Lost Horizon

Rules & Check-in To-Dos

We wish for our guests to be able relax and enjoy their stay, whether that means fly fishing, watching the wildlife or hanging around on the deck and reading a good book. For that reason, we do have some rule that are in place for safety, security and to promote a peaceful and beautiful natural environment for our two and four legged residents. Be sure you have familiarized yourself with the following rules before arriving.

Know These Rules Before You Arrive

Before heading out, please review the following rules for our guests. Please read them completely.

SHUT ALL GATES securely. Some gates are automatic – wait for them to close before you drive away. The small gate at the river is manual and if left open cows will get out – shut it and chain it behind you. This is extremely important. Thanks!

Don’t litter – this includes cigarette butts.

Campfires are allowed in the fire pit ONLY and only when there is no fire ban. Bring your own firewood – don’t gather wood. Don’t leave a fire unattended – douse it with water when you leave. Wild fire danger is real out here. Learn more about relevant fire bans here

No bbq grills on the deck or inside the suite

Dogs are allowed. Be aware there are wild exotic and native animals including predators. You are responsible for any damage your dog does to the property. Please pick up the poop, thanks!

Never leave food out when you’re not on-site.

Put all litter in the provided trash cans and ensure that the lids are closed completely. Put organic material (paper, veggie scraps) in the small compost bin under the sink. Put recycling in the blue recycle bin. No meat in the compost, please.

Do not take anything from the ranch – including bones, rocks, plants, animals, native artifacts like arrow heads, etc.

No smoking inside

HUNTING IS PROHIBITED – we have zero tolerance for poachers. Game wardens have 24hr access to the ranch.

FIREWORKS ARE PROHIBITED – no exceptions.

BEFORE ARRIVAL, please send us the make, model, color, and license plate number of all vehicles that will be on the ranch. This is also a test to see if you read this far 😉 This is a requirement before entering the ranch.

No off-road vehicle travel except on the road to your suite.

No dirt bikes, buggies or 4 wheelers.

No more than 6 guests at a time without express permission from us

HIKING: There are other private properties inside the ranch. This is a wildlife habitat and remains internally unfenced for this reason – the animals go where they want. You are welcome to explore the 5+ acres of Lost Horizon and the community area at the river access. Keep an eye out for signs, fences and property markers such as survey markers, orange sticks, etc. You may walk the newer wider asphalt/gravel roads all you want. Please do not walk or drive the fence maintenance roads and do not walk or drive the side roads that occasionally branch from the main roads.

BE ADVISED: This place is wild. ALL of the animals on the ranch are wild. There are also non-native “exotic” mammal species that are much larger than you. For example the scimitar oryx, gemsbock, red deer, elk, fallow deer and nilgai are all much larger than you. Don’t approach, provoke, feed, chase, follow or harass them. Leave them alone and they’ll leave you alone. During September, October and November, the red and fallow deer and elk are quite active and loud. This is their mating season. Stay away from them and stay aware of your surroundings.

As Lost Horizon guests, we ask that you conduct yourselves with respect for the property, the animals and the land. In some cases and at our discretion as it relates to behavior and rules and actual law violations, you could be asked to leave the ranch without a refund. In nearly all cases, you will first receive a warning from us or ranch volunteer personnel. The last thing anyone wants to do is ruin a vacation!

You should also be aware that the Lampasas River is under the care of Texas Parks and Wildlife. The local TPWD game warden does, at his or her own discretion, enter the ranch to patrol for poachers and also check fishing licenses of anyone fishing at the river. Stop by Academy, Cabella’s or any outdoor outfitter for a fishing license if you plan to fish.

There are some rules that when violated will cause us to ask you to leave the ranch without a refund and without a warning. For example, lighting fireworks, harassing any animals, intentional property damage, cutting trees. In other cases, such as discharging firearms, theft, hunting of any kind will involve the Burnet County Sheriff and/or Texas Parks and Wildlife and no refund will be issued.

Rescheduling Rate Policy

We do allow rescheduling in many cases.

You are responsible for paying the higher of the nightly rates. For example, if your new rescheduled nightly rate is $50 more than your original nightly rate, you must pay for the increase. If your new rescheduled nightly rate is less than your original nightly rate, you are responsible for the original, higher, rate – no differential refunds can be issued. Further, shortening your trip is subject to our general refund policy described above.