Top 10% of guest reviews in this areaTop 10% of guest reviews in this area
Highlights
The great outdoors
Guests love the outdoor space here.
Private garden
A rare find — relax in the peaceful, private garden space.
Unmatched views, unforgettable moments
Guests like the location for the scenic views.
2 bedrooms1 bathroomSleeps 4
Popular amenities
Hot tub on site
Onsite parking available
Dog-friendly
Kitchen
Washer
Air conditioning
Explore the area
Wimberley, TX
Jack Glover's Cowboy Museum
Place, Jack Glover's Cowboy Museum
2 min drive
Wimberley Zipline Adventures
Place, Wimberley Zipline Adventures
3 min drive
Blue Hole Regional Park
Place, Blue Hole Regional Park
8 min drive
Rooms & beds
2 bedrooms (sleeps 4)
Bedroom 1
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom 2
1 Twin Bed
1 bathroom
Bathroom 1
Spaces
Deck or patio
Kitchen
Office
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area
About this property
Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage
Little House on the Blanco @ Shade Ranch is a one bedroom one bath stone house on 40 acres nestled along the Blanco River among the mighty oaks of the TX Hill Country. The house is fully stocked with kitchen supplies, linens and paper products and soap. The house is set up for a couple or a small family of no more than 4 people. We ask that no more than 3 adults stay given space and septic constraints.
I provide guests with all of details needed for check in along with a list of items provided at the house. Guests are not required to meet with anyone upon arrival, but rather will be given access codes to let themselves into the house. I am available by phone, text or email before and during your stay to help with any questions or issues that may arise.
We are 5 minutes away from the Wimberley square with all of the local shops, restaurants and the grocery stores. So, while you feel that you're out in the country the conveniences of Wimberley are very close.
Guests have full access to the house and our 40 acres and 600+ feet of Blanco Riverfront. You can feel free to explore the land to hike, bird watch or look for other wildlife.
Gaze at a gorgeous sunset or sunrise on the river or from the picnic table on the bluff above. Grab your rod and make your best cast for bass, catfish, perch and gar.
Take a swim in the clear blue waters of the Blanco River. Enjoy a picnic or a nap or a book along its banks. Dine in the covered porch watching the deer graze and maybe see the rare violet-ear hummingbirds that have been known to visit. Get cozy on the couch to watch a movie or just listen to music on the Sonos speakers. You will find a wonderful, large outdoor hot tub right off the covered porch. It is a private place to unwind while admiring the brilliant stars above and the quiet solitude of Shade Ranch.
Little House on the Blanco @ Shade Ranch has so much to offer with its 40 peaceful acres, private river access, a fully equipped kitchen, open dining areas inside or on the covered porch (with Weber propane grill), and a large bedroom with a queen size comfortable bed. The house is intended for couples or a small family with young children. We ask that there be no more than 3 adults given space and septic constraints. There is also a great outdoor stone fire pit with stone benches, perfect for roasting marshmallows or warming up on a cool Hill Country evening. Located only 5 minutes from Wimberley Square, this home completes the perfect hill-country getaway without sacrificing any of the charm (or shopping opportunities) that Wimberley has to offer. And with high-speed/wireless Internet and satellite TV, you won't sacrifice the conveniences of modern technology, either.
There is also a larger 3 bedroom house on the same property. The houses are completely separate and don't share anything other than the acreage. The houses sit approximately 100 yards apart and have a bank of cedar trees and a large cedar privacy fence that sit between the houses and create separate areas for privacy.
You'll need a car to get to and from the property. You can walk to town, but it will take you approximately 20 minutes.
Shade Ranch consists of 40 private acres and 600+ feet of Blanco riverfront land. There are two houses on the property that we make available, the Little House and Casa Grande. Casa Grande is a 3 bedroom/2 bathroom home of 2800 square feet. The two houses are completely separate and don't share anything other than the land. They each have their own hot tubs, patios, grills and fire pits. The houses sit approximately 100 yards apart and are separated by a bank of cedar trees and a cedar privacy fence. Given the property sits on a bluff there is one pathway down to the river.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
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Pets allowed: dogs less than 50 lbs per pet (limit one pet total)
default
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
No Smoking.
One small to medium sized dog allowed with owner permission and payment of pet fee.
No day guests unless approved in advance by owner.
Important information
You need to know
Property # 196219
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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock
About the neighborhood
Wimberley
Located in Wimberley, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. The area's natural beauty can be seen at Blue Hole Regional Park and Canyon Lake. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's happening at San Marcos Academy Baseball Field or Bobcat Soccer Complex.
Jack Glover's Cowboy Museum - 2 min drive - 1.5 km
Wimberley Zipline Adventures - 3 min drive - 2.3 km
Blue Hole Regional Park - 8 min drive - 5.3 km
Jacob's Well Natural Area - 11 min drive - 9.4 km
San Marcos Premium Outlets - 36 min drive - 35.5 km
Getting around
San Marcos Station - 23 min drive
Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport (AUS) - 61 min drive
Restaurants
Dairy Queen - 6 min drive
Blanco Brew - 5 min drive
Wimberley Cafe - 5 min drive
Willow Lake Watering Hole & Mercantile - 5 min drive
Mima's Kitchen - 7 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage pet-friendly?
Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 50 lbs per pet.
How much does it cost to stay at Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage?
As of Jul 22, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage on Sep 8, 2026 start from $409, 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?
Onsite parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage?
Check-out is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Charming Blanco Riverfont Cottage located?
Situated on the waterfront, this vacation home is 0.7 mi (1.1 km) from Jack Glover's Cowboy Museum and within 3 mi (5 km) of Wimberley Zipline Adventures and The Island. Wimberley Lions Market Days and Willow Lake Watering Hole & Mercantile are also within 3 mi (5 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
This property is amazing. It has all of the comforts of home with modern furnishings and appliances, a well stocked kitchen including many extras not offered (coffee, tea, sugar/ceeamer, seasonings, large selection of pots, silverware, cooking utensils, etc), and ample room. The pictures on the website are accurate. And the scenery around the “little house” is beautiful and relaxing. The fire pit and horseshoe pit were so much fun as well as seeing the many deer on the property. My family cannot wait to return for another wonderful stay.
I had an amazing experience at this cottage in Wimberley. It met all of my expectations and more. The house is tucked away in its own area, everyone is quiet and respectful of noise and space. Highlights - eays river access, stumbling distance down the stairs provided specifically for this rental house and the 1 other nearby. The path is well defined & safe. You can hang out in the shallow area of rocks to relax or take a swim down the river. It was perfect. If you wish for a private & secluded get away with easy river access & close by to everything Wimberley has to offer as far as restaurants & shops this place hits all of the marks. Hot tub worked perfectly. There is a fire pit and wood to make a fire. Grill provided. It was clean and comfortable. I will definitely try staying here again on my next Wimberley visit.
Everything about this trip was easy and relaxing. We loved the cabin and enjoyed watching deer in the mornings while drinking coffee on the back porch. I give it all the stars!
We loved our stay at the Cottage. Upon our arrival, my first words were “ Oh how cute”! Everything was extremely clean and the location was perfect. We highly recommend this property.
If you’re looking for a charming, secluded place to stay; yet a quick drive into Wimberley, this is the place for you! The smaller river front cottage was the perfect size for 3 adults. The cottage had everything we needed for our week long stay! The clear waters of the Blanco River was just a short hike from the cottage; and we enjoyed floating in the river on a couple of hot afternoons. The hot tub on the property was also a plus. Had a small issue with the hot tub heating up to the correct temp initially; but that was resolved within a day or two. The host informed us that they are replacing the hot tub with a new one very soon. The host was incredibly gracious and responsive to our questions in a very timely manner. We would definitely recommend this home if you’re looking for some peace, quiet and relaxation among the beautiful trees, deer, birds and other wildlife that make their home in this area. We are definitely hoping to stay here again, if we’re back in this area!
My wife and I loved this place. The location is excellent and the property is incredible. Being close to the river is so nice and we loved the fire pit and hot tub. It was perfect for the two of us.
We loved the cottage, it was beautifully designed, decorated, and better than we expected. The owner was very responsive and we only had one minor question. The walk to the river was easy and we had a blast lounging in the water. It was a great spot and I absolutely recommend.
The place was beautiful and peaceful, tucked way back in the woods and built right along the Blanco river. Perfect place to get away from it all while also being very close to the shops in downtown.
We had a great relaxing time. So peaceful and quiet. Hope to visit this cabin again.
Patti C.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024
About the host
Hosted by Roby Norvell
The Norvell family hails from Houston, TX where we, like most Americans, lead over-booked lives full of schoolwork, school activities, sports, civic, and work responsibilities. We enjoyed a most relaxing vacation at Shade Ranch in 2008. In fact, we loved it so much that we purchased it three months later. Our kids are young and our parents and family do not live nearby. We wanted a place for our extended family to get together to run, swim, climb, spend time as a family, and just enjoy the beauty of nature. We hope your family enjoys Shade Ranch as much as we do.
Why they chose this property
Shade Ranch in Wimberley Texas is a perfect location for us because it is 3 hours from Houston door to door and only 1 hour from the Austin or San Antonio airport. Our parents and extended family and friends often join us for vacations at Shade Ranch. We love the Little House and speak regularly of leaving the kids in Houston and enjoying a weekend there ourselves. With sleeping room for five we have plenty of room for our 3 kids or it's perfectly intimate for just a couple. We appreciate the seclusion of the 25 acres while making full use of the conveniences of the Village of Wimberley. We regularly utilize the nearby groceries, pharmacies, restaurants, wineries, hardware and other stores. We appreciate the many nearby state parks and towns that make up the Texas Hill Country!
What makes this property unique
The most obvious benefit of Shade Ranch is the beautiful, cold and clear Blanco River. One swim and you too will be sold as it is cool even in the dog days of August, and never crowded. The shallow area suits those wanting to wade or to sit and enjoy the flow of the river and also serves as entry to the adjacent deep swimming area. We think it is perfect and the kids do too. They and their cousins and friends can't get enough of the river when we are there. The river bank area is so spacious, and the sound of the river is so peaceful, it is our favorite place to picnic or enjoy a glass of wine. The kids also like to play games and sports in the grass along the river. They also enjoy fishing, climbing to the 'cave' by the river under the ledge, looking for arrowheads after a rain, having a family 'sleepover', and just exploring the 25 acres of 'forest'. We know you will find these wonders and more at Shade Ranch.
Languages:
English, Spanish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests