TEXAS Hill Country River Retreat
Experience fun and relaxation in the Texas Hill Country
TEXAS Hill Country River Retreat
Experience fun and relaxation in the Texas Hill Country
Experience Rio Ranchito
Rio Ranchito is your ultimate Hill Country river escape, perfect for families, friends, and groups of up to 10 guests. Just minutes from world-class Texas wineries and surrounded by breathtaking Hill Country views, this private riverfront oasis lets you trade the noise of city life for the sounds of flowing water, laughter, and crackling campfires.
Step outside and discover your own outdoor playground: a shady lounging porch for lazy mornings, a picnic table for al fresco feasts, yard games for friendly competitions, a bubbling hot tub for evening soaks, a sizzling grill for Texas-style BBQ, and a massive 42-inch fire ring surrounded by Adirondack chairs—just right for roasting marshmallows and swapping stories under the stars.
Your private stretch of river is perfect for casting a line for bass, gliding across the water in a kayak or on a paddleboard, or simply soaking in the views from the riverside. A scenic path leads you down to a private concrete river launch, making it easy to jump straight into the fun.
AMENITIES
Indoor Fun
Outdoor Fun
Outdoor Fun
Kick back in cool A/C, stream and scroll with fast Wi-Fi, or binge your favorite shows on the TV. Whip up a big breakfast or evening snacks in the fully stocked kitchen—complete with fridge, dishwasher, Keurig, and all the dishes and cups you’ll need. Fresh towels, a hair dryer, and bath essentials are ready for you. And when the day wind
Kick back in cool A/C, stream and scroll with fast Wi-Fi, or binge your favorite shows on the TV. Whip up a big breakfast or evening snacks in the fully stocked kitchen—complete with fridge, dishwasher, Keurig, and all the dishes and cups you’ll need. Fresh towels, a hair dryer, and bath essentials are ready for you. And when the day winds down, head to the downstairs game room for a friendly round of shuffleboard, a giant Jenga showdown, or tic-tac-toe bragging rights.
Outdoor Fun
Outdoor Fun
Outdoor Fun
Sink into the hot tub under the stars, roast marshmallows and swap stories around the fire pit, or fire up the BBQ for a riverside feast. Spend the day making a splash—launch right from the concrete dock for kayaking, paddle boarding, or reeling in your first smallmouth bass. Play a round of cornhole with a cold drink at the picnic table,
Sink into the hot tub under the stars, roast marshmallows and swap stories around the fire pit, or fire up the BBQ for a riverside feast. Spend the day making a splash—launch right from the concrete dock for kayaking, paddle boarding, or reeling in your first smallmouth bass. Play a round of cornhole with a cold drink at the picnic table, and if you’re up at dawn, watch the axis deer wander in to snack at the corn feeder—it’s a true Hill Country moment you won’t forget.
Experience Unforgettable Vacations with Rio Ranchito
Adventure awaits
Luckenbach Texas – Historic dance hall with daily live music, a General Store, and bar.
Albert Dance Hall – Historic dance hall with live music and classic Texas atmosphere.
Wildseed Farm – The nation’s largest working wildflower farm with over 200 acres of blooms
and native Texas plants.
Enchanted Rock – Hike the massive pink granite dome for incredible Hill Country views.
Main Street Fredericksburg – Antiques, art, clothing, custom hats, live music, candy, home décor, restaurants, and wine tasting rooms.
Lyndon B. Johnson State Park & Historic Site- Explore 1.2 miles of scenic trails featuring bison, longhorns, wildflowers, historic cabins, and the immersive Sauer‑Beckmann Living History Farm.
Activities include hiking, fishing, baseball, tennis, and seasonal pool access.
Peach Orchards & Local Produce- Visit Burg’s Corner Roadside Store and Gold Orchards for farm-fresh Gillespie County peaches (in season), peach ice cream, pecans, squash, and more.
Wine Tasting & Vineyards- Sample award-winning wines at Pedernales Cellars, Ab Astris Winery, Woodrose Winery, Narrow Path Vineyard, Cicada Cellars, Arrowhead Creek Vineyard, and Kuhlman Cellars.
Williams Creek School (Historic Landmark)- Located just south of Stonewall in the ghost town of Albert, this one-room school—where LBJ attended 8th grade—is now a historic landmark and community center.
The Preserve, Longneck Manor, nearby Fredericksburg Farmers’ Market, and Cross Mountain Park are also frequently noted as worthwhile local spots to visit.
Wildlife Safari – Drive-through experience with exotic animals in a Hill Country setting.
DINING
Coffee, Donuts & Breakfast Tacos (Johnson City)
Johnson City Coffee Co. – Cozy local coffee shop with specialty espresso drinks, pastries
Hometown Donuts – Fresh donuts, kolaches, and pastries, plus breakfast sandwiches and coffee.
El Agave – Go-to for fresh breakfast tacos with homemade tortillas (also serves lunch & dinner).
In Stonewall / Fredericksburg Area
Altdorf Restaurant & Biergarten – Traditional German beer garden with hearty dishes and live music on weekends.
Vaudeville Bistro – Trendy bistro meets art gallery and retail showroom, serving creative local cuisine.
Hye Thai – Cozy Thai spot in Stonewall with bowls, curry fried rice, Pad Thai, banh mi, and appetizers.
Leroy’s Tex‑Mex BBQ (Fredericksburg) – A flavorful fusion of Tex‑Mex and BBQ, with mesquite-smoked meats and scratch-made tortillas.
In Johnson City, TX
Pecan Street Brewing – A casual brewpub located on the historic square with house beers, food specials, and craft offerings.
Hill Country Cupboard - Homestyle comfort food and breakfast all day served in a rustic style with a full bar and a pool table.
Pig Pen BBQ – Known for perfected seasonings and classic Texas BBQ flavors—think brisket, ribs, pulled pork, and sides like mac & cheese and street corn.
DIstilleries and wineries
Slate Theory Winery – Stylish underground cave tastings paired with expressive Texas-grown wines.
William Chris Vineyards – A modern tasting room in Hye offering exclusively Texas fruit wines and frequent live events.
Becker Vineyards – Historic estate with lavender fields and estate-crafted reds.
Foyt Winery – Blends wine tasting with racing museum from legend A.J. Foyt.
Garrison Brothers Distillery – Texas’s first legal bourbon distillery, known for its award-winning spirits and rooted in tradition.
Elk Store Winery & Distillery (Fredericksburg) – Cozy spot offering small-batch moonshine, gin, rum, whiskey, handcrafted cocktails, and gourmet small plates.
Dietz Distillery (Fredericksburg) – Artisan distillery specializing in gin and fruit-based spirits like peach and pear eau de vie, located next to Das Peach Haus.
Salvation Spirits & The Speakeasy (Fredericksburg) – Environmentally conscious distillery deeply rooted in the Hill Country, featuring fruit-infused vodka, gin, brandy, and a hidden cocktail “laboratory” in a fruit orchard setting.
1693 Distillery (Fredericksburg) – New farm-to-bottle distillery (opened 2022) tracing back to early Fredericksburg settlers, rooted in saloon whiskey heritage.
Getting There
Finding Your Way to 511 Ranch Road 1, Stonewall, TX
Your journey to Rio Ranchito at 511 Ranch Road 1 is as memorable as the destination itself. Most travelers take Highway 290 into Stonewall—passing local favorites like Berg’s Peach Stand—but we recommend turning onto Ranch Road 1 just after you pass William Chris Vineyards. That turn puts you on one of the most scenic drives in the Hill Country.
As you roll down Ranch Road 1, you’ll pass open fields where buffalo graze, spot wild turkeys, glimpse axis deer along the treeline, and see the iconic Texas longhorns roaming freely. The road winds by the historic LBJ Ranch and LBJ State Park, with their historic churches, rustic river crossings, and timeless Hill Country views.
By the time you arrive at Rio Ranchito, you won’t just have reached your destination—you’ll have experienced a true slice of Texas history, heritage, and natural beauty.
Meet Your Host
Heavenly Hosts
Heavenly Hosts’ mission is to provide a unique Texas Hill Country experience where comfort meets adventure. From our riverside relaxation spots to nearby wineries and attractions, we’re dedicated to making your stay unforgettable.
