Total relaxation!! Prude Ranch is not the place to stay if you have to be pampered to have a good time (such as a big hot tub and gourmet food). This is West Texas at its finest. Historic, rustic, beautiful and peaceful. The staff and other visitors were extremely friendly and helpful. The location is central to a great number of activities (Observatory, Multiple State and National Parks, Museums, Alpine, Marfa, etc.). Get out and experience nature. The horseback riding was wonderful and the skies really are "big and bright deep in the heart of Texas." The food was served bunkhouse ranch style and was exactly what was needed for active adventurers. It was tasty and no one went hungry. Dining at the ranch is not mandatory and we spent several evenings at some of the interesting and historic restaurants in Fort Davis, Alpine and Marfa. I would highly recommend Prude Ranch. We did not really appreciate how much we enjoyed ourselves until we were back in the everyday grind.

after i got back i had to tell my mom everything about the ranch, she is planning to take me and my sister and my grandma back. We are going to see my uncle

The Prude Ranch is a one-of-a-kind experience for anyone. There is really something for all ages--from the very young to the "over 80 crowd." Just sitting on the porch of your living area is worth the trip. This was our second time to the Prude, and it was just as good as the first time. We have taken friends and family from ages 2 to 80. They've all really enjoyed it.

Keep the Prude just as it is! Joe and Lydia Cash.

Highlights: Our Room was wonderful for a family of five. We stayed in "The Spanish Room" and it had a king bed and two sets of bunk beds. It also had two shower stalls - very interesting feature. The room was great. Rustic, but nice.

The interaction with the summer camp kids was great. As we had young kids, the camp staff invited us to all of the evening activities. My kids got to participate in a scavenger hunt with the camp kids, as well as a game of Capture the Flag. Very accomodating.

The location is everything the website says it is. It is Ft. Davis/Davis Mountains at their finest moment. No, there are no mountain peaks in view, but high hills surround the location, and it is three miles to town and three miles to the Observatory.

The price - we paid $75 a night. I appreciate that the cost was so reasonable for such a destination place. However, I would have probably paid more had some of the other stuff found below been available...



Lowlights: Horseback riding for a family of five is $100 for an hour. It seems as if they could throw in one ride for free as they market themselves as a ranch. My kids were disappointed that they only got to ride horses one time.

The food is school cafeteria quality. I "get" the whole community-style ranch eat-together routine. No problem there. But the quality of the food was similar to a high school cafeteria. Also, they only offer chuckwagon-type dinners for groups larger than even two families (I'm not sure but I think 20 is the smallest group).

This might sound picky, but the place is in serious need of a fancy hot tub. The pool is typical for an indoor pool - freezing cold even in July. A ten person sunken hot tub adjacent to the pool area would be awesome, and something they could feature on the website for sure.

Finally - the website and all the resources on the place talk about the astonomy connection - but I saw no astronomy connection at all during my stay. The Observatory is three miles away and Prude Ranch does host a week-long astonomy seminar in May. But what happens in July? My advice would be two-fold... 1. Prude Ranch should have small telescopes to rent for a fee. 2. Prude Ranch should offer a weekly astonomy lecture by someone from the Observatory who could come down and host it.

So, my review is neutral. A lot of positives, but Prude Ranch needs to do some serious updating to get my business repeated. Thanks.