We had an amazing time at Blue Hills Ranch in Waco, TX- I highly recommend a trip out there to get the up-close and personal experience we enjoyed with all the amazing animals! Fantastic staff, happy animals, well-kept facilities...what an incredible day we had. It feels like a dream. Easy day trip outing with the family or as a date- book your animal experiences online like we did at https://www.bluehillsranch.com . The staff was flexible to shift timing of the experiences so we didn't have to wait long in between- they were extremely accommodating and we never felt rushed either. The otter swim/playtime experience was originally what drew us, and it was even better than I'd imagined. Worth every penny! Then we got to feed and pet the capybaras, which were way friendlier than I thought they would be! The babies enjoyed some extra belly rubs too. Bottle feeding the kangaroo was so fun too- little Dundee was SO soft and loved all the pets, even gave us kisses! The giraffes were super friendly and greeted us every time we were nearby; feeding and getting quality time with them was an extra treat. The safari ride tour was also amazing- 5 of us fit comfortably and got to feed/see lots of animals that we wouldn't normally get to experience. We were surprised at how this place wasn't crowded at all in the middle of July when it is peak vacation season, so it really felt like we had the whole place to ourselves. They also have a beautiful main lodge area that is comfortable and welcoming with additional animals to enjoy. read more

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We just got home after an amazing weekend at the ranch. I surprised my wife for our first anniversary and her birthday and it did not disappoint!!! All of the staff were so helpful and kind! A special shoutout to Cheslea who took care of us when we arrived, as well as was our driver for the safari tour! Ohhhh the animals, my wife and I were in heaven. She misses her little Cashew and I won't forget my big boy Blue (see photo)! Our first time but will not be our last! Thank you again to you all! read more

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Spent the weekend here and had great animal adventures. We stayed in the kangaroo cabins. The cabin itself had everything and was great accommodations. The place was clean and just the right size for my wife and I. Being city folks you forget how dark it is out in the country at nights. It was nice. We signed up for these adventures to make the weekend even more fun: 1. Feed baby kangaroo(Bodhi). This was about a 30 minute session where we got to feed him a bottle and kibble. It really was an amazing experience. 2. Bucket of food and self guided feeding of animals. We walked the property and hid to feed so many animals. All of the animals were friendly toward people. They were all very good motivated. We encountered a giraffe, donkeys, zebras, horses, cows, pigs, dwarf steers, camels, emu, deer, buffalo and more. The animals were often trying to bully their way to the front of the line. The cow Oreo who has not skipped a meal was always front of the line. 3. Afternoon safari ride in ATV. This was a fun ride around the property. Did not see any new animals but had a great time. The cows out at pasture were thrilled to be fed. 4. Giraffe encounter and meal. This was a little expensive but I would spend it again. The giraffes were super friendly and personable. We wanted to take them home because they were so much fun. The guide, experience and never felt rushed made this worth it. Our guide was top notch. I think her name was Jackie but could be wrong. read more

Blue Hills Ranch - Feeding Blue the giraffe on our walking tour. - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas

This is an incredibly quiet ranch with happy, healthy, and gorgeous animals (many of which are rescues). Only a few animals stay behind a fence and they allow free roaming and free breeding across their 150 acres. Playing with the otters was a bucket list dream come true that I still cannot believe exists in Texas. You can tell they are well cared for and it's nothing like Tiger King. The incredibly kind staff (Amaria) made the experience amazing. The kangaroo bottle feeding and safari tour are a must as well. The baby kangaroo fur was SO soft. The ranch is beautiful, and we saw so many different animals. You can purchase a bucket of feed for $15 and walk around the property feeding random animals with it. We stayed in the Kraken cabin (one of three unique cabins designed by the same guy who designed Michael Jackson's Neverland Ranch). The details are gorgeous, and the property is setup like someone's guest house with nice amenities versus cheap hotel items. The bed and pillows were so comfortable; I would come back here just to catch up on sleep! The town of McGregor is 13-14 minutes away, and they had a delicious breakfast cafe for the mornings plus a few dinner options to enjoy. I cannot wait to visit again. There is nothing like this around, and it's worth every penny! read more

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Blue Hills Ranch is a can't miss experience. The staff were so incredibly welcoming, warm, and knowledgable. They went above and beyond to make us feel like family and at home. The animals are so well taken care of and loved. It was truly a once in a lifetime experience, and we are so glad to have stayed there. Special shout out to Allen the Chef who made some of the most delicious meals I have had and Anne and Jackie who were so knowledgeable about otters and kangaroos. We also loved Dundee (their baby kangaroo.) read more

This is my version of the Happiest Place on Earth!!! 10 out of 5 stars. 6/5/2022: My boyfriend (at the time) took me here on a surprise weekend trip, where I thought we were just visiting Dallas, Texas. We ended up at Blue Hills Ranch for one of the nights-- with the surprise came a proposal from him in front of my favorite animal since I was a child, Giraffes! He got down on one knee while we were feeding the giraffes and two of the girls who worked here took a ton of photos and videos of us. I got to bottle feed the baby giraffe, Blue, afterwards. The team here was so kind and helpful to him during this process (he said). He planned the whole thing months in advance and it's still one of our all time favorite memories. It is amazing to see so many free roaming animals at this ranch and how well they are taken care of. We met the adorable otters. The kangaroo and pigs were so cute too! We stayed at the giraffe cabin which was like a modern farmhouse but better! I hope that we will be back one day! :) read more

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Great visit and super friendly and knowledgeable staff, we will visit again in the future

I surprised my mom for her birthday and our girls trip to Waco by kickstarting it at Blue Hills Ranch. THEY DID NOT DISAPPOINT. We went to an evening tour. We lucked out and it was just us two with two incredible guides. One was training and she was very knowledgeable. The lead guide I believe her name was Cara, incredible!! She had an amazing personality, super upbeat, went above and beyond to make this special, and answered every question we threw at her regarding these animals! If you can ask for Cara! This place is so special and we spread the word when we went back into Waco! Locals had not even heard for this ranch. We were so impressed from start to finish. The variety of animals, the gorgeous land, and the people! This is a must see if you're in town! It was only about 25 minutes from Waco and a beautiful drive!! I love supporting businesses like this and who are caring for this wonderful animals! We will be back with the whole family! Thank you Blue Hills for an incredible time and amazing memories! read more

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First of all, our tour host, whose name I believe is Amari (I wish I was more accurate with names), was absolutely wonderful and engaging and so knowledgeable! She loves those animals and loves her work and she's fantastic at it! The animals were beyond what we'd even hoped for. You can see they're all so well cared for because they're loving and at ease around people. We did the hour safari which started with a quick hello to a group of friendly otters who were just settling in for their nap. They still came over for cuddles though. Got a peek at the new capybara's who were having a drink out of a very clean water trough. We met the donkeys- including a baby of 2 months, who were happy to get snacks and pets. On to a bison and some happy cows - more snacks- but along came Marvin the camel for his snacks! All happy to take food from your hand which makes me so happy. Many unique and exotic deer species throughout the property that came to eat when they heard us coming. My two favorite memories are bonding with Blue the giraffe, who rubbed his face all over me asking for scratches and kisses, (He got plenty!) and holding/feeding Bodie the baby kangaroo. He is the sweetest, cuddliest little guy; actually went to sleep in my lap. I did not want to leave him or Blue! Enthralled with them. We will be going back to stay in one of their cabins and spend more time with these sweet animals. They actually have a new giraffe barn with a large house attached that has a window looking into the barn! This place is a Little slice of heaven. Met and talked with the owner also and he seemed great. A perfect way to spend a day- or a weekend or a retreat.... Just GO! read more

Blue Hills Ranch - My new boyfriend, Blue - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas

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We visited Blue Hills Ranch today and what an awesome experience!! If you're visiting Texas, don't miss out on this beautiful place. This should be on everyone's bucket lists! Beautiful animals, awesome, friendly staff and super clean! Thank you for allowing us to feed all these beautiful animals and giving us an awesome tour! read more

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Blue Hill's Ranch is located off Blue Cut Rd N in McGregor, which took me at least an hour and a half to get here from Austin. Blue Hill's Ranch is a super unique place with a wide range of animals, including giraffes, otters, zebras, kangaroos, donkeys, horses, a camel and much much more! For our adventure, we bottle fed a baby red kangaroo named Mimi. Never in my life would I have though I would touch, none the less, feed a kangaroo! After the bottle feeding and while Mimi was still in her fabric pouch, we were able to pet her. After spending some time petting her she was let out of pouch and free to roam, and hop around the room. Seeing the kangaroo jump around in person is soo much cooler than seeing it on TV. In addition to petting kangaroos, we were initially welcomed by three huge, and I mean huge Saint Bernards! They are soo clean and absolutely love to be pet. The staff here is totally awesome, very friendly, answered all our questions and also provided us with information on not only the kangaroos, but also of their other animals. Lastly, every guest gets to place a pin on the world map of where they've traveled from. It was so cool to see how many different places and countries visitors have come from. If you're on the fence about an adventure, just do it, it's soo rad !! read more

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Sometimes a trip is all about the anticipation but this trip is all about obsessing over the next trip back. What an amazing and unique combination of relaxation and fascination. There's a story behind every animal and each detail and knowledgeable and passionate staff can't wait to share their love for this location and each unique animal in residence. I can't wait to return to see what they've imagined next... read more

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What an amazing experience! The highlights are definitely the animals, kangaroos, giraffes, capybaras, sloths, camels, otters and more! Ponies that just come up to say hello, a mama donkey introducing you to her 3 day old baby! But the fabulous staff are the cherry on top. They have so much love for the animals and their jobs, they go out of their way to make you happy and they are so knowledgeable. The food was fantastic and the chef made sure this picky eater was happy. The packages are so worth it. Beautiful cabin, Beautiful Ranch. read more

Our time at Blue Hills Ranch was incredible! The thrill of standing face-to-face with the towering giraffes--gentle giants with curious eyes and long, graceful necks and tongues that reach for treats. Their calm presence and delicate movements make every interaction feel magical such a special moments. Then there are the otters, playful and full of mischief, splashing around and stealing our hearts with their adorable antics. Watching them dart through the water and interact was endless entertainment. And let's not forget the other incredible animals roaming the ranch. Words can't describe the serene beauty day or night and the quirky charm of a friendly giraffe's, and the peaceful moments shared with the wildlife all around, every encounter added to the wonderful experience. Giraffes, Otters, Zebra, Kangaroo feeding's were truly something we will never forget. 100% going back! My daughters will never forget this experience! Chief was incredible, you'll never go hungry. Whole experience was worth every penny spent. read more

My wife, 15 month old son & I just got back from our weekend getaway at the Blue Hills ranch an we still can't process how amazing of a time we had. We stayed in the giraffe cabin, which was perfect for our family and we got to sit on balcony and feed animals in between activities. I would highly recommend purchasing a package (we did the silver) so you can experience everything this ranch has to offer. The staff are friendly, knowledgable and do anything they can to make sure you have a great time. The level of interaction between you and the animals is one of a kind, especially the otter playing and giraffe lunch. This is truly one of those experiences that surpasses any expectations you have going in, and if you love animals and being outdoors like we do, I couldn't possibly recommend coming here more. It really is a perfectly balanced, curated bucket list opportunity. read more

Beautiful animals and well kept up land. Our tour guide Casey was very accommodating and informative. Snacks to give to Animals were included. Overall I loved it we arrived at 9 am it was 1 hour in duration on well cushioned ATV seats. Please don't forget to tip your guide! read more

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Nothing more to say than "just go!!!". You will not be disappointed. The staff is knowledgeable and friendly and the experience was fantastic. read more

Blue Hills ranch is a once in a lifetime experience. How many people can just pick up and fly to Africa? No need to do that with Blue Hills ranch being here. The animals are abundant and very approachable. Everyone works to make your visit very special and it's really nice to see how much the animals love them all. We highly recommend staying in the cabin we stayed in. It's called the Kracken. Underwater theme. It was a very comfortable stay. All meals were provided as well. We arrived on Thursday and left Saturday. Trust me, it's well worth it. We celebrated our 28th wedding anniversary here and I'm already looking forward to going back. read more

Blue Hills Ranch - Zebras were roaming the day we left - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas

This has to have been our favorite animal encounter experience. The staff is incredible. The animals roam free and walk right up to your cabin balcony. The cabins are clean and modern. The food was excellent. Would love to come back some day!! read more

Blue Hills Ranch - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas

This is an amazing, one of a kind place! We had the opportunity to stay here in one of the cabins. Our place was immaculate. Everything we needed and spacious. You can feed the animals right off of your back porch. We did the tour and saw so many exotic animals. We were able to interact and feed many of them. My wife got to bottle feed the baby kangaroo. I cannot recommend this destination enough! Giraffes, zebras, otters, too many to list. If you are able to visit, you will not regret it! read more

Blue Hills Ranch - Feeding the baby kangaroo. - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas

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Blue Hills Ranch isn't just a destination--it's an invitation to connect across generations. Our family trip included my 92-year-old mother, whose gentle delight in feeding camels and watching zebras was nothing short of moving. Her awe reminded us that wonder has no age limit.Even before we met the giraffes, the welcoming committee--gentle horses and friendly ranch dogs--greeted us with quiet warmth. It felt like nature itself was saying, "We've been waiting for you!" The staff were equally kind, creating a space where my mom felt safe, seen, and included.With Texas skies stretching above and wild animal souls grazing just steps away, we found ourselves immersed in a ritual of animal curiosity, presence, and connection. For anyone seeking a heart-centered, family-friendly experience--especially one that honors guests of all ages--Blue Hills Ranch is pure magic. read more

Absolutely the best trip, ever! Well worth the price for tours & other excursions. You can tell the animals are loved and cared for.

My family and I visited Blue Hills in early 2026 (only days after Texas was hit with a snow storm). Going into the trip, we did not know what to expect. Sure, we saw videos and photos on their IG page.. but with the weather and it being our first time visiting the Ranch, we still had no idea how the vacation would play out. Well, it was a 10 out of 10. The staff is extremely welcoming. So kind. So passionate. So caring. The animals are straight out of a dream. We had our 7 year old daughter with us. The animals were so gentle and loving. You could tell they are well taken care of. The land is massive. Zebras, donkeys, giraffes, and kangaroos are free to roam all over the place. We were able to feed and hold animals that I never even heard of before. We created memories that will last a lifetime. The Villa is 100% worth the extra money. It's surrounded by windows. You wake up and go to bed with giraffes right outside your deck. It's beautiful. Going into the trip, we thought it would be a one time thing... the second we left the ranch, we were planning our next visit. I cannot recommend this place enough. read more

Staff were welcoming at Blue Hill Ranch. They were knowledgeable about the ranch and animal behaviors. We loved hand feeding donkeys, British white sheep, Buffalo, mustangs, zebras, and camels among some of the animals. Breakfast with giraffes was absolutely a blast. The peace and calm of the ranch was enhanced by gorgeous sunsets. We stayed in the Zebra cabin that was furnished and decorated with zebra-themed items. A lot of care had been put into the cabin. read more

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This place was so much fun!! We first learned about it on TikTok and decided to book a tour. The tour was easy to book but we had to book it a month ahead of time to secure a spot because it must have been going viral. When we arrived, we parked in front of a large house, which is their main office. Some of the employees were really nice while others were cold and ignored us when we walked in. We were taken on a jeep by our tour guide, who spent an hour driving us across the property to show us their lake, hills, and cabins, and of course the animals. We started with some cows, moved on to some pigs, and drove past their resident emus. Then, we got the chance to spend some time with and feed their 2 juvenile giraffes, who were so incredibly adorable. As we got closer to the house, we also got to meet their baby kangaroo and baby camel, who were so adorable. Our tour guide (I wish I remembered her name) was absolutely amazing! I'd highly recommend this place as a fun day trip for families, couples, or friends! read more

Blue Hills Ranch - Blue the giraffe!! He loves cuddles and scratches - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas

We had an incredible stay at Blue Hills Ranch. My 13-y-o daughter and I came for the Otter experience, and it will be something we'll remember forever... and playing with the baby otters was incredible. We also went horseback riding and bottle fed the baby kangaroo. The staff was so welcoming and helpful, and the scenery beautiful. Highly recommend. read more

Blue Hills Ranch - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas

Very cool experience outside of Waco! We stayed in one of the cabins on the property, which was very cozy. The animals came right up to our backyard and the donkeys came to our sliding door every morning to have breakfast with us! We fed Bodie the baby kangaroo and did the safari tour of the property to see all of the animals. Blue the giraffe was our favorite! Staff was very friendly and helpful! read more

Blue Hills Ranch - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas

This Ranch is amazing. Bri was our guide and boy did she do a wonderful job. I booked the baby kangaroo bottle feeding and safari tour for my daughter and I, just to check it all out and it was a spectacular time. The baby kangaroo was extremely adorable, my daughter and I loved the experience so much. And the safari tour was amazing. We got to meet all the animals and we loved them all. We've been to a few animal encounters in the Austin area and this one blew me away. It was a private tour, so nobody else with us to steal the show. The otters were my favorite. The giraffes were also amazing. But all the animals were amazing. I even bought some honey from their bee hives and it's delicious. Thank you so much Blue Hills. It was a magical experience we can't wait to enjoy again one day soon read more

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We came here in 2021 and had an amazing tour of the property with the owner as the tour guide. It was a really cool experience! Unfortunately since then, this small business has grown into some kind of money hungry company. NO REFUNDS no matter what. My family had bought 6 one hour tours for the next day. They said that the smallest child would have to sit on someone's lap, which was fine. The morning of the tour one of the family members was sick and couldn't go. We asked for a refund on their ticket and that was a firm no. We also asked then, if the price of their ticket could go towards some merch and that was also a firm no. It's a cool thing to experience at least once, but it would be nice if their policy had some wiggle room to at least be able to reschedule things or put the unused ticket credit toward a future tour. read more

It was such a fun experience! We did the otter swim, ate dinner with giraffe and bottle fed the baby kangaroo. The staff were very friendly and knowledgeable about the animals. We loved the Kraken house. read more

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We had the greatest time with our two girls (2 & 4 years old)! We stayed in the giraffe cabin. We watched the deer feed at the feeder every morning and afternoon, fed the cows and zebras from our back porch and walked around for hours feeding the other animals on property. Everyone slept great at night! There was a small Kitchenette (microwave, small refrigerator/freezer, keurig) that we used for breakfast/lunch and then ordered dinner in McGregor for pick up. We all really enjoyed ourselves and the staff was so much fun! We can't wait to visit again. read more

Nothing but good things to say! We didn't stay the night but bought the swimming & platlytime with the Otters. Everything about it exceeded my expectations. Our guide was super nice, informative and took so many wonderful photos/videos of us on my personal cell phone. This made it so we could truly enjoy the sweet and cuddly otters. 10/10 would recommend. It was so perfect, it didn't feel real. I plan on taking some other family members for other experiences. read more

Blue Hills Ranch - This is one of their adult otters Butters. So sweet. - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas

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Had a great time and experience doing the safari adventure. Was way better than I expected which is rare these days. Highly recommend.

My 12-year old son and I had a magical experience with some very special otters! Ann does a great job.

We stayed in the zebra cabin for 2 nights this past weekend and enjoyed the comforts and amenities provided. The cabin is nicely furnished, think a cross between Magnolia Silos and zebra safari. While staying here we also took part in one of their 1-hour safaris where you are driven around the ranch in a all-terrain golf cart, allowing you to get up close and personal with the animals (some can be lured very close with treats they provide). All in all, it was a nice stay, however I think it is a bit too pricey where it is at right now (around $400 per night, no housekeeping provided during the stay to make beds/provide fresh towels/coffee supplies and you are asked to strip the linens and take out the trash when you leave), so my real rating is probably 3.5 stars, but I will round up to 4 because I believe in what they are doing with animal rescuing and adoption. read more

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Does it get any better than this? What an absolute joy to spend time with ALL the animals the Ranch has to offer. The humans too are incredibly friendly and helpful with whatever you need. We stayed two nights in the Zebra cabin and it is spacious, clean and very comfortable. The view is amazing and you can even get animal visitors at all times! Zebras came up as well as Lisa the Emu. We did Otter encounter, the Safari adventure and got some up close time with both giraffes. An absolutely incredible place for anyone of all ages and can't wait to returns. Many thanks to The Blue Hills Ranch. read more

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Fantastic Experience, we were going to swim with the otters but because it was so cold we decided to just play with them in the inside play room and we did the safari ranch adventure. Great people and an overall awesome experience, you will not be disappointed. read more

Blue Hills Ranch - otters having fun - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas

The most outstanding experience ever. The cabins are gorgeous and clean! Your all-inclusive package keeps you busy with once in a lifetime animal experiences but also gives you the perfect amount of time to enjoy the silencer and serenity. read more

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Everyone is always so terrific there. I always love taking new people there. Bottle feeding the baby Roos was especially terrific, and my daughter and grand-daughter really enjoyed their swim with the otters. Thank you for always professional and friendly attitudes. Cheers, Gary Davis read more

This is the best time ever! Stay in a fully loaded pirate cabin with amazing beds & views of the ranch, play with otters, eat with giraffes, enjoy the peace of the country with sooo many majestic rescued animals and the staff is 5 stars too! Worth every penny and every second. We will be returning to the The Hook cabin! read more

Blue Hills Ranch - Hotels Near Me - McGregor, Texas