A love for horseback riding can take you many places, among them Hyatt Regency Lost Pines Resort and Spa.
Hyatt Lost Pines is an easy commute from Austin and Bastrop, and yet the resort feels a world apart. This luxurious Texas wilderness retreat tucks into a scenic spread of 405 acres, with one mile of Lower Colorado River frontage running through it and 1,100 acres of McKinney Roughs Nature Park beside it. Eighteen miles of trails weave through the resort grounds and park, all perfect for hiking, running, birding and, of course, a horseback riding.
Central Texas escape
And yet the fun doesn’t begin and end on the trails of this horseback riding vacation. This Central Texas escape is a place where upscale and down-home converge to create a harmony of high-end appointments and recreation.
Equestrian enthusiasts will also want to take time to relish the Crooked River Water Park; Spa Django; Wolfdancer Golf Club, the restaurants; s’mores roasting and family movies on Riversong Lawn; hiking; birding; kayaking; sunset float; rock climbing; zip lining; live music; Camp Hyatt; and daily recreation activities with arts, crafts and games.
Renegade Trailhead horseback riding team
That being said, if horsing around is top of mind (and if you’re reading this blog, it surely is), travelers can find an authentic experience at Renegade Trailhead, which caters to seasoned riders as well as first-timers, making it a great option for families, friends and colleagues alike. Plus, it’s easy to arrange. Guests may book their activity with the Resort Reservations team, take the complimentary shuttle from the lobby up the road to launch their horseback riding adventure in the arena or out on the trails. Among the activities is horse camp, highlighting the basics of grooming, as well as some riding and roping. Meanwhile, pony rides delight little lasses and buckaroos while trail rides are tailored to riders with intermediate and advanced experience.
The Renegade Trailhead team also organizes trapshooting, archery and bass fishing outings, ensuring all Hyatt Lost Pines guests have access to the best of Texas outdoor sport beyond the saddle.
As you can tell, there’s enough at Hyatt Lost Pines to keep you busy for days. Just ask the members of the resort mascot program who live and work there.
Hooves, horns and hoss mascot program
Those who love horses or animals in general will find their hearts warmed by the one-of-a-kind “Hooves, Horns and Hoss” mascot program featuring Percheron draft horses King, Lady, Julius and Caesar; saddle-broke longhorns T-Bone and Ribeye; miniature donkeys Captain and Trooper; alpacas Yogi and Boo Boo; and resort dog and team captain, Hoss, a lovable black-and-white (Landseer) Newfoundland and his sidekick, Honey Bear.
All of these creatures have important jobs which keep them occupied, such as guest meet-and-greets and lounging and grazing at the Lost Pines Corral. The team’s Percheron draft horses lead wagon-ride tours of the property, make grand entrances for weddings and conferences upon request, and enjoy monthly Saturday “outings” to LBJ Pavilion for new shoes. The local farrier makes horseshoeing fun for the whole family, answering questions about this timeless trade while a mascot handler stands by to answer questions about the horses themselves. The only thing better than simply being there is having a cup of coffee, tea or cocoa from McDade’s to sip while you witness the show and make friends with fellow guests.
Longhorns T-Bone and Ribeye offer photo ops of a lifetime
Other members of the mascot program keep full schedules, too. For example, Hoss serves as a guest liaison Wednesday through Sunday, welcoming guests to the resort lobby or providing good company on wagon rides. Longhorns T-Bone and Ribeye extend photo ops of a lifetime at the hitching posts a couple times a week, occasionally accepting invitations for parties and parades. Donkeys Captain and Trooper and alpacas Yogi and Boo Boo play tether ball back at the Lost Pines Corral, with Boo Boo offering up the occasional kiss to those who hum and place a cheek up to the fence. (Yogi and Boo Boo also enjoy joy-riding in the elevator when the opportunity presents itself.) Now and again, Captain and Trooper are scheduled to work happy hours, packing in glasses for tequila tastings during special events.
Alpacas Yogi and Boo Boo joy riding at Lost Pines Resort
When it’s time to leave Hyatt Lost Pines and head home, there will be many memories to take along with you. Should you want to bring home a little “Hooves, Horns and Hoss,” McDade’s sells Frontier Ears and stuffed mascots that make it possible to do so handily – also serving as a reminder of the happy trails you’ve traveled until you and the mascots meet again.
For more information on horseback riding holidays, follow Hyatt Lost Pines on Twitter. Follow me on Twitter for all things travel.
This guest post was written by Amanda Fier, a freelance writer whose previous assignments have taken her on several horseback riding adventures in California, Colorado, Montana and Texas. During her time at Hyatt Lost Pines, she and Boo Boo the alpaca became fast friends – while Dancer the horse showed her the lay of the land during a trail ride.
If You Go:
Hyatt Regency Lost Pines (512) 308-1234
575 Hyatt Lost Pines Road
Lost Pines, TX 78612
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