Entire home

Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch

Photo gallery for Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch

Heaven on Earth!
View from Cathedral Rock (swimming hole)
Lodge swimming hole and Cathedral Rock
View from Upper Deck (trail to river in foreground)
Panorama from Upper Deck!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 15232.3 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Parking available
  • Washer
  • Fireplace
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Barksdale, TX
  • Frio River
    ‪49 min drive‬
  • Garner State Park
    ‪60 min drive‬
  • Lost Maples State Natural Area
    ‪97 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 15)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Bedroom 2

1 King Bed

Entertainment Room

2 Single Beds and 1 Queen Bed

Entry Room

1 Queen Bed and 1 Double Sofa Bed

2 bathrooms

Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch

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The minimum booking is 3 nights for most dates. 15% discount applied to 7+ nights.

All bookings are separated with a 1-night vacancy. This allows time for cleaning the large property, and the potential for early checkin by our guests.
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Mountain View Lodge lies on the western edge of the scenic Texas Hill Country, offering spectacular views and sunsets--great for gatherings large or small. This modern, 2-story (2,400 sq ft) lodge is along crystal-clear, spring-fed Pulliam creek (Middle Prong of the Nueces River), which is ideal for swimming, tubing, and snorkeling. A 5-ft-deep swimming hole is at the lodge. Nearby is a large natural spring.

The Lodge sits high above the creek with a lovely, panoramic mountain view. The area is Nueces Canyon, home to many species of birds and other wildlife. The Lodge is located 6 miles north of Camp Wood and 28 miles west of Leakey, near Barksdale, on a 23-acre ranch.

No other place can match the breath-taking view, serenity and seclusion of the Lodge. Hike up and down the river for miles. Hike the 23 acre pasture and county roads. There's a very friendly donkey in the pasture who will love you forever if you give him a salty snack! Other goats & sheep are by his side.

*****
For a video walking the trail down to the river where swimming hole is, go to YouTube and search for "Mountain View Lodge Trail to River". The trail is easy to navigate.
*****

Accommodations: Upstairs (main living area) has 2 bedrooms with king-sized beds sleeping 4 people. Downstairs are recreational accommodations and beds for 8 people. Additionally, there are 3 very comfortable foam pads, pillows & bedding for 3 more. Total of 12 people on beds; 15 when including foam pads. (SEE CAPTIONS UNDER PICTURES FOR BED ARRANGEMENTS.)

About 200 ft in front of the house is a fire pit dug into the ground, lined with rocks. There's a water hose nearby for safety. Scavenge the 23 acres for plenty of firewood. Roasting forks are there, too, by the BBQ pit on the downstairs porch.

TELECOMMUTE FROM THE RANCH! Super-fast, fiber-optic internet, 100 Mbps, BOTH download & upload!! Also, MESH WiFi for no dead-spots, one which broadcasts from multiple locations at both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz.. Do your Zoom business and school meetings wirelessly. Or wired (bring your ethernet cable).

A 55-inch Roku TV is downstairs and a 50-inch Roku TV is upstairs, above fireplaces. For both TVs, Roku voice remotes are used to select content from internet streaming services, or air-cast from your personal device. Select from a vast array of free services or from your own subscription service. Use your voice when selecting a streaming service (Roku remotes provide this technology). Simple instructions are provided: for example, say “launch Netflix”, or "find kid TV shows," or "find all Clint Eastwood movies," or "find It's a Wonderful Life movie." You’ll be amazed! The Lodge is a blend of high-tech and amazing outdoors!

There are large living areas upstairs and downstairs with a southwestern decor. The main living area is upstairs, which includes a large kitchen/dining area, a living room, and two bedrooms. Downstairs is an entertainment area and 2 more bedrooms. A door separates the two lower bedrooms for privacy. (All four bedrooms have doors for privacy.) Each level has a fireplace and a full bath.

Large decks on both levels provide majestic hill country views and a comfortable setting for relaxation. (See pictures for outdoor chairs and tables for each.) The fully equipped kitchen includes a microwave and a dishwasher. The downstairs deck includes a barbecue grill for outdoor cooking. Also downstairs are a washer and dryer.

There are 4 entrances to the house so people can go in and out without disturbing others. Two entrances are upstairs via two large staircases on two opposite sides of the house. Then, 2 entrances downstairs; one main entrance and another on the opposite side of the house via the downstairs porch where the BBQ pit is located.

Weather conditions: It is not just summertime that's great in the Hill Country. Fall, spring, and even winter are some of the most wonderful weather days. The water source for the Lodge is from a well tapped into the nearby spring aquifer--an extra treat. It's processed through a water softener just to remove the hardness and is really great quality water--classic Hill Country.

Pets ages 1 year or over are welcome.

Property manager

Kermit Graf
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 2:00 PM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
$50 fee for up to 2 pets
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking outside only.

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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

We should mention

A car is required for transport to and from this property

About the area

Barksdale

Located in Barksdale, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Local points of interest include Nueces River. Snorkelling and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and mountain biking nearby.
Map
Barksdale, TX

What's nearby

  • Frio River - 49 min drive - 48.0 km
  • Garner State Park - 60 min drive - 59.9 km
  • Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area - 64 min drive - 56.4 km
  • Concan Golf Course and Country Club - 74 min drive - 72.7 km
  • Lost Maples State Natural Area - 97 min drive - 80.9 km

Restaurants

  • ‪Casa Falcon Restaurant - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪The Chicken Coop Grill - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Madame Butterfly Ristorante Italiano - ‬13 min drive
  • ‪Harley's Bike Stop - ‬14 min drive
  • ‪Two Twisted Sisters Bar - ‬14 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch?

Checkout is at 2:00 PM.

Where is Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch located?

Located on the waterfront, this family-friendly holiday home is 4.2 mi (6.8 km) from Nueces River and 29.8 mi (47.9 km) from Frio River.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 258 out of 271 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 271 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 271 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 271 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 271 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Joe P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

What a special place!

It's easy to see why this property and host has so many repeat visitors. We enjoyed every minute!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing beauty and quiet

Loved our month long stay. Everything you need and tons of room both inside and out. Fun feeding the birds, goats and donkey. Secluded, so stock up on your groceries on the way in. Would stay again in a heartbeat
Stayed 29 nights in Jan 2025

10/10 Excellent

Frank W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

review

all good
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jana B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Christmas 2024

Everything wes excellent!! The house is cozy and roomy at the same time. We took 9 people, and everyone had places to sit around the table and bar. The kitchen was well stocked. The view is absolutely amazing!! We even enjoyed the bird feeders, and several varieties of birds. We LOVED the stay!!
Stayed 8 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Judy W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best place Ever

I can’t say enough amazing things about this rental property! From the moment we arrived, it was clear that the owners truly care about their guests and have put so much thought into every detail. They’ve anticipated every need we might have during our stay, and I was blown away by how everything was perfectly labeled—right when I had a question, there was the answer, ready to go! The variety of river shoes was fantastic, and the owner was super responsive, making our experience even more enjoyable. For families, this place is a dream come true! With baby gates, high chairs, pack n play, and adorable kid plates and cups, they’ve got everything covered for little ones. And the location? Absolutely unbeatable! The river is breathtakingly beautiful—crystal clear waters where little kids can splash around safely, and deeper areas for the brave to dive into. Every moment spent here felt like pure joy! Watching the birds while we ate, thanks to the bird feed they provided, was such a delightful bonus for the kids. If you’re looking for the perfect family getaway, look no further! This place is an absolute gem, and I can’t recommend it enough!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Omar D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great experience

The place is great and has everything you need for camping or overall relaxing. Having a branch of the river behind the property makes it even better… we definitely recommend to stay here ..
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Shanna A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The BEST view and location

I absolutely loved this property! Our stay was so peaceful and beautiful. Great sunset and early morning sunrise views! Beautiful property! Great access to river! Perfect place. Would definitely stay again!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anthony R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Such a beautiful part of Texas

Had an amazing stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing property

We had a wonderful time and loved the view! So secluded it was nice and quiet.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

D G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

River Bliss

One of the most peaceful river properties and clean rivers I’ve ever stayed/been in.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Miriam S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Hidden Gem!

Our stay at the Mountain View lodge has always been awesome! Superb location, fantastic amenities, and the host went above and beyond to ensure we had a great time again. communication is great with super quick responses The nights are amazing! We will continue returning to this beautiful hidden gem!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christina S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for River Fun

We had a great stay at Mountain River Lodge. We celebrated our friends 40th birthday and the 4th of July. The space was perfect for our group and the river was fantastic! Would definitely return again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Frank M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Getaway

The host provided our family with a seculded getaway that perfectly met our every need. We have been enjoying Moutain View Lodge for over 10 years. My grandchildren consider our annual trip to Barksdale in early June as the official start to summer vacation.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

SAVINA M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gorgeous views

This house had beautiful views! We enjoyed our stay with our family!
Stayed 7 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Matthew R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Lovely Retreat!

Would definitely come back.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

christian g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect vacation getaway

This was the perfect house for a relaxing weekend getaway. This place has amazing views of the hill country, and a beautiful clear swimming hole. We will definitely be staying here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

matt b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great stay!

Went above and beyond to accommodate, very relaxing environment
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Mike L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great getaway

So calm and peaceful
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jarred K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

MVL does it again

Great place to stay and play in the river. Our 2nd time visiting and already planning a 3rd trip.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

joshua b.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Gods Country

We enjoyed our stay. Owners have went out of their way to make sure this place is comfy and well stocked. All the comforts of home except with amazing views and stars as far as you can see! We enjoyed exploring the river and even took a polar plunge a few times! We really enjoyed every aspect of this place and can't wait to get back!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeff B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Adventure Motorcycle Trip

Plenty of room for 5 guys riding the Twisted Sisters and local adventure motorcycle routes. We could hear the river/running water on the deck. Great sunset views!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Frank M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Mountain View Retreat

This year marks the 10th annual trip for our family to Mountain View Lodge. Every trip has been a delightful experience for our family. From the creek below the cabin to the exceptional accommodations, everything is top-notch.

10/10 Excellent

Lisa R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

The perfect place to relax!

We drove in and never started our cars until our departure 3 days later! Headed down to the incredible clear waters of the river EVERYDAY! Just a simple, majestic, getaway to unwind. The owners really do an outstanding job of equipping the house with necessities. This trip was a blessing, full of great memories, and we look forward to coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Raymond S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Spacious and gorgeous views

Really enjoyed the spacious ranch house during my stay there. The view from the living area was awesome! Had fun feeding Mr. Donkey, goats, rams and birds. Very relaxing, quiet and beautiful area to get away from city life. The host was very accommodating when I had to reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances. I am looking forward to my next stay there in October!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Phillip P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome

This is just what we wanted secluded and right on the river. We stayed for a 3 day weekend. We will be back
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023

About the host

Hosted by Kermit Graf

Host profile image
In 2011 I retired from 31 years as an engineer with Schlumberger. My wife and I own and manage three vacation rental properties. We enjoy providing relaxing and safe properties for our guests and their families. We are both originally from Houston, then moved to Austin in the late 1960s when attending, then graduating from, the University of Texas, where we met each other in the Longhorn Band. Hook-em Horns!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests