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Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER

Photo gallery for Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER

Exterior
Pool
Interior
Exterior
Miscellaneous

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
1 bedroom1 bathroomSleeps 4650 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning
  • Outdoor Space
  • Parking available
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Johnson City, TX
  • Place, Exotic Resort Zoo
    ‪6 min drive‬
  • Place, LBJ Visitor Center
    ‪9 min drive‬
  • Place, Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park
    ‪9 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

1 bedroom (sleeps 4)

Bedroom 1

1 King Bed

Living Room 1

1 Queen Bed and 2 Twin Beds

1 bathroom

Bathroom 1

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

Spaces

Deck or patio
Kitchen
Dining area

About this property

Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER

Unique luxury one-bedroom guesthouses on the Pedernales River in Johnson City. Spectacular views. Perfect for a memorable getaway to the Texas Hill Country and wine trail. Each house is ~650 sq. ft., with king bed, a modern bathroom, a living room/fully equipped kitchen, and an outdoor patio. One queen or two twin airbeds can be provided to sleep up to two more, or two couples could rent both houses. (The other house is in a separate listing: Pedernales River Guesthouses - BLUE.) Stairs take you down to the river. No pets. Free Level 2 EV charger for Tesla or J1227.
The two guesthouses are on 15 acres overlooking the Pedernales River. The view from the houses is gorgeous. We (your hosts) live on the property with our cat and golden retriever. We share the environment with an abundance of wild creatures. The river is clean and when the water is high it's good for swimming. When the water is low you can explore on the rocks. We also have two friendly horses and a dozen chickens you can visit.
This listing for PONDER. There's a separate listing for an identical adjacent house named BLUE.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor Space
Parking available
Mountain view

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House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 21
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17
Children need to be supervised carefully outside.
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

No pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Be sure to book for the number of guests that will actually be staying. We make specials provisions so that guests 3 and 4 will be comfortable.
Maximum stay is 14 days without pre-approval.

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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses solar energy
Host has indicated there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances 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

Johnson City

Located in Johnson City, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Lyndon B. Johnson Boyhood Home and Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Texas Hills Vineyards and Lost Draw Cellars. Exotic Resort Zoo and Texas Hill Country Wineries are also worth visiting.
View more Cottages in Johnson CityOpens in a new window
Map
Johnson City, TX

What's nearby

  • Exotic Resort Zoo - 6 min drive - 6.8 km
  • LBJ Visitor Center - 9 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Lyndon B. Johnson Boyhood Home - 9 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park - 9 min drive - 10.5 km
  • Texas Hills Vineyards - 10 min drive - 12.4 km

Getting around

  • Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport (AUS) - 79 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪7-Eleven - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪Dairy Queen - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Pig Pen BBQ Johnson City - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Pecan Street Brewing - ‬9 min drive
  • ‪Ronnies BBQ - ‬9 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER pet-friendly?

No, pets are not allowed at this property.

How much does it cost to stay at Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER?

As of Mar 26, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER on Apr 16, 2026 start from $265, 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 Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER?

Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER located?

Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is within 6 mi (10 km) of Exotic Resort Zoo, TASTE Wine Art, and Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum. Science Mill and Western Art & Artifacts are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labeled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 12 out of 12 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 12 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 12 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 12 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 12 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Maggie W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We loved our stay at this property. It was remote, quiet and peaceful. Check in was easy and everything you would need is provided. I can't wait to go back!
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Amber

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
So nice! Lovely amenities!
Stayed 1 night in Feb 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matt N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We had a great stay, this place is truly amazing. The house is beautiful, and the owners clearly paid attention to every detail. The property itself is stunning, with incredible views that are perfect for enjoying a morning cup of coffee or relaxing with a drink in the evening.The location is ideal, with great hiking spots and wineries nearby. Inside, the home is thoughtfully decorated and fully equipped with everything you could need. The owners went above and beyond with the little touches, stocked snacks, drinks, and plenty of cookware and appliances.Even small details, like providing a clean, unwrapped sponge, really stood out. It’s clear they put a lot of care into making sure guests have a comfortable and enjoyable experience.Highly recommend, would absolutely stay here again
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2026
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Alexandria T.

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

Anniversary Stay

Wonderful property; absolutely gorgeous
Stayed 1 night in Apr 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brianna K.

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

Beautiful Sights!

Beautiful sights, amazing lodging, and peaceful!
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tim Y.

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

Perfect stay!

Such a great experience from start to finish. Even before booking the host was very respectful and responsive. After they supplied numerous great suggestion and tips on local places to try. Very grateful for the hospitality and stay.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Robbie T.

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

Perfect getaway…nature at its best!!

The Pedernales River guesthouse is amazing as it sits on the banks of the river with great views and plenty of wildlife. The house is modern and sleek, with every convenience to make your stay perfect. Loved everything about our stay and would definitely return. The owners were overwhelmingly accommodating and quick to answer questions! Easy access and 100% clean. Great spot!
Stayed 1 night in Oct 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Vinny B.

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

A smooth rental at a beautiful property

I can't say enough good things about this property. The owner was very communicative and made the check in process buttery-smooth. The design of the unit is very unique, and opens up onto a stunning view of the river below. We really enjoyed sitting on the patio in the evening watching the wildlife. The deer are literally everywhere, and the birding was excellent. The owner was accommodating in loaning us an air mattress for our son since there was only 1 bed-- and it was a very well made one.Inside the rental, the kitchen was fully stocked with anything you could want. The room was immaculately clean and comfortable. We only stayed for one night... but honestly, I could have done a week without flinching.If you want peace and quiet in a beautiful bit of nature, this is for you.
Stayed 1 night in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveler

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

Sweeping Views overlooking the Pedernales River

We stayed two nights at “The Ponder.” It was a perfect spot for us. We were in the area for some family business, so we were sad that we didn’t get to spend as much time at the property as we wanted. We could have sat for hours on the deck overlooking the river. Just so beautiful and relaxing. We did work in a hike; down to the river and along about a mile along the riverbed. We had planned to go for a short hike in a nearby park, but why? When you have your own park to enjoy peacefully! Entry instructions were clear and easy to follow and everything was in order in the house. The home is the perfect size for a couple to enjoy some time together. We have to be back that direction again later this summer and are hoping that the event we are attending is close enough to stay here again…if it works logistically, we will definitely be back… Highly recommend!
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy A.

Stayed 1 night in Jul 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

K J.

Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Brett K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 1 night in May 2025

About the host

Hosted by Janice Fischer

Host profile image
Jeff and I moved to Johnson City from Austin in 2017. Jeff built our house and the guesthouses. I'm a Professor at UT Austin. We like having more wildlife around us. We love living on the Pedernales River, and being among the birds and other creatures that we share the land with.

What makes this property unique

Overlooking the river in a modern house makes our place unique.

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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