Rough Creek Lodge Ranch & Resort

JUST TWO HOURS FROM DALLAS BUT A WORLD APART

BY MEREDITH KNIGHT

Caroline didn’t want much in a family vacation. Just a place where she and her husband could get away with their teenage daughter and each find activities they enjoy, things they could do together as a family, and some they might each enjoy separately. She wanted a place that was beautiful, with luxury accommodations, an attentive staff, and amenities such as outstanding cuisine and perhaps a day spa where she and her daughter could enjoy some pampering, all set in gorgeous surroundings. On second thought, it did seem like a tall order to find all that without having to travel far from their home and commitments in Dallas.

In the end, Caroline’s expectations were surpassed when the family booked a few nights at Rough Creek Lodge, Ranch, and Resort, just two hours from Dallas. What they found there was 9,000 acres of unspoiled natural beauty with more amenities and activities than they could enjoy in just one visit. Over the next few days, they wandered scenic trails on horseback, fished in stocked lakes and ponds, rode ATVs through an enchanted forest, and stargazed together under the endless Texas sky.

“My husband was excited about the sporting clays, golf driving range, newly installed putt-putt course, and a guided fishing trip,” Caroline said. “My daughter and I had a blast on the zipline, at the bowling alley, and climbing wall. We rode horses as a family and had an exhilarating experience on the new paintball encounter, where we could shoot at dinosaurs and Bigfoot.

Rough Creek truly offered more than the family could take in, including guided duck, hog, and deer hunting, a 1,000yard rifle range, and a five-lap mini UTV track for kids. There’s a pistol range, a high rope course, and pickleball and basketball courts. Families can enjoy hayrides by day and s’mores around the bonfire by night. Bikes are available for guests to use, and side-by-sides can be rented. During warmer months, there’s a family pool as well as an adult-only pool.

The Kid’s Ranch features foosball, air hockey, ping pong, and video games, and kids are thrilled to dig for actual fossils with a fossil identification book to help them identify their discoveries. Saturdays and holidays feature live music in the great room and the lakeside terrace. You can stroll to the top of Gunn Mountain Lookout to take in stunning hill country views while you watch majestic longhorns and even white buffalo roam in their natural habitat. And oh, that Texas sky up above!

The lodge also has a full, award-winning spa offering massages, facials, and bridal packages.

Kids truly never run out of new things to do, including a petting corral and pony rides. There are an interactive hiking and natural trail, a batting cage, a spacious sports field, a billiards and darts room, and you can get lost in the largest maze in the state of Texas. There’s even a state-of-the-art on-site fitness center. If all that wasn’t enough to keep you busy, you’re just 20 minutes from Dinosaur Valley, Fossil Rim Wildlife Park, and the Squaw Valley Golf Course.

Caroline’s family could choose between a guest room at the fivestar lodge, a cabin, or an entire vacation home. But for Caroline, the outstanding feature of Rough Creek Lodge, Ranch, and Resort was the staff. “Everyone was so friendly and accommodating,” she said. “Our guides for our excursions, Kayla and Sophie, felt like one of the family by the end of our trip. Every staff member we encountered was eager to make our stay as wonderful as they could. One thing I commented on again and again was the number of teenage guests around us, and not one of them was on their phone. When was the last time you saw teenagers who were so engaged they forgot to text or scroll?”

“Every meal we had was outstanding,” Caroline said. “We love breakfast food, and each day began with a gorgeous gourmet breakfast. For lunch and dinner, the onsite chef, Gerard Thompson, thrilled us with his innovative take on rustic American cuisine. He really seemed to take pride in making our experience the best it could be — like everyone else — and absolutely every detail was thoughtfully crafted to enhance our stay. I thought how fun this would be for a girls’ weekend or a bachelor or bachelorette party, and I’m already thinking about a couple’s getaway, just me and my husband.” Even in the lodge, rooms come complete with Murphy beds and bunk beds, so there’s plenty of room for a group of friends or a family.

Rough Creek is quickly becoming a popular spot for weddings, too. Whether the bride and groom choose an intimate ceremony atop Gun Mountain, a romantic lakeside exchange, or a traditional chapel wedding with up to 300 guests, there are accommodations for the bridal party and guests, and plenty for everyone to enjoy, plus room onsite for the wedding, wedding reception, and rehearsal dinner. You can even book the entire resort for the day or the entire weekend. Rough Creek is popular for corporate events and team building, with a professional on-site conference manager assigned to your group to anticipate your every need.

You can even purchase Rough Creek gift cards for getaway packages, dining, activities, and retreats. Find out more and start planning a vacation you won’t soon forget at RoughCreek.com.