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Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch

Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch

Photo gallery for Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch

Heaven on Earth!
View from Cathedral Rock (swimming hole)
Lodge swimming hole and Cathedral Rock
View from Upper Deck (trail to river in foreground)
Panorama from Upper Deck!

Overview of Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch

Reviews
10 out of 10 Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 15232 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Pet-friendlyPet-friendlyPet-friendly
  • FireplaceFireplaceFireplace
  • Free WiFiFree WiFiFree WiFi
  • WasherWasherWasher
  • DryerDryerDryer
  • Outdoor spaceOutdoor spaceOutdoor space

Explore the area

Map
Barksdale, TX
  • Popular LocationFrio River49 min drive
  • Popular LocationGarner State Park60 min drive
  • AirportUvalde, TX (UVA-Garner Field)60 min drive
  • Popular LocationLost Maples State Natural Area97 min drive

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 15)

Bedroom 1

Bedroom 2

Entertainment Room

Entry Room

2 bathrooms

Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Balcony
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining Area

About this property

Mountain View Lodge and 23-Acre Ranch

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The minimum booking is 3 nights for most dates. 15% discount applied to 7+ nights.

All bookings are separated with a 1-night vacancy. This allows time for cleaning the large property, and the potential for early checkin by our guests.
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Mountain View Lodge lies on the western edge of the scenic Texas Hill Country, offering spectacular views and sunsets--great for gatherings large or small. This modern, 2-story (2,400 sq ft) lodge is along crystal-clear, spring-fed Pulliam creek (Middle Prong of the Nueces River), which is ideal for swimming, tubing, and snorkeling. A 5-ft-deep swimming hole is at the lodge. Nearby is a large natural spring.

The Lodge sits high above the creek with a lovely, panoramic mountain view. The area is Nueces Canyon, home to many species of birds and other wildlife. The Lodge is located 6 miles north of Camp Wood and 28 miles west of Leakey, near Barksdale, on a 23-acre ranch.

No other place can match the breath-taking view, serenity and seclusion of the Lodge. Hike up and down the river for miles. Hike the 23 acre pasture and county roads. There's a very friendly donkey in the pasture who will love you forever if you give him a salty snack! Other goats & sheep are by his side.

*****
For a video walking the trail down to the river where swimming hole is, go to YouTube and search for "Mountain View Lodge Trail to River". The trail is easy to navigate.
*****

Accommodations: Upstairs (main living area) has 2 bedrooms with king-sized beds sleeping 4 people. Downstairs are recreational accommodations and beds for 8 people. Additionally, there are 3 very comfortable foam pads, pillows & bedding for 3 more. Total of 12 people on beds; 15 when including foam pads. (SEE CAPTIONS UNDER PICTURES FOR BED ARRANGEMENTS.)

About 200 ft in front of the house is a fire pit dug into the ground, lined with rocks. There's a water hose nearby for safety. Scavenge the 23 acres for plenty of firewood. Roasting forks are there, too, by the BBQ pit on the downstairs porch.

TELECOMMUTE FROM THE RANCH! Super-fast, fiber-optic internet, 100 Mbps, BOTH download & upload!! Also, MESH WiFi for no dead-spots, one which broadcasts from multiple locations at both 2.4 GHz and 5.0 GHz.. Do your Zoom business and school meetings wirelessly. Or wired (bring your ethernet cable).

A 55-inch Roku TV is downstairs and a 50-inch Roku TV is upstairs, above fireplaces. For both TVs, Roku voice remotes are used to select content from internet streaming services, or air-cast from your personal device. Select from a vast array of free services or from your own subscription service. Use your voice when selecting a streaming service (Roku remotes provide this technology). Simple instructions are provided: for example, say “launch Netflix”, or "find kid TV shows," or "find all Clint Eastwood movies," or "find It's a Wonderful Life movie." You’ll be amazed! The Lodge is a blend of high-tech and amazing outdoors!

There are large living areas upstairs and downstairs with a southwestern decor. The main living area is upstairs, which includes a large kitchen/dining area, a living room, and two bedrooms. Downstairs is an entertainment area and 2 more bedrooms. A door separates the two lower bedrooms for privacy. (All four bedrooms have doors for privacy.) Each level has a fireplace and a full bath.

Large decks on both levels provide majestic hill country views and a comfortable setting for relaxation. (See pictures for outdoor chairs and tables for each.) The fully equipped kitchen includes a microwave and a dishwasher. The downstairs deck includes a barbecue grill for outdoor cooking. Also downstairs are a washer and dryer.

There are 4 entrances to the house so people can go in and out without disturbing others. Two entrances are upstairs via two large staircases on two opposite sides of the house. Then, 2 entrances downstairs; one main entrance and another on the opposite side of the house via the downstairs porch where the BBQ pit is located.

Weather conditions: It is not just summertime that's great in the Hill Country. Fall, spring, and even winter are some of the most wonderful weather days. The water source for the Lodge is from a well tapped into the nearby spring aquifer--an extra treat. It's processed through a water softener just to remove the hardness and is really great quality water--classic Hill Country.

Pets ages 1 year or over are welcome.

Property manager

Kermit Graf
Premier Host
Premier Host

Languages

English

Amenities

Kitchen
Washer
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

House Rules

Check in after 2:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 2:00 PM

Children

Children allowed: ages 0-17

Events

No events allowed

Pets

Pets allowed
$50 fee for up to 2 pets

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Smoking outside only.

Damage and incidentals

You will be responsible for any damage to the rental property caused by you or your party during your stay.

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
Host has not indicated whether there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
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

We should mention

A car is required for transportation to and from this property

About the area

Barksdale

Located in Barksdale, this vacation home is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Local points of interest include Nueces River. Snorkeling and water tubing offer great chances to get out on the surrounding water, or you can seek out an adventure with hiking and mountain climbing nearby.
Map
Barksdale, TX

What's nearby

  • Frio River - 49 min drive
  • Garner State Park - 60 min drive
  • Devil's Sinkhole State Natural Area - 64 min drive
  • Concan Golf Course and Country Club - 74 min drive
  • Lost Maples State Natural Area - 97 min drive

Restaurants

  • Casa Falcon Restaurant - 14 min drive
  • The Chicken Coop Grill - 8 min drive
  • Harley's Bike Stop - 14 min drive
  • Two Twisted Sisters Bar - 14 min drive
  • Dana's Hotdog House - 8 min drive

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 242 out of 255 reviews" "
Rating 8 - Good. 12 out of 255 reviews" "
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 255 reviews" "
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 255 reviews" "
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 255 reviews" "

9.8/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Staff & service

10/10

Amenities

10/10

Property conditions & facilities

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Michael T.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
2024 Eclipse, Astronomy, and More
Reserved the property two years ago for the 2024 eclipse. Lodge was spacious enough for my adult children and guests as well as some of my siblings families. Overall we had 12 people for the eclipse. Eclipse weather was touch and go but cooperated enough to allow a fantastic experience as the sun played peek-a-boo with the clouds. Also had a great night of astronomy as weather permitted in some of the darkest skies that I have had the pleasure of viewing under. Besides the eclipse, hikes along the pasture and river were highlights of the trip. Family was very excited to meet the sheep, goats and Mr. Donkey. Bird and humming bird feeders gave plenty of entertainment. Views from the lodge are outstanding. Sunsets are amazing. Swimming at the swimming hole in the river was very popular. There was something for everyone. Surprisingly given the location, there is very good internet service. The weather in the area can be interesting especially when a major front comes though. Lodge was very well equipped and clean. Everything needed was there including food for the sheep, goats, birds and Mr. Donkey. Communications with the host were outstanding. Lots of good documentation at the host's listing, e-mails, and posted at the lodge. Would gladly stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Apr 2024

10/10 Excellent

Raymond S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spacious and gorgeous views
Really enjoyed the spacious ranch house during my stay there. The view from the living area was awesome! Had fun feeding Mr. Donkey, goats, rams and birds. Very relaxing, quiet and beautiful area to get away from city life. The host was very accommodating when I had to reschedule due to unforeseen circumstances. I am looking forward to my next stay there in October!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Frank W.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
mvl
good
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jeff B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Adventure Motorcycle Trip
Plenty of room for 5 guys riding the Twisted Sisters and local adventure motorcycle routes. We could hear the river/running water on the deck. Great sunset views!
Stayed 3 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Amy M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing, peaceful location
This is an amazing place to stay if you want to sit on the deck and losten to the river down below and birds in the trees taking turns coming to the feeder. It's wonderfully quiet. All amenities needed are provided. The river is beautiful. If I'd been visiting when the temps were warmer, I'd have spent the whole day sitting in the water. It's very clean. Found a blogger who stated that the river in this area is probably the most pristine in the whole state. I hated to leave. The sheep in the pasture added an extra measure of lovely. Everything was very clean and well labeled. Instructions were so easy to follow. You won't be disappointed!
Stayed 8 nights in Jan 2024

About the host

Hosted by Kermit Graf

Host profile image
In 2011 I retired from 31 years as an engineer with Schlumberger. My wife and I own and manage three vacation rental properties. We enjoy providing relaxing and safe properties for our guests and their families. We are both originally from Houston, then moved to Austin in the late 1960s when attending, then graduating from, the University of Texas, where we met each other in the Longhorn Band. Hook-em Horns!

Languages:

English

Premier Host

Premier Host
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