King Ranch: A Texas-Sized Ranch for Groups

Perhaps no other destination quite epitomizes "Texas size" like the King Ranch. Larger than the state of Rhode Island, the King Ranch sprawls across 825,000 acres and, even more importantly, stands as a symbol of Texas ingenuity. The ranch has long been known for its role in the American ranching industry and is still a worldwide leader. Many of the practices used industry wide started here.

The ranch is located on the outskirts of Kingsville, about a 45-minute drive from Corpus Christi. The close proximity to the beach and the rich ranching heritage make Kingsville a popular day trip with many groups. “The history of the ranch is really special,” notes Carol Ann Anderson, Executive Director of the Kingsville Convention and Visitors Bureau. “This area has ranch and beach right here.”

The prime attraction in this community is the King Ranch. Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of the ranch in air-conditioned buses. Attendees shouldn’t expect reenactments of typical ranch activities here, though; this is the real thing. Cowboys, more often seen riding pick-up trucks than horses, work more than 60,000 head of cattle on this ranch.

King Ranch traces its history to 1853 when it was founded by Captain Richard King, a self-made man who left home at an early age and made his fortune on Rio Grande riverboats. The ranch, still one of the largest in the world, developed the Santa Gertrudis and King Ranch Santa Cruz breeds of cattle as well as the first registered American quarter horse.

Today a visitors’ center serves as a gathering place for tours of the King Ranch. With a continuously running film about the history of the ranch, guests receive an overview of the operation. Visitors also sign up for guided 1-1/2 hour tours. The guided bus tours begin at the site where Captain King first camped then continue to see both the history and the modern workings of the ranch. Special interest tours of cattle operations, feedlot, nature and birding tours, and other aspects of the ranch are available by appointment.

Many fall and winter visitors also come to enjoy a look at the feathered residents and migratory birds. A stop on the Coastal Birding Trail, the ranch is home to over 300 feathered species. Species such as green jays, pygmy owls, and the common paurauque are spotted on different areas of the ranch. “We’re getting more and more attention due to wildlife and birding,” says Anderson. “We’re on the way to the Rio Grande Valley which is, of course, the number one site for birding but we’re not far behind.

“Groups can tour the King Ranch then tour the King Ranch Museum and the Conner Museum. That evening, they often do a barbecue at the ranch.” The King Ranch Museum offers a meeting facility for up to 350 attendees; the Conner Museum, which focuses on the natural and social history of South Texas, can accommodate 50 participants. Another group option is the student union building at Texas A & M University-Kingsville; the facility offers banquet style seating for up to 500 attendees plus meeting rooms for breakout sessions.

Just a few blocks away, the historic downtown is included in the National Register of Historic Places. Kleberg Avenue and King Street are lined with antiques shops and specialty stores that invite delegates to spend an afternoon shopping in a small town atmosphere. One of the most popular stops is the King Ranch Saddle Shop which carries on the tradition of saddlemaking that began after the Civil War when Captain King started his own saddle shop.

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