Utopia Texas Waresville River Retreat Donoho Farm

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.
We welcome you to experience our family homestead, located less than an hour and a half from San Antonio, in the appropriately named town of Utopia.
Our ancestor, Capt. William Ware, built the original one-room cabin on the property in 1852 which has been lovingly protected and preserved. 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, laundry facilities, and a great outdoor patio for star-gazing and enjoying the breeze under Grandma Inez’s beloved pecan tree.
The spring-fed Sabinal River is crystal clear and is filled with bass and catfish, and at sunset the whole riverbank comes to life with dancing fireflies. Our family created a wildlife management plan for the property and you’ll see both axis and white tail deer, rabbits, turkeys and maybe even a now more elusive armadillo!
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, and a bar. 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 fee (though no dump station).
While enjoying the home and property you’re right near other great sites you may also enjoy: Utopia Golf, Sabinal Canyon Museum, the Blind Boar Brewery, Lone Star Motorcycle Museum, Elm Creek Stables, Frio Canyon Vineyards, and many more Texas Hill Country attractions!

This farm stay offers its guests barbecue grills. The front desk is open around the clock.

This Utopia farm stay is smoke free.