River is Flowing and Beautiful!Utopia Texas Waresville River Retreat Donoho Farm | House in Utopia
5 Bedroom House in Utopia
Why wrestle with the crowds at Garner State Park, or fight for a float spot on the Frio River? Instead you can enjoy the serenity of a private historic family ranch and farm, complete with park-like picnic grounds, BBQs, smoker, fire pits, nature trails, rope swing, swimming areas, and fishing holes protected by a canopy of majestic old-growth cypress trees embracing above the beautiful, secluded banks of the Sabinal River.
A note about our water: while drought headlines often warn that “the Hill Country rivers are dry,” that’s where our property stands apart. Much of the Sabinal does run low or disappear underground in a dry summer — but our particular stretch is spring-fed and holds deep, shaded pools of open water year-round, even in the driest years. It’s one of the few places on the river where you’ll find this kind of water when others have little to none, so you can count on real swimming, wading, and fishing all season long — a private river summer that’s increasingly rare on this stretch of the Hill Country.
We welcome you to experience our family homestead, located less than an hour and a half from San Antonio, just outside the appropriately named town of Utopia. Our ancestor, Capt. William Ware, recognizing this amazing water resource, built the original one-room cabin on the property in 1852, which has been lovingly protected and preserved to this day. The historic farmhouse where we welcome you to come stay with your family and friends was built by his son John Crane Ware in 1870 and was most recently renovated in 2023 – including newly updated bedrooms, bathrooms, A/C, kitchen appliances, oversized laundry facilities, and a great outdoor patio under Grandma Inez’s beloved pecan tree.
Days here unfold at river pace. The spring-fed Sabinal is crystal clear and filled with bass and catfish — wade in for a swim, cast a line, launch off the rope swing, or simply read in the shade of the cypress. Our family created a wildlife management plan for the property, so between adventures you’ll spot axis and white-tail deer, rabbits, turkeys, songbirds, and maybe even a now more elusive armadillo. As the sun drops, the whole riverbank comes to life with dancing fireflies, and when night arrives our skies turn genuinely dark — far from any city light. Spread a blanket on the patio and watch the Milky Way come out over the water; the stargazing here is simply unforgettable.
However you like to spend your time, there’s room here to do it. Guests have used the property as a private canvas for all kinds of getaways — painting and photography by the river, birdwatching along the cypress banks, quiet yoga and wellness mornings, family reunions and multi-generational gatherings, milestone celebrations, and small group or church retreats. With the whole homestead to yourselves, the only limit is your imagination.
Our family homestead is fully furnished and appointed and sleeps 20 – 2 king beds, 2 queen beds, 1 double bed, 2 twin beds, 2 twin over double bunk beds, and 1 twin over twin bunk bed. All bed linens and bathroom and river towels are provided. There’s a pool table and ample board and card games, as well as satellite television, WI-FI, and an old organ in the front parlor. The kitchen was recently updated and has everything you need for entertaining, meal and picnic prep, along with a wet bar. With room to sleep 20 plus generous indoor and outdoor gathering space, the homestead is an ideal home base for larger groups and special occasions.
We also have water and a 30-amp hookup if you’d like to bring your RV or camp trailer for just an additional $50/night (though no dump station). While enjoying the home and property you’re right near other great sites you may also enjoy: Utopia Golf (directly next door), Sabinal Canyon Museum, the Blind Boar Brewery, Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, Elm Creek Stables, Frio Canyon Vineyards, and
many more Texas Hill Country attractions!
River is Flowing and Beautiful!Utopia Texas Waresville River Retreat Donoho Farm is located in Utopia. River is Flowing and Beautiful!Utopia Texas Waresville River Retreat Donoho Farm provides accommodation, featuring Air Conditioner, Parking, Pet Friendly, among other amenities. This House features Air Conditioner, Parking and Pet Friendly to make your stay a comfortable one.
River is Flowing and Beautiful!Utopia Texas Waresville River Retreat Donoho Farm has 5 Bedrooms , 4 Bathrooms, and max occupancy of 20 people. The minimum rental for this property is 1 nights, but this can change depending on the season you plan on staying. Previous guests have given good rated it, and VRBO labeled it a top-rated House because of the excellent services rendered by the owner or manager of this House, and has consistently provided great experiences for their guests. Most families or guests that use it recommend it to their friends and some of them are repeat guests. House has a friendly neighborhood, and the Utopia has interesting places to visit. If you want to learn more about the House in Utopia, such as places to visit and things to do nearby, you can check below to learn more.
This Property is OneKey Eligible
Earn OneKeyCash for every dollar spent on eligible vacation rentals, villas, cottages, cabins, and more when you book on Vrbo.
Amenities
Facility Overview
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Air conditioning
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Heating
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Toilet paper
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Shampoo
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Towels provided
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Bathtub or shower
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4 bathrooms
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Bed sheets provided
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5 bedrooms
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Fireplace
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Dishwasher
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Coffee/tea maker
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Oven
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Stovetop
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Microwave
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Cookware/dishes/utensils
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Washing machine and dryer
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Laundry facilities
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Onsite parking
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Pet friendly
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Welcoming dogs only
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2 total pets
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Service animals exempt from fees
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Smoke-free property
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TV with cable/satellite service
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Pool or billiards table
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Unit size: 3400 sq ft (316 sq m)
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English
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WiFi available
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Firepit
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Outdoor furniture
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Barbecue grill
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Balcony
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Deadbolt lock
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Smoke detector installed (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
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Fire extinguisher
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First aid kit
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Carbon monoxide detector installed (host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property)
Policies
Cashless transactions are available 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 host has indicated there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property note from host: only at the descretion of the owner onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit, and a deadbolt lock special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed 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
Reviews
FAQ's
Is this property pet-friendly for guests?
Yes, pets are allowed at this property. Check the guest reviews to learn what guests had to share.
Does the property have a swimming pool?
No, this Utopia house does not have a swimming pool. Check the Facility Overview section for details about the pool and other available facilities.
How much does it cost per night to stay in property?
Best-rates for the Utopia house starts from $587 per night with includes Balcony/Terrace, Bedding/Linens, Fireplace, Child Friendly, Heating, Air Conditioner, Parking, Pet Friendly, Security/Safety, Barbecue/Outdoor Cooking, Internet, Kitchen, Laundry, TV with all other facilities. matches every traveler with their perfect accommodation, whether you are traveling with a group, friends, family, or pets.
Is property a family-friendly place to stay?
Based on the information we have received from the owner or our partner, this is considered to be a family-friendly property. Families have rated this house Good or guests have recommended them suitable for families. As reported by the owner or manager, the house has specified that children are welcome. Please see details about suitability for your family or inquire with the property to learn more.
Is the property wheelchair accessible or offer services for disabled guests?
Based on the information received from our partner, the Utopia house has not specified they are wheelchair accessible. Likewise, there is not an elevator specified as being available at the property. Specific accessibility details may be addressed in the property details section of this page.
What is the minimum night stay policy for the property?
Based on the information reported by the owner or manager, the Utopia house indicates 1 day stay policy at this house. Guests are cautioned that the minimum stay policy may differ based on seasonality or availability and may be at the discretion of the owner or manager.
What cancellation policy is in place for property?
Guests are cautioned that the cancellation policy may differ based on seasonality, availability, or current travel restrictions. Guests should also be aware that this policy may be subject to change and should be confirmed prior to booking. More details may be available on this page in the property description. However, early check-in or late check-out can sometimes be negotiated between the guest and the owner or the manager of this property.
