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Red Sands Ranch Resort -- Private Riverfront, 4-Story Water Slide, Airstrip!

Photo gallery for Red Sands Ranch Resort -- Private Riverfront, 4-Story Water Slide, Airstrip!

RS Resort Flyover
Property video
Bluffs at Sunset
Resort from Slide Tower
Picnic Area and Poolside Cabana

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
9 bedrooms6+ bathroomsSleeps 38464.5 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Pool
  • Air conditioning
  • Hot tub
  • Dryer
  • Washer

Explore the area

View map
Mason, TX
  • Enchanted Rock State Natural Area
  • The Odeon Theatre
    ‪26 min drive‬
  • St. Joseph Catholic Church
    ‪27 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

9 bedrooms (sleeps 38)

Bedroom 1

+22
19 Single Beds, 1 King Bed, 2 Double Beds and 4 Queen Beds

6 bathrooms, 6 half bathrooms

Bathroom 1

Bathtub

Bathroom 2

Bathroom 3

Bathroom 4

Bathroom 5

Bathroom 6

Bathroom 7

Bathroom 8

Bathroom 9

Bathroom 10

Bathroom 11

Bathroom 12

Spaces

Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Kitchenette
Balcony
Garden

About this property

Red Sands Ranch Resort -- Private Riverfront, 4-Story Water Slide, Airstrip!

Imagine flying into your own private ranch resort with charming native-stone cabins, poolside cabana, 140' 4-story waterslide, lighted tennis court, 2900' airstrip, fitness center, full-court basketball, pickleball, game room, horseshoes, hot tub, river rapids, fishing, abundant wildlife, miles of trails, and plenty of other activities for all ages. Red Sands Ranch is located on the crystal clear Llano River between the towns of Mason and Fredericksburg and is the perfect spot for family or friends reunions, corporate gatherings, or even Tennis/Pickleball retreats. There are four self-contained rock cabins plus two separate bunk-type units, a vintage '68 Airstream, a Party Shed with TV/Video games, billiards and ping-pong, all surrounding a massive 53ft pool with spa and grotto. The main gathering area is an open-air Cabana with full stainless kitchen, WIFI, and 65in TV. The nearly 1/2 mile of fast-flowing, rock-bottom Llano River runs from the deep pools and spectacular 200ft red sandstone cliffs (featured on the cover of Texas Monthly Magazine) at the west end of the ranch, to more deep water and limestone bluffs to the east. A meandering path leads down to the perfect spot in the river to set a few lounge chairs and relax under an umbrella while the kids shoot the rapids in a tube or kayak. For fisherman or paddlers, there is an amazing 2-3 hour trip that terminates at the Ranch which is the highlight of one of the top ten paddling trips in the state of Texas. The ranch foreman lives on the property about a mile away and is usually available to assist with whatever arises. For horse owners, there is a corral, tack room, covered stall, and miles of trails. And of course there are plenty of lounge chairs around the pool with separate hot tub and a secret 'mine shaft' with a little surprise inside the kids will enjoy. Red Sands Ranch is a special place you'll want to come back to year after year.



Accommodations: Total of seven (7) separate units -- YOUR CHOICE OF ANY THREE ARE INCLUDED IN THE BASE PRICE. All are air-conditioned with additional space heating, and hot water (plus spa heat) provided by one of the largest private solar heating installations in the Hill Country.



- There's a Bunkhouse with 4 twin beds, a Loft room with 4 full beds, a vintage Airstream with queen bed and 2 twins, plus four (4) self-contained rustic cabins that sleep from 6 to 8 (with additional cots and sleeping pads for kids), each with a wood fireplace*, full bath, stained concrete floors, covered porch, bedroom or sleeping loft, WIFI, streaming TV, and kitchenette (sink, microwave, refrigerator, coffee maker, toaster oven and one-burner cooktop). *Sunday House sleeps two (adults only, no pets) in a king bed and does not have fireplace.



INCLUDED IN THE BASE PRICE (your choice of any 3 units and up to 12 guests):



(1) The Fish Camp - a native sandstone cabin with local river-rock fireplace. The covered back porch includes a hammock and overlooks the river and huge pecan trees below. There is a full size pull-out futon downstairs and two full size beds in a sleeping loft -- accessible via ladder, plus an extra rollaway bed downstairs. The bath features an antique clawfoot tub and an outdoor hot shower.



(2) Lorenz House - the largest of the 6 cabins, named after the pioneer family that settled this section of the ranch in the mid-1800's. There is a queen futon sofa down and stairs lead to an upper loft with a queen bed and a trundle with two twin beds. This cabin is also built with local materials and sandstone walls inside and out from the century old rock fences found throughout the ranch, and includes a covered porch swing with views of the bluffs and mountains across the river.



(3) The Bunkhouse - 4 twin beds and a sink/vanity with beautiful views from a balcony cantilevered out over the pool. Note that access to the detached full bathroom is via lighted gravel pathway so this unit is best for older kids.



(4) Riverside Cottage - This Fredericksburg limestone cabin is the most private and has the best views of the river from inside the cabin or on the covered back deck from the hammock, rocking chairs, or cedar porch swing. There is a large masonry fireplace and the unit sleeps 6-8 with a queen bed and futon sofa down and a full bed in the upstairs bedroom, along with two twin beds.



(5) Sunday House (adults only, no pets) - an updated historic representation of the quaint Fredericksburg homes built by the German pioneer ranchers for weekend stays when they came to town for church and supplies. This luxury unit features a king bed with full ADA compliant (wheelchair accessible) bathroom and covered porch with swing and easy wheelchair access to the pool area and Cabana.



(6) Sunday Loft - this bunk-style unit is located on the upper level of the Sunday House (with a separate entrance) and sleeps up to eight with four double beds and a half-bath.



(7) The 'Sixty-Eight' - Beautifully renovated (retro-modern) vintage airstream with a queen and two twin beds plus a kitchenette and full bath.



Additional units are $95 per night or all four extras may be rented for $295/nt): The cabins are situated around a poolside cabana and a beautifully landscaped grilling area which includes a large charcoal grill, picnic table, smoker, firepit, and covered 'cantina' with four lounge chairs.



Common Area:



- Striking 53' free-form pool and poolside open-air cabana with full kitchen. There is an over-sized gas grill, large toaster oven plus built-in mid-size oven, dishwasher, two refrigerator/freezers, built-in microwave, two sinks, soapstone countertops, mahogany cabinetry, WIFI, 65in LCD television with Roku streaming or direct HDMI from guest devices or the provided BluRayDVD. Music available with BlueTooth/iPod/Aux inputs and speakers located throughout the pool complex. In the wintertime or during inclement weather, the unique steel and glass doors can be lowered to fully enclose the room.



- 'The Shack' Party Shed. A favorite hangout area for the kids, features a flatscreen TV with billiards with a competition-grade, removable top for table tennis, and lots of eclectic neon lighting and decor.



- Fitness Center with commercial elliptical machine and recumbent bicycle, universal weight machine, dumbbells, sit-up bench, and pull-up/dip bars, and WiFi TV with workout towels provided.



- The fully lighted tennis/pickleball court includes a practice wall and full-court basketball.



EXTRAS:



- Pair of off-road golf carts $375 per stay



- Recreation Pkg (4 kayaks, 3-4 mtn bikes, 4-5 tubes) $375



- Both of the above for $695



- NEW: 'The Whole Enchilada' ($1595) includes all of the above toys plus a 3rd golf cart (4-seater), a pair of Standup Paddleboards (SUPs), pair of fat-tire eBikes, and a bag full of RS logo gear: T-shirt/lantern/tumblers/backpack/stickers, and more. Also included is an 8' trailer (for use with your vehicle with 1 3/8" hitch ball or 2" receiver) for ‘hayrides’ and hauling gear/umbrellas/coolers to the river or shuttling tubes for the rapids.



Property:



- Rolling hill country terrain with large stands of Live Oaks hundreds of years old and mountain views in all directions. At the ranch entrance you'll notice the Simons House, built in 1860 by Conrad Simons and currently occupied by the ranch caretakers, Danny and Becky. It's a classic German story-and-a-half structure with 2ft thick sandstone walls and hand-hewn oak beams and is beautifully restored to much of its original character and charm. In addition to horses and Angus cattle, wildlife is abundant and includes whitetail and axis deer, antelope, turkey, foxes, coyotes, bobcats, quail, dove, roadrunners, ducks/geese, eagles and more. The breath-taking stretch of river on the ranch includes everything from fast-moving rapids over a solid rock bottom for most of the length (where hard-fighting Guadalupe Bass are common) to slow, deep water at either end (where catfish as large as 35 lbs have been caught). Note: river activities may be affected by drought conditions.



Disclaimer: Red Sands is a working Texas cattle ranch with inherent risks and hazards including, but not limited to, rough terrain, heavy equipment, deep and/or fast-moving water, wild animals, livestock, etc. and may not be ideal for vegetarians or poorly supervised children.



Note: Privately owned family-oriented resort. No Youth groups, grad, Rave, or keg parties. Minimum age of 30 required to register your group. Absolutely NO diving or doubles/headfirst sliding allowed. Slide security camera may be active.



© 2025 Red Sands Ranch, LLC. All materials contained on this listing are protected and may not be copied, distributed, or published without the prior written consent.

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Amenities

Pool
Hot tub
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 30
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs and cats less than 23 kg per pet (limit 3 pets total)
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

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
This property uses solar energy
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 and a first aid kit
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room

About the area

Mason

Located in Mason, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Mason County Museum and Seaquist House are cultural highlights, and some of the area's landmarks include Fort Mason Historic Site and The Odeon Theatre.
Map
Mason, TX

What's nearby

  • The Odeon Theatre - 26 min drive - 17.7 km
  • M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library - 27 min drive - 17.3 km
  • Mason County Museum - 27 min drive - 17.3 km
  • St. Joseph Catholic Church - 27 min drive - 18.4 km
  • Seaquist House - 27 min drive - 18.0 km

Frequently asked questions

Does Red Sands Ranch Resort -- Private Riverfront, 4-Story Water Slide, Airstrip! have a pool?

Yes, this property has an outdoor pool.

Is Red Sands Ranch Resort -- Private Riverfront, 4-Story Water Slide, Airstrip! pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 3 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Red Sands Ranch Resort -- Private Riverfront, 4-Story Water Slide, Airstrip!?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Red Sands Ranch Resort -- Private Riverfront, 4-Story Water Slide, Airstrip!?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Red Sands Ranch Resort -- Private Riverfront, 4-Story Water Slide, Airstrip! located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is 1.2 mi (1.9 km) from Llano River and within 9 miles (15 km) of Fort Mason Historic Site and Mason County Courthouse. M. Beven Eckert Memorial Library and Mason County Museum are also within 9 miles (15 km).

About the host

Hosted by John Gilbert

Host profile image
I grew up in Baytown, TX working in construction in the summers and earned Petroleum Engineering and MBA degrees (along with my pilot's license) at Louisiana State University (LSU). After spending a few years in California and Australia with various software companies, I moved to Austin, TX in 1991 and started my own business. Upon selling the company and retiring in my late 30's I quickly learned that I needed more activities than just playing sports all day, and wound up with a nail-gun and 250 acres of raw land on the Llano River. Originally conceived as a few head of cattle and a couple of rustic, riverfront cabins around a firepit mainly to spend time with friends and my wife and three kids -- it's since grown in scale and maintenance to the operation that exists today. Although years later, as a 5th generation engineer and wanna-be architect, I'll probably always be designing or building another project at Red Sands but it has finally evolved to the stage where I can (almost) call it complete.

Why they chose this property

For other aerial tours, news stories, and more:
https://youtu.be/Q-ktPvut5CI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ifJLhda8wbs
http://www.youtube.com/embed/Q-ktPvut5CI?rel=0
https://www.facebook.com/thrillisttravel/videos/326478261440777/
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Q-ktPvut5CI
https://youtu.be/ZTOY_RoU47c
https://www.today.com/home/vacation-rental-houses-indoor-outdoor-slides-t135936

Realtime weather is available at the Red Sands Airport: https://www.wunderground.com/dashboard/pws/KTXMASON3

What makes this property unique

Check out the vibe at Red Sands Ranch along with layout and scenery at: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=d5ELULG_dp0 (paste in new window).

Red Sands is a unique property specifically for guests that prefer an exclusive, private outdoor resort experience in a rustic, natural setting unlike anything available at the large hotel chain resorts. Although expensive, the total rental for a large group is actually much less than a hotel resort stay even before you buy that first $8 beer -- and you won't have to share the pool with 150 kids in swim diapers.

The ranch elevation (1280-1420ft) and semi-arid climate of the area offers more comfortable summer breezes and cooler nights than most of the large metropolitan areas of the state. Other than the spectacular Texas Hill Country setting, the most unique feature of the property is the layout where the pool, cabana (kitchen/dining), firepit, tennis, and all the other resort amenities are part of the main gathering area (rather than some back parking lot) while the separate cabins offer peace and privacy just a few steps away. In addition to all the activities, kids are always captivated by the abundant wildlife, crystal clear river, and the sheer number of stars visible in the clear night sky. Come make some memories and experience the real Texas!

Languages:

English

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