I am often asked which Bronco Off-Roadeo is “the best,” and while that is an impossible question to answer, I will give The Best Basecamp Award to Texas. It’s big and bright, cheerful and warm just like the Trail Guides who will welcome you “home.” Truly, when you meet the Texas crew, they will immediately make you feel like family. Whatever nerves you carry through the threshold will melt once you see their smiles. Relax, you’re in good hands.
How to Get There...
Planes, trains, and automobiles—there is no wrong way to get to Bronco Off-Roadeo Texas. I fly into Austin-Bergstrom International Airport and rent a car for the hour’s drive northwest to Grey Wolf Ranch. Rideshares are not the best option at this BOR location—they are expensive and difficult to find on the return leg.
A Required Pitstop...
If you are traveling the same direction you must stop at Mandola’s in Bee Cave for Italian cooking that rivals my Grandmother Dorothea Concetta Bisesi’s—may she R.I.P. It’s bright and casual and has something for everyone—including vegan, vegetarian, and gluten free items. My mouth is watering thinking about the Bolognese. I could drink it from the jar.
Where to Stay...
Bronco Off-Roadeo Texas partner resort, Horseshoe Bay, is a village unto itself and offers discounted rates to Off-Roadeo guests. The biggest challenge on our family vacations is that no one wants to do the same thing at the same time. Horseshoe Bay solves for that. It’s situated on Lake LBJ with access to watersports year-round. You can golf, bike, play tennis and pickle, roast marshmallows, swim, soak at the spa—you get the idea. There is even a kids’ club with a two-story jungle gym and a rock-climbing wall.
Note: Marble Falls proper is only seven miles east of Horseshoe Bay where you’ll find a handful of lower price-point accommodations, many with epic views of the Colorado River.
Heading to the Ranch...
The commute from Horseshoe Bay to Grey Wolf Ranch, home of Bronco Off-Roadeo Texas is short and sweet aboard the complimentary shuttle. Look up as you turn onto the property—there is something intangibly awesome and quintessentially Texan about passing under the ranch gate.
Pro Tip: If you’re driving, slow down. There are several speed traps in the area surrounding the resort and ranch.
Bring on the Broncos...
Bronco Off-Roadeo is segmented into five blocks—Bronco History & Wild Fund, Ground School, Sluice Box, ORX Training Course and Trail Drives which manifest differently across the varying terrain at each location. Texas Lake and Hill Country truly shines between March and May—with slightly cooler temps and an explosion of Bluebonnets dotting the landscape, it will take your breath away.
Listen up. The most important thing I will tell you about driving at Off-Roadeo Texas—if you trust your Trail Guides, you can do it. The Texas Two Step is arguably the biggest obstacle on the ranch, and I won’t lie—it’s rowdy for a beginner. But I’ve also watched women in their 70s, with no previous experience push themselves through their fear to conquer the crawl and their self-imposed limitations. I’m getting goosebumps just thinking about it—Ooorah!
When the Dinner Bell Rings...
If mornings at Bronco Off-Roadeo are exciting, the evenings are electric. High fives are flying, and new friendships are forged around the bonfire. Those who didn’t know proper parking brake procedure at the start of the day are now discussing locking differentials while mapping out their first overlanding trip with a fresh confidence they picked up on the trail.
Stay and Play...
Each Bronco Off-Roadeo location is teeming with opportunities for outdoor adventure unique to the area and Texas is no exception. Carve out time to visit the caves at Long Horn Cavern State Park (family-friendly) or take the chairlift to the top of Spider Mountain Bike Park before you cascade down on two wheels (not recommended for beginners).
Note: Stay tuned for my next series Adventuring Beyond Bronco Off-Roadeo where I’ll deep dive into the endless array of outdoor activities at each location.
Let’s Talk...
Have you been to Bronco Off-Roadeo? Why or why not? Which location? What’s holding you back? I want to hear all about it in the comments below.
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