Wildcatter Ranch Resort, Spa, & Steakhouse

Graham,Texas Website, phone, email

Visited February 2008

Become A Part Of History

Nestled on the edge of a tall bluff with majestic views of the scenic Palo Pinto countryside is a fabulous new resort - Wildcatter Ranch Resort & Spa. Wildcatter Ranch opened its doors in 2005 and is quickly gaining a reputation as one of the top resorts in Texas. Wildcatter was built with the outdoor enthusiast in mind and offers a wide variety of activities and some very nice amenities on its couple miles Brazos River frontage and over 4000 acres of beautiful landscape.

Built on top of one of the tallest hills around, Wildcatter Ranch Resort offers majestic and panoramic vistas of the hills, valleys, ponds, and the Brazos River. The Ranch was named after the area wildcatters who drilled oil wells in the 20's in hopes of striking it rich. In fact, the surrounding area is very rich with history and Wildcatter has done an excellent job of preserving and presenting the history to its visitors. Anne, the ranch owner, and the staff are very proud of the ranch's and the region's wild and untamed history and they are eager to relate stories about the cattle and oil barons, robbers and banditos, and the native indians. At least four western movies, a couple staring everyone's hero John Wayne, have been filmed around the ranch. The lodge and each of the suites are decorated with memorabilia and pictures plus a printed history of the area. The suites are named after some part of the local history.

Sleep The Night Away

When we visited, we stayed in one of the 16 suites all of which are in 4 outbuildings within 300 yards of the lodge and Steak House, on a bluff overlooking the valley, and adjacent to the pool. The suites are spacious, very comfortable and well appointed with western style furnishing. Our suite had two two queen beds, coffee bar area that also includes a microwave oven and an under the counter mini refrigerator, dresser, large TV plus a CD/DVD/VHS players and satellite programming, wireless internet, small table with two leather and cowhide chairs, and a gas fireplace. Better yet, you can step out the back door to a patio with a panoramic view - perfect for morning coffle or a cocktail in an over-sized rocking chair watching the sun set after a full day of fun activities.

Each of the suites offer upscale western decor and the unique furnishings of each suite are themed around a historical event from the region including pictures and documentation on the event in your room. The majority of the suites have two very comfortable queen beds, one suite has a queen with a kid's TeePee day bed with a trundle bed, and two suites have a king and a sleeper sofa.

Down by the stables is the original homestead of the first ranch owners. The Homestead Cabin, which is 110 years old, sleeps four and has a living area, kitchenette, Jack and Jill bathroom, and two bedrooms, one with a queen and one with bunk beds. To learn more about all of the rooms, read some history about each room, and see some pictures, click here.

When we visited in early 2008, room rates ranged from $229 to $329 and included a breakfast buffet, happy hour plus free use of the canoes, mountain bikes, and archery range. Wildcatter will start construction on a new lodge which will have 16 rooms across from the Steak House on a bluff with magnificent views of the surrounding hills and valleys. The new lodge will also have a ballroom and four meeting rooms.

Each night when we returned tired from all the days activities and stuffed to the brim from the excellent food, it was great to find our bed turned down, a mint on the pillow, and a robe and slippers by the bed, plus the fireplace lit and glowing - how good is that!

A Typical Wildcatter Day

When we awoke the first morning, we were tempted to stay on our patio sipping coffee and enjoying the magnificent view - but we forced ourselves to get moving because we came to Wildcatter to take advantage of all the outdoor activities and fun things to do. After a free breakfast buffet, we signed up for that day's activities which started with some archery to see if we are as good as the indians who roamed the area. Then we tried our hand at skeet shooting to keep with the western day theme.

After having fun trying to hit the clays and archery targets, it was time for the free lunch buffet. Then back to the room to get our boots and cowboy hats and head down to the stables for a 90 minute trail ride up, down, and around Kisinger Mountain.

Following the ride, the hot tub and pool were perfect to get rid of the some of the dust, cool down, and let the bubbly jets soothe the muscles. I think we could have stayed at the pool enjoying the refreshing water, the comfortable pool furniture and hammocks, and the view, but we were looking forward to our appointment at the Sage Spa.

An hour at the Spa was fantastic and a marvelous way to work out some of the kinks and sore muscles. Our timing was perfect and the massage ended just in time for the free happy hour. After a full and fun day we were craving one of the Steakhouse's huge tender juicy steaks! Before retiring, we had to try a couple of Sonja's special after dinner drinks - which were almost as good as the steak! By 10:30 we were full and tired and we waddling back (bull legged no less!) to our room for a good nights sleep to prepare us for one more day of activities before heading back to city life (boring!).

Enjoy All of the Amenities

As you can tell from the above, Wildcatter offers lots of activities and fun things to see and do during your stay. You will find it very hard to get all of the activities in during a normal weekend - but set a goal to try as many as you can. Here is a list of things to be thinking about enjoying when you visit Wildcatter:

Golfing - near the rooms are three disc golf baskets waiting for a friendly but competitive round of frisbee golf. Or you can head over to the other end of the property and play 9 holes of prairie golf through the trees, cactus, and prairie dogs! Leave your driver, all your woods, most of your irons, and your putter in the car - all you need is an old pitching wedge and something to chip or roll the ball into the inner circle near the flag. Kids will love it, but if you are a serious golfer head over to the nearby Cliffs Golf Course - see below to learn more about the local golf courses. Hiking & Biking - you will find over 7 miles of hiking and biking trails on the Ranch, most of which go up and down and along the peak of Kisinger Mountain. Some of the trails are rugged and not suited for beginning mountain bikers, so stick to the roads or some of the wider trails that traverse the top of the the mountain. You can hike or bike to the archery range for some target practice or to the pond to spend time swimming, fishing, or canoeing. Or hike or bike down to the Brazos River. Keep an eye out for all the wildlife. Near the pool you'll find some mountain bikes and helmets for your use. Fishing - feel like catching some bass, catfish, or perch? Then check out a fishing pole from the activities center and mosey over to the fishing tank, pond, or Brazos river.
Canoeing - launch one of the free canoes and paddle around the pond. Horseback Riding - don't leave the Ranch without visiting the stables for a trail ride, riding the bull (hand powered but fun and challenging), or roping a steer (ok, its just a hay bale with a steer head, but it's still not that easy to lasso the steer's head). The wranglers are very experienced, they'll find you a horse that fits your riding ability, and they'll pick a ride suitable to your riding experience. We had a fun 90 minute ride up some steep rocky and narrow trails to the top of Kisinger Mountain, along the bluff with magnificent views, and back down and around the side of the mountain. Wildcatter also has kids riding in the arena to get the younger kids familiar with horses. Horseshoes & Washers - you also need to partake in the national sport of Texas - horseshoes and washers - both of which are located by the pavilion area and by the suites. ATV Tours - take an ATV tour of the property, enjoy the fantastic views, and learn about the history of the ranch
Swimming - next to the suites is a beautiful stone patio, infinity pool, and hot tub area with comfortable lounge chairs and again, a MAGESTIC VIEW! There are also a couple of hammocks and a gas grill if you fill like BBQing the fish you caught. Be careful, this area is so relaxing, scenic, and comfortable that you may be tempted to stay here all afternoon - don't do it, you'll miss a lot of other fun stuff! Exercise - if you haven't worked your muscles enough from the biking, hiking, riding, canoeing, or volleyball, then you might want to visit the exercise room next to the pool - plug in the juke box to make your workout a little livelier Pavilion - just down from the suites is a an outdoor covered pavilion with picnic tables, large fire pit, horseshoe and washer pit, and hay bale bull horns for roping - what a perfect place for a get together for roasting some hot dogs, eating s' mores, and story telling as the sun sets over the hills

Wildcatter also hosts a number of events and special activities year round. Some of which include: music on Thursday nights by the fun and lively 3 man band lead by Alley Cat, who also happens to be the bartender; free happy hour each evening from 4 to 5 - try the tasty frozen margaritas; s' mores and music around the fire pit; hay rides; live bands on the weekends; and more. Throughout the year Wildcatter runs a series of workshops such as outdoor painting, leather tooling, blacksmith/forging, cattle branding, and wine tasting.

Work Out The Kinks

If you cram in all of the above in a weekend or longer stay, then you are going to need to visit the Sage Spa. Just down the hill from the Steakhouse is the Sage Spa which offers a variety of services Thursday through Sunday. Some of what you can expect includes: Texas stone massage, Swedish massage, body wraps, ear candling, thermal ice mask, a variety of facials, and more. Mary is there to pamper you and as a skin care professional she can make some recommendations to get rid of the kinks, relieve the stress, or cleansing the face. Mary is excellent at her job - be aware that after your hour with her - you may just want to chill out and spend the rest of the day at the pool or bar!

Feast On Some Great Grub

The Wildcatter Steakhouse is very close to being the best part of our visit to Wildcatter Ranch Resort. If you love food, you are going to love your dinner at Wildcatter, which in a very short period of time has been recognized as one of the best steak houses in Texas! Both of our meals were two of the best we have had in ages. My mouth is watering just thinking about our dinners. Bob Bratcher who runs the Steakhouse is to be commended for his excellent food as well as his attentive and friendly service.

The menu is fairly expansive and includes appetizers, salads, soups, entrees, and desserts. Entrees range from $14 to $36 and the portions are huge. Here are the highlights from our dinners:

thick and delightful Baja Chicken Enchilada Soup - it don't get much better than that! fried calamari strips that were thick, tender, and served with an excellent dipping sauce outstanding coconut shrimp with a mango ginger habenero sauce perfectly cooked blackened Tilapia with a diablo hollandaise sauce hot apple pie with cinnamon ice cream - to die for!

But best of all was the prime rib and porterhouse steak. The porterhouse was a excellent 32 ounces of some of the most tender and flavorful steak I have ever had - we were still eating it two days later! The prime rib was outstanding - juicy, tender, and cooked to perfection. As hard as I tried, Bob refused to tell me the secret to the fantastic seasoning on both the prime rib and the the porterhouse.

Sonja would not let us leave without trying her special drinks and it didn't take much convincing to try at least a couple of them each night. The favorite was the Frozen Tiramisu - French vanilla ice cream, Kahlua, Ameretto, and Tuaco blended to perfection - WOW! What a fabulous way to end an outstanding meal and a fun day.

Be Pampered By The Service

We found the staff and service to be above reproach and some of the best we have ever experienced. We would like to commend the staff from the bartenders to the wranglers - everyone has a smile on their face, a sincere desire to make you stay enjoyable, and a real pride in Wildcatter Ranch. They make every effort to know your name and make you feel welcome, comfortable, and special each time they see you. Special thanks to:

• Jason McAllister, the resort manager, has done an excellent job in maintaining high standards, ensuring the staff is attentive and helpful, and in doing everything he can to make sure your stay is enjoyable
• Don Bates, the activities director, loves his job and he always has a smile on his face, greets you like a long lost friend, and makes sure that you sign up for and enjoy all the activities
• Alley Cat is one of the friendliest bartenders in the Lone Star State and a good singer to boot
• All of the wranglers
• Mary is a true professional and really knows how to relax all those tired old bones and muscles with one of her special massages
• Bob Bratcher runs the restaurant and is constantly moving from table to table, greeting all the customers, and making sure that everything is cooked to perfection - but he won't give away his secret sauces!
• Sonja Bratcher has trained some of the best wait staff around (including Lisa with the big friendly smile who can't be beat as a waitress) and she knows how to make some wicked after dinner drinks - make sure you find her and ask for one of her special drinks!
• Natasha is the receptionist, the activities scheduler, the smiley and friendly greeter, and the go-to-person for any information or services that you need

Other Good Stuff At Wildcatter

Another favorite of our visit was the free Happy Hour from 4 to 5. Alley Cat will serve you almost anything from a well stocked bar. Try one, ok maybe two, of the blue/greenish frozen margaritas made with Curacao - best not try more than three or you'll need to watch out for the speed bump, the trees, and volleyball net on your walk home. The cozy bar area is well stocked with liquor and over $40,000 of California and Texas wines.

Wildcatter is a perfect location for a wedding, a corporate retreat, large parties, or a family reunion. Wildcatter has some excellent wedding sites, a small meeting room in the library plus another meeting room, and they can cater to your every need including: wedding reception, a wide variety of team building events, special meals, or audio visual equipment. Wildcater can make your event special with planned events like: trail rides, calf roping and branding, chuck wagon cookouts, organized games, and more. The new lodge will have additional meeting rooms and a huge banquet room.

Nearby Things To Do

Wildcatter Ranch has so much to offer that it's hard to take advantage of it all in a typical two or three day stay. However, if you do need to venture off the Ranch, then here are a few options for you:

Graham, population 9000, is about 10 miles west and is home to the largest town square in Texas with restaurants, antique shops, a tea room, theater, and more. Plus it is home to a number of rodeos and other events and even has a Wal Mart! Possum Kingdom Lake is one of the prettiest lakes in Texas and is about 15 minutes away - so rent a jet ski or boat from any of these locations (Naylors is the closest) and go skiing, fishing, or cruising. Don't miss Hell's Gate cove for partying, swimming, and scenic beauty. Click here to learn more about Possum Kingdom Lake. The nearby Cliffs At Possum Kingdom is one of the most unique, scenic (the ninth hole is high on a bluff overlooking the hills and valleys and blue waters of Possum Kingdom Lake), and challenging courses in Texas - to learn more read the Texas Outside review of The Cliffs. Nearby Graham Country Club Golf Course is a friendly, tree-shaded 9 hole course which the Dallas Morning News rated as one of the top-ranked 9 hole courses in Texas. Head over to Harbor Grill for drinks and appetizers on their beautiful stone patio over looking the lake - fantastic for watching the sun set

Book A Fun Weekend Now

Wildcatter Ranch Resort is the ideal choice for couples on a romantic weekend, families looking for some fun things to do, brides who want a unique and different wedding, or groups seeking a unique Texas experience.

If you like lots of fun outdoor activities, fabulous food, great accommodations, magnificent panoramic views (I had to get that one in one more time!), and outstanding service, then you best pick up the phone and make a reservation at Wildcatter Ranch Resort now! Make sure you take advantage of Wildcatter Ranch's coupon for a 10% discount - see our coupon page or click here to print their coupon. Enjoy!

If you would like to see more pictures of Wildcatter, visit this page of the Wildcatter website or take a look at some of the pictures from our visit to Wildcatter Resort and Spa.

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