It is unlikely to find something that could be enjoyed as both a Mother’s Day OR a Father’s Day gift but we have uncovered a dreamy gem in West Texas called the JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa, a real working ranch and private ranch retreat in Sonora, West Texas.
Guests enjoy an array of experiences depending on what they are looking for. Some wish to bond with their kids and build family memories. Others are for a girls' or guys' weekend, full of spa treatments, group activities like a round of sporting clays, and cocktails at sunset. The ladies won’t want to miss the full spa with multiple massage packages, scrubs, mud wraps, hand and foot treatments, facials, lash and brow tints. Relax in the hill country!
Couples looking for a romantic getaway are invited to enjoy a private wine cellar dinner for those special occasions - an anniversary or popping the big question. Take part in a Sommelier guided wine, whiskey & tequila tastings that feature rare and local wines and spirits from around the world, a tasty charcuterie board is an added option as well.
JL Bar curates activities for corporate retreats that boost and enforce the importance of teamwork with a relaxed feel. Guests have the option to go all out and fly into our private airport in style and enjoy all the luxuries we have to offer, such as world-class guided hunting and a stay at the gorgeous Archers Nest, which is a private house with a pool all to yourself with the option of a chef-prepared private dinner.
Family trip? The Animal Meet and Greet is a favorite for families, kids and large groups. Get up close and personal with a variety of ranch animals which include their horses (sometimes foals during the years they are born), friendly chickens (people love to help collect the rainbow assortment of eggs), working dogs and miniature jersey cattle. They will soon also be offering the opportunity to try hands-on milking of miniature cattle and learn the art of making fresh butter!
The Ranch boasts many unique activities that you will be hard pressed to find anywhere else:
• Expert guided shooting for skeet & trap, handgun range, archery, long-range shooting, and sporting clays. We offer a general store with guns for rental or purchase along with ammo and many other goods.
• A ranch excursion and safari on our refurbished military truck that can hold up to 20 people. A great activity for photography and nature enthusiasts.
• Morning and Sunset trail rides on retired reining horses. JL Bar is the only ranch resort in North America that offers our guests the opportunity to ride world-class retired show horses that come from some of the most prestigious champion bloodlines in the industry.
• Take a Horse Psychology Class that dives deep into the evolution, history, anatomy, language and training of horses. This is a wonderful class for beginners and experts alike. This class also ties the lessons we learn from horses and how they apply to our everyday lives. Many leave truly in awe and inspired. This is a great class for accommodating large groups and can include alcoholic or nonalcoholic refreshments.
*Culinary Classes such as how to make your own pasta, pizzas and a variety of other food delights.
JL Bar has quite an interesting history. Owners James & Lois Archer. James Archer was the founder of Multi-Chem Group, LLC, one of the world's largest oil and gas service companies in the world prior to selling to Halliburton in 2011. Believing that their own lives were greatly enriched by giving, the Archers share their wealth with many charitable causes benefiting youth and the aging population. They also established the James B. and Lois R Archer Charitable Foundation.
Acquisition of the ranch came shortly after, blending the owners' love of Texas game hunting and ranch land with country music. With a successful Nashville-based entertainment company called MV2 Entertainment, you will see many country music awards scattered throughout the ranch.
The completion of their first major project in 2013 was the ranch's private FBO airport and soon after the Lonesome Creek Lodge building in 2015. The Archers wanted to create and share with the public the hospitality and essence that is Pure Texas. They wanted families, corporate groups and individuals to be completely immersed in the lifestyle that truly makes Texas great. From the moment you cross the big gates, you are treated like you are family. The goal is to give guests unrivaled service, with the casual cowboy luxury that the Texas Hill Country is known for. We want you to bring your new cowboy hat and boots and get them dusty and properly broken in the real way. Whether that’s by learning to shoot on our world-class range, going on a ranch excursion on our military truck, taking a sunset trail ride on our retired reining horses or by dancing the night away at one of our many concerts. We truly hope guests leave knowing the spirit of what makes Texas unique and create memories that will last them a lifetime!
JL Bar Amenities offers guests the very best of the best in convenience and quality for all your needs. The General Store offers a wide range of clothing, guns, ammo, jewelry, boots, bags, hats and much more. The main lodge includes a large main living room area with multiple seating options for lounging around and a full bar that is popular for cocktail hour. A 900+ bottle wine cellar, a pool table, shuffleboard and karaoke machine. This is also where the gorgeous pool area and fire pits are located (where we offer smores for purchase) which is surrounded by our mini putting green and some of the best views of the ranch. Visit the MVBrew Coffee Shop or work out in the fully equipped gym. The Lonesome Creek Lodge is the place for breakfast, lunch and dinner as well as our other fully stocked bar. This is also where the Cowboy cookouts take place and smaller concerts.
The ranch is the location for special events. A few times a year the private airport is completely transformed into a concert venue that can accommodate 200+ people. This includes VIP tables, artists' meet and greets, general admission, a large dance floor, a fully equipped stage with professional sound & light crews, multiple bars and beer stations, and more. Get up close and personal with multimillion-dollar planes and jets as they are lit up and displayed for the public to admire. Professional photos taken during the event as well as a photo booth. Our most popular concert of the year is our New Year's Eve Concert which has featured Texas country artist Aaron Watson for multiple years in a row now. We also do a large balloon drop, champagne toast and countdown to ring in the new year. Some of the artists we’ve had perform are Aaron Watson, Wade Bowen, Rodger Creager, The Bellamy Brothers, William Beckman and many more!
Rumor has it, they have even had a few A lists celebrities and athletes stay at the ranch with their families!
JL Bar Ranch, Resort & Spa is a special brand of luxury offering:
13,000 acres of oak-studded hills
Ranch excursion and safari on a refurbished military truck.
Nature photography opportunities for nature enthusiasts
Morning and sunset trail rides
Private wine cellar dinner
Sommelier guided wine, whiskey & tequila tastings
Full spa treatments
Sunset cocktails
