Want to get away? Of course, we all want to get away, but in between school sports and crazy work demands, slipping away for those “vacations” can often be difficult, especially when you add in all those extra hours of being on the road or in the air.
Recently, my family discovered that some of our best memories were simply destined to be experienced close to home. That’s because we are finding that some of the best and hottest spots for a staycation can be found right here in Guadalupe County.
Traveling a mere 19 miles or 24 minutes by vehicle, my family headed down the road to Marion for a weekend of glamping at Son’s Rio Cibolo.
Son’s Rio Cibolo is the latest resort location to operate under the Son’s Island Getaways umbrella. The company is a collection of five other campgrounds operating within the various stretches of the county. Although the most popular Son’s Island in McQueeney is temporarily closed, its other locations, Son’s Blue River Camp, Son’s Guadalupe, Son’s River Ranch, and Son’s Geronimo, continue to drive folks in with their very own unique riverside experience.
At Son’s Rio Cibolo, this best-in luxury glamping runs along two miles of spring-fed Cibolo Creek frontage at 178 Rio Cibolo Way.
Despite that, it’s gaining traction as a “trending” water spot in Texas, Son’s Rio Cibolo, we found, remains a secret gem, especially when it comes to locals.
Even though the resort opened in the summer of 2022, the 100-acre vacation property has already undergone plenty of additions, making it the ideal spot for our family getaway.
With highs only expected in the upper 50s, my family wasn’t sure what to expect from our weekend visit. We also weren’t too sure about this growing trend of the “glamping experience.”
However, after arriving to the spacious waterfront property and seeing the tropical cabanas and bird house cabins along the banks of the Rio Cibolo Creek, any doubts we might have arrived with were quickly thrown out the window.
Arriving anywhere early is rare for my family, but we didn’t procrastinate this time on getting to our destination hours in advance of our 3:30 p.m. check-in.
By arriving early, my family took advantage of the campground while enjoying one of the many cabanas nestled along the riverbank. It was a day spent fishing, shooting hoops, and even playing a few rounds of ping pong and pool in a rec room located in the middle of the property. A cluster of three pools and four hot tubs are also made available to guests year-round.
Unlike other vacation check-ins, our visit was all done ahead of time. No need to wrangle with front desk or resort personnel. In fact, on that day, we were provided with our access code for our stay in Cabin #5, The Wren, and up the flight of stairs to the birdhouse, we went.
The modern amenities and uniqueness found in the glamping experience quickly guaranteed a future return for our family. As my kids stated, “It was just like a hotel but cooler.”
Plus, whether you book a birdhouse waterfront cabin or any of the smaller cabins, all come fully furnished with a full kitchen, towels, linens, patio furniture, a picnic table, a grill, fire pit, and hammock. Most importantly, all units are well insulated with heat and air conditioning.
And yes, it is important to note that our birdhouse cabin included a full-sized private bathroom.
Not only did our cabin #5 sleep six, but it also offered both a front and
back porch –– perfect for star-gazing or for overlooking tranquil spots along the creek, including its gushing waterfall dam and scenic hike and bike trail.
Of course, after unpacking, my family immediately returned downstairs to the launching pad for the free kayaks and paddle boards. The cooler temperatures that weekend did nothing to hinder other guests from also grabbing an oar and enjoying some time on the water.
Speaking of guests, it was clear that most had traveled several miles — some even overseas to enjoy the waterfront resort. And while some had business in the big city, they opted for the luxury camp to change up the monotony of the average hotel stay.
At night, Son’s Rio Cibolo also lends itself to plenty of fun and relaxation. Lights majestically outline the pool area, game room, and even the actual volleyball net — creating that warm ambiance throughout the campground. Adding to our own experience was the snuggle weather in mid-February that warranted using the fire pit and consuming one too many smores.
While the waterfront cabins were the first to be introduced at the grounds, the operation over the last year has grown into not only Glamping Tents but the new addition of Safari Cabins. The Safari Cabins sleep nine with four full beds and one twin futon couch. Each also comes equipped with a kitchenette and nearby bathrooms and showers.
For those just looking to get away for the day, rentals in one of the creekside cabanas are also available. The Hawaiian-style cabana includes a bar top table with stools, lounge chairs, a hammock, a BBQ pit, electricity, running water plus a ceiling fan.
The vision for this property will also continue with the recent acquisition of Rio Cibolo Ranch. The property recently expanded to absorb the large event venue and large rodeo arena that sat next door. Property managers say more waterfront cabins are also in the works.
A stay at Son’s Rio Cibolo varies in price depending on the “glamping” experience that someone is looking for. Nonetheless, the prices appear reasonable, with even cheaper rates available during the off-season or if booked in advance.
Meanwhile, these luxury staycations close to home might just be my family’s newest attempt at unwinding from that hectic day-to-day schedule.
After all, it’s often the locals who are last to realize the true gems that exist in their own backyards – gems that truly make you feel as though you are vacationing miles away. These local treasures are here waiting to be discovered, and they come with all the comforts of home and more.
For booking information, visit sonsriocibolo.com. •
