When we went glamping at Yurtopia Wimberley and went into town for some food, we stumbled upon Pioneer Town at 7A ranch. Boy, were we glad that we did. Not just because it’s the coolest little ghost town, but because it was a filming location for Fear the Walking Dead.
Remember the episode when June and John were in “Humbug’s Gulch?” John had actually worked there back in the day. It’s also the location where they met up with Dwight, played by Austin Amelio (who just so happens to hail from Austin. Texas).
Located approximately 50 minutes southwest of Austin, Pioneer Town will make you feel like Marty McFly traveling back to the wild wild west.
The area features a functioning arcade and ice cream parlor, as well as an opera house, the pioneer chapel, and a bottle house.
The bottle house is made entirely of glass bottles, per the suggestion of Walt Disney himself! Not uncommon in Old West town, bottle houses are usually built from beer or champagne bottles from the local saloon as a monument to the town’s drinking ability. This particular house is constructed out of drink bottles and is the only known soft drink bottle house in the US.
There’s also a Cowboy Museum on site where would-be pioneers can explore the vintage antiques and more.
For those looking to make a weekend out of it, 7A Ranch is home to a lovely resort sitting on the banks of the Blanco River. A stay at 7A offers prime river access to swimming and fishing, as well as a pool and numerous trails for exploring. Some cabins are fully equipped with air conditioning and full kitchens while others feature open porches for more camping vibes. All options are absolutely charming.
Know before you go:
Pioneer Town is free and open to the public to explore and we highly recommend dressing the part!
If you choose to stay the weekend, pack for swimming, fishing, kayaking – whatever floats your boat – on the Blanco River. Cabin rates vary by time of year and size. See the website for the most up-to-date rates.
Day passes are available to their section of the river for swimming, fishing, and enjoying year-round. Price varies between $5-10 per person depending on the time of year. And it’s free for children under 5!
From March through October, the Ice Cream Parlor opens daily at noon, except on Wednesday when it’s closed.
The arcade is open during business hours, Friday and Saturday from 8 a.m. to 4 p.m. and Sunday through Thursday from 8 a.m. until 6 p.m.
The Opera House is available to rent for weddings, reunions, or other events.
