Entire home
Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access
Photo gallery for Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access





Reviews
10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Martindale, TX
- Place, San Marcos River2 min walk
- Place, Texas State University8 min drive
- Place, San Marcos Premium Outlets11 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
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
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Have a question?
Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.
Similar properties

Best Spot on the San Marcos River!
Best Spot on the San Marcos River!
- Kitchen
- Washing machine
- Dryer
- Pet-friendly
10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (38 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
Events allowed: family gatherings, birthday parties, weddings
Additional fees apply with guest counts over ten.
Pets
No pets allowed, service animals permitted
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.
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
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
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.

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
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
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.6/10
Cleanliness
10/10
Check-in
10/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
21 August 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lauren G.
17 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lauren G.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Dustin L.
21 August 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Dustin L.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
Amy L.
23 January 2026
Liked: Check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy



Amy L.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Nycole B.
10 May 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place!
Nycole B.
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Robert M.
5 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
4th of July family trip.
Robert M.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Michaele G.
26 June 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Vacation
Michaele G.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lindsey H.
31 July 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Lindsey H.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Lauren K.
16 June 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect for our river trip!
Lauren K.
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Misty M.
17 March 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great getaway spot
Misty M.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Kimberly B.
16 October 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
TX State family weekend
Kimberly B.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Erika A.
16 March 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great spot!
Erika A.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
jay g.
2 September 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice place!
jay g.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Bryan E.
23 June 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Family Vacation
Bryan E.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Aracely L.
16 December 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful Home
Aracely L.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tully R.
9 July 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Place!
Tully R.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Meghan L.
11 June 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great place to stay!
Meghan L.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Dave B.
26 August 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great Guy's Weekend
Dave B.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Melissa A.
6 August 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Texas State Graduation
Melissa A.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Audrey S.
3 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding On The River
Audrey S.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Christine J.
27 October 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fun place to stay!
Christine J.
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Caryn B.
6 July 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Perfect Birthday and Anniversary River Trip
Caryn B.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
-
7 August 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fun for all
-
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Samuel M.
16 September 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Samuel M.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Garrett J.
4 August 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Garrett J.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025
About the host
Hosted by Owner / Property Manager
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
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback




























