Hill Country River Ranch sits in the heart of Fredericksburg, offering riverside relaxation with thoughtful amenities. Visitors enjoy the dance hall for gatherings, an event center ideal for weddings, and outdoor adventures with provided bicycles and kayaks.
Reviews
1010 out of 10
Exceptional
Entire cabin
3 bedrooms2 bathrooms121 sq m
Popular amenities
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Air-conditioning
Add dates for prices
About this property
Entire place
You'll have the entire cabin to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.
Shady House with River Access , Sheep & Donkeys!
Your own stretch of the Pedernales River with canoes & kayaks on 27 acres of working Texas ranch land — just 4 miles from Fredericksburg’s world-famous Main Street shopping, restaurants, and wine tasting. Peach orchard, friendly sheep, fire pit & BBQ grill. Hill Country the way it’s supposed to feel. Hill Country River Ranch isn’t just a place to stay — it’s a one-of-a-kind living piece of Texas history. The centerpiece is a recreated Old West town built around our original 1876 homestead, complete with a Feed Mill, Bunk House, water tower, oil derrick, antique wagons, and a vintage Texaco sign standing next to our barn. The sheep and baby lambs roam freely through it all, making this as much an experience as it is a getaway. The three-bedroom, two-bathroom River Ranch house sleeps your group comfortably while 27 acres of wide open ranch land gives everyone room to breathe.
Just 200 yards from your door, the Pedernales River is the heart of the property. Kick back under the shade of the trees with a cold drink and a fishing line — bass, sunfish and catfish are all regular catches, and our record largemouth bass tipped the scales at 5 pounds. Grab a kayak or canoe and get out on the water, then gather at the riverside BBQ pit and picnic tables as the sun goes down. It doesn’t get more Texas than this.
When you’re ready to explore, you’re perfectly positioned for the best of the Hill Country — 4 miles to Fredericksburg’s Main Street, 15 miles to the legendary honky-tonk at Luckenbach, and about 20 miles to Enchanted Rock. With over 50 wineries and tasting rooms along the 290 Wine Corridor practically at your doorstep, you’ll never run out of reasons to linger. Traveling with a larger crew? The property is home to four additional cabins, each with their own story. The iconic Silo — a restored 1921 peanut silo originally built to hold 10,000 bushels in Fredericksburg and relocated here in 2008 — is a guest favorite. Alongside it sit the Bunk House, Old West Cabin, and our Historic House, an original 1876 Texas Hill Country homestead. Rent all five and unlock our stunning 2,400 sq ft event center — a fully decorated barn venue with soaring draped ceilings, string lights, and a grand Texas flag deck with a moveable trellis and 32 benches. Perfect for weddings, family reunions, and celebrations you won’t forget.
Kayaks, canoe, and bikes are shared amenities available first come, first serve across the property — you might just share the river with four other lucky families. By appointment, guests can also access our private game room featuring Skeeball — just reach out to Mark to set it up.
Every stay includes a complimentary welcome basket stocked with cereal, bars and nuts, plus individual waters, orange juices, and milk in the fridge to get your morning started. Pets: Well-behaved pets welcome with a $40 non-refundable fee per pet. As a working ranch with baby lambs and roaming sheep, all pets must stay leashed and cleaned up after at all times.
“Want the whole ranch to yourself?”Book all five cabins plus our stunning event center and make it a true Texas getaway!
Property amenities
Internet
Available in the cabin: WiFi
Bedrooms
3 bedrooms
Bedsheets provided
Bathroom
1.5 bathrooms
Bathtub or shower
Hair dryer
Shampoo
Soap
Toilet paper
Towels provided
Laundry
Laundry facilities
Washing machine
Comfort
Air conditioning
Heating
Pets
Pet friendly
Welcoming cats and dogs only
One pet total
Suitability/Accessibility
Designated smoking areas
Services and conveniences
Iron/ironing board
Safety features
Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools
Pets
Pets are allowed
Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees
Welcoming dogs and cats only
1 total pets
Children and extra beds
Children are welcome
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Smoking
Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 13
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
About the area
Fredericksburg is home to this cabin. Fredericksburg Theater Company and Admiral Nimitz Gallery are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Enchanted Rock Fissure and Wildseed Farms. Visit our Fredericksburg travel guide
Is Shady House with River Access , Sheep & Donkeys! pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total).
Where is Shady House with River Access , Sheep & Donkeys! located?
Situated in Fredericksburg, this cabin is 2.4 mi (3.9 km) from Pedernales Brewing Company and 3.1 mi (5 km) from Fredericksburg Theater Company. Das Peach Haus and Hill Country Memorial Hospital are also within 6 miles (10 km).
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Shady House with River Access , Sheep & Donkeys! Reviews
Reviews
Exceptional
All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travellers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
The house was a cute farm style and great for our large family of mang ages. Minor flaws like broken blinds and air filter dirty. The goats and donkeys were a hit with the kids. We will Definitely be going back I just hope the game room is open for this stay. Also note staff was very responsive and nice.
We loved the porch! Lots of great visiting space. We cooked meals and had all the supplies we needed. Even baked homemade bread for our daughter to take back to college. Our only issue was some of us are a bit older and the soft mattresses caused some stiffness of a morning! The master bathroom is a great space. Love the historical touches!
Our stay at the Shady House was phenomenal. Every room was clean. The house was well equipped with all things needed in case we forgot at home. Thank you for all the snacks you provided. Those helped when we were waiting to have dinner.
We had a wonderful time during our stay in the "ranch house" on the property. The enclosed long covered front porch faced the barn animal area, and we were treated to roaming sheep while having our morning coffee, and were able to let our 2 small pups hang out unleased ( yes they are pet friendly for a small additional fee). The 3 bedrooms all had comfy queen size beds (one had a twin size) an open common living/dining area and full size/ well equipped kitchen. They even provide coffee and snacks and some breakfast foods in freezer and small boxes of cereal too. We had our own private fire pit but could not use it due to the county burn ban. The property is laid out like an old western town with a long facade touting a country store/blacksmith shop and a silo that is also a guest house. They also have a large event center which we were told also hosts Friday night square dancing when not booked for an event. We could easily walk to the river frontage, which had a picnic table, Adirondak chairs, 2 small kayaks and an inflatable paddle board too. It was a little slice of country heaven but just 3 miles south of town and easily accessible to all the area wineries. The hosts were friendly, welcoming, and eager to assist if needed. It was the perfect location for our small family gathering for the holidays. We Hope to come back!