Property grounds
Check availability

Reviews of Shadow Dance Ranch-New Year, New Adventure. Your Mom Called & Said Take a Hike!

Shadow Dance Ranch-New Year, New Adventure. Your Mom Called & Said Take a Hike!
Tarpley, TX

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 34 out of 36 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 36 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 36 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 36 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 36 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Jason W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Hill Country Getaway
What a great getaway to the Hill Country! We really enjoyed our stay, especially the lakes and hiking around the ranch. Wildlife - we saw an armadillo, a few deer, and several bird species. The ranch house was clean and comfortable. The porch and grill/firepit were nice as well as the separate, screened gameroom. It's a long way from home, but hopefully we can visit again!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Apr 2024
Thanks for the 5-star review Jason. There's so much to see and do at Shadow Dance Ranch but coming during spring migration really allows you to experience the best of the best! So glad you enjoyed your time at the guest house.

10/10 Excellent

Lanette J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fantastic Property
This was our second time visiting and we absolutely loved our stay!! The owner stopped by to welcome us when we got there and to make sure everything looked good in the house. They have made some improvements which were very nice and the scenery was just as beautiful as we remembered. We did not leave the ranch for our 4 day stay and enjoyed hiking, bird-watching, fishing, wildlife viewing (saw a beautiful blackbuck) and just being on a working cattle ranch. We definitely plan to return! This is a 5-star property!!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Brenda M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Stay at Shadow Dance Ranch!
Relaxing visit on the ranch! Truly enjoyed the scenery and great atmosphere, especially evenings on the patio. Thank you for offering such a special place!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 15 Jan 2024
Thank you for the 5 star review Brenda. We are beyond pleased to know that you enjoyed your stay with us. You were a great guest and we'd welcome you back anytime!

10/10 Excellent

Virginia B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Fall in the Texas Hill Country - GORGEOUS!
This is my third trip to Shadowdance ranch, but this time I came during the fall and brought my sister and cousin for a 3-day getaway. I usually come with my husband for 4th of July. It's SPECTACULAR in the fall! Gorgeous colors and cooler temperatures, a fire in the huge fireplace inside and another in the fire pit outside at night...HEAVEN! We went to Lost Maples for a day trip, but because of the drought, the maples were not particularly showy this year. We enjoyed the park, but were more than happy to return to the ranch where we spent the entire day by the little lake, enjoying the beauty, peace, and solitude. At night, we took our chairs into the back yard and gazed at the incredible stars. There was a meteor shower, so we saw tons of shooting stars...what a treat!!! But even without them, the sky was just fantastic. Shadowdance Ranch is truly the best place I've ever stayed, and I'll be back...soon and often!
Stayed 2 nights in Nov 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Nov 2023
Thank you for the great review. We always look forward to hosting you and we're happy that you enjoy it as much as we enjoy having you. Until next time....

10/10 Excellent

Charles S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great time in Tarpley
We enjoyed our stay and the home was very comfortable and the host was very responsive and nice to work with. The ranch is very nice and we enjoyed the wide open space and night sky and saw plenty of meteors. Thanks and we hope to be back at some time in the future.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Sept 2023
Thank you for the 5 star review and letting others know about your stay and the things that you enjoyed most. Please keep us in mind next time you are planning a getaway!

8/10 Good

Ashley H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Unplugged family vacation success!
We thoroughly enjoyed our stay at this ranch. We loved seeing the cows, horses, deer, birds and fish. We hiked down the creek, hiked a bit around the property close to the guest house, fished at both lakes and went out on all of the little boats. The kids enjoyed the ping pong table and the hammock. Overall I would recommend this place to a family that’s wanting to spend your days in the peace and quiet of the country. The mornings were beautiful, 75-80. It hit 100+ each evening we were there and the ac struggled a bit but then cooled down by 10 or so. I messaged owner and they offered a window unit but we declined because it was still comfortable in the house. One other thing I noticed was there was small ants in the living room when we got there, not a huge trail or anything but enough to notice. But it is out in the country so it didn’t really bother me. One thing I would suggest to the owner would be to put a small pier or floating dock on the lake closer to the house to walk out to fish from. Thank you for sharing this property with our family, it is so beautiful!!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jul 2023
Thank you for your review. I am happy to know that your vacation at Shadow Dance Ranch Guest House was a success.

10/10 Excellent

Maria R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend getaway
This is our second stay, and it did not disappoint! If you are looking to disconnect from your weekday routine, and enjoy some peace and quiet, this is your place to stay! We enjoyed the paddle boats, ping pong, and just coming home to relax after a day of floating on the Frio! Will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Jul 2023
Thank you for the 5 star review and letting others know what you enjoyed about Shadow Dance Ranch. We would certainly welcome you back for a third stay!

10/10 Excellent

Virginia B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Shadowdance Ranch - home in the Hill Country
I discovered Shadow Dance on VRBO last year, and now this is my 2nd Fourth of July there. This will become a family tradition. I feel so fortunate to be able to share my family's old ranch, built by F.L. Hicks in the 1850s, with my children. My family has sold off all our sections, so what a blessing it was to find out I could still visit the ranch and pass on the family history! This year, our aunt who still lives in Utopia turned 100 years old! She got to come out and see the place, possibly for the last time, and it meant so much to her! Besides the deep family roots, this place is a DREAM! My husband and daughter & her boyfriend caught HUGE bass in the ponds. We fished all day, and everything was so beautiful and tranquil, the time flew by. I feel 100% relaxed and rejuvenated. From our porch at the house, we watched cows, rabbits, hawks, hummingbirds, and all kinds of wildlife. This morning we woke to a visit from four friendly horses who let us pet them forever. At night, we watched the stars...not as brilliant as last year, but we got to enjoy a huge full moon. We went to Utopia for the 4th of July firework display. I can't understand how a small town can put on such an amazing, spectacular display! It's worth going there to celebrate the 4th every year! AND the house is just beautiful! Large windows overlooking the hills. Beautiful furniture and rockwork, and every kind of amenity imaginable. This really is the best equipped place I've ever stayed in!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Jul 2023
We are always happy to host you, Virginia. Thank you for the great review. We are beyond pleased to know you enjoyed your stay and appreciate sharing what you liked most with future guests. See you next year!

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Amazing
Shadow Dance Ranch was exactly what we needed for a relaxing stay accommodating six people mostly adults. The ranch was beautiful with two lakes including a paddle and Jon boat at each location, large rock formations, cattle and other wildlife, and wide open spaces to explore. The house was clean and fit for fun including indoor and outdoor games. We are looking forward to coming back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jul 2023
Thank you for your 5 star review! We appreciate you taking time to let others know about your stay at Shadow Dance Ranch Guest House. We look forward to having you stay with us again.

10/10 Excellent

Harvey H., Houston, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness
Very Private, with Access to Many Hill Country Attractions
The beauty of this ranch is not only the rugged hill country setting, but how private it is. We could relax, read, talk, and hike, all by ourselves. Children who are accustomed to living in a city would be amazed at how wide open you feel here. We took advantage of dining at an amazing restaurant in little Tarpley (New Zealand lamb chops??!!), and drove to Bandera for live entertainment at night. We drove by the peaceful, quiet Medina River, then headed west to Lost Maples State Natural Area, then down to Utopia for dinner, and back to the ranch that evening. If we're in the area, we will definitely stay here again. My only suggestion . . . ditch the Rival drip coffee maker and buy a new one that works better! But otherwise, no complaints!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 16 Jun 2023
Thank you for the very informative review about your stay. We appreciate you taking time to let us, and others, know what you enjoyed. We will retire the Rival coffee maker. There is also a Keurig, but we're updating the drip coffee maker right away :)

10/10 Excellent

Lanette J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful Hill Country Property
Absolutely FANTASTIC property!!! My family and I loved our stay. We hiked and fished the whole time, enjoyed the horses and cows that roam the property along with the many deer and exotics and only went into town once for a great lunch at Mac and Ernie's. The house is great and comfy with a nice porch and fire pit that we enjoyed in the evening. Everything you need is there including a canoe, paddleboats and a jon boat to explore the gorgeous crystal clear lakes that are loaded with bass and bluegill. Our teenage sons loved going out on the water to fish and explore. It was especially beautiful in the evenings catching bass while watching a perfect Hill Country sunset. We definitely hope to return to this gorgeous property!!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 8 Jun 2023
What a fantastic review! Thank you for taking the time to share your experience with us, and future guests. We are beyond thrilled to know you enjoyed your stay, and we enjoyed hosting you.

10/10 Excellent

Misty L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great getaway!
We loved the property and the house! The house was very clean and spacious. The location is perfect for visiting Utopia, Lost Maples State park, and Bandera, Hill Country state park. We really enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2023
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Apr 2023
Thank you for the great review and taking time to let others know about your stay. We're happy to know that you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Patricia m.

Liked: Cleanliness
Very accommodating
Our stay was unfortunately cut short due to a plumbing situation beyond control of the property owner. The host was very involved and provided us another lodging alternative when it was realized that the problem would not be fixed during our stay. For the overnight that we were there we absolutely loved the house and surrounding property. We played games at the card table (as well as pingpong & corn hole), enjoyed looking at the stars while sitting around the fire pit, slept great and the next day we hiked to the edge of the property up the hill. Everything was as beautiful and peaceful as expected based on the listing. The furniture, abundance of windows and decor were comfortable and provided a great setting for our family gathering. We hope to return someday to explore more of the property and enjoy all the place has to offer.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Mar 2023
Thank you for the 5-star review and the great information to share with others! You and your family were such great guests, so patient and understanding during a very frustrating time. We look forward to having you return to Shadow Dance Ranch so that you can have the full experience!

10/10 Excellent

Jeffrey M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Get Away from City Lights
A comfortable ranch house with cattle, exotics, and wildlife at your front gate. Easily housed five adults, although the bunk beds might challenge some. Perfect for those seeking big, dark sky nights and rugged, beautiful Hill Country views.
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Dec 2022
Thank you, Jeffrey for taking time to leave such a wonderful review. We appreciate your comments and your patronage. Please keep us in mind for a future stay.

10/10 Excellent

Frank G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Ranch House Stay
Great experience, very quite and well taken care of. Enjoyed the nights with my family just sitting outside and enjoying the vey clear view of the stars. Our host was very responsive when I had a question. Great place to stay and view the wildlife, and enjoy bird watching in the mornings while drinking your coffee outdoors. Me and my family will sure return to this spot with plenty to go out and see nearby. We just missed the chance to go on the local ponds on the paddle boats or canoe's but maybe next time.
Stayed 5 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Dec 2022
What a great review Frank! Thank you for taking time to let others know about your time at Shadow Dance Ranch Guest House. Please keep us in mind next time you are planning a getaway.

10/10 Excellent

Melanie G.

Liked: Cleanliness
Really nice home
My family and I stayed here for a couple of days and we really enjoyed our stay. The home was very nice and clean and the rooms are just the right size. If your looking for a place to get away from everyday life and just relax this is the place. The home sits about a mile off the road so you don't hear the traffic going by and has lots and lots of land to roam around and just take in all the beautiful scenery from the mountains to the deer and of course the humming birds. Sitting outside in the nice porch area at night was one of our favorite things to do and watching the moonrise was awesome. The only negative thing I can say about the home is that in the master bedroom the bathroom door didn't close all the way and the bedroom door was hard to close as well other than that this home was fantastic.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Jul 2022
Thank you for the 5 star review Melanie. We are pleased that you enjoyed your stay. We also appreciate you bringing the door situation to our attention and will pass along the information to maintenance :)

10/10 Excellent

Virginia B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful ranch in the Texas hill country
I was so thrilled to see Shadow Dance Ranch listed in VRBO. This was my family's original ranch, settled by my great-great-grandfather F.L. Hicks in the early 1800s. It belonged to my family until the last generation, when my grandmother and her brothers sold their parts to the current owner, who I've remained in touch with. I grew up going to the part right next to the main ranch, on the Hondo Creek, and never dreamed I'd ever get to spend more than a day there. So to get to stay on the property for 4th of July this year was like coming home! And my 99-year-old aunt who still lives near there got to come and visit. She was so happy...I know she never thought she'd get to see the place again! The ranch is so incredibly beautiful! We had fun driving around, exploring every road we could drive on. Then we hiked to places we couldn't drive, and loved seeing the cows, deer, rabbits, and all kinds of birds. Best of all was fishing in the two ponds. My daughter and her boyfriend went out on the canoe and paddleboat, while my husband and I fished from the shore. Everyone was catching BIG fish all day. It's catch & release, so no fish fry, but it was still a BLAST! My husband caught an 8 lb. bass! We had no idea there were going to be fish like that there! It was truly the highlight of the trip! At the house, we loved playing dominos, grilling fajitas one day and hamburgers & hot dogs for 4th of July out on the patio. We ate and then pulled chairs into the yard each night to stargaze. The night sky was just incredible! The house was perfectly comfortable and accommodating. It was equipped with everything! I brought tequila and limeade, but forgot my blender. I didn't know what I'd do without margaritas, but there was a very good blender in the cabinet! Great cookware and appliances, plenty of good soaps and shampoos, a person could move right in and not miss a thing! I didn't want to leave and come back to real life, it was such a refreshing and rejuvenating getaway! But we will definitely come back soon!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Jul 2022
Best review ever! Thank you, Virginia, for the kind words and letting others see Shadow Dance Guest House through your eyes. It was a pleasure hosting you and we wish you all the best.

8/10 Good

Lily O.

Liked: Cleanliness
Country living
This place was very clean and there weren’t a lot of knick knacks everywhere - IDEAL! We were there during a 103° weekend and it was HOT so the AC was definitely struggling. It was a bit hard to stay cool, but it’s country living so that’s part and parcel. Property is gorgeous and there is a fun screened in patio area, separate from the house, that would be perfect for hanging and playing ping pong in slightly cooler temps. We selected the property to be close to Lost Maples and Garner State park. Each are about 30 minutes away so it’s a good medium. Only feedback would be to perhaps wash the quilts- they seemed a bit dusty. Thanks for having us!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 29 Jun 2022
Thank you for taking time to leave a review. We appreciate your comments and feedback. So glad that you enjoyed your stay.

10/10 Excellent

Maria R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great location
Perfect weekend getaway for our family! The guest house was clean and tidy. The boys had fun on the paddle boats and later enjoyed playing ping pong in the back shed. We were able to bbq and then ended the evening with some star gazing and storytelling. The host was quick to reply to questions— highly recommend if you’re looking to escape, relax and unplug. Will definitely be coming back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 28 Jun 2022
Thank you for the great review, Maria! So very pleased that you and your family enjoyed your time at Shadow Dance Ranch Guest House. Please keep us in mind next time you are planning a getaway :)

10/10 Excellent

Senisa S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Good place to stay
Very nice affordable private cabin. Very clean
Stayed 2 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Patrick K.

Liked: Cleanliness
The new "Best Place".
We've been vacationing in Tarpley for 15 years at YRR and never even knew SDR was an option. With YRR selling off we were so fortunate to find this secluded. relaxing treasure. We put 3 hummingbird feeders up and had visitors in less than 3 minutes....feeders were left for future guests. Friends visited for three nights and simply loved the views, birds, solitude and stars.. We were lucky to catch the lunar eclipse while here. The wild hogs showed nightly under the full moon and the babies easily got in the yard and gave a show. They did no damage. The cows came to the windows occasionally and let us I know they were still the primary residents. On our walks 2 of the horses came to us for neck rubs. The back property is vast and beautiful. The lakes were low but we can imagine how awesome the place must be when not drought stricken. Antelope and whitetail came to area near house often. Just a great new 'best place'!
Stayed 7 nights in May 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 24 May 2022
Thank you, Patrick, for the great review! We appreciate you taking time to let others know about your experience at Shadow Dance Ranch guest. You were a model guest and we'd welcome you back anytime. Oh, and thank you for the hummingbird feeders :)

10/10 Excellent

Kyle R.

Liked: Cleanliness
Thunder in the hill country
Nice and peaceful place to stay, was a little far from the motorcycle rally in Bandera than we would have liked , but a great place!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hongfei W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great stay
The ranch is so secluded and enticing. We enjoyed our stay. The only downside is that we had trouble with the keys to the door. It would be better if the owner can change the lock so it would be easier to open the door.
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2022

10/10 Excellent

James F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful property and land
We had a great time fishing, exploring the ranch, and spotting the local wildlife. Also, if you are in the area, we highly recommend the nearby diner Mac and Ernie's (checking opening day/hours before you stop by).
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 22 May 2022
Thank you, James for your 5 star review. We are beyond please to know you had a great time. So glad you recommended Mac and Ernie's. It's one of our most favorite places to eat as well :)

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Great Staycation
Our family really enjoyed a short staycation at the ranch. The guest house is spacious, clean, and really beautiful. It's well complemented by the rolling hills surrounding the property. The outdoor area is awesome! We enjoyed chilling on the hammock, playing games, masking smores, and star gazing. Canoeing at the lake was a special highlight of our trip. Teens can be difficult to please, we had three of them and they loved it! Thanks Jeralyn for sharing your home.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 31 Dec 2021
Thank you for the great review and taking time to let others know what you liked about Shadow Dance Ranch. Please keep us in mind next time you are planning a get away :)

10/10 Excellent

David C.

Liked: Cleanliness
Little Texas Getaway
Wanted a "get away", this was it. Had such a great time enjoying all the house had to offer, peace and tranquility and killer sunsets. We will return another day when we need to reset.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Natalie A.

Liked: Cleanliness
Weekend getaway
We enjoyed the cabin! My kids loved it! Very nice scenery.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 21 Aug 2021
Thank you for your 5 star review Natalie! We appreciate you taking time to leave your comments and are so pleased that you and your family enjoyed your stay :)

10/10 Excellent

Trey H.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great experience
Very peaceful and enjoyable destination to relax with family. Great hiking, canoeing, and guest house was very nice. Mr. Shane Stacy was very nice and helpful. Plenty of birds and wildlife to enjoy. We wish we would have booked an extra day. Highly recommended!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 7 Aug 2021
Thank you Trey for taking time to write a review about the Shadow Dance Ranch guest house. We are beyond pleased to know that you enjoyed your time and appreciate your 5 star rating and your recommendation. Please keep us in mind next time you are looking for a get away :)

10/10 Excellent

Elizabeth F.

Liked: Cleanliness
Loved the ranch
The house is super cute. We loved hanging out on the porch watching the sunsets and The kids had a great time exploring the property and watching the animals. We were sad to leave!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Apr 2021
Thank you for your 5 star review Elizabeth! We are beyond pleased that you enjoyed your time at Shadow Dance. Please keep us in mind next time you are looking to get away :)

10/10 Excellent

Senisa S.

Liked: Cleanliness
Definitely recommend
The guest house was very clean and had everything we needed. Really nice house in a private setting!
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2021
Response from VrboOwner on 4 Mar 2021
Thank you Senisa for choosing to stay at Shadow Dance Ranch Guest House and taking the time to write a review. We are glad that you enjoyed your time here and hope that you will keep us in mind next time you are looking for a getaway :)

10/10 Excellent

Wendy S W.

Liked: Cleanliness
Peaceful
The home was perfect for us. It was especially beautiful watching all the Black Buck. The water in the 2 creeks was clear, too bad it was winter. Great swimming holes. Thank You!
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Feb 2021
Thank you Wendy for writing such a great review. We hope you'll come back when you can stay longer :)

10/10 Excellent

karen h.

Liked: Cleanliness
Summer 2020 Getaway
We relaxed and enjoyed the ranch house and pretty scenery. We really enjoyed the cattle on the ranch!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Jason K.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great country retreat
What a great property. Animals everywhere. Cows, deer, blackbuck, horses, rabbits, and a wide variety of beautiful birds. Two lakes, a waterfall, and several tall hills to climb to get a great view of the valley. So peaceful and the owners are super responsive. We had a great time.
Stayed 30 nights in May 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 9 Jul 2020
We are overjoyed that you and your family had a great time at Shadow Dance Ranch! Thank you for taking time to write such a wonderful review :)

10/10 Excellent

Kim M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Beautiful, remote getaway
We really enjoyed all of the beautiful birds and wildlife on this lovely property. Lost Maples SP was only about 35 minutes away. Great for hiking! Clean and comfortable.
Stayed 4 nights in May 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 25 May 2020
Thank you for your review Kim. We appreciate you taking the time to let us and others know about your stay. We're so glad that you enjoyed what we love most about the property.

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness
Home on the range
Beautiful scenery, abundant water and fascinating animals (javelina) and birds (caracara)
Stayed 21 nights in Apr 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 13 May 2020
Thank you for choosing to stay at Shadow Dance Ranch and for the 5 star review. We appreciate you taking time to share your experience with others.

10/10 Excellent

Brandon D.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great week off the grid!
We absolutely loved staying at Shadow Dance Ranch. It’s definitely off the grid, if that’s what you’re looking for. Plan to cook all of your meals at home and then enjoy all the exploration the ranch has to offer! Our kids loved climbing all the rocks, fishing, and discovering hidden waterfalls. Cows, deer, and other wildlife are everywhere. It was exactly what we were looking for during this uncertain period of social distancing.