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Bandera Cowboy Capital Dude Ranch Weekend — Bandera, TX — Bandera, TX
THE ATLAS · The Legend

Bandera Cowboy Capital Dude Ranch Weekend — Bandera, TX

Destination: Bandera, TXNights: 3Group: 4–20Season: March, April, May, October, NovemberEstimated: $1,800–$3,200/person

Self-styled 'Cowboy Capital of the World' — three working dude ranches and the longest-running honky-tonk in Texas all within five miles. Mayan Dude Ranch is the all-inclusive play (348 acres, three meals, all activities, riding lessons, hayrides, evening cookouts). Dixie Dude Ranch (working stock since 1901) is the genuine ranch experience. Off-property: Arkey Blue's Silver Dollar — sawdust on the floor since 1968, two-step every night, John Wayne drank there. Dinner at OST Restaurant (since 1921) for chicken-fried steak. Eleven-Eleven Smokehouse for the Texas brisket. San Antonio (SAT) is the gateway, 50 minutes east.

What You'll Do

Horseback Riding

Shooting Range

Cocktail Class

Fishing

Where You Sleep

  • · Mayan Dude Ranch (348 acres, all-inclusive)
  • · Dixie Dude Ranch (working stock since 1901)
  • · Rancho Cortez (mid-tier dude ranch)

Where You Eat

  • · OST Restaurant (since 1921, chicken-fried steak)
  • · Eleven-Eleven Smokehouse (Texas BBQ)
  • · Mayan Dude Ranch chuckwagon dinners

Questions

All-inclusive vs à la carte?
Mayan is all-inclusive — three meals, all activities, lodging, riding included. Dixie is more à la carte. Per-person all-in $200-400/night at Mayan for full ranch package.
Honky-tonk schedule at Arkey Blue's?
Live country Wed-Sat (typically 9 p.m.-1 a.m.). $5-10 cover. Beer-only bar (no liquor). Cash preferred. The two-step lesson is included if you ask.
Best month?
March-April or October-November. May-September is 95-105°F. The river is swimmable May-October but afternoon rides are brutal in July/August heat.

Ready to book the story?

Five quick questions, then we build the full itinerary — lodging, daily schedule, dining, bars, the group-chat message — and drop you into a Trip Room you can share with the crew.