OVERVIEW:

Stayed here twice in 2016 for several days each time. Simply outstanding, upscale Texas rustic ranch and lodge on over 10,000 acres in beautiful area outside Glenrose Texas (a 1.5 hour or so drive south of Dallas Fort Worth).

Quiet, scenic, rustic lodge, with an excellent restaurant (really). Also offers spa, hiking, stocked lake for bass fishing, shooting (clay, trap, target), paintball, horseback riding, hunting.

A past Trip Advisor Certificate of Excellence winner, winner of several other awards (see their Web site), and very recommended.

PROPERTY

As noted, 10,000+ +acre ranch in rolling south Texas landscape. Great setting. A fantastic lodge, with the soaring two story restaurant and its central fireplace, mural over the excellent bar, and patio area overlooking Mallard Lake immediately behind lodge being the star.

The entrance and walkways are covered and have misters to help keep you cool. There’s an on site spa, gift shop, and, as noted lots of activities. Excellent property.

ACTIVITIES

Plenty of options if you’re looking to break the quiet… From simple horseshoes, paddleboats, canoeing, to fishing for bass off dock or with guide in the small Mallard “lake” / pond, to horseback riding, to hiking, to shooting (they offer clay, trap, target), archery, paintball, and hunting.

Nearby, if taking children, or if big kid at heart, near Glenrose is Dinosaur Valley State Park.

DINING

A highlight, and, as the many reviews noted consistently excellent - e.g., “By far the best dining in Texas and surely one of North America’s greatest restaurants”.

The fare includes fresh take on local foods and is uniformly excellent. The grilled quail is out of this world, and so addictive we, on one occasion, simply asked for a “big old platter” – which they kindly obliged. There was not a meal, a course, a menu item that was not very good to excellent. The staff was prompt, warm, professional.

And, a special note in re: the chef: my second stay (August 2016), he heard of my dietary restriction (post surgery), sought me out, inquiring on same, and prepared me special dishes each meal. That’s all you need to know about the team there…

ROOMS

Stayed in both the main lodge (upper floor, balcony overlooking lake) and in the separate building (to “right” of lodge as you approach it) that contains perhaps half dozen rooms on one level. The rooms keep the same TX upscale ranch / rustic style, and are excellent.

One large King in main lodge room with balcony, and two queen beds in floor level room in free standing bldg. All quite comfortable with plush pillows, mattress, and great linens. Great sundries, toiletries, supplies in room, also safe, refrigerator.

Excellent bath – including free standing tub and large shower with stone tile, great linens, with separated WC. All offered great views and were very quiet. Very nice.

SUMMARY

Excellent lodge, fantastic restaurant, great staff, lots to do and quiet and beautiful if you just want down time. Very recommended.

Our experience at Rough Creek was nothing less than exceptional!!! From initial greeting in the parking lot to check in to the accommodations & the meals were out of this world! Finally what made our visit Incredible, was the PEOPLE!Clint @ outdoor activities, Angie the Restaurant Manager, Brandon the bartender, Scott with the shooting clays & the amazing food servers!

Rough Creek is the perfect combination of luxury, adventure, relaxation and fun!
Just a two hour drive from our home in Fairview, the lodge offers a ton of activities for all ages.
We arrived around 3 on the 4th of July and quickly settled into our beautiful room complete w bunk beds for our boys and a beautiful patio w rockers.
The resort apparently empties after the weekend activities so we were one of 8 families on the property. This offered some perks, but also some frustrations.
As a luxury property I would expect hours for activities and all published services to be offered which wasn't the case.
While that frustrated our kids a bit, we did enjoy an exceptional afternoon at the pool with almost no one around. We loved the unlimited ice cream and clean pool grounds.
The fishing was also a highlight- the boys caught huge fish from the dock and the helpers there were wonderful.
Trolling boats are available to use at your leisure as well.
Breakfast and dinner are included daily. Breakfast is underwhelming (for the cost) but dinner was wonderful on both nights of our stay.
All in all, we had an awesome few days at the ranch with a plethora of things to do and wonderful memories were made!