079.Web site: www.tourtexas.com/barhduderanch.

The Lazy F Ranch lodges a maximum of 12 guests and offers a working-ranch program year round. Rates: $203/day per adult, $143 per child. Rates include lodging, 3 meals daily, all normal ranch activities, some field trips, unlimited horseback riding, swimming, and fishing in 8 lakes stocked with catsh and bass. Owner Clay Allen also offers bed and breakfast ($80 double), with horseback riding extra ($85 for up to 8 hours). Limited wheelchair accessibility. Write to Box 9, Smiley 78159; 210/391-6378. Web site: www.lazy-f-working-guest-ranch.com.

See the full article in the June 2000 issue.

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