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Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage

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Little House on the Blanco @ Shade Ranch.
Swimming hole of 4-5 feet with great wading area for kids and adults alike.
Incredible swimming area with plenty of activities for all ages!
Aerial view of the 25 acre Shade Ranch on the right side.  Looking north and down river of the Blanco River.
Shade Ranch Entryway.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 492.9 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

Map
Wimberley, TX
  • Wimberley Zipline Adventures
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • The Island
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Blue Hole Regional Park
    ‪7 min drive‬
  • Austin, TX (AUS-Austin-Bergstrom Intl.)
    ‪61 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

1 Single Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage

Little House on the Blanco @ Shade Ranch is a stone Hill Country Vacation house nestled along the Blanco River among the mighty oaks of the Hill Country. Drive down a tree-lined one-lane road and begin enjoying the beautiful, tree covered 25 acres offering tranquility and seclusion. Walk less than 100 yards from the house to take the stone steps to the river below. 513 feet of private river access awaits you with a deep swimming hole in both normal and drought years.

Gaze at a gorgeous sunset or sunrise on the river or from the picnic table on the bluff above. Grab your rod and discover what Flyfishing magazine called 'one of the best fly fishing spots in Texas, on the Blanco River.'

Take a swim in the clear blue waters of the Blanco River. Enjoy a picnic or a nap or a book along its banks. Dine in the covered porch watching the deer graze and maybe see the rare violet-ear hummingbirds that have been known to visit. You will find a wonderful, large outdoor hot tub right off the covered porch. It is a private place to unwind while admiring the brilliant stars above and the quiet solitude of Shade Ranch.

Little House on the Blanco @ Shade Ranch has so much to offer with its 25 peaceful acres, private river access, a fully equipped kitchen, open dining areas inside or on the covered porch (with Weber propane grill), and a large bedroom with a queen size comfortable bed. The house is perfect for a family with small children, but ask that the number of adults be limited to 3 given space and septic constrains. There is also a great outdoor stone fire pit with stone benches, perfect for roasting marshmallows or warming up on a cool Hill Country evening. Located only 5 minutes from Wimberley Square, this home completes the perfect hill-country getaway without sacrificing any of the charm (or shopping opportunities) that Wimberley has to offer. And with high-speed/wireless Internet and satellite TV, you won't sacrifice the conveniences of modern technology, either.

There is also a larger 3 bedroom house on the same property. The houses are completely separate and don't share anything other than the acreage. The houses sit approximately 100 yards apart and have a bank of cedar trees and a large cedar privacy fence that sit between the houses and create separate areas for privacy. The Texas Hill Country style vacation houses can be rented together or separately depending on the size of your group. We always stress to our guests that our home is mean to be enjoyed in a relaxed manner and we don't want a party atmosphere.

Wimberley has a wealth of activities to enjoy for couples and families alike while you're in the Texas Hill Country. Enjoy the Texas Hill Country outdoors by visiting the local state parks and water holes such as Pedernales Falls State Park, Hamilton Pool, the Blue Hole, Canyon Lake, Lake Travis, tubing at the Guadalupe River, Jacobs Well and of course our own Blanco River in our backyard. Rent a boat at Canyon Lake from the Canyon Lake Marina or do the same at Lake Travis.

Go on a wine tour at Driftwood Estate Winery, Duchman Family Vineyards, Texas Hills Vineyards and Wimberley Valley Winery with a stop at Bella Vista Olive Orchard to try olive oil and their own wine. Enjoy great restaurants like The Leaning Pear, The Salt Lick BBQ, Marco's Italian, Brewster's Pizza and Brewpub, Kate's Place, Linda's Fine Foods, Jobell Cafe & Bistro, The Back Porch, Hays City Grill and many others. Extend your drive and do some of the Texas BBQ Trail by visiting Luling, Lockhart and Llano where world famous BBQ can be enjoyed.

There are no shortage of shopping opportunities at the Wimberley Square where you can find plenty of Hill Country crafts, furniture, textiles, plenty of art and many other treasures. Drive 20 minutes to the San Marcos Premium outlets and, of course, during Wimberley Market Days March through December you can find lots of unique items 10 minutes away from Shade Ranch.

Or hit the Hill Country Trail on the road to travel along The Devil's Backbone to take in awesome views of the Texas Hill Country on your way to the town of Blanco. Try some brews at the Real Ale Brewery when you arrive and enjoy a free tour. Visit Gruene, Texas and the famous Gruene Hall to see the oldest dance hall in Texas. Enjoy concerts at Gruene Hall on weekend nights or enjoy a casual atmosphere on Saturday and Sunday afternoons when free music can be enjoyed over a cold Texas beer. Lots of great towns can be visited using Wimberley as your home base; Blanco (19 miles away), Buda (17 miles away), Driftwood (17 miles away), Dripping Springs (16 miles away), Gruene (20 miles away), Kyle (22 miles away), San Marcos (15 miles away), Austin (45 miles away), San Antonio (60 miles away), New Braunfels (27 miles away) and Fredericksburg (50 miles away).

Keywords: Vacation House

Property manager

Roby Norvell
Premier Host

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Hot tub
Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 10:00 AM
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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: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit one pet total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
No Smoking.
One small to medium sized dog allowed with owner permission and payment of pet fee.
No day guests unless approved in advance by owner.

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
Long-term renters welcome
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
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock

About the area

Wimberley

Located in Wimberley, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Jack Glover's Cowboy Museum and Corral Theatre are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include The Island and Central Texas Bonsai Exhibit at Jade Gardens. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at San Marcos Academy Baseball Field or Bobcat Soccer Complex.
Map
Wimberley, TX

What's nearby

  • Wimberley Zipline Adventures - 6 min drive - 2.8 km
  • The Island - 6 min drive - 3.3 km
  • Wimberley Lions Market Days - 7 min drive - 3.9 km
  • Blue Hole Regional Park - 7 min drive - 4.1 km
  • Jacob's Well Natural Area - 12 min drive - 8.6 km

Getting around

  • San Marcos Station - 23 min drive
  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 61 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Mima's Kitchen - ‬7 min drive
  • ‪Wimberley Cafe - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Community Pizza & Beer Garden - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Blanco Brew - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Monster Treats - ‬6 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Jack Glover's Cowboy Museum and within 3 miles (5 km) of Wimberley Zipline Adventures and The Island. Wimberley Lions Market Days and Blue Hole Regional Park are also within 3 miles (5 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 354 out of 382 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 26 out of 382 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 2 out of 382 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 382 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 382 reviews

10/10

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

Stephen M.

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

Quiet and Relaxing

It was perfect getaway for us. We enjoyed walks up and down the long drive and the trail/stairs down to the river. We also enjoyed the great WiFi and satellite TV to enjoy the Bowl Season. We’re looking forward to coming back soon.
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Garrett L.

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

Better than expected!

Pictures don't do justice to this beautiful home and property! My only recommendation for improvement would be to have lights up by the fire pit near the little house.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mike D.

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

Wonderful stay

The place is awesome and exactly as portrayed. Hosts are fantastic
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve E.

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

Paradise

As always, we truly enjoyed our stay and loved every moment. The solitude, the river, the walks in the woods, and spotting the deer were magical! Our little dog sure had herself a good time, as well! The house was immaculate and had everything we needed. Communication with Roby couldn’t be better. Thank you again for the wonderful getaway!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Natalie B.

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

Great weekend getaway with my best friend!

The property was beautiful and close to town! The cabin was perfect for me and my friend. Very clean :)
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

nancy s.

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

Very peaceful

Visited the area for hiking, retreat, peace.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Geoff B.

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

Relaxing in the Hill Country

Loved the weather sitting on the back porch (where most of my time was spent) watching the deer and grey fox. Ventured down to the Blanco River where we walked on the rocks looking into the clear water. nice area to sit down in the shade and relax! Went to Wimberly for food and shopping. Had an awesome time! Want to make this an annual trip.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Mary L.

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

Perfect Hill Country Cottage

This was our second stay on this property...1st stay was at the large house. Just two of us this time, so we thought we'd try the cottage. It was perfect for two! Clean, convenient and had everything we needed for our stay. Roby made check-in seamless and made sure we knew how to contact him if necessary. We very much enjoyed watching the deer and foxes that visited nightly. Would definitely recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Saad M.

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

Perfect Hill Country Getaway!

We had a wonderful stay at this beautiful property. The house is cozy, well-equipped, and perfectly situated among the Texas Hill Country. The private access to the Blanco River and the stunning views made our trip extra special. We enjoyed peaceful mornings with the deer grazing nearby and relaxing evenings in the hot tub under the stars. The location is convenient, just a short drive to Wimberley Square, but still feels secluded and tranquil. Highly recommend this place for a quiet, relaxing retreat! We would definitely return.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Patti C.

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

Wonderful

We had a great relaxing time. So peaceful and quiet. Hope to visit this cabin again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

andee m.

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

Quaint home on beautiful property

Quaint home on beautiful property. Perfect for a river getaway.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jared W.

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

Just What We Needed

We loved watching the deer, turkey, and foxes from the breakfast table in the mornings and again from the patio at night. Bass, catfish, and birds galore from the river seating area. We walked up and down the river quite a ways and could always see the bottom regardless of depth. Not even the rain deterred us from a delightful time both in the river just staring out of the house of the trees.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan L.

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

Family bacay

Beautiful house. Close to Main!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Susan L.

Family Vacay

Loved the home! Great retreat and very quiet. Bathroom is a little small so be prepared to schedule bath time! Loved the hot tub and the kitchen was fantastic. We would definitely return.

10/10 Excellent

Natalie G.

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

Peaceful spot on the Blanco River

Cozy and clean with all necessities. Comfortable bed!! Enjoyed my coffee every morning in a peaceful spot with a beautiful view of the river.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

Natalie G.

Peaceful spot on the Blanco River

Cozy and clean with all necessities. Comfortable bed!! Enjoyed my coffee every morning in a peaceful spot with a beautiful view of the river.

10/10 Excellent

Tori C.

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

Shade Ranch

First time stayers, and we will be back! The house was very clean, well stocked, so much to do on property; fire pit, hot tub, horseshoes. Our young kids loved the river, shallow and deep spots for all to enjoy. Very close to town to shop, eat, explore. Can’t recommend the “little” house enough!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

J.T. W.

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

Wonderful and Relaxing

This was our second year staying here, and it didnt disappoint. The owner was incredibly responsive, and we thoroughly enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2024
This review comes from a trusted partner site and has not been verified.

10/10 Excellent

juan r.

Little house

We loved everything about our stay. Very well kept and clean. Great spot on the river even if the rest of it was shallow we still had a pretty deep area to be in. Easy to communicate with the owner and they were very accommodating. Wouldn’t hesitate to stay again!

10/10 Excellent

Samuel C.

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

Excellent weekend getaway

My wife and I loved this place. The location is excellent and the property is incredible. Being close to the river is so nice and we loved the fire pit and hot tub. It was perfect for the two of us.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve S.

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

Romantic getaway

Great place for me and the wife to get away and reconnect. Serene 22 acres, great views and fire pit, and private hot tub.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeanne M.

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

Heaven on the Blanco

Lovely! Peaceful! Wonderful place to stay!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Joseph T.

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

Great location

Nice stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharel G., Plano, Texas

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

Adorable Little House

We absolutely loved this property and can't say enough about how clean everything was. The owners thought of every detail. The closeness to the river was awesome! We would love to come out again and stay with a larger group renting both houses. Thank you so much!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve E., Friendswood

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

Another great stay in Paradise

This was one of several trips we have made to Little Shade Ranch and we loved every minute of it. The home is well-stocked with all the amenities one might need, and the queen bed we slept in is so comfy! Beautiful and bucolic surroundings make this the perfect place for us. A+
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024

About the host

Hosted by Roby Norvell

Host profile image
The Norvell family hails from Houston, TX where we, like most Americans, lead over-booked lives full of schoolwork, school activities, sports, civic, and work responsibilities. We enjoyed a most relaxing vacation at Shade Ranch in 2008. In fact, we loved it so much that we purchased it three months later. Our kids are young and our parents and family do not live nearby. We wanted a place for our extended family to get together to run, swim, climb, spend time as a family, and just enjoy the beauty of nature. We hope your family enjoys Shade Ranch as much as we do.

Why they chose this property

Shade Ranch in Wimberley Texas is a perfect location for us because it is 3 hours from Houston door to door and only 1 hour from the Austin or San Antonio airport. Our parents and extended family and friends often join us for vacations at Shade Ranch. We love the Little House and speak regularly of leaving the kids in Houston and enjoying a weekend there ourselves. With sleeping room for five we have plenty of room for our 3 kids or it's perfectly intimate for just a couple. We appreciate the seclusion of the 25 acres while making full use of the conveniences of the Village of Wimberley. We regularly utilize the nearby groceries, pharmacies, restaurants, wineries, hardware and other stores. We appreciate the many nearby state parks and towns that make up the Texas Hill Country!

What makes this property unique

The most obvious benefit of Shade Ranch is the beautiful, cold and clear Blanco River. One swim and you too will be sold as it is cool even in the dog days of August, and never crowded. The shallow area suits those wanting to wade or to sit and enjoy the flow of the river and also serves as entry to the adjacent deep swimming area. We think it is perfect and the kids do too. They and their cousins and friends can't get enough of the river when we are there. The river bank area is so spacious, and the sound of the river is so peaceful, it is our favorite place to picnic or enjoy a glass of wine. The kids also like to play games and sports in the grass along the river. They also enjoy fishing, climbing to the 'cave' by the river under the ledge, looking for arrowheads after a rain, having a family 'sleepover', and just exploring the 25 acres of 'forest'. We know you will find these wonders and more at Shade Ranch.

Languages:

English, Spanish

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests