China Spring · Texas

Forty-two acres of quiet Texas sky.

A luxury ranch retreat just outside Waco, with a main house, three private tiny homes, a swimming pool, a basketball court, two fully stocked fishing ponds, and a firepit big enough for the whole crew. Sleeps 19.

19Guests
42Acres
4Homes
1Pool
Magnolia Ranch firepit at sunset
Brand new listing · Be one of our first guests
The Ranch

Built for the people who arrive together.

Magnolia Ranch sits on forty-two acres of open Texas country in China Spring, six minutes from Lake Waco and twenty-two from the Silos. Built for the kind of trip where the group is large, the days are long, and nobody wants to be on top of each other.

The main house is the heart of it: a rustic, open-floor plan with a stocked kitchen, three televisions in the living room, and enough table space for everyone to eat at once. Three private tiny homes sit apart from the main house, each with their own entrance and their own quiet, perfect for spreading your group of up to 19 across the property.

Outside, there's a private pool, a full basketball court, a firepit ringed with chairs, two fully stocked fishing ponds, and acres of room to wander. Bring your group. Bring whatever you've been meaning to slow down for.

T
Hosted by the Tharp Family
Verified local host

We are a Central Texas family, and we built Magnolia Ranch as a place for groups to gather, slow down, and have room to breathe. We live nearby, care for every detail of the property ourselves, and stay reachable from the moment you book through the day you check out.

Typically responds within an hour · On call throughout your stay
The Property

Four homes, one ranch.

Three-TV living room with brick walls and leather furniture
01

The Main House

Open floor plan, rustic finishes, three TVs in the living room, a full kitchen, and enough sleeping space for the bulk of your group. The center of gravity for the trip.

Sleeps 19 Rustic open plan
Tiny home container exterior
02

The Tiny Homes

Three private tiny homes set apart from the main house, each with its own entrance. Great for spreading your group out: families, couples, or anyone who wants their own front door and their own quiet morning.

Incl. in 19 total 3 private entries
Pool with ranch views
03

The Grounds

Private pool, full basketball court, firepit, two fully stocked fishing ponds, and forty-two acres to roam. The kind of outdoor space that turns "what should we do" into "let's just stay here."

Pool · Court Firepit · 2 Ponds
What's Included

Everything you'd expect.

And a few things you wouldn't. Full amenity list available on request.

Private Pool

Sun-warmed swimming pool with deck space and seating.

Basketball Court

Full-size court next to the main building. Bring sneakers.

Firepit

Outdoor firepit with chairs. Wood provided seasonally.

Full Kitchen

Stocked with everything you need to cook for the group.

Three Living-Room TVs

One game, three games, three different rooms. Your call.

BBQ Grill

For brisket nights, burger nights, and everything between.

Air Conditioning

Central A/C in both buildings. A Texas necessity.

Washer & Dryer

In-unit laundry. Useful for longer stays and pool towels.

Two Stocked Fishing Ponds

Two fully stocked private ponds on the property. Grab a rod and go. No license needed on private land.

Wi-Fi

High-speed internet throughout both buildings.

42 Acres to Roam

Walk, hike, or just stand still and listen to nothing.

Self Check-In

Smart-lock entry. Arrive on your schedule, no key handoff.

Corporate & Contractor Housing

Need to house your team in Waco?

Magnolia Ranch is a fully furnished, turnkey retreat that can accommodate work crews, contractor teams, and corporate groups of up to 19. If your company brings employees to the Waco area for short-term or extended projects, we offer a straightforward, comfortable alternative to hotel blocks, at a fraction of the hassle.

  • 19 beds across the main house and three private tiny homes
  • Fully stocked kitchen: your crew cooks or caters, no per-diem needed
  • High-speed Wi-Fi, washer/dryer, self check-in for rolling arrivals
  • 10% discount for stays over 7 nights, with extended project rates available on request
  • Long-term arrangements welcome: weekly, monthly, or project-length stays
  • Private 42 acres with plenty of space to decompress after a long day on site
M
Midland LLC · Existing Client
Comes down to the Waco area periodically and uses the ranch to house their team.
midlandllc.com ↗

19-Person Capacity

Main house plus three separate tiny homes. Large groups can spread out, so no one has to share a room who doesn't want to.

Work-Ready Setup

High-speed Wi-Fi, covered outdoor workspace, large dining table, and a kitchen stocked to handle morning meals for a full crew.

Six Minutes from Waco

Close enough to get to any job site fast, far enough to actually disconnect at the end of the day. China Spring is quiet, private, and practical.

One Rate, No Surprises

Flat nightly rate with a 10% discount over 7 nights. Monthly project rates available. We keep it simple, so you focus on the work.

Reach Out Directly

For company housing, skip the booking widget. Call (979) 219-2160 or email info@magnoliaranchwaco.com and we'll build a rate that works for your project.

The Area

Quiet enough to hear yourself.

Rural China Spring, with all of Waco a short drive away. Six minutes to the lake, twenty-two to the Silos.

  • 01
    Lake Waco
    Boating, fishing, swimming · 7,260 acres
    6min
  • 02
    The Airports
    Waco (ACT) 13 min · DFW 1h 45min · Austin (AUS) 1h 50min
    13min
  • 03
    Magnolia Market at the Silos
    Shopping, food trucks, the iconic silos
    22min
  • 04
    Baylor University & McLane Stadium
    Football games, campus, downtown Waco
    22min
  • 05
    Cameron Park & Zoo
    Hiking, mountain biking, river overlooks
    25min
  • 06
    Heritage Creamery
    Local favorite for ice cream in downtown Waco
    23min
Aerial view of Magnolia Ranch
★ ★ ★ ★ ★

A new ranch with an old promise.

Magnolia Ranch is a brand-new listing, which means we don't have a wall of reviews yet. What we do have is a property we've poured ourselves into and a hosting standard we won't compromise on. Be one of our first guests and tell us what we got right.

01

Spotless arrival

Professional cleaning between every stay. Linens fresh, kitchen stocked, pool ready.

02

On-call hosts

Real people available throughout your stay. We respond within an hour during the day.

03

Honest pricing

No hidden fees, no surprise charges. What you see at booking is what you pay.

Good to know

Frequently asked.

If your question isn't here, send us a message and we'll reply same day.

What's the maximum group size?

The property comfortably sleeps 19 across the main house and three private tiny homes. We can accommodate larger day groups for events by arrangement. For work crews and corporate housing needs, see our company housing section or reach out directly.

How does check-in work?

Self check-in via smart locks. We'll send your unique code 24 hours before arrival, along with the property guide and parking instructions. Standard check-in is 4:00 PM, check-out is 11:00 AM.

Is the property quiet at night?

Very. The ranch sits on forty-two acres of rural China Spring with no neighbors within sight. At night you'll hear crickets, maybe a coyote in the distance, and that's about it. The skies are dark enough for serious stargazing. We do ask guests to observe quiet hours from 10 PM to 8 AM out of respect for the surrounding land.

Can we have an event here?

Small private events such as rehearsal dinners, birthdays, and corporate retreats are welcome by arrangement. Reach out directly and we can talk through what you have in mind.

Is the pool open year-round?

The pool is open seasonally, typically April through October. It is not heated, so spring and fall stays may find it cool. The firepit is, of course, year-round.

What's your cancellation policy?

Free cancellation up to 14 days before check-in. Within 14 days, the first night is non-refundable. Within 48 hours, the full booking is non-refundable. We do our best to be flexible. Life happens, so just talk to us.

What airports are nearby?

Waco Regional Airport (ACT) is the closest at just 13 minutes, the most convenient option if you can get a direct flight. Dallas/Fort Worth International (DFW) is about 1 hour 45 minutes north by car, and Austin-Bergstrom International (AUS) is about 1 hour 50 minutes south. All three work well: Waco is easiest, DFW has the most flights, and Austin works great if you want to combine a trip.

Do you offer discounts for longer stays?

Yes. Any stay longer than 7 nights automatically receives a 10% discount; just mention it when you email us. For extended stays of a month or more, we offer additional rates, so just reach out directly and we'll work something out that makes sense for both sides.

Get in touch

Questions? We're here.

Send us an email and we'll get back to you within the hour.

info@magnoliaranchwaco.com
Book Direct

Reserve your weekend.

Book directly with Magnolia Ranch for a best-price guarantee, flexible cancellation, and simple, honest pricing.

Why book direct

Best price, every time.

Skip the third-party fees. Direct rates are always lower, and you get perks the platforms can't offer.

  • Best-price guarantee: direct rates always beat third-party
  • 10% discount automatically applied for stays longer than 7 nights
  • Long-term stays welcome: reach out for monthly rates
  • Flexible cancellation up to 14 days before check-in
  • 2-night minimum, weekends and weekdays
  • Self check-in with smart locks, so you arrive on your schedule

Prefer to talk? Call us at (979) 219-2160

$1,200 / night
3 reviews · 10/10
Nightly rate$1,200
Cleaning fee$250
Long-stay discount (7+ nights)−10%
Minimum stay2 nights
Email to Book
or call us directly
(979) 219-2160

We reply to every inquiry within the hour. Let us know your dates and we'll confirm availability.

House Rules

Things to know.

Check-in

4:00 PM via smart lock. Self check-in, anytime after. Codes sent 24 hours before arrival.

Check-out

11:00 AM. Late check-out available by arrangement subject to the cleaning schedule.

Cancellation

Full refund up to 14 days out. First night non-refundable inside 14 days. Full charge inside 48 hours.

House Rules

No smoking indoors. No unregistered guests. No pets. Quiet hours 10 PM to 8 AM.

Verified Guest Reviews
"

What guests say.

Three verified stays. Three 10/10 ratings. All from May 2026.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
3 verified reviews · 10/10 Excellent
What Guests Are Saying

Straight from VRBO.

Every review below is verified, pulled directly from our VRBO listing. Unedited, unfiltered.

★ ★ ★ ★ ★
10/10 EXCELLENT

We had the absolute best experience celebrating graduation at this beautiful property in Waco! The tiny houses were charming, clean, and such a unique setup for hosting family and friends. Communication was outstanding from beginning to end, responsive, accommodating, and genuinely invested in making our stay special. We made memories here that we will cherish forever!

P
Philip S.
Stayed 2 nights · May 2026 · ✓ Verified
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
10/10 EXCELLENT

This was an ideal place for my son's baseball family to stay at. We will definitely be back! Great host and beautiful house and property!

C
Corey H.
Traveled with group · Stayed 2 nights · May 2026 · ✓ Verified
★ ★ ★ ★ ★
10/10 EXCELLENT

House was perfect and host was super. Very responsive and great to work with.

M
Mary R.
Stayed 9 nights · May 2026 · ✓ Verified
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