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Cozy hilltop guesthouse at Barkspin Oaks Ranch. Beautiful views!

Photo gallery for Cozy hilltop guesthouse at Barkspin Oaks Ranch. Beautiful views!

Bluebonnets March 2024
Front porch with panoramic view
Cowhouse front porch and swing, 12 ft x 30 ft covered porch
Swing
Front porch

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 247.7 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Parking available
  • Kitchen
  • Air conditioning
  • Free WiFi

Explore the area

Map
Dripping Springs, TX
  • Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm
    ‪13 min drive‬
  • Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery
    ‪24 min drive‬
  • Jacob's Well Natural Area
    ‪31 min drive‬
  • Austin, TX (AUS-Austin-Bergstrom Intl.)
    ‪55 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 2)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

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

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen

About this property

Cozy hilltop guesthouse at Barkspin Oaks Ranch. Beautiful views!

The Cowhouse is a charming hilltop guesthouse nestled within Barkspin Oaks Ranch, a 61-acre ranch in the picturesque Texas Hill Country. Located approximately 8 miles southwest of Dripping Springs, this cozy retreat offers breathtaking views that stretch for miles. It’s conveniently close to local wineries, distilleries, and wedding venues, including Alexander at Creek Rd, Camp Lucy, and Cricket Hill Ranch. Other scenic hill country towns like Wimberley and Blanco are within a 30-minute drive, while Fredericksburg is easily accessible within an hour.

The Cowhouse provides a secluded and private haven for relaxation, complete with a fully equipped kitchen and laundry facilities. The kitchen seamlessly opens to the living area, featuring recently updated stainless steel appliances. The living room boasts a large window with an eastward view, perfect for enjoying spectacular sunrises. For entertainment, there’s free Wi-Fi, a TV that receives local network channels and a DVD player stocked with assorted movies.

Step outside onto the expansive 12 x 30 ft covered porch, which also faces east. Here, you can savor the breathtaking views throughout the day. The porch is equipped with a gas grill and multiple seating areas, making it an ideal spot for relaxation and outdoor dining.

Inside, the bedroom offers a comfortable king-sized bed, a spacious closet, and blackout curtains for restful sleep. The bathroom features a combination tub/shower, toilet, and vanity. Additionally, the laundry room houses a large top-loading washing machine and a sizable dryer.

The Cowhouse has a heartwarming backstory: Built in 2008 by the owners, Andi and Jerry, it originally served as their weekend home. Back then, there was no fence to keep out the livestock, and the curious cows would often approach the house. Their grandson affectionately dubbed it the Cowhouse, as he and his sister loved watching the cows up close. The name stuck, capturing the essence of this rustic retreat.

Barkspin Oaks Ranch, part of a larger ranch settled by Andi’s grandparents nearly 100 years ago, remains rugged and teems with wildlife. Deer, rabbits, and a family of foxes call it home. Bird feeders attract a variety of avian visitors, and occasionally, a pair of hawks graces the skies. It’s a place where nature and tranquility converge, inviting guests to unwind and connect with the land.

The Cowhouse is over 200 feet away from the owners' home and both are on top of a hill inside a 4-acre fenced area. The main house is located where it does not impact the great views seen from the Cowhouse. Outdoor living areas for both homes are separated by trees and there is enough space between them to ensure privacy. The owners and guests will share the private road to the public road but the Cowhouse has a separate parking area. The Cowhouse is 0.3 miles from the public road.

Guests will be allowed to walk around the mowed areas of the fenced 4 acres at their own risk. Guests are not allowed outside of this fenced area except when entering or exiting in their vehicle.

No Smoking or Vaping.

Check-in is 4pm and Check-out is 10am.

No Pets are allowed.

Property manager

Andi Berry
Premier Host

Languages

English

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Parking available

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Adults only
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Guests are not allowed outside of the 4-acre fenced area on the hilltop except when entering or exiting the property in their vehicle.
Fireworks are not allowed.
Discharging firearms is not allowed.

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
Cashless transactions are available
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 and a first aid kit

About the area

Dripping Springs

Located in Dripping Springs, this cottage is in a rural area. Pedernales Falls State Park and Jacob's Well Natural Area reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Jump Wild and Hill Country Lavender Farm. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Dripping Springs, TX

What's nearby

  • Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm - 13 min drive - 7.7 km
  • Pedernales Falls State Park - 22 min drive - 21.7 km
  • Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery - 24 min drive - 16.7 km
  • Jacob's Well Natural Area - 31 min drive - 27.5 km
  • Hamilton Pool Preserve - 39 min drive - 34.1 km

Getting around

  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 55 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪Whataburger - ‬23 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Starbucks - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬22 min drive
  • ‪Mazama Coffee - ‬22 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Cozy hilltop guesthouse at Barkspin Oaks Ranch. Beautiful views! pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

What time is check-in at Cozy hilltop guesthouse at Barkspin Oaks Ranch. Beautiful views!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Cozy hilltop guesthouse at Barkspin Oaks Ranch. Beautiful views!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Cozy hilltop guesthouse at Barkspin Oaks Ranch. Beautiful views! located?

Situated in a rural location, this cottage is 3.4 mi (5.5 km) from Field of Dreams and within 12 miles (20 km) of Onion Creek Kitchens at Juniper Hills Farm and Twisted X Brewing Company. Deep Eddy Vodka Distillery and Driftwood Estate Winery are also within 12 miles (20 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. 28 out of 28 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 28 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 28 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Eco-friendliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Kyle F.

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

Fantastic Hill country getaway (and great for telescopes)!

This property is the PERFECT place to get away from it all. The house is fully furnished with everything modern, a huge smart tv, wifi access, full stocked kitchen, big refrigerator with ice maker, a laundry room with large size washer and dryer, roomy bathroom, plenty of storage space for long stays and a huge comfortable bed.The wifi has good bandwidth, easily enough to do conference calls or video conferences or any other remote work you may want to do.The real magic is outside. The property overlooks a valley with a large covered porch, bbq. Right out front are a pair of chair swings overlooking the valley. Fantastic way to spend a morning or evening just enjoying the silence.For me I went here to get good sky views to do some telescope astrophotography. This is a great place to see the skies (scope or not) and is far enough away from Austin that you don't see as much light pollution.Overall I highly recommend staying here!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Karen K.

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

Breathtaking view

Waking in the morning to open the curtains to watch the beautiful color of the sun raising was the ultimate experience!! Enjoying to quite songs of the birds while sipping our morning coffee while hearing roosters in the distance is relaxing. Andi and Jerry were great with commication and providing privacy. Very relaxing and well stocked accommodations. We look forward to returning the next time we need a getaway to re-energize and spend time together. Andi was fantastic in
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bill & Pam R.

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

Spectacular Views and Exceptional Hospitality

This has been one of the nicest VRBOs we’ve ever stayed in. The beautiful hilltop location offers spectacular views of the Texas Hill Country, making it a truly special place. Andi, was the most gracious hostess we’ve ever had—welcoming us upon arrival with a warm greeting and a brief tour. She has meticulously thought of everything her guests might need, from snacks and quick foods to drinks and other thoughtful touches. We truly enjoyed our stay and appreciate all the care that has gone into making this such a wonderful retreat.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Joey P.

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

Simply Perfect!

The CowHouse was a beautiful and comfortable guesthouse with all you would ever need plus spectacular views and stunning sunrises!  The deer, foxes, and birds were the topping!! So grateful to the owners for sharing their space with us!
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, property conditions & facilities, communication
A perfect weekend at a perfectly wonderful home. Views are spectacular. Our host was so gracious and provided many extras like snacks and cold drinks. The home was spotless and the bed so comfortable. One of the nicest places we have stayed through VRBO.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

David

Liked: Cleanliness, amenities, property conditions & facilities, communication
Beautiful property; fantastic views. Quiet, lots of deer; host was fantastic. Will definitely stay again. Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

Wanda A.

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

Lovely!

We had a very relaxing time at Cowhouse. It has a serene and spectacular view. The house is lovely, very clean, and has everything that you can possibly need.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Laura D.

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

Wonderful Place

I have to say this was probably our most enjoyable stay. The house was lovely and so was the view that goes along with it. Will definitely be back.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2024

10/10 Excellent

Susan W.

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

our favorite place to stay…

is here at the cowhouse! this is our second stay. we chose to be here for the eclipse and it was spectacular. we needed nothing during our stay, because andi thinks of everything. she’s the best host. the stars were beautiful, the Olive Company is always fun and delicious and there were deer and birds galore. thank you again for a memorable stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

George T.

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

Spring break getaway

Perfect for the 2 of us. Quiet, easy check in and very helpful host. Spent the days hiking/birding the state parks and the evenings relaxing at the cow house.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Katie V.

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

Perfect! Amazing!

The perfect weekend! Andi is an incredible hostess from the drinks and snacks in the kitchen right down to extra toothbrushes if you forgot yours. The view was amazing. You can’t come to Hill Country and not stay somewhere with a view. We changed plans and decided to grill out at the house just to enjoy the view one night! Cowhouse is a short drive to anywhere you want to go. I really can’t say enough wonderful things. We will definitely be back and we will recommend the Cowhouse to everyone we know!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dudley T.

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

The best ever

Host was phenomenal! What a delightful property. Exceeded our expectations. The very best Vrbo experience we have had. Everyone needs to come to the Cowhouse!!!
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Angel S.

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

Beautiful

The cow house was beautiful and cozy andi and jerry really thought of everything you could need. Peaceful stay and felt like a home away from home
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

John Todd C.

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

Camp Lucy wedding weekend

Easy short drive over to all of the weekend wedding festivities at Camp Lucy. Couldn't have been more convenient and welcoming.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Debra G., Illinois

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

Perfection!

Everything about the Cowhouse was exceptional! My husband and I were both thrilled with all of the amenities, saving us a trip to the grocery store upon our arrival. Andi, the host, anticipated all of our needs and desires by supplying an abundance of snacks, water, Kcups, laundry detergent and more. The bed was comfortable and the bath towels were the best! The view is lovely and on the last two days we experienced the beautiful sunrise from the patio! We will definitely rent again!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jayson M.

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

Charming Hill Country Get A Way

Nestled in the rolling hills just minutes from Dripping Springs the Cowhouse is a gem. From the host to the house and check-in instructions everything was amazing. Well stocked with snacks and any items you might of forgotten. Andi, was an amazing host. They made us feel like family. I loved the BBQ grill and the views were out of this world. I truly look forward to visiting again.
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Brent S.

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

Fantastic!!

Beautiful property!! The house is very clean and with perfect views in the morning and evening!! Definitely will be coming back!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jamie H.

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

Stay Here! Home Away From Home!

Wow! From the moment we arrived to the moment we left we were highly impressed. Beautiful Cowhouse w/all 5-star amenities. Bed had crisp, high-quality sheets, towels felt like luxurious blankets after showers, pillows were thick, yet billowy and soft! Kitchen cabinets fully stocked w/snacks, and refrigerator as well. We felt like we were visiting our grandparents for the weekend with how welcome our stay was. Fruit tray, snacks, juices, milk, water, tons of coffee pods, full couch, huge tv, full washroom, and THE VIEW! 15-20mins from restaurants, breweries, distilleries, etc...We are coming back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Beverly D.

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

weekend getaway

This property was top notch, every detail to make this a great property was considered. The morning sunrise and evening sunsets were amazing from the front porch swing. The host were great and very helpful. It's central location was perfect. Highly recommend!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Michelle W., Thorp, WI

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

Title

Place was very cozy and extremely clean, the owner met us there and pointed everything out that we needed to know, was very quiet and peaceful place, is out in the country a little ways which for some people would not maybe like it, but for us cause we live in the country to was no big deal for us, only thing that would maybe been little but nicer was to have a tv in the bedroom also since we like watching movies, news, Etc, from the bed, but overall would highly recommend this place, had a fantastic stay
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Gary D.

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

Serenity Now

The Texas Hill Country is a beautiful place and the Cow House offers unrivaled views. The property is secluded, quiet and peaceful. The rental is clean and cozy. The owners keep it stocked with coffee, water and snacks. Keep your eye out for armadillos, deer, cows, pronghorns, longhorns and road runners.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Georgia S., United States

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

the best vrbo in Dripping Springs (& beyond!)

This was by far the most amazing rental/VRBO experience we have ever had. Below are just a few factors that made our stay 100/10; - communication - ease of access to property (while always feeling safe) - amenities from a laundry room to a makeup light they spoiled us (I’ve stayed at 5 star hotels that don’t offer 1/2 of what Cowhouse has to offer) - snacks, coffee, bottled water, the list goes on! - friendliness - pricing (worth EVERY penny!) - clean (very clean) - cows (including a baby 🐄) they are the absolute cutest cows - views (outdoor seating, bench, swing, etc) gorgeous views of Texas’ Hill Country I can’t say enough. We were in town for a wedding and now we want to go back to Dripping Springs just so we can stay at a Cowhouse! The best hosts ever.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

Cynthia N.

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

Beautiful view

This is one of the best rentals we’ve ever had. Quiet, clean, and comfortable. Plenty of fluffy towels, blankets, and complimentary everything. This host is over the top hospitable. We enjoyed our stay very much.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

James H.

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

Nice area to get away

Very nice clean and in order.
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Susan W.

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

absolute gem

spectacular views, short trips to so many outdoor or indoor activities, night sky to die for, and a host who’s thought of every comfort. couldn’t ask for better. quiet, private heaven on a hill overlooking gorgeous land. will be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2022

About the host

Hosted by Andi Berry

Host profile image
My mother's parents lived on a large ranch that Barkspin Oaks was originally part of and my father's parents lived on a farm about a mile away. When I was a kid I would ride around the ranch with my uncle. I grew up in Austin and then moved to San Antonio, but continued to spend a lot of time at the family ranch and Dripping Springs. The hill that the Cowhouse is located on was, and still is, my favorite place. And in 2015 I was finally able to move to the ranch and have my home on that hill.

Jerry and I are retired but we are very active doing projects around the ranch. We are here most of the time and are available if you have any questions. We also will respect your privacy. Please let us know if you prefer no contact. Feel free to ask for something you need or to inquire about the area.

Why they chose this property

The first thing everyone who visits does is stop and take in the view. Our 4-acre fenced tract covers most of the hilltop and you can walk and see in all directions in minutes. Sunrises and sunsets can be spectacular. We are far enough away from cities to have great views of the stars. We see storms coming from miles away.

What makes this property unique

The Cowhouse was our weekend home for seven years. We designed it to be comfortable for us and have the amenities we needed. We wanted it to have enough room and feel homey and not like we were in a hotel room. Jerry insisted that we have the 12 x 30 ft covered front porch so we could relax, grill, and eat outdoors, and enjoy the views. We want our guests to enjoy what we also enjoyed for years.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests