Dixie Dude Ranch, Bandera

The accomodations are not "rustic"... they just have not spent a dollar on them since the 1930's.... the food was awful (fish-sticks on paper plates for dinner, no other choice!)... and the horse "rides" are a bunch of slow horses that you can walk in an indian line of 10 or 12 riders... no galloping or going out of the slow line.... super duper boring place, you might as well find a patch of dirt and sit in it for a few days!

We have been to disneyworld and all other parks and this was the best vacation ever.My 8yr old dtr and I loved it!There was so much to do but yet it was peaceful.We rode horses,hiked,tried to fish the best two girls could.Two days was just right for us but we can't wait to go back.The food was ok but my dtr is very picky so she did not like the eat it or leave it idea.If you are tired of the packed,hot,and long lines at theme parks this is the perfect place!

We visited the Dixie Dude Ranch this weekend with the family - 4 and 6 year olds. We had the most fun - from the beginners horses so we all could ride, to the delicious, plentiful and well planned meals, to the gorgeous scenery, to the pool, fishing pond and playground, to the farm animals and wildlife (we saw jackrabbit, skunk, armadillo, deer, longhorn)....not to mention the kind, efficient staff, cowboys and owners ...I could go on and on. Perhaps the best way to sum it up is the Dixie Dude Ranch manages to strike a perfect balance - plenty of activities to keep everyone entertained, yet plenty of time to relax and enjoy it all! Did I mention the evening hayride, the campfire with marshmallows to roast, the strolling cowboy singers at the backyard Texas BBQ, to the Cowboy breakfast up on the hill, the rustic cabin with porch swings, the amazing night sky....the kids were crying when we left. We can't wait to go back with guests!

If you are a family with small children, teen agers, or no kids at all...this is the ranch for you! They cook, they clean, they entertain, you just sit back and relax and watch the kids have a blast! We have been visiting the DDR for the past 9 years (children ages 15, 11 and 9) and absolutely adore the Conoly's! Spending quality time with family and friends is what the DDR experience embraces. Meeting my dear friends from Dallas and Minnesota every year is something my family looks forward to doing. The DDR experience causes you to release all of your stress the moment you drive the mile long driveway to the ranch. The bell rings 30 minutes prior to each meal and again at the 'come and get it' time. While you eat your meals the wranglers inform you of your time to ride and during dinner you will be informed of the nightly entertainment. For those of you who need to unwind and just 'be', this is the place for you. We enjoy the family style dining where you meet people from all over the world as well as enjoy home cooked meals with the quality that we crave all year long. As a mom, I enjoy the fact that my kids can come and go as they wish. No stress waiting for the bill...which is stress free for me. With 2 rides a day, a swimming pool, horseshoes, volleyball and basketball areas, a pond for fishing, a swing set, nightly bon fires for marshmallow roasting, and porches with swings for relaxing, there is never a moment when relaxation is not possible. The DDR holds a special place for me since it is where I met my very dear friend. We return yearly to laugh, giggle, laugh some more....and giggle some more. It rejuvenates my soul and recharges me for another year until we return. She just called as I was writing this review to retell a story and we laughed until we cried.....AGAIN! Clay and Diane...we love you!!

We have been to the DixieDude Ranch 6 times with various family members and always hate to leave. It truly feels like the Conolly family opens up their home to you and says "welcome". The kids are free to roam, swim, play horseshoes, on the playground, etc. Whether or not you ride the horses you will find plenty to fill your days. From hiking to tether ball to the campfire at night or just sitting on the portch and watching the dogs, birds and horses go by. The food is fabulous-full meals three times a day. The BBQ in the backyard was such fun as was the cowboy breakfast we went to either via horseback or wagon. We love the people we have met, the memories we've made and the things we have learned about each other. Thanks to all the staff at the Dixie Dude for a wonderful time.

Two dozen family members from all over the US spent a wonderful week together catching up and making memories. From the swimming pool, hot tub, multiple trail rides, basketball & volleyball courts etc to the long, shady front porch, friendly, comfortable lodge and dining room surrounded by dozens of pictures from the ranch, Dixie Dude has something for everyone! Taking a hay ride or trail ride up a hill for the cowboy breakfast took everyone back in time and we enjoyed a great view of the countryside. The cooks took vegetables and herbs from their organic gardens to feed us delicious meals. Having family style entertainment every night was a wonderful change from the constant electronic entertainemnt our society seems to demand now. The cabins were fine and every morning we woke up to see horses grazing around us. After several family reunions in various places, we all agreed that this was our favorite.

This was the fourth reunion for my family (23 people ranging in age from 7 to 87) and we agree this was the best ever. As the parent of two teens, I especially loved the lack of cell phone coverage combined with opportunities for non-electronic fun at the pool, the basketball court, and on the excellent trail rides. Also, thanks to the kitchen staff who were so friendly and helpful with some of our diet restrictions. As Texas and the rest of the U.S. are increasingly paved over with roads and malls, three cheers for Dixie Dude bringing us a taste of life in which people are highly aware of the land and animals around them, and we socialize with conversation, game playing, and music-making without electronic devices. I also appreciated the DD's support of local individuals who keep alive the disappearing activities of storytelling, "cowboy songs," interacting with buffalo, etc.

What an excellent adventure!! I took my son, 14 and my daughter, 15 and had the BEST time! The cabin was comfortable, the food was great, the horses were fabulous and the people were wonderful. The kids wanted to stay longer than 4 days and are asking to go back next year for a longer trip. The horse trails took us up and down the hills, ravines and creek beds and across pastures to breathtaking views of the hill country. The wranglers (Arlis, Wade and Brandon)really seemed to love what they do and were great with all the kids. There was lots to do between rides and a different activity every evening (Campfires, storytelling and cowboy songs, a visit with baby buffalos, hay ride. We met people from Ireland, England and Switzerland who came to see Texas and chose Dixie Dude Ranch to experience the cowboy life. The food was awesome...family style homecooked meals...hats off the the kitchen staff!! Thank you so much to the Conolly family for opening your ranch and home and giving my children and I a vacation we will never forget. Lori, Rachel & Wesley

SPRING BREAK ADVENTURE...Hello,we are a family of four; husband/wife (ages 37 & 35) and two sons (ages 11 & 4)...We traveled from Austin (about 2.5 hours away) desiring a down-home "western" experience. WE FOUND IT! This place really takes you back to an era where things were honest, simple, & hassel-free. Workaholics beware because your cell phone probably won't work at the Dixie. (Not to worry...Free WiFi access & telephone service is available in lounge.) The two daily horseback rides are great and the cowboy guides are very helpful and patient with newbie riders. Be sure to pack your not-so-favorite jeans for the horseback rides because some of the bush limbs may snag your pants on the trail ride. I also recommend bringing a lawn chair for the fishing and evening camp fires. Your rear-end may be a little tender after riding, so a soft lawn chair may come in handy during these events. The ranch offers massage therapy (extra charge) and has a cute little gift shop with Cowboy hats and more. The 3-daily meals are really good (hats off to the cook). Eating family style with the other guest is very nice and warm. Our two sons did not want to leave because they were having so much fun. They met other kids and they all explored the ranch & played together. We barely locked our doors because you feel secure and really connected with other guest who become like family during your stay. On the downside the bathroom was indeed small, but it certainly beat a true "western" out-house. (Again, this is a ranch and not a hotel.) In closing, after traveling to various parts of country for family fun, I would highly recommend the Dixie Dude Ranch to all.

Ok, so... the Dixie Dude ranch. Let me just give a couple categories and my short observation of each. First off, this isn't a hotel. It's a get-away. Cowboys/Cowgirls/Wranglers: Very nice people. They talk with the guests, will play a game of horseshoes with you, and even prepare you a breakfast with the other guests. These guys are not only nice, but they are hilarious (especially "Cowboy Mike"). Great group of guys, and gals! Environment: It is the definition of a ranch. Main lodge (common area), a couple worker-shacks, BBQ hut, many many cabins, great mini-cafeteria with a dinner bell, very nice camp fire, hiking trails, trail rides w/horses, cowboy breakfasts on hilltops, and if you search enough, you may find some of Alec's few, and elaborate, "forts" he's built with some of his friends. Food: Exactly what you'd expect from a ranch. The food is PHENOMENAL! It's NOT a short-order diner, so you eat what the cooks make, but trust me, you won't be dissatisfied. OVERALL: Nothing short of 5-stars across the board. However, you won't be pampered. You have to remember it's a ranch, not the MGM Grand. If you're going to a ranch to relax, EXPECT a working-ranch. So, in relation to its standards, it receives nothing short of 5 stars. However, if you want to be constantly pampered, or you are socially challenged, this place isn't for you. One of my favorite get-aways. Even if I have to make a grueling drive to get there!