Cabin

Remote Hill Country Home on The Guadalupe River, Private Lake, Pet Friendly

Photo gallery for Remote Hill Country Home on The Guadalupe River, Private Lake, Pet Friendly

Enjoy easy access to The Guadalupe River at The Gatehouse-Swim,fish,kayak,canoe
Dark skies, full of bright stars await you.  Peace, quiet…only sounds of nature.
Outdoor dining
Outdoor dining
Quiet rocking on the porch.  Read a book, sip on wine or a cup of tea.  Relax!!

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
3 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 7111.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Air conditioning
  • Kitchen

Explore the area

Map
Hunt, TX
  • Schreiner University
    ‪41 min drive‬
  • Kerrville-Schreiner Park
    ‪46 min drive‬
  • Lost Maples State Natural Area
    ‪69 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 7)

Bedroom 2

1 Double Bed

Bedroom One

1 Queen Bed

Upstairs Bedroom/Loft

3 Single Beds and 1 Queen Bed

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

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

Spaces

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

About this property

Remote Hill Country Home on The Guadalupe River, Private Lake, Pet Friendly

If your family is looking for a private getaway or a quiet romantic location, The GateHouse at Guadalupe Bluffs Ranch is perfect.

We are located outside Hunt, Texas approximately 22 miles west of Kerrville, The Gatehouse allows for comfort and great location to enjoy nature on this historic Hill Country Ranch. We are pet friendly, so please bring along the family dog(s). They will love to romp in the water and check out the new sights and smells! Your canine family will LOVE being at The GateHouse!!!

We are located at the spring fed waters at the head of the Guadalupe River. Step into the cool water for swimming and fishing. One section has an area with easy access that is larger than an Olympic pool. Great swimming area for families and children. Bring your ice chest & picnic for a day on the river, just steps from the cabin. A perfect place to enjoy a warm Hill Country Day in Texas.

Fall and winter are great times to visit The GateHouse. The house is warm and cozy.
The firepit is available to sit around, tell stories or make S'mores. We even provide the firewood, complimentary!

You are free to hike around the ranch, to see the animals, the beautiful cliffs and crystal clear waters. When the weather is cool, the deer, turkey, foxes and other animals also enjoy the cool weather so you will have greater chances to see them. In November and through December, the hillsides and roadways are covered with multi-colored trees before they lose their leaves. You will see bright reds, yellow and amber colors as they reflect on the waters. Truly a beautiful site.

The Springtime is a beautiful time to be in this area of Texas. You will be sure to see the famous Bluebonnets and all the other wildflowers that line the roads and fill the neighboring ranches.

The Gatehouse overlooks a large private lake for your use. Be sure to bring along your fishing pole as this lake is stocked with Guadalupe bass & catfish. Most recently, we had a group of guests who caught 10 bass in just a few minutes in the private lake! No worry, they did catch and release so there are still many bass and catfish for you to get.

Stroll past the 8 acre pecan orchard to The Guadalupe River. Great swimming, floating, paddleboarding and fishing along the river with easy access. Our guests enjoy fly-fishing in the river.

We have dark skies for your night studies and private rural location for relaxation for your daytime use. You are welcome to bring along your telescopes to check out the skies. You are welcome to pick your best spot on the ranch to do your viewings.

The Gatehouse has 3 bedrooms with sleeping for 6. Bedroom 1 has a double bed and Bedroom 2 has a queen bed; both on the first floor. Bedroom 3 is a full height loft on second floor with one queen bed and 3 twins. One bathroom with full shower with glass enclosure and washer/dryer for your use. The kitchen is fully outfitted, you only need to bring along your food and personal items. We provide paper goods, linens & towels. Central air & heat. BBQ pit for your cooking enjoyment. Don't forget to bring along your favorite charcoal, starter and seasonings for your outdoor cooking. We have complimentary WIFI and multiple TV Channels. & music. There is a phone line available for our guests use as many cell service providers to not work in this area. We even provide complimentary firewood for the firepit. So, be sure to bring along the makings for S'mores. We have made every effort to think about your comfort and convenience.

The Gatehouse is on the over 100 acre Guadalupe Bluffs Ranch. This historic ranch offers a large private stocked lake. Other than the Main House, which is on the other side of the ranch, there are no other cabins to share the area. It is your private location. You are free to hike the ranch or stroll through and relax in the 8 acre pecan orchard that is adjacent to the Guadalupe River. While you hike, you may see our herd of friendly donkeys, our rescue cow, Maisie (she the queen of the ranch), and our herd of Texas Longhorns.

We are located in the Texas Hill Country. With easy access, just 26 miles south of I-10 at Exit 490.

Want to enjoy one of the most beautiful drives in Texas? Make the trip from Kerrville to Ingram and follow Hwy 39 to Hunt, Tx. Turn right on 1340. Go 11 miles, after the Mo Ranch sign, turn left on Rock Bottom Road. This drive will take you over and along the Guadalupe River, past magnificent bluffs, fine ranches, camps and houses built along the river. Note the mighty cypress & pecan trees along the way. Deer graze along the roadside. Check out the birds and other wildlife that can be seen as you drive along.

We have a three night minimum stay requirement. We offer the 3 night stay minimum because we are remote and our guests come from great distances to stay. To truly enjoy the ranch, 3 nights is a minimum. We encourage a 4 night stay, to get the full benefit of getting away at "the ranch" . However, if you are only able to visit for 2 night stay, please check our calendar for open dates and send an inquiry if ito check if we can do a 2 night stay for the dates you are wanting. Our ability to offer a 2 night stay, often is driven by the availability of staff to clean before and after the stay. Advance reservation is required, but if you are looking for a "last minute getaway", don't hesitate to check with us.

We are about an hour or less from many popular areas, such as Fredericksburg, Lost Maples State Park, Twisted Sisters Highway, Leakey, Junction, Kerrville, Camp Verde, Bandera. There are many summer camps close by. Kerr Wildlife Management is about 2 miles. So you can enjoy rest, privacy and venture out to these locations for shopping, dining, wine tasting, and scenic sites.

As a note: We welcome pets. When the VRBO system gives a rate quote when a guest indicates they will be bringing pets, they only give a quote for one pet staying. Our pet rate is $35.00 a night, per pup. So when there are multiple pups staying, we have to manually update the rate quote. Our pet guests LOVE the ranch. They are free to run without leashes (with their People's permission) to enjoy the freedom of running, sniffing and just rolling in the leaves or jumping in the water. The area around The GateHouse is fenced and when fully gated allows for a contained area for our canine guests.

We hope to have you as our guests soon!

Thank you for checking out The GateHouse at Guadalupe Bluffs Ranch. A Hill Country favorite!

Your Hosts,
Sandy & Mike

Property manager

Sandy Hightower

Languages

English, Spanish

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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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

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Charges apply for more than 2 guest of all ages.
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Please ask owner for party rates & policy.
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs (limit 3 total)
Dogs welcome. Pet fee: $35.00 per pup per night.
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Outside smoking only w/ careful use of "butt" cans
No off road vehicles. No hunting or use of firearms without property owner permission.
Please include number of pets in request. There is a per night/per pet fee that will be adjusted post-booking. Notify host if requesting 2+ pets.
For ranch security and registration, guests will be asked to provide vehicle information, driver's license, home address and cell phone numbers

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
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site. Maximum attendees: 50
Note from host: Please ask owner for party rates & policy.
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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

Hunt

Located in Hunt, this cabin is in a rural area and on a river. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Guadalupe River and Lost Maples State Natural Area, while Kathleen Cook Art Studio and Hill Country Arts Foundation are cultural highlights. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Hunt, TX

What's nearby

  • Stonehenge II - 31 min drive - 28.0 km
  • Peterson Regional Medical Center - 40 min drive - 39.4 km
  • Schreiner University - 41 min drive - 40.4 km
  • Kerrville-Schreiner Park - 46 min drive - 44.1 km
  • Lost Maples State Natural Area - 69 min drive - 64.7 km

Getting around

  • San Antonio International Airport (SAT) - 101 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪WorldMark Hunt - Stablewood Springs Resort - ‬7 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Remote Hill Country Home on The Guadalupe River, Private Lake, Pet Friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 3 total).

What time is check-in at Remote Hill Country Home on The Guadalupe River, Private Lake, Pet Friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Remote Hill Country Home on The Guadalupe River, Private Lake, Pet Friendly?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Remote Hill Country Home on The Guadalupe River, Private Lake, Pet Friendly located?

Situated on a river, this cabin is 11.7 mi (18.9 km) from Guadalupe River and within 20 miles (32 km) of Kathleen Cook Art Studio and Hill Country Arts Foundation. Stonehenge II and Copper Cactus are also within 20 miles (32 km).

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. 179 out of 197 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 17 out of 197 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 197 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 197 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 197 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

chuck b.

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

Hunt

Great spot
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Katie S.

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

Gorgeous slice of hill country life

Everything exactly as described. The house is cozy and comfy. We loved seeing all the animals and enjoying the private river access.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Parth M.

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

Amazing amazing!!

This is such an incredible place, love the terrain, the views, the cabin, and all the animals. Already booked to come back next month!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Stacey W.

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

Wonderful place!

Such a cute cabin - even better than the pictures. We enjoyed our time there - plenty of animals to look at and space to relax!
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Ansylma L.

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

Relaxing Getaway

Wonderful getaway from the hustle of the city. Comfortable and cozy cabin with serene surroundings.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Sharda B.

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

Amazing

The GateHouse at Guadalupe Bluffs Ranch was wonderful. We enjoyed walking to the river, meeting all the animals and our dogs had the time of their lives. We’re already thinking about our next adventure.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Margot H.

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

Wonderful cabin with lots to do

Our family of 6 with young children had a great stay here with so much to do outside from swimming to fishing to seeing all the animals of the owners. Owners were so nice to work with. Home was so clean!! And our dog loved it too. Would highly recommend and would stay here again with our family who LOVED their vacation!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Celeste B.

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

Enjoyable Rental

We rented the property while we were picking our daughter up from camp. We were at the camp often, so we were not able to enjoy the river, but we did get to see the donkeys and longhorns. The patio is perfect, and we enjoyed mornings and evenings sitting there. Everything was very clean. The owners were extremely responsive and made sure we had all the information we needed.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Daryl H.

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

Great!

Great location. Enjoyed it
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Andrew W.

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

Gatehouse river

Checked all our boxes. Great hosts , River, Fishing, kids and dogs. Looking forward to coming back.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Steve T.

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

Bacation

It was very relaxing, great weather and loved the Guadalupe river time.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Molly D.

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

A lovely escape!

My husband, myself, and our two dogs loved our stay. The house is not big, but it was the perfect size for us. As for the environment, it was remote (not too remote—stores are about .5 hour away) and relaxing. If we weren't wading and swimming in the nearby Guadalupe River, we would enjoy time on the front porch listening to nature. The dogs loved their walks and were completely awed by seeing donkeys, longhorns and deer. FYI, you don't know this until you book, but dogs aren't allowed in the bedrooms. I packed a sleeping bag and slept on the small couch, since they're rescue "Velcro" dogs. We all had a great time and would def go back!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brenda L.

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

Escape from the world with your pups!

I have never posted a review! But, this place is so wonderful! We were a party of 4 and 3 pups! 2 are 70pds and 1 is 30! As soon as we pulled into the Gatehouse our pups got to meet a donkey! We didn't know his name so we named him Steve! Steve came every morning and evening to see us! I scratched his ears! Pups started exploring and we had no worries. If you're looking to get away from EVERYONE and have a vac without people around and no worries on leashing your dogs just to take out to potty then this is the place! My husband caught 4 bass.( released them) Fed the fish and turtles in the pond. Saw endless stars at night and listened to nature with no noise of the city! The land is beautiful. Sat on porch and watched the birds and lizards. Even saw a dung beetle! Going down to river was easy and very relaxing. They had a tent for us to us so we were able to stay all day. The dogs could be in water and sit or other spots to swim. My old girl loved being able to lay in the cool water! The cabin had everything we needed! And was VERY thankful that the AC worked GREAT! It cooled everyone including my 2 dogs with long hair (Aussie's). Sleeping at night was nice with it working proper! The beds were very comfortable! Mattresses were NOT sagging or worn from being old! Different types of pillows to choose from depending on how you like yours! Sheets and blankets were clean and smelled clean! It's a rustic look with all the essentials being updated! Bathroom perfect! Going back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Nikki D.

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

Fun Location

My family & I had a lot of fun at the river & the fishing hole, thank you!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Natalie P.

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

Beautiful and Relaxing

Beautiful and private cabin with lots of room to explore. This is our second time staying here and we can’t wait to visit again. There was plenty of room inside but we spent most of our time on the spacious front porch. We cannot say enough about how kind the owners are! Enjoyed our visit and would highly recommend to others!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Anissa and Jason L.

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

4 relaxing nights

Spent 4 nights at the gatehouse with my husband to celebrate his birthday. Enjoyed the property. Mike and Sandy are wonderful hosts.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amanda C.

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

Piece of heaven!

My husband and I along with our puppies had an amazing time at the Gatehouse! The property was gorgeous even in the winter and so incredibly peaceful! Mike and Sandy were wonderful hosts and we definitely will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Me J.

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

Great Place!!! River and Ranch Beautiful Pups Loved it

This place is wonderful. Hiked the area with our pups, swam in the river. Clean, well-outfitted. Our pups are going to want us to come back. They loved the freedom to run in the pecan orchard. Right now looking to see when we can come back. Thanks Sandy & Mike for making The GateHouse at Guadalupe Bluffs Ranch available to us.
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Bryan G.

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

Hunt Texas

Cute, cozy cabin, nice and quiet ranch. Lots of open space and plenty of outdoor activities to do around the area. Owners were polite and helpful, and we enjoyed getting away from the city for a few days.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Matthew M.

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

Quiet, peaceful retreat

This is a very comfortable, well appointed guest house in very peaceful surroundings. Even in the height of summer, due to the dry climate it cooled off enough such that it was great sitting on the porch in the mornings and evenings watching wildlife. The river is a short walk away. Did I mention it's quiet? I'd highly recommend for anyone just wanting to get away for a bit
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Annemarie S.

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

Beyond Expectations!

The property itself is absolutely amazing. Wildlife and nature surrounded us and it was very peaceful and quiet. Our pup had loads of fun in the water and with all of the new sights and smells. The cabin was cozy and had everything we could have needed and then some. Above all, the hosts here are better than any we have ever experienced. Kind, helpful, responsive and really went out of their way to make us feel comfortable, like we were family instead of guests. Amazing people, amazing place. We couldn't have asked for more and we look forward to when we can get the chance to come back as we would love for this to be the only place we stay from here on.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth D.

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

Camp pickup

We stayed here for camp pickup. It was a great spot to relax and we saw so many cool animals! We will probably stay here every year we pick up our daughter.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Kelly W.

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

The GateHouse

This was a return trip after our respite here in June. I wish our two pups could write this review because they have returned home rejuvenated. Everyday they retrieved tennis balls in the Guadalupe and were so content riding in the kayak and enjoying the beauty of the area. Returning to the cabin, they would have a well earned nap. When they come here they know they are going to receive doggy treats especially for them. They were fascinated with the donkeys, the cows and long horn. And although the river is our main reason for coming, the Gate House is so cozy and relaxing that it is fun to simply stay put and relax. We appreciate the well-equipped kitchen which makes meal prep a breeze. We all had restful sleep in comfy beds. Evenings were a nice time to sit out front in the rockers after our walk back to the river. Heartfelt thanks for opening your Gate House to us and for loving our doggy friends. We look forward to returning again soon.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Daryl H.

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

Family friendly

The Gate House was perfect for our family! We enjoyed the wildlife. The patio served for great ambiance for evening grilling and after river sitting (even in July!) The kids enjoyed fishing, and parents enjoyed free range exploration of the property. River access was easy to get to and we throughly enjoyed the swimming hole. Renters were responsive and polite during our stay. Overall, we had an excellent time!
Stayed 6 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris E., Houston, Texas

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

Lovely Cabin

The GateHouse was cool, comfortable, and cozy. It is a lovely little cabin is in the heart of the Texas Hill Country. We enjoyed waking up each morning to feed the donkeys and take a stroll to the river crossing.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

About the host

Hosted by Sandy Hightower

Host profile image
Our family has owned ranch land in the Texas Hill Country for over 40 years. We have loved The Guadalupe River for it clear flowing fun and abounding wildlife & fish.

We are grandparents. We treasure our time away in the country with our kids and grandchildren. We are hoping that you will have the same enjoyment as we have had. Note: You don't have to have grandkids to have fun at The Gatehouse.

We also are dog lovers and know how important it is to have our furry family members with us. We have created the opportunity for our guests to bring along their pup(s) with little restrictions at a reasonable price. Our canine guests can freely run, sniff, play in the water. Many of our guests come so they can get their pups out of the city to run and play.

Why they chose this property

We recently purchased the Historic Guadalupe Bluffs Ranch seeing the opportunity to offer The Gatehouse to the public.

This is a wildlife management location so we find this a wonderful opportunity to share this with our guests.

It is a very nice cabin overlooking a private lake. Beautifully made with native materials and finely updated. It is a short walk past a prolific pecan orchard to The Guadalupe River.

We strive to provide a very clean, safe location for our guests.

Just a beautiful, relaxing place!

What makes this property unique

We own vacation rentals on The Colorado River, east of Austin. We have enjoyed the opportunity to visit with our wonderful guests who consider our rentals their "home away from home".

Come see how The GateHouse will become your preferred getaway location!

Languages:

English, Spanish