For affluent buyers seeking the ultimate blend of rugged Texas Hill Country isolation and sophisticated modern luxury, a sprawling Central Texas property has just entered the market with a price tag to match its outsized ambitions. Ketterman Ranch, a massive 1,200-acre estate situated roughly an hour’s drive from both Austin and San Antonio, is currently listed for sale at $25.9 million. Offering the classic, quintessential attractions of a working and recreational ranch lifestyle—including multiple spring-fed or stocked lakes, diverse and exotic wildlife populations, and top-tier equestrian facilities—the property manages to deliver this secluded atmosphere without sacrificing convenient access to major urban centers and city amenities.
At the very center of the expansive property sits a magnificent 10,000-square-foot, lodge-style primary residence. Positioned strategically to offer panoramic views, the grand home overlooks a series of serene, bass-filled lakes that ripple across the landscape. The interior of the main lodge is anchored by a soaring, floor-to-ceiling stone fireplace that commands attention in the cavernous great room. Designed with both large-scale entertaining and intimate family living in mind, the residence features a sprawling kitchen, a formal dining room, and various other communal spaces scaled comfortably for hosting large gatherings of family and friends.
The surrounding Hill Country environment strikes a delicate balance between being carefully manicured and maintaining its natural, rugged charm. Subtle rolling elevation changes throughout the acreage create dramatic, long-distance views across the surrounding Texas countryside. A comprehensive infrastructure of well-maintained roads and property improvements ensures easy access to every corner of the vast estate. Furthermore, the property is not limited to just the main lodge; multiple guest lodges are scattered across the grounds, providing ample and comfortable accommodations for extended family, weekend visitors, or corporate retreats. In total, the compound boasts an astonishing nine bedrooms paired with an incredible 30 bathrooms, ensuring that every guest suite and entertaining pavilion is thoroughly appointed.
Stepping outside the main residence reveals an equally impressive array of lifestyle and recreational amenities. An expansive, covered back patio serves as an outdoor living room, complete with a fully equipped bar and abundant seating options designed for relaxing afternoons or lively evening socials. Just beyond the patio lies a sparkling swimming pool and spa area, complemented by a private putting green where golf enthusiasts can practice their short game against a backdrop of Texas hills. For those prioritizing fitness and active recreation, the estate includes a detached fitness center featuring an indoor playground and a dedicated climbing gym tailored for children and adventurous adults alike.
The outdoor sports infrastructure continues with a full-size basketball court that doubles as a regulation tennis court, alongside a separate, dedicated pickleball court area equipped with two distinct setups. Water resources are another defining and critical feature of Ketterman Ranch. The property is sustained by a robust private water system and substantial wells that maintain the health and beauty of the lakes and landscaping throughout the seasons.
As a true Texas ranch, the property naturally facilitates a wide variety of traditional outdoor pursuits. Activities center heavily around fishing in the numerous bass-filled lakes and horseback riding across the acreage. For equestrian enthusiasts, the estate features a dedicated rodeo arena. Hunting is another major draw for the property, supported by specialized facilities for hunting dogs as well as established infrastructure for bird hunting. Perhaps most uniquely, the land serves as a habitat for an array of exotic wildlife species, most notably including a population of giraffes, adding a distinctly safari-like element to the traditional Texas landscape.
Ketterman Ranch is currently represented on the market by Cord Shiflet of Moreland Properties and Jordan Shipley of Shipley Ranches. Notably, Jordan Shipley brings a unique local profile to the listing, having previously enjoyed a standout career as a wide receiver in the National Football League and at the University of Texas.
The offering of Ketterman Ranch highlights a broader, active market for high-end acreage properties within the Lone Star State. Over the summer months, another notable Texas ranch of comparable scale and grandeur made headlines when it hit the market. Rolling R Ranch, a sprawling 1,300-acre property situated just outside of Dallas, was listed for $21.5 million by a grandson of former U.S. President Franklin D. Roosevelt, underscoring the enduring appeal and robust demand for elite, large-scale rural estates among high-net-worth buyers in Texas and beyond.
