C.R., Odessa, TX
"The truest form of a getaway! 5 STARS! If you want to get out of Texas without leaving Texas, this place is the perfect spot. Circle H Lodge is in a very secluded area that makes you feel like you're on your very own island. The homeowners are the sweetest, so that's a big plus too."
We had a wonderful time, despite the epic flood we really enjoyed the Ranch and loved remembering coming up here as kids!
Webb Family Vac
Our family had an amazing time. We loved the hiking trail and all of the animals. The rope swing was a fan favorite. We definitely have to come again.
Atwood Family Vacation 8/2 – 8/7 Houston, TX
What a beautiful place! We had such a great time = so incredibly relaxing! Kids loved the swimming hole and spent hours on the rope swing! Plan on a return trip – loved it!
Burba (Houston), Brister (New Braunfels, Spring) Berchelmann (Cypress/Woodlands) Trip 7/14-7/17
Had a great time water hole, animals, weather all such an amazing, blessed time. Great family vacation! Loving the natural spring pond. Thanks for having us!
Gary & Marie, Poole Family Vacation 7/5-9/2022
We had such a wonderful time! Your ranch is beautiful. The spring fed pool is amazing, and the lodge made us feel at home. We loved being able to hike and see all the animals, especially the wildebeest and zebras. And the baby foxes by the house gave us lots entertainment! Thank you for everything!
Love, The Hilton, Royal, & Mehrmann Clan 6/28/22
We had a blast! Mimi’s Mountain was a blast! The watering hole was amazing for the 90+ weather. The animals are beautiful. Our overall stay was wonderful and exactly what we all needed. Thank you for the amazing experience!
The Molsbee Tribe 6/22 P.S. The lonely zebra needs a friend (donkey)
Had such a wonderful time! We loved the lodge, hikes & swing! Animals were amazing too. Celebrated our son’s 12th birthday with all his friends. We will certainly be back! Thank you.
M. 4/30/22
We had a great trip! Thank you!
Kelsey, Jesse, Luke, Shaina, Khloe, & Chase
Thanks for a great, relaxing time on your lovely property! We enjoyed a hike up to the peak & lounging in the shade by the pool. It was perfect weather to set up our projector outside and watch movies at night, and on our last night we enjoyed a little party in the cantina. What a fun place! Cheers!
Sept. 10-13,2021
We survived Leakey 2021! We had so much fun! When children are entertained for hours & adults can socialize! An AMAZING TIME! We survived the hike with 8 kids & 8 adults! Hope to be back again!
SOTEX – 8/26- 8/29-2021 The C. B. T. & Future T Family
Well, this was our 5th year to come here for our family vacation. We love this place! Party all day & Cantina at night!! So nice to unplug from all the bad news & tech world, and get back to nature. Thanks for sharing your slice of heaven with us! See you all next year! Cheers!!
The Mooneys, Kovars, Fry, and Jeske Families 7/23-7/26/2021
Fantastic time. Very relaxing! Very calm. Loved watching animals & birds (morning & night). Swimming hole was a blast. Hiking trails & views & scenery were great! Only hard thing is having to leave.
USA David & Mary (Houston, Tx) Eric & Rana (Atascocita), Francis & Jay (Irvine, CA) & Kids! 6/27-7/1/2021
Relaxing weekend celebrating Thanksgiving with family. Dreamy views & so fun to drive around to see the animals. Fire pit & cantina. Thank you for letting us come for the weekend to make memories with family.
Gossett Family November 27-29, 2020
Been coming here since 2003 & it is just as magical now as it was then! You can imagine all the different experience that have happened here… from the Native Americans passing through to the lodge being built in the 1800’s, to all the celebrations here now. It’s an amazing place! Thank you for letting us share in it – we have great memories!
Washburn, Steinberg, & Griffith Families 11/23/20
Such an amazing time!! Incredible views, elegant lodging. Peacefulness and beautiful scenery. Who could ask for more? We had a lovely family vacation and look forward to many more!
The Agular & Brenner Families November 12-15, 2020
Halloween Weekend 2020. We just came to the Circle H about 23 years ago. When we needed a break from overcrowded Austin, this place came to mind. It did not disappoint. We will return soon with friends as we did back then. It’s just magical here! Thanks for sharing this treasure.
Ben & Susan (Austin, Tx.)
This is just what we needed to get a break from Quarantine Life. What an amazing change of scenery! We loved spotting wildebeest and zebras on the Mimi’s Mountain lookout hike and also had a great time hiking and swimming at Garner State Park. Relaxing at night was perfect – had a blast jumping into the pool using the rope swing, grilling out back, drinks in the cantina, and roasting marshmallows for s’mores in the fire pit. This place is an incredible treasure. Thank you so for sharing it, Jen & John!
The Moore Family (Austin, Tx.) October 12, 2020
Tom’s 70th BDay 9/20
Perfecto!! Our family loved everything. Had a birthday surprise party in Cantina with hats, ponchos, and fun.. Thanks!!
Beautiful Ranch – Awesome wildlife! Gorgeous House – Can see having Thanksgiving at the table.
Jason & Kurt Families (9/15/2020)
Had a great time on your lovely ranch. There is so much to do and we really loved it. Many Thanks!
9/11/20
I love the pool! This house is cool!
Lilly Emmite (6 years old) 9/8/2020
What a great place for a family vacation – thank you for sharing!
(9/2020)
We love this place!!! We had a great time. I loved all the animals. I loved being out in the woods. Pool is great. I want to come back most definitely, but that’s up to my mom.
Kassie (August 20, 2020)
Thanks so much for a relaxing and peaceful stay! Everything was perfect. The outdoor areas were the perfect hang out spots.
The Neely’s, Hammond’s, Denton’s 8/16/20 (Bluff Dale, Tx)
Thank you for such a great time and a beautiful place.
(Aug 9th)
Thanks for the memories and the relaxing time. It has been awesome! Beautiful Property!
The Arosell’s
Thanks so much for a relaxing and peaceful respite from the current chaos. We had a wonderful time!
The Patterson’s (Aug 7/8, 2020)
John & Jen Thank you so much for everything. We will definitely be back. Lots memories to make. Beautiful Ranch.
J. Rodriguez (Eagle Pass, Tx.) Aug 6, 2020
Thanks for the memories. We had a wonderful time. Very relaxing, all the kids enjoyed the pool, the animals, and the stars at night.
Texas A&M, B. &A. Rodriguez ’66 (Eagle Pass, Tx.)
4th year here & it gets better every year. Thanks for sharing your beautiful property with us. Can’t wait for 2021!!
The Mooney’s, The Jeske’s, The Kovar’s (7/24- 7/27)
Thanks for another great time! Everything was great and everyone enjoyed their stay. It was a great time to get away and relax during these uncertain times. We hope to be back again.
The M. G. &D. Families (July 17- 20, 2020)
The last time we were here was 2009, and we had always made such great memories. I had been wanting to come back desperately, but my family had convinced me that it wouldn’t happen. This week they surprised me with this trip for my graduation and these will forever be my best memories. We love Leakey and the Circle h Lodge! Thank you for keeping it the same all these years!
The Tidmore & Dawson Family (2020)
Another magical time at Circle H Lodge. Thank you for welcoming us to a much needed escape!
The Toney Family (Austin, Tx.), The Schroller’s (Victoria, Tx.), Nelson (Briggs, Tx.) Year 5!
Thanks for sharing this most magical place. It was inspirational, healing, and energizing all in one. What a perfect place to spend time with family. Again, thanks for allowing others to appreciate your paradise in the Hill Country. Viva Terlingua!
July 1, 2020
We have loved our stay sooo much. Had a blast at the pool and on the grounds. A good time was had by all 7 of us! The animals are beautiful. Thank you Jen!
Brenda Seeds (June 11-15, 2020)
Wow! What a perfect place for our family. We had such a great time- the kids loved everything it was awesome! We hope to return again
May 27, 2020
Dear Harwood family and staff, How can we thank you enough at this difficult time in the world, to welcome us into your amazing lodge. We feel truly blessed to have found you. The Lodge is so charming and full of whimsical character. It has all the comforts of home with a few differences. We would never expect a visit from a zebra or wildebeest. As animal lovers, we were so delighted to see the variety of exotic animals. We also watch the baby birds in the small next on the porch and of course the hummingbirds! We were only here three days but could have stayed a month. Once our daughters feel safer in the world, we will definitely come back with our family. Thank you again for a time we will always remember and want to experience again. Your hospitality was much needed. God bless you and keep you safe.
Doug & Debbie Schultz (Richmond, Tx) Russel & Linda too. (April 28, 2020)
Once again, a long weekend of good friends, good times and some much needed down time from our hectic lives. We love all the changes made to the lodge and grounds… swimming hole is super awesome!
Sharp, Fox, Westphal, & Fitch Families (Sept. 12-16, 2019)
To the Harwoods! & Staff!! What an amazing experience! Thank you for letting us come & stay here. Breath taking views, all the exotic animals, star gazing, swimming and fishing oh and also hiking. So much to do in such a little time. We cannot thank you all enough. Hoping to be able to come back every year! Thanks to All.
(August 5, 2019)
What a beautiful place! We had so much fun swimming, hiking, and seeing all the animals! Thank you for being such amazing hosts and sharing your slice of paradise with us! We plan to return soon!
McDougall’s from Odessa (July 28 – July 1, 2019)
We had a wonderful time! The grounds are beautiful and getting to see the animals was exciting for everyone! Thank you for a wonderful time, we can’t wait to come back again!
The Callanan’s, Lozoyas, Wilkinson’s, & Blomstroms! (July 28th, 2019)
WAY TO MUCH FUN ------------ WAY TO LITTLE TIME!!!
M. J. K. & F. Families 7/20-22/19
Had a great time! Thanks for your hospitality!
S. S. & T. Families 7/15/19
We had a great time hiking and swimming. The pool is awesome. This house is so comfortable, and we had too much fun in the Cantina! Ha! Thanks!
M. G. D. Families 7/12/19
This place is magical. Thank you for sharing. We baptized our son in the spring this trip.
July 2019 Nelson S. Mead Clan
This place is AWESOME! Thank y’all so much for having us. We hope to come again in the future! God Bless!
Kaitlyn, Aubrie & Avery (6/26/2019)
We had a blast! Thank you all y’all do to make this such an enjoyable place! Happy! Happy! Happy!
C. B. T. Family 6/24/19
We are so happy we found your beautiful paradise in the Hill Country. We are having a fabulous time from swimming, hiking, exploring the springs. BBQing and The Cantina! Believe the little ones enjoyed the Cantina fun! Thank you for sharing your beautiful lodge! See you next year!
The Flanagan & Smith Family
Thank you for having such a pretty home available. All of us had a fun time hiking, swimming, and sitting on the porch enjoying the view. We can’t wait to come back.
6/7/19 Dailey Family
What a wonderful place! Thank you for making a great get away!
Sweetwater, Alabama Y. Family June 8th, 2019
We had such a wonderful time. Feeling so blessed to have found you on Home away. From youngest to oldest we all had such fun. Swimming and hiking was a great time with the entire family. We are so looking forward to next year. Thank you so much for sharing your home with us.
R. D. and Y. Families (6/7/2019 Pleasanton, Tx.)
What a great time I had with family. This place was amazing. Thank you.
Kevin D. 6/7/2019
May 31, 2019, R &M, Family Getaway
“This place was exactly what we were looking for. Thank you for your hospitality and great memories! We will be back soon.”
May 24, 2019, L & H Families, Memorial Weekend
“A great time was had by all! Grandparents, children and grand-children! Swimming, hiking, resting and a lot of sharing memories! Watching the fireflies was so neat, what a show they provided. Thanks to my son, Keith and my daughter-in-law, for a wonderful and much needed rest.”
May 2019, B & B Families
“Thanking my brother and sister-in-law for a wonderful break! What an awesome weekend for me to spend with my family. Thank you!”
April 2019, G. Family, Corpus Christi, TX
“What a wonderful oasis to enjoy with family and friends! You’ve paired rustic charm with a breathtaking backdrop, to create the perfect getaway location. We absorbed the sights and sounds of nature and appreciated the thoughtfulness you put into every last detail to make getting nestled in and cleaning up a breeze. Thank you for sharing your piece of paradise with us!”
April 2019, U. Family, Corpus Christi, TX
“What great memories we made this weekend! Thank you for sharing your beautiful property and home. We will be back!”
March 2019, E. Family, TX
“We had such a great time! Plenty of room and such beautiful scenery. We made many wonderful memories!”
October 12, 2018, M. Family, Corpus Christi, TX
“We had a wonderful time at Circle H Ranch! We enjoyed swimming, taking nature walks and gazing at the stars at night. Such a beautiful property, with tons to see and do. Never a dull moment. We can’t wait to visit this little slice of heaven on earth again. Thank you so much for a memorable weekend. We will be back!”
August 13, 2018, A & W Families
“Thank you for the great hospitality. We had a wonderful time. We hope to come back soon! We made great memories!”
August 2, 2018, D. Family
“This was the perfect retreat for our family vacation. We enjoyed making smores at the campfire and the rope swing. We enjoyed Dotty and the beautiful views. Thank you!”
July 19, 2018, M. Family
“Simply the Best!”
July 7, 2018, N. Family
“As always…great times and wonderful memories were made! See you next year. 😊”
July 7, 2018, P., A. & M. Families, Houston, TX, Year #5
“We always have a great time coming here! Thank you for giving us the awesome opportunity to get together and have a great time. We enjoyed every minute of it here and always love the cantina. 😊Thank you.”
July 2, 2018, S. Family, Victoria, TX, Year #2
“Four nights of relaxation and fun. A wonderful and amazing family experience. Thanks for the memories. Looking forward to next year.”
July 2, 2018, T. Family, Austin, TX
“Toney family vacation to Circle H Ranch Year #2! So relaxing. Amazing hiking. Fun swimming. Loving memories. Thank you, John and Jen. Can’t wait for next year.”
June 2018, A. Family
“Thank you! We will be back!”
June 17, 2018, C. Family, Wimberly, TX
“The Coburn family is finally back! Been coming here since it opened. Our kids are grown now, but it’s still their favorite place. We missed a couple of years but it seems like yesterday that we were here. Still the best! Thank you, John and Jen!”
June 10, 2018, H. Family, Hawkins, TX
“We had a wonderful time. This was the perfect family vacation for our family. Thank you and may God Bless You.”
June 10, 2018, G. Family, Old River, TX
“We couldn’t have asked for a better time with family. We had lots of laughs and memories made!”
June 10, 2018, T. Family, Baytown, TX
“This was a perfect place for our family to gather and enjoy the quiet, nature and swimming. The view is beautiful, and my family loved the hiking each day. It was so much more than we expected!”
June 8, 2018, E. & A. Family, TX
“Your deer was super cute and laid under the hammock while I took a nap. Can’t wait to see her baby. The rope swing and natural pool were a blast, totally need to come back! There was so much to do here and it was all super fun and incredibly beautiful. I definitely want to come back soon! Thank you for letting us stay here!”
June 8, 2018, T. & L. Family, TX
“We really enjoyed our stay! We love all of your animals! Our kids are ready to come back and they haven’t even left. 😊 We will return soon! Thanks to all of the people here that have been so sweet and helpful. Until next time!”
June 1, 2018, S. Family, TX
“Had a wonderful stay! All was good, the pool was incredible. The hiking, the animals, the views, all were wonderful. Enjoyed the all of it. Thank you for sharing it all with our family. Only bad thing is we have to leave. Thank you!”
May 25, 2018, M & S, TX
“We had the most incredible time here! The lodge, property, swimming pool, cantina, but most of all your hospitality was wonderful. We can’t wait to come back!”
May 26, 2018, J & J Family, TX
“We had an absolute blast while we were here. Happy birthday, Shaina!”
May 4, 2018, C &D Family, Fredericksburg, TX
“This place is incredible! We had such a wonderful weekend. We actually never left. We had everything we wanted or needed right here. The kids loved meeting Dottie. The pool was the best! We took advantage of the hiking trails, but spent most of our time at the pool. Thank you so very much!”
May 1, 2018, C & B Family, Beeville, TX
“What a great weekend in a beautiful setting! We enjoyed it so much and thank you for your hospitality. We made some wonderful memories and will think about them often.”
May 1, 2018, D & A, Beeville, TX
“We had a wonderful weekend at your ranch. Such a good time with fabulous friends, food and fun. Lots of great memories made- especially at the Cantina! Thanks again for such wonderful time!
April 1, 2018, N.,B., R., H. & S. Family, Georgetown, Muenster, Bay City, Jarrell, TX
50th Wedding Anniversary & Easter Celebration Weekend
“Our family had a beautiful weekend at Circle H Ranch and Lodge! Everything was top notch. We’ll never forget the beautiful memories made at this very special place. We’ll be back!!”
March 20, 2018, C. & C. Family, Houston, TX
Celebrating 50th Wedding Anniversary
“All of us are celebrating our parent’s 50th anniversary. Thank you. We had a blast. Our kids and the whole family have enjoyed this place; the creek, the springs, everything! Nice place to have fun.”
November, 26, 2017, M. Family, Corpus Christi, TX
“We had a fabulous time. Could not have found a better place or weather for Thanksgiving!!! The kids were in awe. Looking forward to a return visit.”
Circle H Ranch is one of the most exciting adventurous vacations my family has ever gone on.
The Exotic animals,the peaceful surroundings made our vacation phenomenal. The staff was professional and courteous. They went the extra mile to spoil us rotten. We look forward to going back again next year I would encourage anyone to experience the adventures of Circle H Ranch. Deb
September 2017 B. Family 40th Birthday Bash
“We had a great time. Great facility and amazing staff! We will definitely be back!”
September 2017 S. Family Weekend
“Daughter’s first trip to Frio! Thank you!”
August 2017 T., J., H., M., O., M., W., V., D., & C. Friends’ Weekend
“Thank you! Great times and wonderful memories. The deer’s name is Betsy!”
August 2017 K., D. & C. Family Vacation
“Our first time here and absolutely loved it! Awesome swimming hole…kids & adults loved it! Boys had fun on the boats – saw fish! Bats seen on two nights. Once on the front porch and once a whole group of them flew from high up by the chimney! So neat to watch them fly off in the evening! Loved, loved the pet deer!! We called her Bambi while we were here and fed her carrots and corn. Thank you and we will definitely be back next summer!”
July 2017 P., D. & R. Family, Texarkana, Arkansas, Jourdanton & Houston, Texas
“Had a wonderful stay! Enjoyed all of the beautiful animals. Dottie made the trip extra special. Many thanks!”
July 2017 M. Family Reunion, The Woodlands, Texas
“What an awesome place!! We had such a great time!! Thank you for sharing your little slice of Heaven with us. Good ole South Texas.”
July 2017 S. & T. Family Trip, Victoria, Texas
“Loved Dottie! p.s. my birthday is July 22nd. So sad to leave!”
June 2017 F., W. & L. Family Summer Vacation
“The family loved Dottie and the Cantina! Loved the Cantina! Great vacation! Had a blast! A trip to remember! So many memories made! The Cantina is the bomb and so is the houses. Hugs! Have a great summer! Can’t wait to come here again!”
June 2017 G. Family, San Antonio & Fredericksburg, Texas
“Had a wonderful time. Very beautiful cabin and ranch! Amazing! Can’t wait to come back! I loved all of it and I loved Dottie! Our family had an awesome time. What a cabin! We will be back. As you can see, the G. families all had a great time! So nice we could all get together at such a beautiful place.”
June 2017 T.,H.,B. & O. Family Reunion
“We loved it here! Thank you for the most gorgeous time! Thank you….had a great time! We loved it all, especially Dottie!!! Awesome ranch…so much fun! What a fabulous place! We loved it! Most enjoyable!”
June 2017 F. & C. Family Vacation, Houston, Texas
“Love this place. Thank you for having us….had a great time! Great time hiking on hills! It’s so cool! Had a blast! The place is beautiful! Thank you for letting us stay!”
Memorial Day Weekend 2017, H.&G. families, Bryan and Houston, Texas
“50th wedding anniversary. Thanks for helping us to make wonderful memories. Thank you! Great place! Special family fun!”
Mother’s Day 2017, R.C. & K. Families, Fredricksburg, Texas
“Love, love, love this place. We will be back! Thank you so much for your hospitality! What an awesome place this is. God’s beauty never ceases to amaze me. Hopefully we will make it back some day.”
June 2016, K. & I. Family, North Texas and NOLA
“All 15 of us for a 50th Anniversary Celebration…what a lovely, serene, fun place this is…long hikes and swims…plenty of porch time with coffee. Thanks to Jen and John for sharing this special place!” “What an amazing place to celebrate our parents 50th wedding anniversary! Had a blast!” “Best family trip ever! Such fun for all!”
June 2016. G. Family, Houston, TX
“John & Jen, Thank you so much. You have such a beautiful place. Your hospitality & graciousness is so appreciated and we are very grateful to have had such a wonderful weekend. May God Bless y’all & prosper y’all with many more wonderful years here.”
March 2016. B. Family. San Antonio & Denton, TX
“We came out for Spring Break and had a lovely time. It was beautiful and a great place for the family to get together. We hope to be back with even more members. Very nice experience!”
January 2016. M & S Families. Laredo, TX
“This is our first time here and we really enjoyed our stay. The views are amazing and the house is wonderful. We will be back soon!”
December 2015. R, G & D Families. Austin, Carrizo Springs, Houston & Corpus Christi, TX
“This has to be one of the most beautiful places on this earth. Myself and my family truly enjoyed the place and will make this a trip for years to come. Thank you so much for your hospitality. We will be in touch for future reservations. Sincerely, RR”
November 2015. C. & A. Family. Corpus Christi & Houston, TX
“The opportunity for all of us to be together with a beautiful place and with good friends and family is incredible! Thank you John & Jen! C.” “This is our 18th year enjoying the Circle H Ranch at Thanksgiving. What a great opportunity to enjoy the ranch, each other and just relax. Thank you for making this an unforgettable experience. We plan to see you next year. Warm Regards, P.”
September 2015. G., L, S., A, & M Families. Falls City, Midland, Abilene & Stanton, TX
“Beautiful, serene, fun, great hospitality. Love having our own little swimming hole. The kids (and adults) played on the rope swing for hours!”
August 2015. M, W & O Families. San Antonio, TX
“Great Place! Great Times! Always enjoy the hospitality! We’ll come back next year!” “John & Jen, Thank you for sharing this beautiful place- We had a wonderful time. You helped make great memories.”
August 2015. S., H. & B. Families. Stonewall, TX, San Antonio, TX, New Braunfels, TX & Sabinal, TX
“Our family had an amazing time at the Circle H Lodge this year. This is our second time at this magnificent place, and we have decided to make it an annual event. It can be hard to get away from it all sometimes, but when we come here we are able to just enjoy family and being together. We can’t wait to come back next year as our family continues to grow. Thank you again! See you next year.”
July 2015. A.M.L. & P. Families. Friendswood, TX
“Third year in a row to stay at the ranch. Had an absolutely fabulous time! We played corn hole & waffle ball. We danced in the cantina all night! The Frio is amazing, and this ranch is like a home away from home! This is my favorite place in the whole world. Such an amazing vacation! Xo”
July 2015. S., R., & D. Families. Albert, TX, Greensburg, TX, Weatherford, TX
“The weather was absolutely fantastic for our stay here. We have all felt as though we were in our own little oasis. Hiked the nature trail. Fed the pet deer. Got to experience wildlife in living color while playing washers; seeing all the Red deer. You have an absolutely beautiful place here. We loved it! Great friends + Great Weather= Perfect Vacation!”
June 2015. H. Family. Prosper, TX
“This was such a beautiful place to gather as a family. We enjoyed the deer, spring-fed pool, bonfire, hiking, hammocks, and the beautiful, well stocked and decorated home…and the GREAT hospitality! What delightful wonderful hosts!!! This place is a great place to come recharge the batteries from a busy life! We’ll be back!”
May 2015. C. Family. Friendswood, TX, San Antonio, TX, Dallas, TX, New Braunfels, TX
“Beautiful place! Perfect even when it rained. J”
May 2015. M. Family. Houston, TX
“We had an incredible time at Circle H! Such a beautiful property and so many activities to do. Jennifer and her team were so accommodating and treated us like family. We’ll be back!”
May 2015. V. Crew. Houston, TX
I booked the Circle H Lodge for my group of young urban professionals and it was everything we wanted for a Texan Memorial Day weekend. The ranch is majestically tucked away between sets of steep hills next to Garner State Park, the perfect setting for an escape from the city. We were appreciative of the upkeep of the animal ranch, trails, natural spring pool, the cantina, and of course the lodge itself. We had 10 guests and still had plenty of room for more. The lodge was spacious, extremely clean, well-appointed, and had plenty of room for indoor and outdoor activities and big group dinners. Although it rained for much of the weekend, we still managed to hike one of the steep hills, swim in the natural pool, explore the property, barbecue, and play yard games. Because of the rain, we made good use of the cantina at night. This is a very special property and Jen made the booking and preparation processes flawless; she was amazingly helpful and thoughtful, especially considering the historic flooding this area had to deal with during Memorial Day weekend
August 2014. K. Family. Austin, TX, Georgetown, TX, & Huntsville, TX
“Had a wonderful & relaxing holiday weekend! Thanks!”
August 2014. O. Family. Pearland, TX
“So happy to be here. Love my family!”
August 2014. L. Family. San Antonio, TX
“G Family Reunion~ Beautiful, tranquil, and fun place! Enjoyed it, so much!”
August 2014. P. & T. Families. Rockwall and Crandall, TX
“We had a wonderful stay. Thank you!”
July 2014. K. Family. Cypress, TX
“We had a blast. The place is awesome. The kids had a great time at the swimming hole and walking the trails. It was fun for the whole family and hope we can visit again in the future.”
June 2014, P. Family, Tomball, TX AND Baton Rouge LA
"What a wonderful family adventure. There are too many favorites to list them all. The pool, hammock, trail, lawns, firepit, view and Maggie! Many thanks to the stafff for all their hard work and kind words. We will see y'all again."
June 2014, S. Family, Corpus Christi, TX
"Gorgeous views and lots of adventure! We even survived a tornado! Thanks for an exciting weekend. "
June 2014, E. Family, Houston, TX
"Thank you for your hospitality while we enjoyed the beautiful TX Hillcountry! Y'all have a little slice of heaven on earth. Thanks for sharing. A wonderful place for a family reunion! This place is beautiful!"
May 2014, C. Family, Visa, TX
"Year #16 at Circle H! Another great year and we brought the rain again. :) See you next year!"
May 2014, K. Family, Houston, TX
"This place is stunning! Such natural beauty and coziness. I can't wait to come back!!"
May 2014, M. Family, San Antonio, TX
"Breathtaking. Gorgeous nature. Memorable time!"
May 2014, P. Family, Houston, TX
"Beautiful nature! Had a wonderful time. Thanks for sharing!"
May 2014, L. Family, San Antonio & Granite Shoals, TX
"We had a great time! Four families and we fit comfortably. There was lots of great space and different nooks to explore. Such a special place to spend time with all my children and grandchildren in one special, beautiful place. Such wonderful memories made here. Thanks for sharing."
March 2014, S. Family, San Antonio, TX
"Thank you for sharing heaven with us. You are all so kind."
Nov 2013, C & A Family, Corpus Christi, TX
"John and Jen: What a wonderful Thanksgiving weekend. Family, good times and a special ranch made for a great time. The Circle H has never looked so good!! All of the improvements have never looked so good!! All of the improvements have spoiled all your guests. The Cantina is the highlight. Thank you for all you do to make our 16th year so special. We plan to return next Thanksgiving."
October 2013, C., M. & D. Families, Lucas, TX & OK
"What a beautiful surround and a wonderful memory for our three families- Thank you for making such a unique experience available."
September 2013, H Family, Ganado/ Matagorda/ Victoria TX
"Love the Cantina! "
August 2013, A. Family & Friends, San Antonio/New Braunfels/Weatherford, TX
"We had another great stay at Circle H! Love the Cantina addition!!!"
August 2013, S. & W. Families, Conroe, TX
"We had a great time here even though the Frio was low and the floating wasn't ideal. This place is perfect! Everything you need all in one place- will definitely return!"
August 2013, O. Family, Austin, TX
" It's our favorite home away from home. We are so hooked!! :) Best vacation spot in Texas! "
“We love it! Everything is so well kept and relaxing. Thank you for sharing your getaway with us. Our family had an amazing time. Your ranch is absolutely beautiful! We can’t wait to come back!”
July 2013, M. Family, Friendswood, TX
“Beautiful house, Awesome Cantina, Amazing views. This was our first time here at Circle H Ranch, and we absolutely LOVE it and will return!”
July 2013, G. Family, Houston, TX & Duluth, GA
“Had a lot of fun. Thank you! Beautiful place! Second time back was even better than first! The cantina was a great addition!! Thank you for everything!”
June 2013, L. Family, Laredo, TX
“Beautiful place..very fun! Favorite thing to do was hike the trails, sit and drink coffee on the front porch and play kickball on the lawn. Swimming hole was great too!”
June 2013, P. S. and G. Families, Spring & Cypress, TX
“As always, we love this place!! Lots of good times, laughs and memories with the ones we love! Thanks to Jen and John for all that you do to make this special!!”
June 2013, S. Family, Magnolia, TX, Spring, TX, Rockport, TX, Houston, TX
“Thank you for sharing this little slice of paradise! Wonderful memories made here, especially in the cantina! Smile “
June, 2013 C. Family Reunion & 90th Birthday Celebration, Fort Worth, TX
“Beautiful place- Thank you for the wonderful memories!”
May 2013, P. Family, San Antonio, TX, Ralston, NE, Boise, ID
“Awesome place!”
May 2013, S. Family, Stonewall, TX
“Fantastic once again. Love the Cantina!”
May, 2013, Fred & Jody J., Beeville, TX
“Wonderful time; great company. The “Cantina” was a perfect attraction. Made lots of memories. Many thanks!
May 2013, Bill & Cheryl W., Beeville, TX
“Wonderful time! Great hospitality with good friends. The Cantina, the fire pit, good conversation, could not have been better. Thanks!
May 2013, Jody & Fred J., Beeville, TX
“Great hospitality, Cantina is a great spot. Interesting flora and fauna. Thank you. We love your beautiful ranch. Thank you for you wonderful hospitality. What a peaceful, fun time. Thanks.
May 2013, Marion & Lucy W., Beeville, TX
“We enjoyed the hikes/trails, smores by the fire pit, and most of all Maggie and Dotty! (AKA Brownie and Sprinkle).
Thank you for a good time.”
March 2013, F. & F. Families
Austin, TX & Dallas, TX
Joshua & April M., Feb. 2013
“A great place...we had a wonderful time. Thank you!”
Kenny J. & Crew, Feb 2013, Dripping Springs, TX
“Y’all have such an amazing place out here! We are so thankful to have been here. It is truly beautiful.
Can’t wait to come back!”
November 2012
To John and Jennifer:
"Our 15th year at the Circle H!! What a wonderful holiday in Leakey!!! with the Harwoods. We sincerely thank you for all your special efforts to make our visit enjoyable. Our special thanks to you, Jen, for all the new items that you have added. I loved the little Christmas tree that you placed by the entrance gate. Many thanks for making our Thanksgiving one to remember.
Warm regards, P.C., Corpus Christi, TX.
November 2012
"We have been coming here for many years. This ranch has helped shape our Thanksgiving experience in incredible ways. This place is our significant bonding time. Hiking the beautiful ranch, experiencing the beauty from the porch, gingerbread house building on the big table, shared meals in a beautiful home, laughter around the fireplace- the perfect setting for us as a family. Thank you John and Jennifer for an amazing opportunity to be here and be a part of you. Love C and J for all the special additions."
A. Family, Corpus Christi, TX
December 2012
"This was our first trip to Circle H Ranch as well as a first dbl family vacation. Our kids had a blast exploring the grounds. The house was perfect for the adults to relax and visit with each other...truly a bonding experience. The best part was the tour to visit the zebras "Safari-Style". Jen, John and Ruth were truly wonderful hosts. Thank you, thank you, thank you!
3 O.s & W.s
O & W Families, Houston, TX
January 2013
" A wonderful time was had by all. We now have two new "Polar Bear Club" members.....brrr!"
N. & S. Families, Jarrell, TX
January 2013
"Absolutely fantastic, family vacation! We enjoyed everything including the "quick" dip in the spring pool. You really made us feel welcome. Thanks for the extra, special attention. The hiking up the mountain to see the area from above was simply breathtaking....and the kids won't forget the awesome, zebra tour. Hope to come back again and again and make Circle H Ranch part of our family tradition. Thanks again!"
N. Family, Bonifay, FL
I just wanted to let everyone know what a special place this is to rent. You really feel as though you might be in another country with all the free roaming wildlife and the pet deer in the yard. The pool is heavenly with the fresh spring water flowing through the pool. The hammocks, washer pit, BBQ areas, fire pit in the yard is huge and perfect for smores, fishing, hiking. There is so much to do at this property that you cant fit it all in. The pictures just cant do enough to describe this place. We even came back in the fall to see the leaves changing colors. It was magnificent. Thank you so much for the memories and we will be back that's for sure. Recommended for families, small children, adults, romantic get away.
W.C. Dallas, TX
August 2012- We had a wonderful time and look forward to many more visits! Thank you for everything!
G Family from Laredo, TX
"Had a blast as always! :) Thanks for the hospitality- See you next year."
Mechelle, Wence, Seth, Jason, and Brandon, Houston, TX, June 2012
"We had a great time!" April & Mason, Sweeny, TX, June 2012
"Great place to relax and enjoy time with the family. Thanks!" Yolan and Lora, Houston, TX, June 2012
"Memorial Day Weekend- C. Family Year #14! - Another great year!"
Keith, Michelle, Claire, & Cameron, Buda, TX, May 2012
"Thanks so much for a wonderful week- and on your beautiful and impressive ranch! Hope to return someday."
R.A., Houston, TX, March 2012
"Thanks for making our family weekend a wonderful experience everything was perfect!
Greg A., San Antonio, TX, March 2012
"14 Thanksgivings in a row at the Circle H Ranch. This beautiful setting is like a second home to us! Thank you for your wonderful hospitality." Paul and Nancy C., Corpus Christi, TX, November 2011
"Our granddaughter had the most beautiful wedding ever- thank you!" Nancy, Corpus Christi, TX, November 2011
"New decks on the creek and rope swing were great additions. Like the new appliances. Everything's great in general. We'll be back again." Jason H., June 2012, Houston, TX
Even with the drought and little water, we had a great time at the Lodge! Tammy, her mother, her husband, Nonie and the rest treated us like family! It was great - thank you so much! Carol D. Newport News, VA. Carol D. stayed 6/2011
Hosted our 2nd Annual Margaritas and Senoritas weekend there this past weekend. Nothing but praises from the entire group. We had a fabulous time. The property was beautifully maintained and the staff was extremely nice. We look forward to keeping our annual event at this location as long as possible. Jeremy Samantha T. June 15, 2011.
I just want to brag about your lodge and property. I have not been there since it became your business but my family and I lived there for 16 years when it was owned by the JH Rose Truck Line out of Houston . My former husband moved there when he was 6 years old. His parents ran the guest ranch from 1945 until his Dad passed away in 1963. My husband and our family moved back there in 1964 and left in 1980 when the ranch was sold. We have lots of great memories of that place. It is so beautiful and peaceful there. I am so glad you are sharing it with other people. F.R. Feb. 26, 2011.
I was thrilled when the kids wanted to go back to the Circle H Lodge again. Its so beautiful and we can let the kids run around without having to worry about strangers. The deer and wildlife make you think that you are on safari. The pool is wonderful. This has to be one of the best places we have ever been. Thank you so much for sharing it with us. We'll definitely be back. L.S. Dallas TX July 2010
Thank you for helping me pick out some animals for my ranch. The animals we picked with your advice are doing well and are now having babies. It sure is refreshing to do business with someone you can trust and that stand behind their animals. Thank you, and we will be buying more soon. C.B. Texas 2009
You have helped us through an emotional rollercoaster when we started having problems with some of our animals. You walked us through what we needed to do and I'm certain that it saved the rest of our herd. Thank you very much. You're understanding of animal health issues is amazing. Thank you so much. G. L. Houston, TX. 2010
The Circle H Lodge is the most amazing property my family has ever rented. Some friends had told us about it, but I don't think that you can actually describe what a wonderful place this is. The ranch workers are very helpful and friendly, and the wildlife. All I can say is WOW!!! You really do have an outstanding ranch and lodge. M. G. Waco, TX. 2010
Sonny and Amy - Minnesota
Date of Stay - March 2010
A Relaxing Hill Country Retreat
A great place to stay for families with school-aged children. We were truly impressed by the beauty and seclusion of the property as well as the warmth and friendliness of the ranch staff and their family. Our children played for hours in the beautiful spring-fed pool and enjoyed feeding the exotic animals. We told stories around the bonfire pit and generally enjoyed the warmth and comfort of the magnificent home. We can't stop telling our friends about the highlight of our Spring break Trip to Texas (better than SeaWorld or the Riverwalk). We look forward to finding another opportunity to return.
Girls Weekend
Girls Weekend Review Frisco, Texas.
Date Submitted: October 07, 2008 Date of Stay: September 2008
Date Submitted: October 07, 2008 Date of Stay: September 2008
We had a wonderful time at the ranch! The house was beautiful. We were welcomed by the friendly ranch hands and a visit from the owner. The property is perfect for quiet time, long walks, and cooling off at the spring fed (a little chilly) pool. The animals are an extra treat! Many thanks for the hospitality and company.
Recommended for: Girls Getaway, Families with Young Children, Romantic Getaway
Circle H lodge
pastor crain Helotes, Texas.
Date Submitted: April 01, 2008 Date of Stay: March 2008
Everything was so great! It was like Jurassic Park! the water was down a little but the house and surroundings were beautiful and very private
Recommended for: Families with Teenagers, Families with Young Children, Adventure Seekers
Authentic Texas Experience
Park Dallas.
Date Submitted: December 19, 2007 Date of Stay: August 2007
Sight unseen, we rented this property for our annual family pilgrimage to the Hill Country, this year with our sons' college roommates from Seattle and Montreal. We were captivated by the beautiful landscape, the large and comfortable lodge, and most of all, the virtual Noah's Ark of free-range hoofstock (with hundreds of photos to prove it). Rugged hiking in the hills, swimming in the picturesque natural pool, and star-gazing around the bonfire pit, all were among the best experiences we've had in 30 years of visiting the Frio Canyon area. Our guests were thrilled with their first experience of Texas - and intend to return for more R&R at Circle H Lodge.
Recommended for: Families with Teenagers, Girls Getaway, Romantic Getaway, Adventure Seekers, Age 55+
Thanksgiving at Circle H Ranch
Paul and Nancy
Date of stay: 11/27/08
Corpus Christi, TX.
Let me tell you how enjoyable our stay was for Thanksgiving at the Circle H Ranch. This is our eleventh year and each year surpasses the previous one in good times.
