Things To Do
Ranch Tours
Courtney Mountain Ranch (830-796-5400 or 830-796-3468) Wildlife tours through ranch featuring exotic and native species. Tours last approximately 2 hours. Bring Your Camera. Call to arrange time.
Flying A Ranch (866-796-4750 or 830-796-4750) Wildlife tours through parts of 9,000 acre ranch featuring exotic and native species. Call to arrange time.
Rancho Cortez (830-796-9339) Day at the ranch, meal, horseback ride, various seasonal packages.
Silver Spur Ranch (830-796-3037) Day at the ranch, meal, horseback ride, various seasonal packages.
Horseback Riding
BAR-B STABLES, 830-460-8181 0r 210-240-4603 Offers private 2-hour or half day trail rides in the Hill Country State Natural Area; saddleback lunch or overnight. Meals and camping equipment furnished. Girls riding camp.
BAR M RANCH, 830-796-9096 or 830-796-1164 cell Private trail rides for small groups in the Scenic Texas Hill Country. Catering to all experience levels ages 12 and up. Basic instruction included. Weight limit 225 lbs.
BR - LIGHTNING RANCH, 830-535-4096 or 800-994-7373 Horseback riding available by the hour. Can take up to 15 riders.
DESERT HEARTS COWGIRL CLUB, 830-796-7001 (Cell/pager) 830-534-5750 Offers private 2-hour trail rides in the Hill Country State Natural Area, as well as half and whole day rides.
DIXIE DUDE RANCH, 800-375-9255 or 830-796-7771 Offers morning and afternoon trail rides for ages 9 and over. Seventeen miles of trails on historic ranch. Private rides, specialty rides, and sunset rides available by appointment.
RANCHO CORTEZ, 830-796-9339 Adjacent to the Hill Country State Natural Area. Over 40 miles of trails available. Rides from one or two hours or longer available.
RUNNING R RANCH, 830-796-3984 35 miles of breathtaking scenic trails on the ranch and adjoining Hill Country State Natural Area. Friendly, experienced wranglers to guide you. 225 lbs. limit, no doubles, 6 years and up. Possible meal & ride combination, call for availability.
SILVER SPUR DUDE RANCH, 830-796-3037 One hour or longer rides available. Cowboy breakfast/BBQ lunch/Cowboy supper with a one hour horseback ride available upon request. Call for reservations and availability.
TWIN ELM GUEST RANCH, 830-796-3628 Morning rides on the hilltop with beautiful views. Afternoon ride along the river.
WAGON WHEEL STABLES , 830-966-2153 Riding by the hour on 1,000 acres of beautiful hill country. 20 horses available.
YMCA HAMMAN RANCH, 888-749-7449 or 830-796-7449 Horseback riding by the hour. 730 acre ranch with back gate to Hill Country State Natural Area. MINIMUM 2 week advance notice and MINIMUM 10-12 riders. 250 lb. weight limit, no doubles, 6 years & up. Overnight camp-outs available. Limited summer availability due to summer camps.
Rodeos
The Twin Elm Guest Ranch begins its 2008 rodeo series April 25 and will continue every Friday night through August. Rodeos begin at 8:00 PM. Call 830-796-3628 to verify times and schedule.
The BR Lightning Ranch hosts a rodeo in the summer months, June through August, on Saturday evenings beginning at 8:00 PM. Contact 830-535-4096 for times and schedule.
Golf
Flying L Guest Ranch (800)292-5134 or (830)460-3001
Lost Valley Resort Ranch and Golf Course - pro shop (830)460-8008 or (830)460-7958.
Hunting
Flying A Ranch , 866-796-4750 or 830-796-4750; www.flyingaranch.net.
Pipe Creek Ranch , 214-369-8703; www.pipecreekranch.com.
Record Buck Ranch 830-966-2164; www.recordbuck.com.htm.
Shadow Dance Ranch , 830-562-3529
7 Canyons Ranch , 830-562-3333; www.7canyonsranch.com.
Parks
BANDERA CITY PARK (830) 796-3765. 77 acre city park along the banks of the Medina River in downtown Bandera. Picnic areas with Bar-B-Q pits, fishing and river swimming. Day use only. Admission is free during the week. From March through October cost is $3 for persons over 12 years old. Children under 12 are free. Overnight primitive tent camping available. Call for information and reservations.
BANDERA CITY PARK DISC GOLF COURSE (830) 796-3765. Nine hole course free to the public located in the natural section of the park west of 1st Street.
HILL COUNTRY STATE NATURAL AREA (830) 796-4413; fax (830) 796-7589; 10600 Bandera Creek Rd., Bandera, TX 78003; www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/hillcoun/. 5,400 acre primitive camping area. Multi use trails for horseback riding, backpacking, hiking and all-terrain bicycles. Fishing and swimming in creek. Walk-in tent sites and backpacking areas. 50 camping spaces, walk-in tent sites and back-packing areas. Group Lodge sleeps 12. Equestrian camp areas with pens and water. Open year round. NOTE: Access Restricted from 10pm January 11 to Noon January 15, 2009; and from 10pm to Janaury 18 to Noon January 22, 2009.
LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL AREA (830) 966-3413; HCO 1, Box 156, Vanderpool, TX 78885. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lostmap/. On the Sabinal River 5 miles from Vanderpool. 30 campsites with electricity, water, shade shelters, restroom with showers. 8 designated primitive camping areas (40 sites accessible to hikers only). Day use area with picnic tables, parking, restroom. 2,200 acres with 10 1/2 miles of trails. Best foliage after first frost at end of October or first of November. NOTE: Access Restricted from 10pm December 28 2pm December 31, 2008. Also from from 10pm January 4 to January 9, 2009 at 2pm. Hiking, camping, picnicking, bird watching and sight-seeing.
MANSFIELD PARK (830) 796-4573. 3 miles from Bandera; on Hwy. 16 N. PO Box 877, Bandera; TX 78003. Dump station, public restrooms. Outdoor dance pavilion seats 300. Picnic tables, charcoal grills. Shady tent sites. Rodeo Arena. Group campground available by reservation.
BANDERA COUNTY PARK AT MEDINA LAKE . Located at the end of Park Road 37 in Lakehills. Swimming, picnicking, boating, fishing. Day use only. Open 8:00 AM to 8:00 PM every day during June, July, and August; open Saturday and Sunday only, September through May. Boat launch ramp open 24 hours each day. Call Bobby Harris, 830-460-1654, for additional information. Entrance fee. Boat launch fee $5.00.
BEAR SPRINGS BLOSSOM (830) 535-6122; www.keepbanderabeautiful.org/bearspringsblossom. 125 acre nature, birding, and wildflower nature preserve in southeast Bandera County near Pipe Creek. Guided tours on six different trails by reservation. Used by Bear Springs Blossom Nature Preservation Group.
Watersports
Bandera Beach Club Kayak & Tube Rental , 830-796-7555 or 832-264-4580. 1106 Cherry St off Main St. behind Pico Convenience Store. Will start renting tubes/kayaks weekends only, May 10 thru May 31. Open seven days per week, June 1 thru August 31. Shuttle Service. Rentals available only when water conditions permit. www.banderabeachclub.com
Medina River Company , 830-688-2202 or 830-796-3600. On Hwy 16 North adjacent to Longhorn Saloon. Tube & Kayak Rentals. Open seven days a week beginning Memorial Day weekend thru August 31. Shuttle Service. Rentals available only when water conditions permit.
MEDINA LAKE
Bay Tree Inn , 830-612-2855
Paradise Watersports , (210-379-6133). Boat and jet ski rentals. Will deliver. www.paradisewatertoys.com
D and H Automotive , (830-751-2512). Year-round jet ski and boat rentals.
Taverns
Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar , (830-796-8826): Live Music Friday and Saturday
Bandera Saloon , (830-796-3699), www.banderasaloon.com; Live music Wednesday thru Sunday Singer/songwriters on Sundays. Open mic on Thursdays. Call or visit web site for Weekend schedule.
Blue Genes , (830-796-7144), www.bluegenesbandera.com: Live music Wednesday thru Sunday Call or visit web site for schedule.
11th Street Cowboy Bar , (830-796-4849), www.11thstreetcowboybar.com: Live Music Weekends & Wednesday Steak Night with live music & Sunday afternoon Jam Sessions
Longhorn Saloon , (830-796-3600), www.longhornsaloonbandera.com: Live Music Wednesday, Friday, Saturday & Sunday. Longhorn Saloon Ride every Sunday. Gather at 11:30 AM; ride out at 12:15 PM for a ride around town. Return at 3:00 PM for guitar pickin'. All ages welcome and folks are welcome to follow trail riders and enjoy the stops along the way.
Tarpley Tunes , (830-562-3278), www.tarpleytunes.com: Special outdoor music venue. Call or vist web site for schedule.
Tequila Ritas Cantina , (830-796-4100), www.banderasquare.com: Live music
Wild Horse Saloon (830-796-9930); schedule varies
Williams Creek Depot West (830-562-3250); Open Thursday, Friday and Saturday in Tarpley. Live music on Friday and Saturday beginning at 6:00 PM.
Museums
Bandera Music History Project Hall of Fame Project The Bandera Music History Hall of Fame Project has produced a computer "juke box" of Bandera area musician's music from the old to the current. The goal of the project is to maintain, preserve, and promote Bandera's rich music heritage of all types. The "juke box" is located in the Kronkosky Library of Bandera County on Main Street Bandera. No Charge. Hours are Monday through Friday 10:00 AM to 6:00 PM and 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM on Saturday.
Frontier Times Museum The Frontier Times Museum features a 40,000-piece collection of old west, pioneer, & prehistoric artifacts. Hours: Monday - Saturday 10:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (830) 796-3864. www.frontiertimesmuseum.com
Lone Star Motorcycle Museum The museum located near Lost Maples State Natural Area is must see for motorcycle enthusiasts. The museum features British bikes and others. Open from 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM on Friday, Saturday and Sunday. On weekdays call ahead for a tour. Ace Cafe inside museum open for lunch 11:00 to 3:00 Fri., Sat., and Sun. 830-966-6103. www.lonestarmotorcyclemuseum.com.
Historical Tours
- 1. Schmidtke-Callahan House (McMullan Insurance) (1870): Built by James Henry White of Georgia for Charles F. Schmidtke, early-day merchant, sawmill and gristmill operator. Recorded Texas Historical Lankmark.
- 2. Old Jail (1881): Designed by noted English architect, Alfred Giles, who designed a lot of Fort Sam Houston in San Antonio. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark andlisted on the National Historical Register.
- 3. Old Courthouse (JP Offices) (1865): Built by Henry White as a store. Purchased by the county in 1877 and used as a Courthouse until 1890. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark. On National Register.
- 4. Carmichael and Hay Store (The Love's Antique Mall) (1868): Built by Henry White and operated as a general store. This structure claims the oldest elevator west of San Antonio.
- 5. Huffmeyer Store (Shoe Biz & Trading Post) (1878): Built by B.F. Langford for Emil Huffmeyer. Recorded Texas HistoricalLandmark.
- 6. O.S.T. (Old Spanish Trail) (1921): Established across Main Street and moved to present location (previous site of Huffmeyer Store's wagon yard) in 1923. Building burned in 1933 but the O.S.T. continuedoperations in nearby location until present rock building was constructed that same year.
- 7. Old First National Bank (1875): Built of limestone by W.J. "Short Bill" Davenport and operated as a private bank for several years.
- 8. Lee Risinger Store (Everett's Store): Second home of First State Bank. Adjacent building was Cox Hall, Bandera's firsttheater.
- 9. The Silver Dollar (1901): First as the Fox Hole and later Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar, it's the oldest continuously operating honkytonk in Texas.
- 10. Stein's of Bandera (1908): First housed the feed store of Henry and Tom Stevens and later was the B.F. Langford and Son Hardware Store. The Langfords also operated a funeral parlor here.
- 11. Oldest stone building in Bandera (1855): Built by P.D. Saner, this much altered structure was used as a courthouse, school, store, funeral home, the first ambulance-hearse in Bandera County and residence. It wassold in 1869 to Henry Stevens, Sr. for $75.00.
- 12.Old First State Bank (Country Depot) (1850): On a site bought by John James in 1842, the old two-story rock building was used for a schoolbetween 1860 and 1879. In the 1880s, it was known as the Bandera Institute, operated by a Professor Ryan, thought by some to be the fugitive John Wilkes Booth. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark.
- 13. M. Boyle Store (Antique Store) (1908): A frame building with a false front. Established by Irish immigrant brothers, it was an active turn of the century business.
- 14. Old Blacksmith Shop (Gray Realty) (1850s): Used by John James andCharles de Montel while surveying the town. It was used by the Methodist Church in mid 1860s; B.F. Langford's cabinet shop during the 1870's; blacksmith and wheelwright shop and later from the 1920s to 1950s it was a doctors office.
- 15. River Front Motel (1947): Originally the Half Circle Courts. House that serves as office was built in the 1880s.
- 16. Catholic Cemetery (1850s): Established after 16 Polish families came to Bandera in 1855. Names of these early immigrants are listed on a monument in front of the church.
- 17. Old Rectory (1930): Built from stone from a previously used addition to the church.
- 18. St. Stanislaus Catholic Church (1876): Established by the Polish colonists who came to Bandera in 1855. Their 1858 log building was located where the present gothic vernacular stone structure stands. It is the second oldest Polish church in Texas. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark.
- 19. Jureczki-Tobin House (1876): Built by Mr. And Mrs. FranzJureczki, early pioneer colonists from Poland. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark. On National register.
- 20. St. Joseph's Convent-Parish Museum (1874): Originally erected for the Sisters of the Immaculate Conception as a convent; later used as a school for children of early Polish settlers. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark.
- 21. St. Joseph's School (Parish Hall) (1920): This hipped-roof symmetrical two story rock structure was designed from older plans of the BanderaPublic School Building making it look older that it really is.
- 22. Carmichael Home (Mansion in Bandera) (1890): Built by H.H. Carmichael. This house was started in Medina, Texas. An Indian raid so disturbed Carmichael's wife, that he moved it down river to Bandera.
- 23. First Methodist Church (1867): The original frame building was later replaced by a stone structure thathas since been enlarged to its present architectural plan. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark.
- 24. Kronkosky Library (1934): a WPA project of the great depression era. Remodeled in the 1970s and enlarged in 2002.
- 25. Bandera School Campus (Old High School built by WPA, 1937; Old Elementary School, 1913): The 1913 school was the first substantially built, multi-room public school in the area and is still in continuous use.
- 26. Cabaret (1936): Such stars as Jim Reeves, Bob Wills, Willie Nelson and many other giants of Country/Western music have played this dance hall.
- 27. Courthouse (1890): Designed by B.F. Trester, Jr., work started by Ed Braden and Son of San Antonio and completed byE. Huffmeyer, local merchant and contractor. Stone for thebuilding was quarried locally and laid by itinerant Russian stonemasons. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark. On National Register.
- 28. First Baptist Church (1908): The entire blockwasbought in 1883 and given to the church by F.L. Hicks in 1884. The old church was completed in 1908 and later replaced by the present structure in 1908.
- 29. Frontier Times Museum (1933): Built by frontier journalist-historian J. Marvin Hunter to house collections of Texana. Maintained by Frontier Times Museum, Inc. Recorded Texas Historical Landmark.
Nature Lovers
SEVEN H RANCH - 830-966-3782; This 700 acre ranch has a great diversity of plants and wildlife typical of the Texas Hill Country. Habitats include relatively flat grasslands with scattered oaks and juniper, steep slopes and canyons, springs and seeps, high ridges over 2000 ft. in elevation. Spring-fed ponds provide year round water for wildlife and good wildlife viewing and photography opportunities at nearby blinds. Miles of guided hiking trails allow visitors to experience cool, lush canyons and high rocky ridges overlooking a picturesque valley. Activities include guided tours, camping, backpacking, horseback riding, and customized weekend packages
TEXAS STAGECOACH INN - 830-966-6722; This 3-acre tract located on the banks of the Sabinal River, has seed and hummingbird feeders as well as beautiful large cypress trees along the river. Breeding Yellow-throated Warblers, Lesser Goldfinch, Lincoln's Sparrow, Blue Grosbeak, Vermilion Flycatcher, and Black-chinned Hummingbird are just a few of the species recorded here. Catch and release fishing is available for catfish and bass. www.bbonline.com/stagecoach
BANDERA CITY PARK - From the intersection of SR 16 West and FM 173 in Bandera, go south on FM 173 for 1 block. Park entrance is on left. In addition to beautiful cypress-lined banks along the Medina River, this site includes a 0.5 mile Native Plant Trail where you can see a variety of plants, including hackberry, live oak, wild grape, juniper, switchgrass, twist-leaf yucca and mealy sage. Deer can also be seen in the park and butterflies congregate along the riverside. Birds to look for include Yellow-throated Warbler, Summer Tanager, and Yellow-throated Vireo.
FLYING A RANCH - 830-796-4750, 866-796-4750; This magnificent 10,000-acre ranch offers guided nature hikes throughout the various habitats. Black-chinned Hummingbird, Northern Oriole, Ash-throated and Vermillion Flycatchers are several of the bird species found here. Lakes, spring-fed creeks, grassy pastures, rocky draws and oak-juniper woodlands provide a diverse environment for wildlife viewing. Call for directions. www.flyingaranch.net
RUNNING-R RANCH : 830-796-3984 This is an equestrian facility for guided rides into the Hill Country State Natural (SNA). Local birds such as Bewick's Wren, Summer Tanager, Ladder-backed Woodpecker, and nesting birds of prey are easily seen here. The ranch's proximity to the State Natural Area makes it a prime location for visitors who want to tour SNA on horseback. www.rrranch.com
HILL COUNTRY EQUESTRIAN LODGE : 830-796-7950 With 275 acres of meadows, riparian thickets, and wooded limestone slopes, Hill Country Equestrian Lodge offers fully equipped, attractive private cabins and suites for guests. The slope vegetation includes Juniper, Oak, Mesquite, Agarita, and other low shrubs. A stream provides water for songbirds and habitat for butterflies and dragonflies. Birds include Vermilion and Scissor-tailed Flycatchers, Cave Swallows, Dickcissels, Field Larks, and Grasshopper Sparrows, Blue Grosbeaks, Painted Buntings, and Wild Turkeys. www.hillcountryequestlodge.com
HILL COUNTRY STATE NATURAL AREA : 830-796-4413 The Hill Country SNA comprises 5400 scenic acres of rocky hills, flowing springs, oak groves, grasslands, and canyons crisscrossed by 36 miles of multi-use trails open to backpacking, horseback riding, and mountain bicycling. The terrain ranges from flat, broad creek bottoms to steep, rocky canyons up to 1900 feet in elevation. Exploring the park by horseback is an excellent way to view wildlife, and ranches adjacent to the park offer guided tours of the area (contact the Bandera Visitors and Convention Bureau at 800-364-3833 for more information). During spring the wildflowers such as golden dalea, thistle. prickly pear, skelton-plant, monarda, Mexican hat, and many yellow composites line the road and fill the meadows, providing nectar for an array of butterflies. Blackcapped Vireos and Golden-cheeked Warblers nest here. The open meadows along the entrance road are home to nesting Dickcissels, as well as Grasshopper and Lark Sparrows. Vermilion and Ash-throated Flycatchers hunt the live oaks around the headquarters. Woodland edge provides views of many songbirds including Yellow-billed Cuckoo, Eastern Wood Pewee, Bewick's Wren, White-eyed Vireo, Yellow-breasted Chat, Summer Tanager, Indigo Bunting, and Lesser Goldfinch. Deer, Armadillos, Raccoons, Ringtails, Rabbits as well as various rodents and reptiles are also commonly seen. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/hillcoun
CLINE RANCH : 830-612-2013 Clines 800 acres consists of wooded slopes, meadows, and limestone bluffs. Its rolling Hill Country woodlands are vegetated with black walnut, a variety of oaks, mountain laurel, redbud, buckeye, agarita, and juniper. Grassy meadows are full of spring wildflowers that attract hawk moths and butterflies, including Checkered White, Black and Pipevine Swallowtails, Variegated Fritillary, Sleepy Orange and Fiery Skipper. BIrds include Summer Tanager, Blue Grosbeak, House Finch, Field Sparrows and Painted Buntings. Guided tours and primitive camping are available.
BEAR SPRINGS BLOSSOM - 830-535-6122; This beautiful 125 acre property contains oak/juniper woodlands and nesting Golden Cheek Warblers. Bear Springs has a 127 species plant list that includes green lily, milkwort,bladderpod, fragrant mimosa,twist-leaf yucca, bear grass, shin and Lacy oaks, Texas madrone, mountain laurel, buckthorn, gum bumelia, blck cherry, cedar sage, and evergreen sumac. Butterfly abound, including Sleepy Orangs, Carolina Satyr, Questionmark, Variegated Fritillary, and Pipevine Swallowtail. Singing Canyon Wrens and chirping Ash-throated Flycatchers serendade throughout the property. Guided tours by the Preservation Group are available. The main trail is wheelchair accessibleand steeper canyon trails wind throughout the property. Call for directions. www.keepbanderabeautiful.org/bearspringsblossom
LH7 RANCH : 830-796-4314 With a history of producing fine Longhorn cattle and as a destination for birders and other nature enthusiasts, this 1200-acre ranch has the Medina River, a 46-acre lake, and a variety of woodlands ranging form spring-fed wetlands to oak mottes and extensive stands of Juniper. The ranch bird list contains approximately 225 species. The variety of habitats supports a diversity of butterflies, dragonflies, reptiles, amphibians, and mammals. Green Kingfisher, Yellow-throated Warbler, nesting raptors, wintering waterfowl, and a variety of flycatchers can be seen. Open areas include pasture and prairie where Dickcissels and Grasshopper Sparrows nest. During October, Monarch Butterflies roost in the trees. Call for availibitly of tours.
MEDINA GARDEN NURSEY : 830-589-2771 - This 14-acre nursery and garden is an excellent site for butterflies. In late summer, the bottomlands along the Medina River are covered with cowpen daisies, which attract large numbers of butterflies. Monarchs migrate through mid to late October, covering the trees by the thousands. A variety of birds can be seen in the pecan bottomlands along the river. Call for directions.
EAGLE ROCK TRAIL : Eagle Rock is on private land, but can be viewed from along the roadside. Raptors and ravens nest in the crevices on the cliff face. Golden Eagle and Bald Eagle have both been seen here, as well as other locally common raptors such as Red-tailed Hawk. Mickle Creek Road is a regular route for local birders, with habitats that support a variety of sparrows, grosbeaks, orioles, buntings, and other songbirds. Located on FM 2107 outside Medina.
LONESOME HILLS RANCH 830-589-2379: This 400-acre ranch has an impressive variety of plants, including bigtooth maple, smoke-tree, black cherry, buckeye, linden, sycamore, and a number of rare plants. Mountaintop trails give panoramic vistas of the surrounding Hill Country. A variety of water habitats, including lake, creeks, seeps, and springs produce an excellent diversity of aquatic insects and amphibians. Butterflies abound on the property. Golden-cheeked Warblers nest in the deep wooded canyons, and habitat restoration for Black-capped Vireos has successfully brought these birds to the ranch. Call for directions.
BROKEN BONE RANCH : 830-589-7311 - This 86-acre site has a superb, massive butterfly garden that attracts a variety of species, particularly in summer when the garden is in full bloom. Beautiful views of Bauerlein Creek and cliff faces add to this site's appeal. www.brokenboneranch.us
THE NATURE CONSERVANCY'S LOVE CREEK PRESERVE : 210-224-8774 This 1400-acre preserve contains some of the most pristine privately owned land in the Hill Country. The habitat contains rich juniper/oak woodland as well as an impressive diversity of hardwoods along Love Creek. The 4.5 mile loop trail through the preserve offers visitors an opportunity to see numerous springs and seeps, a beautiful stand of bigtooth maples, and a nesting pair of Zone-tailed Hawks. The full Hill Country complement of woodland birds and wildlife are found here, and dense stands of old-growth juniper make it particularly attractive to nesting Golden-cheeked Warblers. Visits must be scheduled in advance, and all tours are guided. www.nature.org/texas
TRAILS END RANCH : 830-589-2935 - This 7200-acre ranch provides guided wildlife tours of multiple Hill Country habitats that include lake, river, stands of live oak, and old-growth juniper/oak woodlands. This large ranch comprises a great diversity of habitats and species. Prehistoric tracks along the riverbed add another element of interest to the site. Exotic animals available for viewing on the ranch include Red Kangaroo, Pere-David's Deer (extinct in its native habitat in China), the endangered Barasinga, Zebra, Oryx, Axis Deer, and Blackbuck Antelope. The ranch offers secialized wildlife tours as well as hiking trails.
DOS ARROYOS GUEST HOUSE : 830-966-2200 This 56-acre tract provides unique, dramatic views of giant cypress along the bottom of Evans Creek, as well as a wooded trail that follows Mills Creek. Golden-cheeked Warblers nest on the property, and oak/juniper/maple bottoms provide excellent habitat for a variety of birds. The property also provides habitat for the endangered tobusch fishhook cactus. Lodging available at a guesthouse on the creek. www.foxfirecabins.com/dos-arroyos.html
A PEACE OF HEAVEN CABINS AND RVS : 830-966-5198 This 25-acre tract on Evans Creek has three guest cabins, catch and release fishing for bass and catfish, and a swimming hole. Primarily oak/juniper woodland, there are also black walnut, and giant cypress along the creek bottom. Look for dragonflies along the creek and birds such as Greater Roadrunner, Yellow-throated Warbler, Yellow-throated Vireo, Bell's Vireo, and Scrub Jay. www.apeaceofheaven.org
FM 337 SWALLOW COLONY AND OVERLOOK : The scenic overlooks on FM 337 have paved pull-outs and are excellent spots to photograph the river valley and to scan for cruising raptors such as Zone-tailed Hawk. Cliff Swallows are distinguished by their pale buff foreheads and chestnut breasts. Do not appraoch the Cliff Swallow colony too closely as the birds are easily disturbed by humans.
FOXFIRE CABINS : 830-966-2200 This 5-acre property on the Sabinal River has scenic views of the river and birds such as Green Kingfisher, Belted Kingfisher, Cave Swallows, White-eyed Vireo, Wild Turkey, Whip-poor-will, Chuck's-will's-widow, owls, and bats. The thickets along the river attract a variety of birds during Spring migration. www.foxfirecabins.com
LOST MAPLES STATE NATURAL AREA : 830-966-3413 This is one of the premier wildlife viewing destinations in Texas. Lost Maples covers more than 2,200 acres and is an outstanding example of Edwards Plateau flora and fauna. Habitats include steep, rugged limestone canyons, springs, plateau grasslands, wooded slopes, and clear streams. The park provides habitat for two rare songbirds that nest in central Texas: the golden-cheeked Warbler and the Black-capped Vireo. Other birds include the Zone-tailed Hawk and the Green Kingfisher. The Sabinal RIver cuts through the park and provides excellent viewing for birds and other wildlife. Eleven miles of trails lead visitors into stands of black cherry, sycamore, pecan, Spanish oak, hackberry and walnut trees. The park also features a large stand of uncommon bigtooth maple, whose fall foliage can be spectacular. Generally, fall foliage changes the last two week of October through the first week of November. www.tpwd.state.tx.us/park/lostmap
