TexasWaterFrontRanches

One of Texas’ most treasured features is its Hill Country located in the central part of the state and owning a piece of it is like owning a piece of heaven. Many people think of Texas as a big desert or a dusty plain but Texas is one of the most diverse states in America. Hill Country ranches can vary from valleys with bubbling creeks to hilltops grandly displaying the countryside. Some of the most coveted Hill Country ranches even feature broad, clear limestone rivers such as the Pedernales, Frio, Comal or Blanco rivers. Common wildlife on Hill Country ranches includes whitetail deer, axis deer, turkey and feral hogs. Ranches in the Hill Country can range from just 20 acres to 20,000 acres but they all have common features of rolling limestone hills and broad oaks. Many people see the non-native ash juniper more commonly called a “cedar” as an invasive species on Hill Country ranches but the mature trees have become home to the endangered golden cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo. Protecting these species through conservation easements is one way owners of Hill Country ranches can gain tax benefits and protect the land from over development. Owning a ranch in the Hill Country offers a place to escape the stress of everyday life and experience a little bit of unspoiled nature.

Find The Perfect Hill Country Ranch Here

One of Texas’ most treasured features is its Hill Country located in the central part of the state and owning a piece of it is like owning a piece of heaven. Many people think of Texas as a big desert or a dusty plain but Texas is one of the most diverse states in America. Hill Country ranches can vary from valleys with bubbling creeks to hilltops grandly displaying the countryside. Some of the most coveted Hill Country ranches even feature broad, clear limestone rivers such as the Pedernales, Frio, Comal or Blanco rivers. Common wildlife on Hill Country ranches includes whitetail deer, axis deer, turkey and feral hogs. Ranches in the Hill Country can range from just 20 acres to 20,000 acres but they all have common features of rolling limestone hills and broad oaks. Many people see the non-native ash juniper more commonly called a “cedar” as an invasive species on Hill Country ranches but the mature trees have become home to the endangered golden cheeked warbler and black-capped vireo. Protecting these species through conservation easements is one way owners of Hill Country ranches can gain tax benefits and protect the land from over development. Owning a ranch in the Hill Country offers a place to escape the stress of everyday life and experience a little bit of unspoiled nature.  Visit our web site to see our Hill Country Ranch offerings.

Earlier this week I had an opportunity to see one our new listings in Dripping Springs.  The Hill Country land featured over 100 acres of stunning views, wet weather creeks, rare plants and trees, wildlife, several grottos with waterfalls and so much more.   We discovered  several stellar homestead locations where you could look out your front door and see panoramic Hill Country vistas and our amazing Texas sunsets.  With Dripping Springs schools and Austin only 15 minute away, this Lakeshore Drive property would be the perfect estate location.

Visit us at the DMTX website for more information!

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Panoramic Hill Country Views

Freestone Creek Ranch

This private 145 acre waterfront showplace is nestled in the Hill Country just outside of Dripping Springs.  It features a 7,287 SF luxury home built by Bill Dunn with high-end amenities throughout. The land includes both sides of clear, cool and dammed Freestone Creek which features some nice swimming holes. This showplace is game fenced on 3 sides and features a nice mixture of wooded habitat and grassy meadows to attract big turkey, deer and other native wildlife. A well-appointed guest home sits at the edge of a 1+ acre swimming/fishing pond – a perfect setting to enjoy cool evenings on the covered patio gazing at the views. This property also features a state of the art home gym including office and living quarters. The ranch is surrounded by large acreage ranches without a neighbor in site. From open, grassy meadows and spectacular creek frontage to the inviting luxurious home, this private showplace has it all!  Offered for $3,495,000.  Can be subdivided.  Find out more about this property.

Lake Travis

Central Texas boasts some of the most scenic lakes in all of the state. Several dams along the Colorado River form the Highland Lakes chain – a series of lakes that feature limestone canyons, big Hill Country views, blue waters and spectacular waterfalls. Check out the series of blogs on the individual lakes making up the Highland Lakes chain to learn more about each of these unique waterways:

Highland Lakes Part One: Lake Austin

Highland Lakes Part Two: Lake Travis

Highland Lakes Part Three: Lake Marble Falls

Highland Lakes Part Four: Lake LBJ

Highland Lakes Part Five: Inks Lake

Highland Lakes Part 6: Lake Buchanan

Located on the Highland Lakes Chain between Lake Buchanan and Lake LBJ, Inks Lake is a 4.2 mile lake formed by Inks Dam.  Inks Dam, constructed from 1936 to 1938, has no floodgates and the power plant is the smallest in the Highland Lakes chain. A small amount of water can be released through hydroelectric generation, but the bulk of floodwater passes over an uncontrolled spillway.  Buchanan Dam and Inks Dam work in tandem to release water downstream.
Inks Lake is the second smallest of the Highland Lakes, measuring 832 acres.   The lake maintains a constant level of 887 ft. above sea level and is 3,000 ft. across at its widest point.  Inks Lake State Park is 1201 acres along the lake and features camping, fishing, boating, backpacking and a 9 hole golf course.   The most famous feature of Inks Lake is “The Devil’s Waterhole,” a popular place for rock climbing and cliff jumping.    Texas Parks and Wildlife has a great video about the lake here.

View, Montandon Ranch

The Montandon Ranch piece of property on Lake Travis just had a sizeable price reduction, to $5,900,000. It is 171 Acres of dramatic views of the lake, manicured acreage, rolling hills, mature oaks and big, deep waterfront, consisting of some cove waterfront  and main body waterfront. The perfect deal for the right buyer. Able to divide into 100 and 71 acres.

See the listing here.

Views of Lake Travis From The Montandon Ranch

It’s rare to find big acreage close to the main body of Lake Travis and even more rare to find something that’s easily buildable.  The Montandon Ranch on the North Shore of Lake Travis in the Singleton Bend area features 171 acres of dramatic views, manicured acreage and big, deep waterfront across from Barton Creek Lakeside with its 18 hole Arnold Palmer designed course. This ranch is fully fenced and gated with 3 wells, stock tank and pond. Underground utilities and well are at the perfect building spot perched on a hilltop with panoramic Hill Country views and as well as Lake Travis views up and down river. Waterfront includes some cove frontage as well as main body waterfront. Keep the agricultural exemption by running cattle on portions of the land.  Bring your horses to explore the 171 acres of rolling hills, mature oaks and Hill Country vistas. There’s also the possibility of subdividing this property into a 100 acre tract and a 71 acre tract.  Either way, the Montandon Ranch is the place to build your ultimate Lake Travis Ranch.

Gabriel's Horn Ranch

Georgetown is one of Central Texas’ fastest growing cities. Close to employers like Dell and Samsung but far away fromthe traffic of downtown Austin to feel like you’re really out in the country. The Georgetown area has an abundance of natural features including rolling hills, limestone caves and the clear, limestone bottomed San Gabriel River. The Gabriel’s Horn Ranch features over 2,000 ft. along the San Gabriel River as well as 60 acres of rolling green pastures surrounded by hills. This gated luxury ranch includes a 6,000 SF estate home completed in 2007. This incredible home includes a gourmet kitchen, a sub-level game/media room, separate entry guest suite, luxurious master suite and great room with 20 ft. stone fireplace and two story windows showcasing views of the surrounding Hill Country. Oak groves surround the home offering both shade and additional privacy. Fenced paddocks surround the 4 stall barn with office, wash room, tack room, pest control system and round pen. This gentleman’s ranch offers a fantastic investment

San Gabriel River

along one of Central Texas’ strongest live water rivers close to several of the major cities in the Greater Austin area. Whether looking for a recreational escape, room to raise horses or raise a family in the top rated Liberty Hill ISD or just land hold in anticipation of future growth, The Gabriel’s Horn Ranch is a “can’t miss” opportunity. Additional waterfront acreage available.

Cow Creek Ranch

Far northwest Travis County seems like a different world when compared to the urban core of Austin.  Here you can find some of the tallest hills in the area – many of them reaching to 1,200 ft.  The Cow Creek Ranch consists of 372 acres nestled in these hills as well as over 800 ft. of crystal clear Cow Creek which flows into Lake Travis about 5 miles from this property. Very private, this ranch is surrounded by large acreage ranches and the federally protected, 30,000+ acre Balcones Canyonlands National Wildlife Refuge, a habitat set aside for various endangered species such as the The Golden-cheeked Warbler, Black-capped Vireo and Painted Bunting. This ensures panoramic views of these canyons

Panoramic Views of Canyons and Hills

and hills for generations to come. In keeping with the nature of the land surrounding it, special conservation easements have also been placed on the Cow Creek Ranch to minimalize development and enhance the beauty of this special place.  Wet weather creeks and draws criss-crossing the property have carved stunning grottoes into the limestone hills on the property.  Several pastures have been cleared on the property creating the perfect place for a ranch home.  Apart from endangered species, other wildlife seen on the property include turkey, deer and wild hogs – perfect for hunters. Click here to find out more about the ranch.