Property Description:   

Nestled in the beautiful hills and rugged mountains of the Western Hill Country of the Edwards Plateau, Back Porch Ranch is a rare 5,600± acre Hill Country Texas ranch for sale offering scale, privacy, water, wildlife, recreation, and exceptional improvements. Located across Kinney and Edwards Counties and bordering the newly acquired 53,000-acre Silver Lake State Park, this remarkable property combines rugged natural beauty with the infrastructure of a fully operational legacy ranch.

 

Back Porch Ranch offers everything a discerning buyer would expect from premier Texas Hill Country land for sale: dramatic topography, diverse habitat, abundant wildlife, private aviation access, luxurious accommodations, entertainment improvements, and a level of privacy that is increasingly difficult to find.

 

The ranch is located approximately three hours west of San Antonio International Airport, 50 miles east of Del Rio, 25 miles north of Brackettville, 40 miles south of Rocksprings, and about six miles east of Kickapoo Caverns State Park.

 

Although primarily high-fenced, the ranch shares approximately six miles of low-fenced boundary with Silver Lake State Park, which will be protected from development for generations. This adjacency provides a rare protected neighbor, additional natural-resource value, and helps preserve the ranch’s enduring legacy. Several caves have been found along the bluffs, cliffs, and drainages, with more likely waiting to be discovered. Native American pictographs have also been discovered in at least one location on the property, adding historical and cultural depth to an already extraordinary ranch.

 

The ranch is reached by traveling approximately seven miles along the well-maintained private Cedar Creek easement road. Upon entering the attractive, well-kept gate, the property immediately opens to a 4,000-foot runway with potential to expand to 5,000 feet. From there, the ranch’s scale and scenic beauty begin to unfold.

 

At the headquarters complex, an impressive sprawling rock lodge is complemented by an 8,500-square-foot entertainment facility, including the Saloon and Trophy Room, along with an onsite helipad. Farther down the main road are a large pole barn, equipment shed, manager’s house, and several smaller cabins.

 

The Land

Back Porch Ranch features rugged hills, towering limestone bluffs, rolling terrain, broad valleys, open meadows, and a diverse mix of native vegetation. The land carries the feel of the western Hill Country, with strong elevation change, long views, native brush, oak motts, and hidden creek bottoms.

 

Primary vegetation includes live oak, persimmon, juniper, mimosa, agarita, and striking pinyon pines near Indian Mountain. Rising more than 2,100 feet, Indian Mountain is the highest point in Edwards County and offers sweeping views across the entire ranch.

 

Dry Sycamore Creek runs the length of the property, while Sycamore Creek crosses the southeast corner. The two converge below the southern boundary. Together, these drainages create scenic creek corridors, wildlife movement areas, and natural character throughout the ranch.

 

For buyers seeking a large Hill Country Texas ranch with privacy, elevation, habitat, and water features, Back Porch Ranch offers a rare combination of scale and diversity.

 

Water Resources

Back Porch Ranch is very well watered, with water resources distributed across the property. The ranch includes fourteen water wells, twelve of which are operational, along with more than 11,000 feet of water line.

 

There are five stock tanks, and approximately seven miles of Dry Sycamore Creek and Sycamore Creek span portions of the ranch. These creek systems catch and hold water during wet periods, increasing water availability and enhancing wildlife distribution.

 

The combination of wells, water lines, stock tanks, and creek corridors makes the ranch especially well positioned for recreation, wildlife management, hunting, and long-term ranch operations.

 

Wildlife & Hunting

Back Porch Ranch is managed primarily for outdoor recreation, including hunting, wildlife viewing, shooting, fishing, birding, hiking, four-wheeling, and other outdoor activities.

 

As a Texas hunting ranch, the property supports healthy populations of native wildlife, including white-tailed deer, Rio Grande turkey, bobwhite quail, and dove. Free-ranging exotic species observed on the ranch include aoudad, axis, fallow, sika, elk, red deer, addax, nilgai, blackbuck, and feral hogs.

 

The ranch offers exceptional hunting opportunities and is actively managed through brush control, supplemental feeding with protein, alfalfa, and corn, and an extensive water-distribution system. It is enrolled in TPWD’s Managed Lands Deer Program, which provides an extended hunting season.

 

Included with the ranch are approximately twenty-four 2- to 3-person metal blinds, along with feeders and hay racks. The ranch is also leased annually to a large corporation for hunting and entertainment. The tenant covers all feeding and maintenance expenses and has expressed interest in continuing the lease, providing the new owner with a potential income source.

 

Improvements and Amenities

While the natural beauty and outdoor experience of Back Porch Ranch are exceptional, the improvements and amenities make the property truly stand apart.

 

The large rock-sided main lodge is remarkable, with rustic pine-covered walls, mesquite furniture, taxidermy mounts, a small bar, and a warm lodge atmosphere. With nine bedrooms, eighteen beds, four baths, a great room with a rock fireplace, and a commercial kitchen, the lodge is set up to accommodate large groups of hunters, corporate guests, reunions, family, and friends.

 

A large back rock patio includes a fire pit, tables, chairs, barbecue pits, and a small bubbling waterfall flowing into a koi-stocked pool. Set beneath a beautiful oak mott, this outdoor gathering space is designed for relaxing after a long day on the ranch. A nearby deer feeder draws frequent wildlife, adding to the setting.

 

From the main lodge, a rock walkway leads to the Saloon, an expansive 8,500-square-foot building designed for gathering, socializing, and entertaining on a grand scale. Inside the foyer are sixteen built-in wood lockers for guests to store hunting or personal gear.

 

The main room features an exquisite antique bar, gaming tables, a bandstand or stage, shuffleboard table, pool table, juke box, and much more. A commercial kitchen is located behind the bar wall.

 

The back half of the Saloon features “Africa,” an extensive full-bodied taxidermy collection set in a painted African scene, with a world map on the ceiling. Outside the Saloon is an African palapa, a thatched covered patio area with authentic African memorabilia, European mounts, a rustic fireplace, bar, tables, and chairs.

 

The owner’s residence sits on a high hill overlooking Sycamore Creek, with a wraparound porch offering panoramic views of the valley below, the ranch itself, and the wide Texas skies. The home includes four bedrooms, four baths, a sleeping loft, large kitchen with two sinks, custom cabinets, and excellent appliances. The master suite features a copper tub, walk-in shower, fireplace, and large walk-in closet.

 

Additional improvements include a double-wide mobile home for the manager, three guest cabins, two cabins for employees or workers, and five full RV hookups. There is also a large concrete-floored equipment and work shed, two-sided overhead bulk feeder for corn and protein, two grain buggies, two overhead fuel tanks, livestock working pens, swimming pool, dog pens, and more.

 

Near the owner’s residence is an observation deck overlooking Sycamore Creek and a well-fed watering hole below, creating a prime place to watch wildlife. A second thatched-roof observation deck overlooks Dry Sycamore Creek and is used for skeet shooting or simply enjoying the views and sunset. The ranch also includes a shooting range with a thatched cover, game cleaning station, walk-in cooler, and additional ranch amenities.

 

Private Aviation Access

One of the defining features of Back Porch Ranch is its private aviation access. The ranch includes a 4,000-foot runway with potential to expand to 5,000 feet, allowing convenient access into the property. An onsite helipad near the headquarters area provides additional flexibility.

 

For a ranch of this scale and setting, the combination of private runway, helipad, improved headquarters, lodge, guest accommodations, and entertainment facilities creates an unusually complete package.

 

History

The land carries historical significance throughout the area. Native Americans lived and traveled through this region, as reflected by pictographs etched into limestone cliffs and arrowheads scattered throughout the ranch.

 

On August 10, 1862, the Battle of the Nueces took place approximately one-half mile southwest of the ranch, when German Unionists attempting to escape to Mexico and join Union forces were ambushed by Confederates. Sixty-one to sixty-eight Unionists were killed in the fight, nine were captured and subsequently executed, and two Confederates were killed with eight wounded.

 

Fort Clark at Brackettville was also a major outpost during the early days of the West Texas frontier. The surrounding area holds many stories connected to Native American history, frontier settlement, military history, and the broader story of Texas.

 

Nearby Kickapoo Caverns State Park lies at a crossroads of natural regions, where the Edwards Plateau, Chihuahuan Desert, and subtropical South Texas plains meet. This creates a rare blend of plant and animal life, including hundreds of bird species and unique habitats tied to the region’s geology and climate.

 

Summary

Back Porch Ranch has been meticulously developed over many years and is ready for immediate enjoyment. This fully operational, turnkey, income-producing ranch is ideal as a private compound, corporate retreat, hunting ranch, camp, church retreat, or long-term family legacy property.

 

Designed for entertaining, recreation, relaxation, and privacy, the ranch offers a rare place to step away from the world and unwind on your own Back Porch.

 

With 5,600± acres, extensive water infrastructure, private runway, helipad, lodge, saloon, owner’s residence, guest accommodations, hunting improvements, abundant wildlife, and a protected neighbor in Silver Lake State Park, Back Porch Ranch is one of the most distinctive Hill Country Texas ranch properties available today.