Walden Retreats Hill Country — Hotel in Johnson City

Fantastic experience! The location is outstanding, the tents are really comfortable, and the staff are wonderfully welcoming. We appreciated the quiet, the privacy, and relaxation of our visit here. The staff greeted us and our dog warmly and loaded us and our luggage onto a golf cart to get to our tent. It isn't actually very far from the parking lot to the tents, but the cart was very helpful with bags and dog gear. Our dog was very much welcome and it seemed like pretty much every other tent had a dog or two staying as well. Our tent was great. We had a direct view of the river, the bed was very comfortable, the climate control worked great, my wife loved the soaking tub, and I really enjoyed the outdoor shower. The kettle, French press coffee maker, and cooking utensils were all fantastic. We made our own breakfast and then ventured out onto the wine trail after enjoying a relaxing morning.

On that note, the property is a decent drive off of Hwy 290, so it will take a little longer than you might imagine to get to the wineries and other attractions along 290 and in Fredericksburg. Just be sure to plan accordingly. Fredericksburg is about a 40-45 minute drive from the property. We accepted the tradeoff of distance from those attractions for the quiet and privacy of Walden. But it did mean we were driving back up a dirt road in the dark. Definitely be careful and watch out for deer. We saw dozens and many crossed the road right in front of us.

This was a great place for a retreat from hustle and bustle of life and relax in peace. I cannot...

If you're looking for a peaceful, immersive escape into nature without sacrificing comfort, this yurt is the perfect spot. Nestled in stunning surroundings, the views are nothing short of breathtaking—rolling hills, clear skies, and wildlife all around. It feels like you’re at the edge of the world, yet everything you need is right there.

The yurt itself is a gem: impeccably clean and thoughtfully outfitted with everything you could want. From the cozy interior to the well-stocked kitchen, it’s clear that the hosts put a lot of care into making sure guests have a stress-free stay. Whether you’re lounging inside with a good book or grilling dinner on the deck, it’s easy to unwind and enjoy the tranquility.

We spent our days canoeing, hiking, and jogging around the property, all of which were right at our doorstep. The sense of being truly “away from it all” is palpable, but with Fredericksburg only a short drive away, you can easily dive into some local culture and cuisine when the mood strikes. We also found Johnson City to be a charming, less touristy option that was a pleasant surprise.

One of the highlights was watching the cows roam freely near the property, along with other wildlife sightings. It’s not something you get to experience every day, and it really added to the serene, back-to-nature feel of the trip. If you're someone who appreciates a slower pace of life and the beauty of rural Texas, this yurt is exactly where...

My wife and I had an amazing weekend away here! Super unique experience that was part “camping” and part “luxury hotel” on a really beautiful and peaceful property in Johnson City (which by the way is a super awesome little town and worlds away from the hustle/bustle and tourist crowds of Fredericksburg). The one drawback I would say, is during the summer, the tents can get uncomfortably warm (yes we did stay during a freak heatwave in June…so not any fault of Walden). As a suggestion, it would be nice if they could add maybe an extra AC unit (the tents do have an LG AC above the beds) during the summer months and possibly an extra fan to keep air moving in the tents. It was totally fine in the mornings and late evenings, however, the tents were basically unbearable/uninhabitable due to the heat pretty much from 1:00 pm to about 9:00 pm.

The tents themselves are high quality, you have an actual toilet and running water (the bathtub was a really nice bonus), electricity, and a King size bed. The stars at night out in the patio are really amazing.

The staff here were more than helpful and all extremely friendly.

Would definitely return again in the fall or spring when things cool off. This place is really...