This April, the Hill Country will be hopping in more ways than one thanks to Bandera’s one of a kind Chuck Wagon racing and rodeo event hosted by 2E Twin Elm Guest Ranch. Beginning Saturday, April 10, the popular Dude Ranch will open its gates to campers and cowboys alike, allowing anyone with a tent, trailer or RV a spot on the ranch to enjoy the week-long festivities. Ranch horses will be available for guided horseback rides, but 2E Twin Elm encourages everyone to bring their own horses, as the ranch’s many trails will be open to private campers and their equine friends. The main event kicks off Friday, April 16 with a classic “Dude Ranch Rodeo” at the Twin Elm arena, featuring events like a Shovel Race and Side Saddle Skidaddle. A Bull Bash and Team Pinning occur on the 17th. Not to be outdone, Saturday and Sunday, April 17 and 18, marks the big race. 31 different Chuck Wagon teams from as far away as Montana will go head-to-head in Texas’ only open race of its kind, right here in Bandera at 2E Twin Elm Guest Ranch.

“This is not something people have really seen in this area before,” says ranch head ‘Cap’n Kury’ Hearnsberger, the Chuck Wagon race organizer responsible for bringing Arkansas’ famous sport to the Lone Star State. Twin Elm hosted an event like this once before, in 2003, but Cap’n’s seven-year hiatus from the ranch ended the event after the first year. Now, the seasoned cowboy and Chuck Wagon aficionado is back and he’s bringing the races with him, much to the delight of Bandera locals. Cap’n has been attending Arkansas’ National Chuck Wagon Race Finals for the last 15 years to revisit this age-old pastime and help keep it alive. Familiar to the Midwest, most of the weekend’s teams will be traveling from states like Arkansas, Oklahoma and Missouri. Texas is prime territory, however, for a race of this kind. Cap’n Kury and Mz. Victoria had brought together the finest the sport has to offer with the best in Hill Country hospitality to ensure the cowboy tradition is alive and well for one week in April.

“We have something to offer all week long, from organized trail rides to barrel racing, pole bending, mutton bustin’ and calf scrambles,” Cap’n declares. In addition, guests of the ranch can look forward to dance bands, classic ranch cooking and a bevy of western vendors and educational clinics, not to mention the ranch’s many regular attractions like beautiful trails and scenic views along the Medina River. Along with ample camping, the ranch’s rooms and cabins will be available for reservations. Showers and toilet facilities will be made available to campers but electrical and water hook-ups will not. $10 a day per person will get you a prime camping spot, Non-Stop Cowboy Fun and a welcome seat at everything the ranch has to offer during this annual event. For questions, reservations or to learn more, contact 2E Twin Elm Guest Ranch at 830-796-3628 or toll free at 888-567-3049.

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