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New retreat brings luxurious glamping to Texas Hill Country — for a limited time

Who says you have to plan an epic trip to experience a glamorous getaway? An exclusive new retreat combining camping with high-end amenities is coming to the Texas Hill Country.

On March 30, Collective Hill Country — the latest iteration of the exclusive Collective Retreats — is opening on Montesino Ranch in Wimberley. Like the company's other locations in Vail, Colorado; Hudson, New York; and Big Sky, Montana, Collective Hill Country is made up of 12 luxury canvas tents outfitted with amenities like 1,500-thread count linens, plush king beds, an in-tent coffee bar, and full en suite bathroom.

Outside of their sleeping quarters, guests can take advantage of onsite spa and massage services, outdoor dining, a private deck, and sprawling Hill Country vistas.

The retreat sits on a sustainable, eco-friendly ranch that runs alongside the Blanco River, and includes an organic working farm. Using Texas growing seasons and the Hill Country setting as inspiration, executive chef William Howell brings a "farm-to-flame" mentality to crafting his menu. Guests can expect "chef-tableside dinners" with dishes like Hill Country breakfast tacos, jalapeno-cheddar Texas grits, Wimberley smoked chicken, wild boar osso bucco, and Gulf-caught redfish.

All Collective Retreats are open seasonally, depending on their location. According to a PR rep, Collective Hill Country is considered the brand's winter retreat, and will only operate from March to June, and then reopen again in September.

For the Hill Country locale, the brand's designer Cassie Novack invoked a "whimsical bohemian approach" to her design. Novack scoured local markets and antique stores (of which nearby downtown Wimberley has many) to create the right balance of glamour and Texas chic. Furniture is accented in dark woods, and the property's tents are outfitted with colorful textiles and rugs, cozy throws, and luxurious linens.

"Each retreat has a style and personality all its own, and each mark is comprised of designs representing their geographical region and signature features," the company explained in a release. "This personalized offering allows guests to create their own symbol representative of their travel personality and style."

Though different in look, each retreat takes part in the same community building "rituals" which happen every morning and evening. At night, guests gather around the fire in an activity meant to reconnect to nature, and serve as the heart of the retreat. (Also, gourmet s'mores are served.)

Accommodations begin at $400 per night, and reservations are open now. Please note, as part of its limited schedule, Collective Hill Country is closed from June through August.

The rooms are outfitted with finds from local stores.

Courtesy photo

The rooms are outfitted with finds from local stores.

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Llama ranch near Dallas roams onto America's 50 favorite camping spots

Courtesy of Hipcamp

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A family-owned, llama roaming ranch just an hour outside Dallas was just declared one of America's 50 favorite camping spots in 2026.

The field guide was compiled by online marketplace Hipcamp following a review of campsite ratings from users, regional trends, cultural relevance, and a "spirited debate" of Hipcamp experts. Campgrounds were chosen from 35 different states and organized into seven regions: the Pacific Northwest; California and Hawaii; the Southwest; the Mountain West; the Great Plains and Midwest; the Northeast; and the Southeast.

Llama Land Ranch in Tool, Texas was one of nine total campgrounds featured in the Southwest region. The ranch is the perfect place for families to go on core memory-making excursions like meeting the free roaming llamas or watching out for other wildlife like wild boars. The ranch spans 101 acres, and a 50-foot deep creek also flows along the property lines for fishing and swimming.

"The llamas will come to greet you and so will many more things in this wonderful place," the ranch's listing says. "We are conveniently located in a secluded area, but just a short drive from many local conveniences."

The listing also specifies that the pastures are only mowed three times a year and some of the property is on rough terrain, so campers are welcome to bring their own machetes if they want to explore the area thoroughly.

There are 14 sites available for guests to set up camp, with a mix of tent-only, RV/tent, and RV-only sites. The ranch is also very affordable; sites can be booked for as little as $15 per night.

Many reviewers enjoy getting out into the country to reconnect with nature, and many also praise the ranch's owner, Judy, who says the ranch has been in her family since 1987.

"I went with a group of women for an overnight camp at the pond," one reviewer wrote. "It was so beautiful and a much needed break from city life. The host was wonderful and kind. She was also very accommodating to our group."

A second Dallas-Fort Worth-area campground tucked away in Texas' newest state park was also highlighted in the report. Warbler Ridge Campground, located in Palo Pinto Mountains State Park, was the only other Texas representative on the list.

The pet-friendly campground's listing doesn't offer many details, but it says there are 22 RV and tent campsites for visitors, as well as showers, toilets, potable water, and picnic tables. There are activities galore for visitors, including a 68-acre lake for swimming, fishing, and boating, and over 16 miles of trails for hiking, biking, and horseback riding.

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Department says campsites at Palo Pinto Mountains State Park start at $13 per night (plus a daily entrance fee) for hike-in primitive sites. Walk-in campsites with water are $15 per night and campsites with electricity are $30 per night.

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