This Texas Vacation Waterpark Rental Has a 4-Story Slide

The first thing guests usually notice is the 140-foot waterslide tower rising above the native stone cabins. The second thing they notice is that nobody else is there—because they’ve rented the entire resort.

Part private resort, part working cattle ranch, part adventure compound, this Hill Country property on the Llano River between Mason and Fredericksburg has earned a spot on Vrbo’s “Top 25 Over-the-Top Places to Stay” for good reason.

Where else can you fly your plane onto a private 2,900-foot airstrip, plunge down a four-story waterslide, kayak through river rapids, and sleep in rustic stone cabins—all without seeing another guest who isn’t part of your group?

That’s Red Sands Ranch for you.

A Resort You Can Keep to Yourself

Location in the Heart of Hill Country

Red Sands Ranch occupies a stretch of the Llano River between the small towns of Mason and Fredericksburg in the Texas Hill Country.

The property’s signature red sandstone cliffs, towering 200 feet above the river, give the ranch its name and provide a dramatic backdrop visible from multiple vantage points throughout the grounds.

The setting combines isolation with accessibility. San Antonio and Austin are both roughly equidistant, making the ranch viable for Texas-based groups.

The property’s private airstrip (2,900 feet, suitable for small aircraft) provides another option entirely—you can literally fly into your vacation.

The Waterpark That Started the Buzz

The centerpiece attraction is the 140-foot, four-story waterslide that drops into a massive 53-foot free-form pool.

The slide offers multiple routes down, and its height provides enough velocity to make even adults feel like kids on a summer afternoon.

Security cameras monitor the slide to enforce safety rules (no diving, no headfirst sliding, no doubles), but those rules exist because the thing is genuinely thrilling.

For families with children, there’s shallow wading access around the pool’s edges. For adults seeking evening relaxation, the hot tub and grotto offer quieter alternatives to the main attraction.

Accommodations Built for Crowds

Seven Units, One Private Rental

Red Sands Ranch sleeps up to 37 guests across seven separate units, ensuring that even massive family reunions or corporate groups have space to spread out.

The base rental price includes your choice of any three cabins; additional units can be added for roughly $95 per night each (or $295 for all four extras).

The four main cabins are constructed from native stone with rustic Texas character. Each features wood fireplaces (except Sunday House), full bathrooms, kitchenettes, covered porches, WiFi, streaming TV, and stained concrete floors.

Two bunk-style units (a Bunkhouse with four twin beds and a Loft with four full-size beds) handle overflow sleeping or provide a dedicated space for older kids.

A vintage 1968 Airstream with a queen bed and two twins adds retro charm for guests who want something different.

All units feature air conditioning with supplemental heating. Hot water and spa heat run through one of the largest private solar heating installations in the Hill Country—a practical nod to sustainability amid the luxury.

Indoor Gathering Spaces

Beyond the cabana, the property includes a “Party Shed” equipped with a television, gaming consoles, pool table, and ping-pong table—the kind of space where teenagers disappear, and groups gather on rainy afternoons.

For fitness-minded guests, there’s a dedicated fitness center.

The cabins’ individual kitchenettes handle basic meal prep, but most groups gravitate toward outdoor grilling.

Planning ahead for groceries is essential, given the rural location; the nearest significant shopping is in Mason or Fredericksburg.

Booking Your Private Resort

Rates and Policies

Red Sands Ranch prices vary by season, with peak summer rates reaching approximately $2,595 per night for the base package (not including extra cabins or add-ons).

Off-peak rates average around $1,955 to $1,995 per night. A cleaning fee (around $395) applies, and additional guests beyond the base 27 cost $50 per night each, up to the 37-person maximum.

When divided among a full group, costs become more reasonable—roughly $80 per person per night for a capacity crowd during peak season.

The property operates as a private, family-oriented rental. Group leaders must be at least 30 years old to register.

Youth groups, graduation parties, raves, and keg parties are explicitly prohibited. Small weddings are welcome within normal guest count limits at no additional charge.

Planning Considerations

The ranch foreman lives about a mile from the main compound and remains available for assistance.

However, the property’s isolation means advance planning is essential for groceries, supplies, and coordination of activities.

High demand, particularly during the summer months, makes early booking advisable.

The combination of unique amenities and whole-property privacy creates year-round appeal: summer for waterpark use and river activities, fall and winter for cooler weather retreats and holiday gatherings when the stone fireplaces earn their keep.

Where Texas Goes Big

Red Sands Ranch embodies the cliché about everything being bigger in Texas—and then actually delivers on it.

The waterslide really is four stories tall. The pool really is massive. The airstrip really can handle your plane. And for the duration of your stay, the entire compound really is exclusively yours.

It’s not a typical vacation rental, and the price reflects that distinction. But for groups seeking something beyond ordinary, Red Sands Ranch offers a Hill Country experience that exists nowhere else.

The red sandstone cliffs will still be standing when you return next year. The property makes it easy to imagine.