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Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access

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Property grounds
Smart TV, table football, stereo
Outdoor dining
3 bedrooms, free WiFi, bed sheets, wheelchair access
Property grounds

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

3 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 10

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning
  • Outdoor space

Explore the area

View map
Martindale, TX
  • Place, San Marcos River
    ‪2 min walk‬
  • Place, Texas State University
    ‪8 min drive‬
  • Place, San Marcos Premium Outlets
    ‪11 min drive‬
  • Airport, Austin, TX (AUS-Austin-Bergstrom Intl.)
    ‪34 min drive‬

Room options

Similar properties

About the area

Martindale

When you stay at this vacation home in Martindale, you'll be on the waterfront, within a 15-minute drive of Texas State University and San Marcos Premium Outlets. .This family-friendly vacation home is 0.1 mi (0.1 km) from San Marcos River and 1.7 mi (2.7 km) from Three Dudes Winery.

What's nearby

  • San Marcos River - 2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • Rio Vista Park - 7 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Texas State University - 8 min drive - 9.0 km
  • San Marcos Premium Outlets - 11 min drive - 16.4 km
  • University of Texas at Austin - 35 min drive - 62.0 km

Getting around

  • San Marcos Station - 14 min drive
  • Austin-Bergstrom Intl. Airport (AUS) - 44 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Raising Cane's Chicken Fingers - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Chick-fil-A - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪In-N-Out Burger - ‬8 min drive
  • ‪P. Terry's Burger Stand - ‬8 min drive

About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access

Welcome to The Dairy Llama: Your Private Riverfront Retreat
Step into a piece of Texas history reimagined for relaxation. Once a working dairy barn, The Dairy Llama is now a premier 3-bedroom, 3-bathroom vacation destination on the banks of the San Marcos River. Whether you’re here for the quirky charm of our namesake mural or the serenity of an acre of private parkland, you’ve found your home away from home.

Your Own Private Park on the Water
Forget crowded public access. Our one-acre estate offers gradual, private entry into the San Marcos River. Spend your mornings kayaking (two provided!) and your afternoons soaking up the sun in our multiple outdoor lounge areas.

Endless Entertainment
Inside and out, we’ve designed this space for fun:

The Courts: Challenge your group to a game of Basketball or Pickleball on our private court.

The Game Barn: Two indoor game rooms featuring a pool table, foosball, darts, and Smart TVs throughout.

The Great Outdoors: Plenty of room to roam, play, and gather.

Need Extra Space? Meet the Avion.
For larger groups, ask us about adding "The Avion" to your stay. This vintage, Airstream-style RV features a queen bedroom, a pull-out full sofa, a kitchenette, and its own bathroom. It’s the perfect "guest house" addition for up to 4 extra people.
(Note: The RV is a separate unit and may be rented by other guests if not added to your booking.)

Celebrations & Gatherings
From sunset wedding proposals and baby showers to Texas State graduation parties, we love being part of your milestones! While we maintain a peaceful atmosphere (Quiet hours 10 PM – 10 AM), we can accommodate larger day parties with pre-approval and an additional fee.

The Perfect Central Texas Hub
While you'll feel miles away from the world, you’re just a quick drive from the best of the region:

San Marcos & New Braunfels: For river tubing and shopping.

Lockhart: For world-famous BBQ.

Austin: For big-city music and culture.

The Details
Occupancy: Standard stay is for up to 10 guests. Larger day events must be pre-approved.

Pets: We prefer a pet-free environment to keep the barn pristine. However, crated pets may be considered with prior owner approval and a $100 fee per pet.

Quiet Hours: 10 PM to 10 AM (the perfect time to move the fun into the indoor game rooms!).

Ready to experience the best spot on the San Marcos River? Book your stay at the Dairy Llama today!


6 reviews transferred from the previous management company.
Celebration Cabin
5/5
This place has it all for a group to stay and celebrate anything and everything! We had an amazing time as a family celebrating!
Stefanie
Published May 17
Great time!
5/5
Pickle ball court was really fun, and being on the river was awesome.
*This review was originally posted on VRBO (Evolve)
Will F.
Published April 4
Great family getaway
5/5
This home is a wonderful family getaway with great amenities! The owners literally thought of everything to make it a perfect long weekend!
*This review was originally posted on VRBO (Evolve)
Kristin B.
Published November 8
Great Entertainment House!
5/5
Plenty of room and things to do! Good river access, bring your river shoes!
*This review was originally posted on VRBO (Evolve)
Alex l.
Published October 4
FANTASTIC GETAWAY SPOT!!
5/5
We stayed a total of 9 nights with people ranging in age from 20 to 86. The house is exactly as advertised, quirky but in a really good way. The place is amazing. There is plenty of space and water for everyone. Brian had all the amenities. We thoroughly enjoyed the game room where we played blackjack long into the night!! Thanks for sharing your home! Highly recommend to anyone who wants fun on the water
*This review was originally posted on VRBO (Evolve)
Anonymous
Published September 8
5.0 · (14 reviews ) Overall from all sites previously managed by Evolve.
Cleanliness 4.9
Accuracy 5.0
Communication 4.9
Location 4.9
Check-in 5.0
Value 4.9
Make yourself comfortable in this air-conditioned vacation home, featuring a kitchen with a refrigerator and an oven. There's a private patio. A kitchenette is outfitted with a stovetop, a microwave, and a dishwasher. Complimentary wireless internet access keeps you connected, and a Smart television is provided for your entertainment.
Take in the views from a garden and make use of amenities such as an arcade/game room and barbecue grills.
Guests will find features like internet access and onsite parking.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Wheelchair-accessible parking available

Kitchen

  • Blender
  • Coffee grinder
  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Kitchen island
  • Kitchenette
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Spices

Bedrooms

  • 3 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 3 bathrooms
  • Hair dryer
  • Shampoo
  • Shower
  • Soap
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Living room

Entertainment

  • Games
  • Smart TV with cable/satellite channels
  • Stereo

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Firepit
  • Garden
  • Outdoor furniture
  • Patio

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Service animals only (pets not allowed)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • If you have requests for specific accessibility needs, please contact the property using the information on the reservation confirmation received after booking.
  • Accessible parking space
  • In-room accessibility
  • No lift
  • Wheelchair-accessible parking
  • Wheelchair-accessible path of travel
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Meal delivery service

Location highlights

  • Near an outlet shopping centre
  • On a river
  • On the waterfront

Things to do

  • Arcade/game room
  • Billiards/pool table
  • Foosball table
  • Kayak
  • Tennis
  • Basketball nearby
  • Fishing nearby
  • Motor boating nearby
  • Swimming nearby
  • Theme park nearby
  • Wildlife walks nearby

Safety features

  • Carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher

General

  • Garden

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Minimum check-in age: 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Check-out instructions

The host requires you complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks, and take out the trash
Lock the doors

Pets

Pets not allowed (service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Important information

You need to know

Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card, or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
Parties and events (including family gatherings, birthday parties and weddings) are allowed on site; maximum attendees: 20
Note from host: Additional fees apply with guest counts over ten.
Long-term renters welcome
Host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation

We should mention

This property does not have elevators

Ultimate Family River Retreat: Pickleball, Pool Table & Private Water Access Reviews

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 24 out of 25 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 1 out of 25 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 25 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 25 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

8/10 Good

Amy L.

The host was responsive and the location is fantastic, right on the river with beautiful views and plenty of activities nearby. This is a much older, very eclectic property with lots of character, not a modern or newly renovated rental, which worked well for our group.The large, well-equipped gathering room was perfect for our extended family gathering, and we made great use of the extra kitchen, pool table, darts, and pickleball. There’s also plenty of outdoor space to enjoy, including a firepit, which was a highlight for us.Kayaks are available, though the river current moves quickly in some areas, so plan for a downstream paddle and arrange pickup rather than expecting to paddle back upstream.With the home’s age and unique setting, occasional extra attention to deep cleaning would further enhance the experience. Overall, this place is ideal for guests who value space, activities, and a great river setting and are comfortable with an older home that has a lived-in, rustic feel.
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2025

10/10 Excellent

Samuel M.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dave B.

Liked: Cleanliness
Great place for a guy's weekend on the river.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Dustin L.

Liked: Cleanliness
Hidden gem! On a great part of the river, plenty of space to hangout, cook out and play.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Garrett J.

Liked: Cleanliness
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lindsey H.

Liked: Cleanliness
This was the perfect location for a group of friends to hang out and enjoy the river (just a few minutes away from Don's Fish Camp for river floating). The place had so many great extras, like the pickeball court and gameroom. It was comfortable, and the host was very friendly. We will definitely be back!
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lauren G.

Liked: Cleanliness
The perfect place to stay for creating great family memories! So many fun activities for the whole family to enjoy!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Robert M.

Liked: Cleanliness

4th of July family trip.

Had a great time. House was prefect for our large group and had everything we needed.
Stayed 2 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Michaele G.

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Vacation

This place was amazing. Perfect river location. We had a small issue with the AC but the owner came and fixed it promptly. Great space for a family getaway.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lauren K.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect for our river trip!

This property was absolutely perfect for our weekend river trip! I traveled with a couple of my best friends, my husband, our son and my dad and it was wonderful. The possibilities of things to do are endless from the pool table, dart board, to the beautiful river flowing at the bottom of the property. We had so much fun and will definitely be renting this property again next year when we take another trip! Thank you for sharing your beautiful home with us!
Stayed 2 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Nycole B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place!

We had great time, lots of fun stuff to do in a peaceful environment!
Stayed 2 nights in May 2025

10/10 Excellent

Aracely L., San Antonio

Liked: Cleanliness

Beautiful Home

This home is beautiful and has so many amenities. We stayed the weekend since my Goddaughter was graduating from Texas State and it did not disappoint. Everything is as pictured and there was plenty of room for all of us. We really enjoyed our stay and the owners were very responsive. Loved it!
Stayed 2 nights in Dec 2024

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly B., Pearland, Texas

Liked: Cleanliness

TX State family weekend

We had a great time celebrating with our son, friends, and family. We enjoyed all of the amenities that the property had to offer.
Stayed 2 nights in Oct 2024

10/10 Excellent

jay g.

Liked: Cleanliness

Nice place!

Terrific river front property. In the country but close to nearby amenities. Very nice.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Dave B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Guy's Weekend

I stayed at the Converted Dairy Barn with a group of 10 guys and the place was great. Plenty of room to spread out, the big room with the pool table was a great evening hang out area, the basketball and pickelball court kept us busy, and it was easy to take a quick dip in the river to cool off from the hot Texas summer heat. Great place.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

-, Crosby, United States

Liked: Cleanliness

Fun for all

We have stayed at several vacation rental properties throughout the years and the converted Dairy Barn in Martindale TX is one of the best. We had 10 people stay for 4 nights. Ages 5 to 73 and we all had a great time. We tubed twice at the house to the Scull Rd. bridge and it took about an hour. The first 10-15 mins were small rapids (FUN) mostly shallow. After that it was a nice slow tube ride. Maybe the best thing about tubing from the house is we were the only ones on that part of the river. We played in the water at the house everyday and also at Scull Rd. bridge. Did a little fishing as well. The best way to describe the house itself is pretty COOL. I (45 yr old Male) barely even hung out in the living room. There is a nice size pool/bar room in the back that has two large bay doors and two double doors that look out to the pickle ball court. Yes pickle ball court. Speaker system inside and outside, all kinds of games, kitchen area.... Nice covered back porch.... We spent most of our time in the pool/bar room or the back porch. Everybody played pool. Even my youngest two, 5 & 8. My only small cons: We could not find a toaster and please check for wasp in the outside bathroom. I know this is Texas in the summer and wasp are part of it. Just be on the look out and have some spray. And yes there is an outside bathroom. I dont remember seeing that on the property description. If you like having fun, playing in the river, being close to San Marcos & New Braunfels, ..... I w
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Melissa A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Texas State Graduation

Our family stayed here to attend our son’s graduation. It was great to stay away from the busy San Marcos area but still just a short drive away. Loved the peaceful portion on the river. The house is well equipped and very cute. Lots of fun and perfect for our needs.
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Caryn B.

Liked: Cleanliness

Perfect Birthday and Anniversary River Trip

This property was absolutely perfect for our multiple age groups get away! There was plenty of indoor and outdoor space and amenities for our active group of teens and kids to roam and play freely while the adult group relaxed in the shade. The serenity of the scenic views made for great social media backgrounds in the tons of photo shoots our teenage and young adult children shared ... AND provided the much needed relaxation the adults came to experience. #PerfectRiverTrip
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2024

10/10 Excellent

Audrey S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Wedding On The River

This property was beautiful and exactly what we needed to host our wedding party for our ceremony on the river. It was perfect and Brian was very very helpful in the planning process.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Bryan E., Waco

Liked: Cleanliness

Family Vacation

We had an amazing trip, the house was the perfect size for our large family. The house had a ton of activities for the kids to stay busy either inside or outside the house. We definitely be booking again with them next year.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Misty M.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great getaway spot

We had a great time here! Everything was as described and host was very communicative. Beds were very comfortable and we enjoyed the activities/amenities on property.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Erika A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great spot!

The property was beautiful and the game room and sports court were awesome!
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2024

10/10 Excellent

Christine J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Fun place to stay!

We loved the place. From the decorations to the enginuity in construction, we thought it was great. Quiet BUT close to everything BUT still feels like you are in the country. Fun spacious place with a lot of genuine character. Only good things to say about the place. We will find a reason to stay there again! Bryan & Crew
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Tully R.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great Place!

The property is in a great location if planing on spending time on the river. The barn are and patio are is great to spend time with friends, plenty of room. Takes a while for the A/C to cool off the house area, but would definitely stay here again!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Meghan L.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place to stay!

We stayed at the Riverbarn for a baseball tournament we had at Texas State. The house was conveniently located to every field we played at it was a no brainer to stay here. The property was absolutely perfect for our family. They had everything you needed to entertain kids. We will definitely be staying here again.
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2023