LH7 Ranch in Bandera, Texas    ....................   Review            Texas History On Line

The LH7 Ranch located about 3 miles out of Bandera, Texas was a shot in the dark.  We booked our trip and planned on spending 5 nights at the LH7 in our living quarters horse trailer.  It was the only place in Bandera we could find that would allow us to bring our own horses, have full hookups and no hassle.  We had some reservations because this ranch has no website, but we decided to go anyway.  Little did we know what an adventure awaited us, or how much we would enjoy it because it was such a great adventure.

1. The LH7 is located on the Median River, in fact, it has 1.5 miles frontage on the river.  The ranch is run by 87 year old Maudine Marks, a true Texas sized legend, still working the ranch daily in her suburban that has every quarter panel dented from some unknown wreck.  Maudine is so proud that she insists on driving around the ranch, but she won't drive on the roads anymore.  It turns out that she is famous in Texas, her father started the longhorn breed registry, and she and her father are credited with saving the longhorn breed in Texas.  The lodge is filled with memorbillia and is fun just to explore. 

We had a great time, but there were several negatives, which we remember fondly as we look back on it.  The longhorns roam freely, and will be near your trailer sometimes in the morning.  If you leave hay out, you will have them for sure.  The ranch is a little run down because Maudine is not capable anymore of handling a lot of the chores, but all in all, we had a great time and would go back. 

You have no access to the state park from this ranch, without driving thru town, but there are plenty of places to ride on the 1100 acres.  One beautiful ride takes you down by the Medina River to the "Blue Hole", which is a beautiful park like setting that is all natural.

If you're up for adventure, try it, but if you show up and nobody is there, just relax, Maudine may be out promoting her longhorns, but she'll be back.  Ask for "Belle", Maudines helper who is also a slice of Texas.