I've been hesitant to post anything on here because I really like being able to regularly get a reservation at the Chandler Ranch but it's such an amazing place, run by wonderful people that I ultimately have gotten over my selfishness and decided to share my families experience with the Outdoor board.

https://chandlerranch.com/

The ranch sits 27 miles due south of Sheffield TX on 349 and getting to it feels like you have almost certainly gotten lost. Off of 349 you turn left and drive through the desert on a winding dirt road until suddenly you crest a hill and you are treated to quite literally a view of a desert oasis. The Independence Creek Preserve is the gateway to the Chandler ranch and the spring fed waters of the creek fill its swimming pool and stocked ponds. The Chandlers, Nan and Joe, have created a peaceful family getaway with multiple bunk style cabins and a common game room\dinning area. Richard is your host and chef while onsite and cooks some of the most amazing home-style meals that will keep the entire family fueled for the swimming, fishing, kayaking or just enjoying the unique west Texas scenery. You are welcome to bring your own side-by-side to explore the 1200 acre ranch which includes several miles of both the Independence Creek and Pecos River or they will provide use of one of their Kawasaki Mules. I plan on taking my FJ down when we go again next week. I will post some pictures as a follow up.

A few of our favorite things to do while we are there.

Swimming in the spring fed pool
Fishing in the stocked ponds
Cruising in the mule
fishing the Pecos
snorkeling the crystal clear water in one of the swimming holes
cashing lighting bugs near the pond
watching the wildlife near the cabin
not having a cell signal

I could go on and on about this place. If you have any questions shoot me a PM or ask and I'll post an email address. Hope to see you Ags out there sometime.

-Richline

Richline said:

---

I've been hesitant to post anything on here because I really like being able to regularly get a reservation at the Chandler Ranch but it's such an amazing place, run by wonderful people that I ultimately have gotten over my selfishness and decided to share my families experience with the Outdoor board.

https://chandlerranch.com/

The ranch sits 27 miles due south of Sheffield TX on 349 and getting to it feels like you have almost certainly gotten lost. Off of 349 you turn left and drive through the desert on a winding dirt road until suddenly you crest a hill and you are treated to quite literally a view of a desert oasis. The Independence Creek Preserve is the gateway to the Chandler ranch and the spring fed waters of the creek fill its swimming pool and stocked ponds. The Chandlers, Nan and Joe, have created a peaceful family getaway with multiple bunk style cabins and a common game room\dinning area. Richard is your host and chef while onsite and cooks some of the most amazing home-style meals that will keep the entire family fueled for the swimming, fishing, kayaking or just enjoying the unique west Texas scenery. You are welcome to bring your own side-by-side to explore the 1200 acre ranch which includes several miles of both the Independence Creek and Pecos River or they will provide use of one of their Kawasaki Mules. I plan on taking my FJ down when we go again next week. I will post some pictures as a follow up.

A few of our favorite things to do while we are there.

Swimming in the spring fed pool
Fishing in the stocked ponds
Cruising in the mule
fishing the Pecos
snorkeling the crystal clear water in one of the swimming holes
cashing lighting bugs near the pond
watching the wildlife near the cabin
not having a cell signal

I could go on and on about this place. If you have any questions shoot me a PM or ask and I'll post an email address. Hope to see you Ags out there sometime.

-Richline

---

What kind of kickbacks are you getting for posting this unsolicited advertisement?

absolutely nothing. I'm in no way associated with them and they have no idea I posted this on here.

This is about to go badly for OP.

I'm confused, sharing a badass place with the Outdoor board will end badly?

Guys, I like the place. I want to see them be successful. People are looking for things to do. Check out the Chandler Ranch, come back here and post your experience.

I have nothing to hide. You can easily figure out who i am and that I dont have anything to do with the ranch.

I hope some day to see you out there.

Looks awesome. A spring fed pool would be super nice to have.

Thanks for posting OP. That looks like a really fun getaway to unplug & just chill.

Thanks for sharing. That places awesome!!

Got to go to Chandler for many years, many years, prior to its current restoration. At one time it was almost totally destroyed by the floods of the 90's. Fly fished Independence Creek that runs through it nearly ever two weeks or so during the 90's, think the Nature Conservancy has now taken that over. Grandson shot his first deer on the Chandler. Spent many a night in what was then a guest cabin (if you can call it that) up on hill by the other two ponds, the Main House was a real wreck. GREAT memories for myself and eldest Grandson!!!

FIDO 96 said:

---

This is about to go badly for OP.

---

Why?

Richline, thanks for posting!

Looks like a wonderful place to me. I wish they offered some bird hunting.

It's a great getaway for us in Midland. A quick 2 hours south. The main house is gone and they have redone the cabins so they are first class. Richard says they plan on rebuilding a main house with a commercial kitchen (he's excited about that). I hope they can find a happy medium between growing and keeping the laid back country feeling

Would this be a good place to have a bachelor party? Not a wild one by any means but just drinking beer, fishing, and swimming. We're all too old for partying hard. Just a looking for a place to get away and be outdoors.

I know they do some hunts out there but I do t know the details. I can probably find Nan's email if you wanted to contact her and ask.

I would think it would depend on how big of a group of guys and if you could book the cabins. But if it's just a few guys and you hanging out and fishing, heck yeah.

Richline, sorry for derail but how did your recluse bite turn out?

Good advertising on the video. A definite lonesome dove vibe to the music.

Shoefly! said:

---

Richline, sorry for derail but how did your recluse bite turn out?

---

Itched like heck for a few days and nothing more. I survived and didn't end up having to burn the house down.

I had an infestation of black widows in the barn shortly after and blasted the heck out of it with insecticide. We will all probably die of cancer but the spiders are mostly gone.

Prune Tracy said:

---

Thanks for posting. It's very similar and quite a bit closer than our usual trek out to Alpine. I would have never found it had you not shared.

---

Do you have someplace in particular you go in Alpine?

In before "1,200 acres isn't a a ranch in west Texas, but a mere front yard."

Looks like a nice place.

OP there is a wonderful book about growing up on the Chandler Ranch in 40s-50s written by Charlena Chandler. It is called On Independence Creek - The story of a Texas Ranch. You will really enjoy it as will anyone who likes West Texas history.

Where do you go in alpine?

Awesome we will have to check these out too. Thanks.

Hewey Calloway said:

---

Would this be a good place to have a bachelor party? Not a wild one by any means but just drinking beer, fishing, and swimming. We're all too old for partying hard. Just a looking for a place to get away and be outdoors.

---

Yes. Buddy has his bachelor party there and was a ton of fun. Richard is an outstanding cook and a great host. He pretty much left us alone outside of meal times. We had the run of the place and had a great time cruising around the ranch, swimming in the river and pool, shooting, drinking, etc. The fish in the stocked pond are pretty hard to catch though, I think they've seen a few spinner baits.

Close to Midland... nice. Thanks for sharing!

Richline: Can you still fish Independence Creek or the the Nature boys take it over. In the old days you could go North to a fence they had across the creek and then go South for a couple of miles to confluence with the Pecos. Never was a Pecos guy. Independence had really cool Rio Chillids (sp) and neat little ole Guadalupe Bass, took flies like crazy. In the heat of the summer, that spring feed 65 deg water felt GREAT. Wish I could remember the year of the flood, would have love to have been up on the hill over looking the Big House there must have been a wall of water 10 or 15 feet high come down Independence. That flood left two HUGE oaks in the swimming pool that was there then.

Richline said:

---

I'm confused, sharing a badass place with the Outdoor board will end badly?

---

I would say that was posted because anything posted on the Outdoors board is likely to be subjected to extreme scrutiny and any chance to ridicule, shame or otherwise humiliate the OP will be taken at every opportunity.

In other words, you better wear your big boy pants and have thick skin to hang out on the OB.

Mark,
Now that you mention it I think Richard told us no fishing in the creek or maybe he said catch and release. I'll ask him when we are down there next week.

What a gem to have.

How much?

$300 a night. They feed your group breakfast, lunch and dinner. Just need to bring your own adult beverages.

Was there with family 25 years ago. Never forget the intersection of the crystal clear water of the Independence with the brown murky water of the Pecos at the confluence. Caught lots of fish out there . will go back now with grandkids