Property Description:
East Ventana Ranch is a rare riverfront offering featuring just over 3,500 feet of frontage on the Leon River. The ranch encompasses a diverse combination of improved hay pastures, productive farmland in the Leon River bottomland, pecan orchards, native pasture, and established wildlife habitat. Held by the same family for many decades, East Ventana Ranch is a property that lives much larger than its actual size, offering an appealing blend of agricultural production, recreational opportunities, and natural beauty.
Conveniently located between Dallas-Fort Worth and Austin, just west of Waco, the ranch is currently operated as a leased cattle operation with good hay production and excellent hunting opportunities for traditional Texas wildlife. Improvements include two residences, equipment barns, and livestock working pens with pipe fencing. With its substantial river frontage, diverse acreage, and existing ranch infrastructure, East Ventana Ranch offers an opportunity to enjoy a beautiful part of Central Texas while continuing its established agricultural and recreational uses.
Location:
East Ventana Ranch is located at 5185 County Road 194 in Jonesboro, Coryell County, Texas, approximately seven miles south of Jonesboro and south of State Highway 36. The ranch is approximately 50 miles west of Waco, with an estimated drive time of one hour or less, 125 miles south of Dallas, 109 miles south of Fort Worth, and 106 miles north of Austin, with an approximate two-hour drive from each of the three major metropolitan areas.
Land:
Encompassing 485± acres, Ventana River Ranch is divided into two parcels separated by County Road 194, with approximately 299 acres on the north side of the road and 186 acres on the south side.
The 299-Acre Northern Tract
The approximately 299-acre northern tract features roughly 3,000 feet of frontage along the north side of County Road 194 and is home to the manager’s residence, barn, and livestock working pens. The property consists primarily of native pastures for livestock, complemented by wooded areas and brush that provide valuable wildlife habitat.
The northern portion of this tract offers varied terrain and attractive views overlooking the Leon River Valley to the south. Its proximity to the river, combined with abundant woods and brush, provides plentiful cover for the native wildlife that inhabits the ranch. The tract also includes numerous hunting blinds and feeders.
The 186-Acre Southern Tract
Located directly across County Road 194 from the northern tract, the approximately 186-acre southern parcel features a three-bedroom brick residence, barn, and livestock working pens. With approximately 3,900 feet of frontage along the south side of County Road 194, the property consists primarily of improved farmland utilized for Coastal Bermuda, along with wooded areas and brush that provide wildlife habitat along the Leon River.
The southern tract is relatively flat river bottomland, featuring approximately 4,000 feet of frontage along the Leon River, with approximately half of the river frontage extending along both sides of the river. The property also offers a combination of native pasture, trees, and brush that provides excellent wildlife habitat. Ranch roads and trails provide access throughout the property, along with a variety of deer blinds and feeders.
Water:
The northern 299-acre tract features numerous ponds for livestock, including at least one spring-fed pond.
The southern portion of the ranch is situated along the south side of the Leon River and features approximately 4,000 feet of river frontage along the north side of the property. The ranch also appears to include frontage along both sides of the river. A portion of the property adjacent to the river lies within the floodplain. Additional stock tanks are located throughout the ranch.
Community water services the residences on both sides of County Road 194.
Terrain/Topography:
Ventana River Ranch northern portion of the property. The southern 186-acre tract consists primarily of relatively flat river bottomland that slopes toward the river.
The northern 299-acre tract features abundant tree cover, including a variety of native oak, elm, and pecan trees, complementing the native pastures throughout the property. The southern 186-acre tract is primarily improved Coastal Bermuda pasture, with trees and wildlife habitat along the banks of the Leon River.
Improvements:
Northern 299-Acre Tract
The northern 299-acre parcel is improved with a three-bedroom manager’s residence featuring a metal roof, a combination brick and siding exterior, and an attached garage. The home is conveniently situated near the barn and livestock working pens. This tract also includes a number of hunting blinds and feeders.
Southern 186-Acre Tract
The southern 186-acre portion of the ranch features a three-bedroom brick residence with a garage, along with a Quonset hut barn.
Ranch Infrastructure
The property is fenced and cross-fenced and includes livestock working pens for the ranch’s cattle operation.
Recreation/Hunting:
Ventana River Ranch offers a variety of recreational opportunities, with the Leon River, wooded acreage, native pastures, and open fields providing an appealing setting for enjoying the outdoors. Activities include horseback riding, hiking throughout the wooded portions of the ranch, and swimming or fishing in the river.
The combination of river frontage, wooded cover, and open pasture also provides excellent hunting opportunities for a wide variety of traditional Texas wildlife. Species found in the area include deer, hogs, waterfowl, bobcats, turkey, quail, and dove. Numerous feeders and blinds are established throughout the property for hunting or observing wildlife.
With just over 3,500 feet of Leon River frontage, two residences, established agricultural improvements, and a diverse combination of native and improved acreage, East Ventana Ranch presents a distinctive opportunity to own a substantial riverfront property in Central Texas.
