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Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access

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One Acre Waterfront on San Marcos River!
Living area
Party area, keep in mind day parties over ten have to be pre-approved.
Sports court
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View in a map
Martindale, TX
  • Place, San Marcos River
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Texas State University
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, San Marcos Premium Outlets
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Airport, Austin, TX (AUS-Austin-Bergstrom Intl.)
    ‪34 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

3 bedrooms (sleeps 10)

Bedroom 1

1 Queen Bed

Bedroom 2

2 Queen Beds

Bedroom 3

1 Queen Bed

Living Room 1

2 Single Beds

3 bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 2

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom 3

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access

Welcome to The Dairy Llama: Your Private Riverfront Retreat
Step into a piece of Texas history reimagined for relaxation. Once a working dairy barn, The Dairy Llama is now a premier 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom vacation destination on the banks of the San Marcos River. Whether you’re here for the quirky charm of our namesake mural or the serenity of an acre of private parkland, you’ve found your home away from home.

Your Own Private Park on the Water
Forget crowded public access. Our one-acre estate offers gradual, private entry into the San Marcos River. Spend your mornings kayaking (two provided!) and your afternoons soaking up the sun in our multiple outdoor lounge areas.

Endless Entertainment
Inside and out, we’ve designed this space for fun:

The Courts: Challenge your group to a game of Basketball or Pickleball on our private court.

The Game Barn: Two indoor game rooms featuring a pool table, foosball, darts, and Smart TVs throughout.

The Great Outdoors: Plenty of room to roam, play, and gather.

Need Extra Space? Meet the Avion.
For larger groups, ask us about adding "The Avion" to your stay. This vintage, Airstream-style RV features a queen bedroom, a pull-out full sofa, a kitchenette, and its own bathroom. It’s the perfect "guest house" addition for up to 4 extra people.
(Note: The RV is a separate unit and may be rented by other guests if not added to your booking.)

Celebrations & Gatherings
From sunset wedding proposals and baby showers to Texas State graduation parties, we love being part of your milestones! While we maintain a peaceful atmosphere (Quiet hours 10 PM – 10 AM), we can accommodate larger day parties with pre-approval and an additional fee.

The Perfect Central Texas Hub
While you'll feel miles away from the world, you’re just a quick drive from the best of the region:

San Marcos & New Braunfels: For river tubing and shopping.

Lockhart: For world-famous BBQ.

Austin: For big-city music and culture.

The Details
Occupancy: Standard stay is for up to 10 guests. Larger day events must be pre-approved.

Pets: We prefer a pet-free environment to keep the barn pristine. However, crated pets may be considered with prior owner approval and a $100 fee per pet.

Quiet Hours: 10 PM to 10 AM (the perfect time to move the fun into the indoor game rooms!).

Ready to experience the best spot on the San Marcos River? Book your stay at the Dairy Llama today!


6 reviews transferred from the previous management company.
Celebration Cabin
5/5
This place has it all for a group to stay and celebrate anything and everything! We had an amazing time as a family celebrating!
Stefanie
Published May 17
Great time!
5/5
Pickle ball court was really fun, and being on the river was awesome.
*This review was originally posted on VRBO (Evolve)
Will F.
Published April 4
Great family getaway
5/5
This home is a wonderful family getaway with great amenities! The owners literally thought of everything to make it a perfect long weekend!
*This review was originally posted on VRBO (Evolve)
Kristin B.
Published November 8
Great Entertainment House!
5/5
Plenty of room and things to do! Good river access, bring your river shoes!
*This review was originally posted on VRBO (Evolve)
Alex l.
Published October 4
FANTASTIC GETAWAY SPOT!!
5/5
We stayed a total of 9 nights with people ranging in age from 20 to 86. The house is exactly as advertised, quirky but in a really good way. The place is amazing. There is plenty of space and water for everyone. Brian had all the amenities. We thoroughly enjoyed the game room where we played blackjack long into the night!! Thanks for sharing your home! Highly recommend to anyone who wants fun on the water
*This review was originally posted on VRBO (Evolve)
Anonymous
Published September 8
5.0 · (14 reviews ) Overall from all sites previously managed by Evolve.
Cleanliness 4.9
Accuracy 5.0
Communication 4.9
Location 4.9
Check-in 5.0
Value 4.9
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Additional fees apply with guest counts over ten.
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Pets

No pets allowed, service animals permitted
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Lock the doors
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
We do allow day parties, but only with pre-approval, and all fees (any guest count over 10) must be paid in advance. Email the owner for rates.
No pets! We have had too many owners not clean up after their pets, or let their pets destroy furniture.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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: 20
Note from host: Additional fees apply with guest counts over ten.
Long-term renters welcome
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
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with UK consumer law, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Martindale

Located in Martindale, this holiday home is near theme parks and on the waterfront. Commemorative Air Force Exhibit and Charles S. Cock House Museum are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Hays County Historic Courthouse and Kyle Railroad Depot and Heritage Center. Travelling with kids? Consider San Marcos Discovery Center and Meadows Center for Water and the Environment. Looking to get your feet wet? Power boating, fishing and swimming adventures can be found near the property.
View more Holiday homes in MartindaleOpens in a new window
Map
Martindale, TX

What's nearby

  • San Marcos River - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Rio Vista Park - 7 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Texas State University - 8 min drive - 9.0 km
  • San Marcos Premium Outlets - 11 min drive - 16.4 km
  • University of Texas at Austin - 35 min drive - 62.0 km

Getting around

  • San Marcos Station - 14 min drive
  • Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪In-N-Out Burger - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪P. Terry's Burger Stand - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

How much does it cost to stay at Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access?

As of 26 Mar 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access on 3 Jun 2026 start from £386, 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 Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access located?

This family-friendly Martindale holiday home is located on the waterfront, within 2 mi (3 km) of San Marcos River and Three Dudes Winery. San Marcos Discovery Center and Meadows Center for Water and the Environment are also within 6 miles (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 25 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 25 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dave B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place for a guy's weekend on the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lauren G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The perfect place to stay for creating great family memories! So many fun activities for the whole family to enjoy!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dustin L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Hidden gem! On a great part of the river, plenty of space to hangout, cook out and play.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nycole B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place!

We had great time, lots of fun stuff to do in a peaceful environment!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified

8/10 Good

Amy L.

Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
The host was responsive and the location is fantastic, right on the river with beautiful views and plenty of activities nearby. This is a much older, very eclectic property with lots of character, not a modern or newly renovated rental, which worked well for our group.The large, well-equipped gathering room was perfect for our extended family gathering, and we made great use of the extra kitchen, pool table, darts, and pickleball. There’s also plenty of outdoor space to enjoy, including a firepit, which was a highlight for us.Kayaks are available, though the river current moves quickly in some areas, so plan for a downstream paddle and arrange pickup rather than expecting to paddle back upstream.With the home’s age and unique setting, occasional extra attention to deep cleaning would further enhance the experience. Overall, this place is ideal for guests who value space, activities, and a great river setting and are comfortable with an older home that has a lived-in, rustic feel.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

4th of July family trip.

Had a great time. House was prefect for our large group and had everything we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Michaele G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation

This place was amazing. Perfect river location. We had a small issue with the AC but the owner came and fixed it promptly. Great space for a family getaway.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
This was the perfect location for a group of friends to hang out and enjoy the river (just a few minutes away from Don's Fish Camp for river floating). The place had so many great extras, like the pickeball court and gameroom. It was comfortable, and the host was very friendly. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Lauren K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect for our river trip!

This property was absolutely perfect for our weekend river trip! I traveled with a couple of my best friends, my husband, our son and my dad and it was wonderful. The possibilities of things to do are endless from the pool table, dart board, to the beautiful river flowing at the bottom of the property. We had so much fun and will definitely be renting this property again next year when we take another trip! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Misty M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great getaway spot

We had a great time here! Everything was as described and host was very communicative. Beds were very comfortable and we enjoyed the activities/amenities on property.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

TX State family weekend

We had a great time celebrating with our son, friends, and family. We enjoyed all of the amenities that the property had to offer.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Erika A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great spot!

The property was beautiful and the game room and sports court were awesome!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

jay g.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nice place!

Terrific river front property. In the country but close to nearby amenities. Very nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Bryan E.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Vacation

We had an amazing trip, the house was the perfect size for our large family. The house had a ton of activities for the kids to stay busy either inside or outside the house. We definitely be booking again with them next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tully R.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Place!

The property is in a great location if planing on spending time on the river. The barn are and patio are is great to spend time with friends, plenty of room. Takes a while for the A/C to cool off the house area, but would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Aracely L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Beautiful Home

This home is beautiful and has so many amenities. We stayed the weekend since my Goddaughter was graduating from Texas State and it did not disappoint. Everything is as pictured and there was plenty of room for all of us. We really enjoyed our stay and the owners were very responsive. Loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Meghan L.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great place to stay!

We stayed at the Riverbarn for a baseball tournament we had at Texas State. The house was conveniently located to every field we played at it was a no brainer to stay here. The property was absolutely perfect for our family. They had everything you needed to entertain kids. We will definitely be staying here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Dave B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Guy's Weekend

I stayed at the Converted Dairy Barn with a group of 10 guys and the place was great. Plenty of room to spread out, the big room with the pool table was a great evening hang out area, the basketball and pickelball court kept us busy, and it was easy to take a quick dip in the river to cool off from the hot Texas summer heat. Great place.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Melissa A.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Texas State Graduation

Our family stayed here to attend our son’s graduation. It was great to stay away from the busy San Marcos area but still just a short drive away. Loved the peaceful portion on the river. The house is well equipped and very cute. Lots of fun and perfect for our needs.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Audrey S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wedding On The River

This property was beautiful and exactly what we needed to host our wedding party for our ceremony on the river. It was perfect and Brian was very very helpful in the planning process.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Christine J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun place to stay!

We loved the place. From the decorations to the enginuity in construction, we thought it was great. Quiet BUT close to everything BUT still feels like you are in the country. Fun spacious place with a lot of genuine character. Only good things to say about the place. We will find a reason to stay there again! Bryan & Crew
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Caryn B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect Birthday and Anniversary River Trip

This property was absolutely perfect for our multiple age groups get away! There was plenty of indoor and outdoor space and amenities for our active group of teens and kids to roam and play freely while the adult group relaxed in the shade. The serenity of the scenic views made for great social media backgrounds in the tons of photo shoots our teenage and young adult children shared ... AND provided the much needed relaxation the adults came to experience. #PerfectRiverTrip
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

-

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Fun for all

We have stayed at several vacation rental properties throughout the years and the converted Dairy Barn in Martindale TX is one of the best. We had 10 people stay for 4 nights. Ages 5 to 73 and we all had a great time. We tubed twice at the house to the Scull Rd. bridge and it took about an hour. The first 10-15 mins were small rapids (FUN) mostly shallow. After that it was a nice slow tube ride. Maybe the best thing about tubing from the house is we were the only ones on that part of the river. We played in the water at the house everyday and also at Scull Rd. bridge. Did a little fishing as well. The best way to describe the house itself is pretty COOL. I (45 yr old Male) barely even hung out in the living room. There is a nice size pool/bar room in the back that has two large bay doors and two double doors that look out to the pickle ball court. Yes pickle ball court. Speaker system inside and outside, all kinds of games, kitchen area.... Nice covered back porch.... We spent most of our time in the pool/bar room or the back porch. Everybody played pool. Even my youngest two, 5 & 8. My only small cons: We could not find a toaster and please check for wasp in the outside bathroom. I know this is Texas in the summer and wasp are part of it. Just be on the look out and have some spray. And yes there is an outside bathroom. I dont remember seeing that on the property description. If you like having fun, playing in the river, being close to San Marcos & New Braunfels, ..... I w
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Samuel M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Garrett J.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

About the host

Hosted by Owner / Property Manager

Host profile image
Love the San Marcos area. Been around this area for 30 plus years. Have been renting out some of our properties for short term rentals for over a decade. Its fun to have people make great memories at your properties, so many come back year after year. We enjoy the property so much, we like to have others have the same experience.

Why they chose this property

This location, while it feels like the country, is really convenient to restaurants, shopping, grocery stores. So you get to "get away", but if you need anything, there is something nearby.

What makes this property unique

One of the best sports on the San Marcos river. It has a Peaceful easy feeling with a gradual slope to the river. The property has indoor areas where everyone can be entertained, or some may want to paly cards in a different room, while others are playing pool in the larger area. The pickle ball court has been getting a lot of playing time, one of the fastest growing sports right now. Fishing, kayaking, So many things to do here. It is a special place.

Languages:

English

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