Red Sands Ranch River Resort - Private Pool, Tennis, Gym, 4-Story Water Slide!
NOTE: Vrbo quote is based on dates and guest count and includes choice of any 3 cabins. Extra cabins available for $95/nt or $295 for all 4 (7 total). Any extras (guests, cabins. golf carts, etc) invoiced a few weeks prior to arrival. ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Imagine flying (or driving) into your own private ranch resort with charming native-stone cabins, poolside cabana, 140' 4-story waterslide, lighted tennis/pickleball court, 2900' airstrip, fitness center, full-court basketball, game room, horseshoes, hot tub, river rapids, fishing, abundant wildlife, miles of trails, and plenty of other activities for all ages. Red Sands Ranch is located on the crystal clear Llano River between the towns of Mason and Fredericksburg and is the perfect spot for family or friends reunions, corporate gatherings, or even Tennis/Pickleball retreats. There are four self-contained rock cabins plus two separate bunk-type units, a vintage '68 Airstream, a Party Shed with TV/Video games, billiards and ping-pong, all surrounding a massive 53ft pool with spa and grotto. The main gathering area is an open-air Cabana with full stainless kitchen, WIFI, and 65in TV. The nearly 1/2 mile of fast-flowing, rock-bottom Llano River runs from the deep pools and spectacular 200ft red sandstone cliffs (featured on the cover of Texas Monthly Magazine) at the west end of the ranch, to more deep water and limestone bluffs to the east. A meandering path leads down to the perfect spot in the river to set a few lounge chairs and relax under an umbrella while the kids shoot the rapids in a tube or kayak. For fisherman or paddlers, there is an amazing 2-3 hour trip that terminates at the Ranch which is the highlight of one of the top ten paddling trips in the state of Texas. The ranch foreman lives on the property about a mile away and is usually available to assist with whatever arises. For horse owners, there is a corral, tack room, covered stall, and miles of trails. And of course there are plenty of lounge chairs around the pool with separate hot tub and a secret 'mine shaft' with a little surprise inside the kids will enjoy. Red Sands Ranch is a special place you'll want to come back to year after year.
Accommodations: Total of seven (7) separate units -- YOUR CHOICE OF ANY THREE ARE INCLUDED IN THE BASE PRICE. All are air-conditioned with additional space heating, and hot water (plus spa heat) provided by one of the largest private solar heating installations in the Hill Country.
- There's a Bunkhouse with 4 twin beds, a Loft room with 4 full beds, a vintage Airstream with queen bed and 2 twins, plus four (4) self-contained rustic cabins that sleep from 6 to 8 (plus additional cots and sleeping pads for kids), each with a wood fireplace*, full bath, covered porch, bedroom or sleeping loft, WIFI, streaming TV, and kitchenette (sink, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster oven and one-burner cooktop). *Sunday House sleeps two (adults only, no pets) in a king bed and does not have fireplace.
INCLUDED IN THE BASE PRICE (your choice of any 3 units):
(1) The Fish Camp - a native sandstone cabin with local river-rock fireplace. The covered back porch includes a hammock and overlooks the river and huge pecan trees below. There is a full size pull-out futon downstairs and two full size beds in a sleeping loft -- accessible via ladder, plus an extra rollaway bed downstairs. The bath features an antique clawfoot tub and an outdoor hot shower.
(2) Lorenz House - the largest of the 6 cabins, named after the pioneer family that settled this section of the ranch in the mid-1800's. There is a queen futon sofa down and stairs lead to an upper loft with a queen bed and a trundle with two twin beds. This cabin is also built with local materials and sandstone walls inside and out from the century old rock fences found throughout the ranch, and includes a covered porch swing with views of the bluffs and mountains across the river.
(3) The Bunkhouse - 4 twin beds and a sink/vanity with beautiful views from a balcony cantilevered out over the pool. Note that access to the detached pool/resort bathroom is via lighted gravel pathway so this unit is best for older kids.
(4) Riverside Cottage - This Fredericksburg limestone cabin is the most private and has the best views of the river from inside the cabin or on the covered back deck from the hammock, rocking chairs, or cedar porch swing. There is a large masonry fireplace and the unit sleeps 6-8 with a queen bed and futon sofa down and a full bed in the upstairs bedroom, along with two twin beds.
(5) Sunday House (adults only, no pets) - an updated historic representation of the quaint Fredericksburg homes built by the German pioneer ranchers for weekend stays when they came to town for church and supplies. This luxury unit features a reclining Tempur-Pedic king bed with full ADA compliant (wheelchair accessible) bathroom and covered porch with swing and easy wheelchair access to parking and the pool/Cabana.
(6) Sunday Loft - this bunk-style unit is located on the upper level of the Sunday House (with a separate entrance) and sleeps up to eight with four double beds and a half-bath.
(7) The 'Sixty-Eight' - Beautifully renovated (retro-modern) vintage airstream with a queen and two twin beds plus a coffee bar and full bath.
Additional units are $95 per night or all four extras may be rented for $295/nt): The cabins are situated around a poolside cabana and a beautifully landscaped grilling area which includes a large charcoal grill, picnic table, smoker, firepit, and covered 'cantina' with four lounge chairs.
Common Area:
- Striking 53' free-form pool and poolside open-air cabana with full kitchen. There is an over-sized gas grill, large toaster oven plus built-in mid-size oven, dishwasher, two refrigerator/freezers, built-in microwave, two sinks, soapstone countertops with mahogany cabinetry, WIFI, 65in LCD television with Roku streaming, AirPlay or direct HDMI from guest devices or the provided BluRayDVD. Music available with Pandora/BlueTooth/iPod/Aux inputs and speakers located throughout the pool complex. In the wintertime or during inclement weather, the unique steel and glass doors can be lowered to fully enclose the room.
- 'The Shack' Party Shed. A favorite hangout area for the kids, features a flatscreen TV with billiards with a competition-grade, removable top for table tennis, and lots of eclectic neon lighting and decor.
- Fitness Center with commercial elliptical machine and recumbent bicycle, universal weight machine, dumbbells, sit-up bench, and pull-up/dip bars, and WiFi TV with workout towels provided.
- The fully lighted tennis/pickleball court includes a practice wall and full-court basketball.
EXTRAS:
- Pair of off-road golf carts $375 per stay - Recreation Pkg (4 kayaks, 3-4 mtn bikes, 4-5 tubes) $375 - Both of the above for $695 - NEW: 'The Whole Enchilada' ($1595) includes all of the above toys plus a 3rd golf cart (4-seater), a pair of Standup Paddleboards (SUPs), pair of fat-tire eBikes, and a bag full of RS logo gear: T-shirt/lantern/tumblers/backpack/stickers, and more. Also included is an 8' trailer (for use with your vehicle with 1 3/8" hitch ball or 2" receiver) for ‘hayrides’ and hauling gear/umbrellas/coolers to the river or shuttling tubes for the rapids.
Property:
- Rolling hill country terrain with large stands of Live Oaks hundreds of years old and mountain views in all directions. At the ranch entrance you'll notice the Simons House, built in 1860 by Conrad Simons and currently occupied by the ranch caretakers, Danny and Becky. It's a classic German story-and-a-half structure with 2ft thick sandstone walls and hand-hewn oak beams and is beautifully restored to much of its original character and charm. In addition to horses and Angus cattle, wildlife is abundant and includes whitetail and axis deer, antelope, turkey, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, quail, dove, roadrunners, ducks/geese, eagles and more. The breath-taking stretch of river on the ranch includes everything from fast-moving rapids over a solid rock bottom for most of the length (where hard-fighting Guadalupe Bass are common) to slow, deep water at either end (where catfish as large as 35 lbs have been caught). Note: river activities may be affected by drought conditions.
Disclaimer: Red Sands is a working Texas cattle ranch with inherent risks and hazards including, but not limited to, rough terrain, heavy equipment, deep and/or fast-moving water, wild animals, livestock, etc. and may not be ideal for vegetarians or poorly supervised children.
Note: Privately owned family-oriented resort. No Youth groups, grad, Rave, or keg parties. Minimum age of 30 required to register your group. Absolutely NO diving or doubles/headfirst sliding allowed. Slide security camera may be active.
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Day guests are $50/each
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Pets
Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
$95 Pet fFee per pet. No dogs in pool!
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Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Check-out instructions
The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load the dishwasher
Strip any used beds and gather used towels
Remove personal items and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights
Do not strip beds, leave unmade and place towels in the tubs/showers -- not on the floors please. Secure and close all UMBRELLAS. Place all trash in the large black bins. Do not leave bags outside!
Wash all pots/pans and load dishwasher. Return all cups/plates/silverware/bedding etc to the respective cabin if moved. Please restore all furniture and chairs to their original location.
Please pickup all racquets, toys, litter, tennis balls etc. You may want to pickup any remaining bottle caps, candy wrappers, cigarette butts, etc. which is much less expensive than paying for staff.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
No Rave or Keg type parties. Minimum age 30 to book.
No dogs in the pool.
No unregistered (day) guests -- contact owner.
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: 45
Note from host: Day guests are $50/each
This property uses solar energy
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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Mason
Located in Mason, this villa is on the waterfront. Mason County Museum and Seaquist House are cultural highlights, and some of the area's attractions include Walking Labyrinth and Todd Mountain. Snorkelling and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking/biking trails and mountain biking nearby.
M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library - 22 min drive - 17.3 km
St. Joseph Catholic Church - 22 min drive - 18.4 km
Seaquist House - 22 min drive - 18.0 km
Robinson City Park - 55 min drive - 89.7 km
Llano River Golf Club - 56 min drive - 90.9 km
Frequently asked questions
Does Red Sands Ranch River Resort - Private Pool, Tennis, Gym, 4-Story Water Slide! have a pool?
Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.
How much does it cost to stay at Red Sands Ranch River Resort - Private Pool, Tennis, Gym, 4-Story Water Slide!?
As of 8 Apr 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Red Sands Ranch River Resort - Private Pool, Tennis, Gym, 4-Story Water Slide! on 12 Apr 2026 start from AU$2,957, 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.
Is Red Sands Ranch River Resort - Private Pool, Tennis, Gym, 4-Story Water Slide! pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.
How much is parking at Red Sands Ranch River Resort - Private Pool, Tennis, Gym, 4-Story Water Slide!?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Red Sands Ranch River Resort - Private Pool, Tennis, Gym, 4-Story Water Slide!?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Red Sands Ranch River Resort - Private Pool, Tennis, Gym, 4-Story Water Slide!?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Red Sands Ranch River Resort - Private Pool, Tennis, Gym, 4-Story Water Slide! located?
This family-friendly Mason villa is located on the waterfront, 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from Llano River, and within 9 mi (15 km) of Walking Labyrinth and Todd Mountain. Mason County Museum and Seaquist House 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.
We had a mid size group and had a great time! Really everything was extremely straightforward and the owner did a great job with basically every detail you need to know. Will definitely return! Property was clean and cabins were very cozy. Loved it :)
Such a fun place to host a multi-generational gathering! Host was awesome and very responsive. So much to do and spots to have fun. Would DEFINITELY come back again. And try Tammy, the recommended chef — her food is AMAZING and super accommodating.
If you are looking for a very real, wild west experience in the heart of the beautiful Texas hill country, this is it! This property is remote, and beautifully framed by the rugged bluffs of the Llano River making it wonderfully quiet and peaceful. We enjoyed the Texas scenery in the comfort of modern amenities and accommodations, not the least of which was the wildly popular pool and slide.It easily accommodated our family gathering of 19 ranging in age from 3 to 72. We had a great time!
We booked this resort for a getaway for a group of friends. All of us enjoyed the stay and the resort for the weekend. The privacy, amenities, the river and everything was perfect.
We did a company retreat here about 10 years ago and everyone loved it so we had to do it again. 10 years later and it is still amazing and out of all the places we have done retreats this one is everyone's favorite. The kids had an amazing time as there was so much to do. It was a wonderful get away for all our employees and their families from the daily grind. We look forward to many more trips here! The owner and his staff are just as amazing as the place!
This is a great place for our big family to stay. Having the separate cabins allowed each family their only privacy but yet we were able to all be together and enjoy ourselves.
Our family reunion was perfect. 12 adults and 17 grandkids 6 to 18
Great pool and slide great court and river. Suggest you plan to go eat in Mason during the hottest time of day. Individual cabins were comfortable.. great family pictures. In a beautiful place.
The arrangements here let you spend time together and still have a place for each couple or family to retreat (to their own cabin). Perfect for mingling people of all ages. Our extended family loved it. Owner is very responsive and nice to deal with. Plenty to do, but also a nice place to relax and visit.
Our group of three families were very comfortably spread out among the cabins at Red Sands Resort. During our week stay we split our time between the river with the tubes and kayaks and the pool with its crazy slide and high jump. The kitchen was equipped with plenty of dishes/cups/cutlery for our group of 15. We found all the items we needed to cook with. The toaster oven available is just big enough to fit a tray the size of a 12 piece muffin tin. Mason is reasonably close to pick up extra groceries if needed. Fredericksburg is a fun spot to visit if you want a day to get out of the sun, although it’s a short hour to get there. We enjoyed a night in with a tasty meal that was catered and a private concert by Justin McFarland, both recommended by the host. Go visit Red Sands, meet the local cat, play pickle ball and jump in the pool to cool off. Enjoy the beautiful road runners trotting through the property and the colorful grasshoppers hopping across the lanes. End your days looking at the bright stars in the big sky.
All 32 of us had a wonderful experience!! We loved everything about Red Sands Resort!! So much to do, for everyone from 2 years old to me & everyone between!!! We loved it!!!
Great venue for family togetherness. Need to like the outdoors to really appreciate this property. Liked the fact that it was just our family there, would have been difficult to share facilities. Would happily return.
Joan H.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022
Response from VrboOwner on 27 July 2023
Glad you enjoyed the Ranch! Note that it’s always a private rental — no other guests will ever be there. JG
We had an absolutely amazing time at Red Sands. The property is absolutely beautiful and you cannot ask for a better host that John Gilbert. He's overally accomodating, extremely personable, and incredibly nice. He even took time take us out flying, and definitely has regenerated my personal passion for aviation. Thanks again Red Sands!!!
We had such a blast! The property is so well maintained, the landscaping blends seamlessly into the natural beauty of the area. Pool was perfectly maintained throughout our stay. Tennis court is professionally lit and maintained and there are 2 great areas in the river to sit in the water and hang all day. Cabins are rustic-chic, very clean and well appointed. All in all it is a luxury rustic experience. Would definitely recommend to any group. Thanks again!
We travelled out to Red Sands for a weekend getaway for 15 friends, and it was the perfect oasis in Texas. Between the activities, the pool and land to explore, we found epic adventures and idyllic places to unwind and connect with nature.
John was a great host who communicated every step of the way and helped us ensure we were set from the moment we arrived to have an incredible time. Hope to return and slide again soon!
We had the best week at Red Sands Ranch!! John is an exceptional host!!! Becky is wonderful and will do grocery and dinner runs so you don’t have to leave paradise!! Justin plays great live music and Eric was an awesome tennis pro!!! We will definitely be back!!!!!! Thank you, John, for sharing a piece of heaven with us!!!
Had a large group of friends get together for a 30th bday! Enjoyed all the activities, and the river was absolutely perfect! Tons of room for everyone in the cabins. You will have spotty phone signal but wifi is great. Who needs their phones anyway?! Slide is not for the faint of heart but we all went down it multiple times! Everyone is already asking to do it again next year. Thank you, John and Becky!!!
allison d.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Clint M.
28 Sept 2018
ONE OF KIND!
Red Sands Ranch was a wonderful vacation stay. John the owner of the ranch, was extremely accommodating. He made sure everything was working correctly and answered all of our questions. Absolutely everything was beautiful and unique, from the classic rusted truck to the beautiful red cliffs. Each cabin had its own rare decor and were completely comfortable. The pool and slide were the most fun and tubing in the river was great with the recent rainfall. The Cabana made a perfect place to relax near the pool with food and drinks at hand. This is a great place for just a couple on their honeymoon or a large group on a family gathering. We will definitely be visiting again very soon. Thanks again to our host for a magnificent stay.
Clint & Mirella
Clint M.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2018
Verified
8/10 Good
Oswald S.
5 Oct 2020
Liked: Check-in, location
Everybody had a great time
So much to do. Easy access to great river where kids and adults could enjoy kayaks and catch/release fishing. Good pool for kids. But Would never do it if temp was 90. This is not luxury, but accommodations are comfortable and adequate if you can be flexible. Would recommend preparing some meals in advance, especially for groups over 12 (no large oven, some limitations on pots/pans). This is remote. We had no TV in common area (cabana) over the weekend; wifi download speed was about 5Mb/sec.
Oswald S.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2020
Response from VrboOwner on 27 July 2023
We weren't made aware of any WiFi issues that day which can usually be cleared by rebooting one of the upstream routers. Normally the network can handle multiple zoom calls and streaming with ease.
About the host
Hosted by John Gilbert
I grew up in Baytown, TX working in construction in the summers and earned Petroleum Engineering and MBA degrees (along with my pilot's license) at Louisiana State University (LSU). After spending a few years in California and Australia with various software companies, I moved to Austin, TX in 1991 and started my own business. Upon selling the company and retiring in my late 30's I quickly learned that I needed more activities than just playing sports all day, and wound up with a nail-gun and 250 acres of raw land on the Llano River. Originally conceived as a few head of cattle and a couple of rustic, riverfront cabins around a firepit mainly to spend time with friends and my wife and three kids -- it's since grown in scale and maintenance to the operation that exists today. Although years later, as a 5th generation engineer and wanna-be architect, I'll probably always be designing or building another project at Red Sands but it has finally evolved to the stage where I can (almost) call it complete.
Why they chose this property
For other aerial tours, news stories, and more: http://www.redsandsranch.com https://youtu.be/Q-ktPvut5CI https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifJLhda8wbs http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-ktPvut5CI?rel=0 https://www.facebook.com/thrillisttravel/videos/326478261440777/ https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ktPvut5CI https://youtu.be/ZTOY_RoU47c https://www.today.com/home/vacation-rental-houses-indoor-outdoor-slides-t135936
Realtime weather is available at the Red Sands Airport: https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KTXMASON3
What makes this property unique
Check out the vibe at Red Sands Ranch (.com) along with layout and scenery at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5ELULG_dp0 (paste in new window).
Red Sands is a unique property specifically for guests that prefer an exclusive, private outdoor resort experience in a rustic, natural setting unlike anything available at the large hotel chain resorts. Although expensive, the total rental for a large group is actually much less than a hotel resort stay even before you buy that first $12 beer -- and you won't have to share the pool with 150 kids in swim diapers.
The ranch elevation (1280-1420ft) and semi-arid climate of the area offers more comfortable summer breezes and cooler nights than most of the large metropolitan areas of the state. Other than the spectacular Texas Hill Country setting, the most unique feature of the property is the layout where the pool, cabana (kitchen/dining), firepit, tennis, and all the other resort amenities are part of the main gathering area (rather than some back parking lot) while the separate cabins offer peace and privacy just a few steps away. In addition to all the activities, kids are always captivated by the abundant wildlife, crystal clear river, and the sheer number of stars visible in the clear night sky. Come make some memories and experience the real Texas!
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests