TexasTripper Travel Blog

Upcoming Texas Cattle Drives

There must be something about the approaching cooler weather and cattle drives...we've got word of two upcoming cattle drives that both sound fun!

Big Bend State Park Cattle Drive

In West Texas, Big Bend Ranch State Park will be hosting the park's fall cattle drive from October 4 through 6. They invite guests to participate and see cattle in the ranch's rugged and remote cattle pastures, learn how the herd is moved with horses and drive the park's historic Texas Longhorn Herd to stock pens at the ranch headquarters. Participants can take part in branding and vaccinating calves, recording lineages and experiencing the traditions of the Spanish, Mexican and Anglo-American cowboy culture.

The longhorn cattle drive program is Big Bend Ranch State Park's most popular event, allowing up to 25 visitors to participate and experience a part of the state's Western heritage. The three-day event allows one to experience life as a cowboy and gain a lifetime of memories. Guests have come from as far away as New York, Australia, Canada and England.

"If you're looking for a genuine taste of the wild, western range life, the Big Bend Ranch cattle drive is about as real as it gets," Colorado travel writer Christine Loomis said of her recent cattle drive experience in the vast and beautiful high country of the Chihuahuan Desert.

Cowhands end their days with a chuck wagon meal served on range, listening to cowboy music and poetry to make the outing an authentic and memorable experience. Participants can choose to sleep on the range or return to the ranch bunkhouse for the night.

The cost of the three-day event is $975, which includes horse and tack, park entry fee, lodging/camping fees, meals and the assistance of park wrangler guides. Big Bend Ranch is located northeast of Presidio off Texas Highway 170.

To find out more or to reserve a spot on the cattle drive, call Big Bend Ranch State Park at (432) 229-3416 or the Sauceda Ranch Headquarters at (432) 358-4444. Also, visit the park website for more information.

Georgetown Cattle Drive

If you'd like something a little more leisurely, Georgetown is hosting the Up the Chisholm Trail Event and Chuckwagon Cook-off on September 29. Along with the cattle drive, you'll find a cookoff and plenty of other family fun. For more information, see our article in the festival section.

Labels: Big Bend Country, Festivals

posted by Paris & John @ 4:31 PM