You'll enjoy private Medina River frontage here, with a stunning view of the bluffs overlooking the Medina River. Fish, swim, and float to your heart's content!.
Break loose from the day-to-day grind with an amazing riverside holiday retreat in the picturesque Hill Country! Even though the River Retreat is a few miles from downtown Bandera, you'll find a peaceful country setting with private access to fun water activities on the Medina River. Bring along the kids, and even the family dog, to this charming, clean, and modern guest home. From relaxation to rowdy adventure, this great vacation rental fills the bill no matter what's on your holiday schedule!
The three-acre property features private Medina River access at the back of the lot (5 minute walk), with a stunning view of the bluffs overlooking the river. For those hankering for "in-town" time, the nightlife, food, and antiquing of Bandera is right down the road.
Relax in three outdoor gathering spaces: a second-story deck off the master bedroom; a lower-level deck with built-in benches, and a side patio furnished with rocking chairs. The upper deck is a prime location to take in the wide-open Texas skies, day or night. Nothing tastes better than BBQ in the fresh air, and there's a charcoal grill for just that. While away a quiet night and admire the starry skies above the fire pit out back. One of the kids' favorites here is the giant-sized checkerboard, a fun twist on a family favorite. The property also has an enclosed dog run (dogs only, please; no cats). Smoking is allowed, but in the fire pit area only.
The fully remodeled Retreat has a bright, cheerful atmosphere that exudes its own refreshing energy. All sleeping spaces are upstairs, with king, queen, bunk, and roll-away beds that sleep up to eight guests (upper bunks and roll-aways are specifically for kids) and Roku-enabled TVs in each room. There's a full bath with a shower/tub combo upstairs, and a half-bath with a washer and dryer on the main level. All the bed and bath linens you'll need are included. The open-concept living, dining, and kitchen areas are furnished with modern furniture and appliances, and tech pluses like smart TV and Wifi. The entire guest home is kept comfortable year round with central air and heat, and ceiling fans throughout.
*Water may be low. Contact us about water levels at time of booking*
The House: ========= Master bedroom featuring a King bed and an outside deck furnished with chairs and a table. Second bedroom equipped with a Queen bed. Third bedroom with full-sized bunk bed with two beds (upper bunk intended for children only). Upstairs bathroom featuring a shower/tub combo, supplemented by a half bath downstairs. Workspace included in the Master bedroom. Spacious living room with seating for three on the couch. Dining table with seating for four. Large bar area complemented by four barstools. Well-equipped kitchen inclusive of an oven/range top, refrigerator, microwave, dishwasher, Keurig coffee maker, and all essential pots, pans, cutlery, flatware, utensils, dishes, and glasses; central heat and air conditioning available.
Amenities: ======== Private access to the Medina River, situated behind the property. Three outdoor patios furnished with seating. Large flat screen TV with some free Roku channels available. Roku TVs installed in each bedroom. WIFI with internet access provided. Washer and dryer facilities available. Spacious outdoor porch adorned with string lights and ample seating. Firepit with six chairs for outdoor gatherings. Charcoal grill available for outdoor cooking. Full-sized outdoor checkers game and a selection of board games. Opportunities for wildlife viewing, birding, and hiking. Outdoor lights enhancing the ambiance.
Flexible Pricing for every group Our rates adapt to make sure smaller groups don't overpay ; but bigger getaways still get full value. - Base rate includes up to 4 guests - $25/person/night for each additional guest (up to 8 total) - Cleaning fee: $150 - Pet fee: $25/pet/night (3 max) - Release of liability required before check-in
Booking platforms will automatically calculate your total based on the number of guests/pets you include in your booking and your stay dates. Distance from this home:
================== The Frio River is 60 miles. Immediate access to Medina river. The Guadalupe River is 25 miles. The Lost Maples State Natural Area is 45 miles. The Garner State Park is 55 miles. The Hill Country State Natural Areais 15 miles.
Bandera: ======= Welcome to the Cowboy Capital of the World! With museums, rodeos, horseback riding, motorcycle rallies, and boot-scootin' live music venues, Bandera's got it all for fans of the Hill Country and the Wild West! Celebrate this uniquely American heritage, and take some time for a trip down the scenic Medina River.
Add dates for prices
Have a question?
AI iconBetaBeta
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties
Cliffside getaway. Three bed ,2 bath close to awesome Bandera with AC, WiFi.
Bandera
Cliffside getaway. Three bed ,2 bath close to awesome Bandera with AC, WiFi.
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
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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 outdoor lighting
About the area
Bandera
Located in Bandera, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Lakehills Center and Viking Center are worth checking out if shopping is on the agenda, while those wishing to experience the area's natural beauty can explore Bear Springs Blossom Nature Trail and Albert and Bessie Kronkosky State Natural Area. Bandera Natural History & Art Museum and Bandera Beach Club Tubes, Kayaks & Shuttle are also worth visiting. Power boating offers a great chance to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with mountain biking and hiking/biking trails nearby.
San Antonio International Airport (SAT) - 58 min drive
Restaurants
Bandera Ale Project - 16 min drive
Bob’s Burger Barn - 6 min drive
Pipe Creek Junction - 11 min drive
Chubby's Sports Bar - 11 min drive
Backyard Bistro - 11 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is The River Rock Retreat pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at The River Rock Retreat?
As of 7 May 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at The River Rock Retreat on 4 July 2026 start from AU$439, including taxes and fees. This price is based on the lowest nightly price found in the last 24 hours for stays in the next 30 days. Prices are subject to change. Choose your dates for more accurate prices.
How much is parking at The River Rock Retreat?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at The River Rock Retreat?
Check-in begins at 3:00 PM.
What time is check-out at The River Rock Retreat?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is The River Rock Retreat located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Medina River and within 6 mi (10 km) of Leibold Sports Complex and Bear Springs Blossom Nature Trail. Lakehills Center and Longhorn Ranch and Golf Club are also within 9 miles (15 km).
Reviews
9.8
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Enjoyed this location with family for last minute sitting break trip. The kids got their Amusement fun, and the wife and I got a bit of R&R. Perfect blend for a much needed get away.
Enjoyed my stay with kids and grandkids. Loved the private access to the river and had a great time doing some light tubing. The house was very comfortable and had everything we needed.
We had trouble with the AC on the first day and Spencer was quick to get it fixed! The river was a tad bit further from the house than we expected. Overall stay was great. House and amenities were in order.
The property was fantastic. We loved the rocking chairs on the side of the house and the back patio area was also one of our favorites. We enjoyed our stay! The street the house is on makes a horse shoe, and it was a beautiful walk that gave some amazing views in certain areas. We would definitely stay there again and will recommend it to friends/family.
The house was very conveniently located to our land we will be building. All was good as far as appliances, kitchen tools, very comfortable beds, great porch, access to stream, all fenched in for dog safety. Unfortunately propane grill was rusted out so we used charcoal grill. Overall we enjoyed.
Our family had a great time at the River Rock Retreat. The home was clean, comfy, and perfect size for the 4 of us and our dog. We enjoyed the location; short walk to the water and close to pop into town. We saw deer on property and 2 foxes run from across the street down the neighbors driveway. The house was well stocked with everything, had comfortable beds, and was fully fenced so our dog could roam (although she’s not terribly adventurous and didn’t go far from our side). We’ve already recommended this property to a friend and will certainly consider repeat stays when coming to the area again.
Jennifer J.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Oct 2024
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re thrilled you and your family had such a great time at River Rock Retreat. It sounds like you made some amazing memories! We appreciate your recommendation and look forward to welcoming you back!
We greatly enjoyed our stay at the River Rock Retreat in Bandera, TX. This was our first time traveling with our dog and we were pleased to have a fully fenced yard with plenty of room to run. The river was easy to access and the kids loved exploring and catching minnows. The home was plenty big and comfortable for our family of 5. It was simple to check in and check out. Everything was just as described in the description. Bandera and neighboring towns were fun to explore. We enjoyed eating at OST and bring your own steak night at the 11th Street Cowboy Bar. Thanks for the hospitality!
Stephanie C.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Apr 2025
Thank you for the wonderful review! We’re so happy you and your dog enjoyed the River Rock Retreat. It sounds like a perfect family getaway, and we’re glad you had fun exploring Bandera and the surrounding area. Hope to host you again soon!
Our stay at the house was great. We loved the spacious kitchen. The bedrooms were great and the beds were very comfortable. The view from the balcony of the master bedroom was nice in the mornings. We were able to build a fire and make s’mores with our grandsons and they enjoyed playing the games they had for them. I would definitely stay they again.