Casa Grande @ Shade Ranch is a 3 bed/2 bath home on a bluff overlooking the Blanco River on a beautiful 40-acre property offering tranquility and seclusion and 600+ feet of private river access–all within the Wimberley city limits! The house offers over 2,800 square feet of space for family entertainment. With two large living areas, three dining areas (2 indoor and 1 outdoor), fire pit, hot tub and bocce ball court Casa Grande is perfect for family or large group gatherings.
My cell phone is provided to you so if you have any issues during your stay you can feel free to call or email me. We have several contacts in the Wimberley area that can help with any maintenance need that may arise during your stay.
We are located 5 minutes from the Wimberley square, but you feel that you're out in the country. From our riverfront acreage you can only see two other homes and all of our neighbors are on larger acreage properties (8+ acres).
Approximately one week before your arrival date we will email you our check in details with the gate and door codes.
One living area is the extraordinary 'River Room.' Stunning views of the Blanco River below beckon from three walls of windows. Open the windows and enjoy the sounds of the river rapids. The second living area is a club-like setting wrought from the original cabin. The spacious master suite includes a king size bed, a comfortable sitting area, television, and a private bath. (PLEASE NOTE: If your dates aren't available on our calendar, please try The Wimberley Retreat, our other large home on a separate 10 acre property.)
Relax and Enjoy the Property: Located just off the River Room, you will find a wonderful, large outdoor hot tub. It is a private place to unwind while admiring the brilliant stars above and the murmuring headwaters of the Upper Blanco River below. Follow the limestone steps near the hot tub down to the 600+ feet of private river access below. The river will invite you to swim or wade in its cool waters and leave all worries behind. Or grab your fishing rod! Fly Fishing magazine identifies the Upper Blanco River areas as '. . . one of the best fly fishing spots in Texas.' Bring your kayak or canoe, and don't forget the floats and water shoes for tubing down the rapids. There’s plenty of room along the river to enjoy a picnic lunch, an afternoon nap or book, or a gorgeous sunrise or sunset on the banks of the Blanco River. 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.
Enjoy the grounds: The forty acres of grass and woods provide ample space to run, throw a ball or frisbee, play kickball or softball, hike in the woods, or chase lizards, frogs and fish. Sit out on the flagstone patio overlooking the river and grill out burgers on the Weber grill. Grab a cool drink and play a game of bocce ball or horseshoes on the court with the family. After the sun goes down you can also enjoy the fire pit to cook marshmallows or warm up on a cool fall or winter Hill Country evening. Watch for the many deer who live on the property, especially in the early morning. Friendly ducks from the river often visit at the house as well.
Casa Grande at Shade Ranch is perfect for groups of all kinds. The kitchen is equipped with all appliances, extensive food and drink preparation and serving ware, and indoor/outdoor dishes to accommodate any large meal. The children’s nook area provides age appropriate movies, books, videos, puzzles, games and toys for hours of entertainment and an opportunity for the adults to visit in the other common areas. Movies and books and games for adults are also provided, as is a cable TV/DVD player and music system. Whether you are planning a ladies getaway trip, couples gathering, team-building session for a small group, multi-generation family get together, a mini-reunion, a crafts or outlet shopping or winery tour, or celebrating a special birthday or milestone, Shade Ranch will provide all of the privacy, space, and amenities your group will need.
Area Attractions: Explore the areas around Wimberley by visiting Gruene, TX and the historic Gruene Hall and the Guadalupe River; Visit the Driftwood and Duchman wineries nearby or partake in some stellar Texas BBQ at the Salt Lick. There are plenty of opportunities for shopping in town for antiques and crafts or visit the San Marcos outlet stores 15 miles away.
We also have a one bedroom/one bathroom house on the same 40 acres that is available for rent if you have a larger group that would like additional room. The Little House is also listed.. The two houses are completely separate and don't share anything other than the acreage. They sit approximately 100 yards apart and each have their own patios, hot tubs, grills, fire pits, etc.
We also own another Blanco riverfront property, The Wimberley Retreat, that is available for vacation rentals online. It is a 5 bedroom/5 bathroom property with a pool on 10 private acres.
You'll need a car to get around, but you can walk to the town square in about 20 minutes or ride a bike. The grocery stores, gas station and lots of great restaurants are only 5 minutes away by car.
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, Casa Grande and the Little House. The Little House is a 1 bedroom/1 bathroom home of 1000 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.
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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
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
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
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, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Wimberley
Located in Wimberley, this holiday home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Wimberley Zipline Adventures and Wimberley Valley Winery are worth checking out if an activity is on the agenda, while those looking for area attractions can visit The Island and Central Texas Bonsai Exhibit at Jade Gardens. Looking to enjoy an event or a game while in town? See what's going on at San Marcos Academy Baseball Field, or consider a night out at Whitewater Amphitheatre.
Jack Glover's Cowboy Museum - 14 min walk - 1.2 km
Wimberley Zipline Adventures - 3 min drive - 1.9 km
Blue Hole Regional Park - 5 min drive - 4.1 km
Jacob's Well Natural Area - 9 min drive - 8.6 km
University of Texas at Austin - 50 min drive - 77.2 km
Getting around
San Marcos Station - 22 min drive
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 63 min drive
Restaurants
Willow Lake Watering Hole & Mercantile - 5 min drive
Dairy Queen - 5 min drive
Wimberley Cafe - 5 min drive
Mima's Kitchen - 6 min drive
Blanco Brew - 4 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Large Blanco Riverfront home on 40 acres pet-friendly?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property.
How much does it cost to stay at Large Blanco Riverfront home on 40 acres?
As of 10 Apr, 2026, prices found for a 1-night stay for 2 adults at Large Blanco Riverfront home on 40 acres on 15 Apr, 2026 start from S$716, 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 Large Blanco Riverfront home on 40 acres?
On-site parking is available at the property.
What time is check-in at Large Blanco Riverfront home on 40 acres?
Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Large Blanco Riverfront home on 40 acres?
Checkout is at 10:00 AM.
Where is Large Blanco Riverfront home on 40 acres located?
Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within 1 mile (2 km) of Jack Glover's Cowboy Museum and Wimberley Zipline Adventures. Central Texas Bonsai Exhibit at Jade Gardens and The Island are also within 3 miles (5 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
What a beautiful place ! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with my family. This was our 2nd visit to Shade Ranch and will hopefully stay again next year.
We really enjoyed our stay at this beautiful property. The home was comfortable and well stocked. There was plenty of space and the river access was great.
This house and property is amazing! Easy access, quiet surroundings nestled into 40 acres, beautiful river views, and a house that has it all! Roby was a wonderful host. We will be back!
Jordan M.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Lynn S.
14 Jul, 2025
Always a fun a stay
We’ve been coming for years . It’s always a pleasure . Had a few hiccups this ho round but they were handled quickly . Great stay !!
Lynn S.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Darla L.
12 May, 2025
Beautiful
Had a wonderful stay at this fully stocked home in a beautiful location. Probably the most comfortable bed I’ve ever slept in away from home. Would definitely say again. We were fortunate to have a good weather and could enjoy the outdoors without being too hot
This was the perfect place to unwind close to town. Plenty of indoor and outdoor space to spread out and be comfortable. Host was great...everything was perfect. Thanks!
We have been visiting Wimberly for the last 10 years and this house is by far our favorite! The kitchen was fully stocked with everything needed to grill out and cook all of our meals. The house was spacious and the master bedroom was a dream.The water access was wonderful, we hung out enjoying the cool water, some fished and caught quite a few big ones! The view from the house of the river below was beautiful.Thank you for having us and we hope to be back one day.
We had a great time. Pics don't do it justice. We will surely be back.
Travis V.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2023
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Helene Bernhard l.
11 Sept, 2024
Yearly Retreat Getaway
This is our favorite place to stay anywhere. The house is so beautiful and has the best river views and river frontage. Every year improvements are made to this beautiful property. We go as a group of women every year and have been staying here for about seven years. The house has everything that you need to make your stay perfect.
Overall, the fabulous rental cabin on the Blanco River near Wimberley, Texas is a wonderful place to stay for those seeking a peaceful and comfortable retreat. Our family enjoyed our 3 year old's Birthday party and the river was great fun for swimming, playing on our unicorn & flamingo floats and fishing.
The property was great. An older house that sits right on a cliff along the river. We went in the winter months and enjoyed the fire pit and outdoor area each night. There’s an easy path down to the river that we took our kids to throw rocks in the water. It’s also very close to the main square of Wimberley.
Lindsay G.
Stayed 2 nights in Jan 2023
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
31 Aug, 2024
End of Summer Stay
Our family had such a wonderful time at shade ranch. Roby is easy and quick to communicate with. The property exceeded all expectations. We went with our two toddlers and 3 big dogs. It was perfect for all of us. Most of the time was spent in the river or outside but the home itself is beautiful and cozy. We can’t wait to get another family trip there on the books. Truly a special place.
Archival
10/10 Excellent
Viva M.
16 Jun, 2015
Shade Ranch on the Blanco
Our stay was great and we expect to return again next year if possible. The only thing that I might complain about is that there were no sheets to put on the bottom of the bunk bed or the air mattress; otherwise, everything was wonderful. In spite of the flood, it was nice to enjoy seeing the river from the house. All the family love your place. Thank you, The McGregor Family
Viva M.
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thank you for your return trip and support of Wimberley after the recent flood. We've had many great guests such as yourselves continue to come and it's been wonderful. While we lost lots of trees, our prized swimming hole and crystal clear water is still there if only it would stop raining for a while to enjoy it :). I'm sorry the sheets weren't there for your use and we'll make sure they are in their designated spots in the future! All the best!
We wanted a fun weekend trip to celebrate my youngest granddaughter’s 18th B-day. The thing she most wanted to do was zip line. So, she & her mom went and had an incredibly great time. Then Ella & I went in on the Square to shop. But more than all that fun day we just thoroughly enjoyed the large river house at Shade Ranch. What a magical, wonderful home! We will look forward to another trip to Wimberley & hopefully be able to stay there again. Becky H Houston, TX
Rebecca H.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Lisa R.
5 Sept, 2024
We love this spot on the Blanco!
Our 3rd stay here, and we just think it's the most perfect spot on the Blanco. It's easy to get in, we usually have the whole river to ourselves, and there's a great view of it from the house.
The house is spacious, clean, and great for a large group. For even larger groups, there's a cabin available to rent too! Kitchen has all the amenities, there's lots of space on the beautiful patio to enjoy a meal, a fire, or a game of horseshoes. The surrounding 40 acres makes it seem like you away from it all. We've been coming here for 3 years, and our kids have been ages 3 to 12, and they love exploring the property, the river, kayaking (we bring our own), fishing, and working on the dam! Roby is great at answering any questions or concerns we have throughout our stay!
Lisa R.
From a partner site
10/10 Excellent
Lisa R.
5 Sept, 2024
We love this spot on the Blanco!
Our 3rd stay here, and we just think it's the most perfect spot on the Blanco. It's easy to get in, we usually have the whole river to ourselves, and there's a great view of it from the house.
The house is spacious, clean, and great for a large group. For even larger groups, there's a cabin available to rent too! Kitchen has all the amenities, there's lots of space on the beautiful patio to enjoy a meal, a fire, or a game of horseshoes. The surrounding 40 acres makes it seem like you away from it all. We've been coming here for 3 years, and our kids have been ages 3 to 12, and they love exploring the property, the river, kayaking (we bring our own), fishing, and working on the dam! Roby is great at answering any questions or concerns we have throughout our stay!
This was a beautiful home, wonderful property, and great river frontage. We really enjoyed our time here and would definintley return. It would be great for any kind of gathering. Only issue would be if you have problems walking or climbing steps, but worth it! Was disappointed the fire places were not functional, It was one of the reasons I picked this property, but we made good use of the fire pit outside. From 2 yrs to 64, we all enjoyed our time there. Never used the little house, but it was cute. Look forward to going back in warmer weather. Thanks!
tracy C.
Stayed 3 nights in Dec 2019
Response from VrboOwner on 27 Mar, 2020
Thanks for the great review, we greatly appreciate it. So other guests know, we have two fireplaces in the house, one in the master bedroom and the other in the den. The one in the master bedroom is closed off so it can't be used. But the one in the den is fine to use. I'm sorry for any confusion in thinking that neither could be used.
About the host
Hosted by Roby Norvell
Languages:
English, Spanish
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests