Bandera, Texas is a piece of cowboy country located amongst flowing rivers, large hills, and a huge lake about an hour northwest of San Antonio. If you’re an RVer who loves the cowboy lifestyle – from rugged terrain to embracing the rodeo tradition to saloons to the independence offered – you’ll feel right at home in Bandera. From the minute you reach Bandera, Texas you’ll feel as if you’ve been taken back in time. You’ll notice horses hitched to hitching posts, old school dude ranches where you can get a taste of the cowboy lifestyle, and restaurants with mouth watering cuisine that will leave you eager to come back.
One of the most popular destinations in Bandera is the Mayan Dude Ranch. Laid out on 348 sprawling acres this ranch is committed to making all your cowboy dreams come true! The Mayan prides itself on providing true Texas hospitality and is tucked into the beautiful Hill Country making it the perfect getaway for those seeking solace from life’s hustle and bustle. This dude ranch is so remote they don’t even offer phones in their rooms, but cell phone reception is available. The food at the Mayan Dude Ranch is something to get excited about and includes a range of delicious options in addition to traditional, mouthwatering Texas BBQ. And, after enjoying your meal you can head out on a morning and evening horseback expedition. If you’re an early riser you’ll love the cowboy breakfast that includes a country crooner for entertainment and delicious, stick-to-your-ribs food fare like biscuits and gravy.
If you’re looking to head out on your own in cowboy country and enjoy everything it has to offer you will love the 11th Street Cowboy Bar. This Bandera hotspot received a 2013 Certificate of Excellence from TripAdvisor.com and has something to appeal to everyone. 11th Street sells beer, however, if you’re looking for spirits you’ll want to stop at the liquor store and bring your own (this is completely legal!). Outdoor fireplaces can be found to warm up by on a cool Texas night, while fans are strategically placed to help you combat the Texas heat at this largely outdoors venue. On Wednesdays you can bring your own steak to grill and purchase a baked potato, roll, and salad for $6.00. If you’re looking for music and fun you’ll love listening to the band play and dancing to some good, down home country music.
Before you head home from Bandera, you’ll want to make a quick stop at the Frontier Times Museum. With artifacts from Bandera’s history you will love stepping back in time and discovering all that has made this hardworking town what it is. From its start as a cypress shingle manufacturing town to cattle ranching the unique collection of donated artifacts will help paint a picture of what life was like when Bandera was in its infancy.
Yep, heading to Bandera, Texas is a surefire way to get in touch with Texas’ longtime cowboy tradition. From hitting the trails on horseback to enjoying a huge slab of Texas steak to learning about this small town’s start the opportunities to get in touch with your inner cowboy (or cowgirl) are endless.
