A sprawling Texas Hill Country ranch featuring a roaming herd of American bison, a private seven-acre lake and a custom-built residence has entered the luxury real estate market for $14.25 million. Known as Buffalo Ridge Ranch, the approximately 351-acre property near Llano offers a distinctive combination of recreational opportunities, wildlife habitat and established residential improvements, presenting a rare opportunity to acquire a fully developed private ranch within reach of Austin.
Located approximately 75 miles northwest of Austin, the ranch occupies a landscape characterized by rolling hills, open pastures and the rugged natural beauty of Central Texas. Its appeal extends well beyond the main residence. A deep private lake, an established bison herd, additional wildlife and a separate barndominium contribute to an estate designed for buyers who value land, privacy and an outdoor-oriented lifestyle as much as traditional residential luxury.
Listed by Louie Swope and Hunter Shannon of West & Swope Ranches, Buffalo Ridge Ranch is being offered as an established retreat where much of the work required to create a substantial recreational property has already been completed.
Buffalo Ridge Ranch Offers 351 Acres of Texas Hill Country
Spanning approximately 351 acres, Buffalo Ridge Ranch provides considerable space for recreation, wildlife management and private enjoyment. The property’s scale is particularly attractive in a market where large, improved ranch holdings with substantial water features are increasingly difficult to replicate.
Rather than presenting an expansive but largely undeveloped tract of land, the ranch combines established infrastructure with carefully maintained natural surroundings. Its improvements include a custom residence, a substantial secondary building, high game fencing and a private lake that serves as one of the property’s principal recreational features.
The elevated position of the main house allows residents to appreciate sweeping views across the acreage and surrounding hills. This relationship between the residence and the natural landscape is central to the property’s character, creating a sense of separation from the pace of city life without sacrificing the comforts expected of a luxury retreat.
For prospective buyers considering a Texas Hill Country ranch for sale, Buffalo Ridge Ranch stands out for the combination of land, water and established improvements rather than residential square footage alone.
A Private Seven-Acre Lake With Unusual Depth
One of the most distinctive features of Buffalo Ridge Ranch is its approximately seven-acre private lake, originally developed during the 1990s. At full capacity, the lake can reach approximately 40 feet in depth, an unusual characteristic for privately owned lakes in this part of the Texas Hill Country.
The depth provides more than an attractive setting for the residence. It also offers an important recreational resource in a region where drought conditions can affect the availability of surface water.
Hunter Shannon, who shares the listing with Louie Swope, highlighted the lake’s unusual depth when speaking to Mansion Global. He noted that many comparable private lakes in the region measure between 15 and 25 feet deep. During the severe Texas drought of 2011, the property’s lake reportedly retained approximately 15 feet of water.
The lake is suited to fishing, boating and other outdoor activities, with a pontoon boat included in the sale. Its location close to the main residence makes it a natural focal point for the property’s recreational lifestyle.
For buyers evaluating a luxury ranch in Texas, established water features can be particularly valuable. Creating a comparable lake on an undeveloped property would require substantial planning, engineering and investment, making this existing amenity an important component of the offering.
A Custom-Built Residence Overlooking the Landscape
Completed in 2018, the approximately 4,500-square-foot main house combines traditional ranch-inspired materials with the comfort of a custom luxury residence. Its stone exterior and metal roof complement the surrounding countryside, giving the home an architectural presence that feels appropriate to its setting.
The residence features three bedrooms and three bathrooms. Its elevated position provides expansive views across the ranch, with the private lake and surrounding hills forming a picturesque backdrop.
Outdoor living receives particular attention. A covered rear porch with a fireplace offers a sheltered gathering space, while an infinity-edge swimming pool and hot tub introduce a resort-inspired atmosphere.
These features allow the house to function as a comfortable year-round retreat. Residents can enjoy the changing Hill Country landscape from the covered porch, spend afternoons beside the pool or take advantage of the lake and surrounding acreage without leaving the property.
The architectural approach is relatively understated for a property at this price level. Rather than relying on an elaborate architectural statement, the residence emphasizes its relationship with the land, the views and the outdoor lifestyle that defines Buffalo Ridge Ranch.
An Established Herd of American Bison Roams the Property
Perhaps the most unusual element of Buffalo Ridge Ranch is its resident herd of American bison. The animals have been part of the property for approximately 15 years, following the introduction of an original group consisting of one bull and several female bison.
According to Hunter Shannon, the herd has since produced more than 80 offspring, establishing a distinctive wildlife presence across the acreage.
The bison roam throughout the ranch rather than being confined to a small viewing area. Shannon also explained that their hooves interact differently with the soil than those of conventional cattle, contributing to the property’s land-management characteristics.
The wildlife population extends beyond bison. Protected by high game fencing, the ranch also supports blackbuck, red deer, axis deer and whitetail deer. This diversity creates opportunities for wildlife observation and managed hunting, adding another dimension to the recreational possibilities available to the next owner.
For buyers interested in the outdoors, conservation-minded land stewardship or simply owning a property with a distinctive identity, the established bison herd gives Buffalo Ridge Ranch a character that conventional luxury estates rarely possess.
A Barndominium Adds Guest Accommodation and Storage
The property also includes an approximately 2,050-square-foot barndominium located near the main residence. Combining additional living quarters with practical storage facilities, the building provides flexibility for both residential and ranch operations.
Approximately half of the structure is dedicated to living space, with three bedrooms and three bathrooms. The remaining area functions as a storage barn, providing room for vehicles, boats, ranch equipment and other necessities associated with maintaining a property of this size.
Together, the main residence and barndominium provide six bedrooms and six bathrooms across the two principal buildings, according to the listing information.
The additional accommodation could serve visiting family members, guests or ranch personnel, while the storage area helps keep operational activities separate from the main residential environment.
This combination of residential and functional space is an important consideration for buyers seeking an established ranch rather than an undeveloped acreage property.
Llano Brings Small-Town Character to the Luxury Ranch Lifestyle
Buffalo Ridge Ranch is located near Llano, a small Texas city known for its historic character, outdoor recreation and connection to the surrounding Hill Country.
The town’s historic downtown square offers independent businesses, local shops, galleries and dining establishments. Its location along the Llano River also provides opportunities for fishing, kayaking and other outdoor activities, reinforcing the area’s appeal to residents who enjoy spending time outside.
Dining is another part of the local experience. Cooper’s Old Time Pit Bar-B-Que, established in 1962, is one of Llano’s best-known culinary destinations and a recognizable name in Texas barbecue.
For more extensive shopping, dining and professional services, Austin remains the region’s principal metropolitan center. The city offers a broader selection of upscale restaurants, retail destinations, private clubs and cultural attractions, while Austin-Bergstrom International Airport provides access to domestic and international travel.
The result is an appealing balance between rural privacy and metropolitan accessibility. Buyers can enjoy the quiet surroundings of a private ranch while retaining a connection to the business, cultural and lifestyle opportunities of a major Texas city.
Aman Development Adds a New Dimension to Texas Hill Country
The broader Llano region is also attracting attention from the international luxury hospitality industry.
Aman has announced Amansanu, a major ranch-inspired hospitality and residential development planned for the Texas Hill Country. The project is envisioned as a substantial destination featuring standalone hotel pavilions, branded residences, wellness facilities, dining experiences and equestrian amenities.
The development represents a notable addition to the region’s evolving luxury landscape. Although it is separate from Buffalo Ridge Ranch, its arrival reflects growing interest in the Texas Hill Country among internationally recognized hospitality brands and affluent buyers seeking destinations beyond traditional metropolitan luxury markets.
Louie Swope discussed this changing regional outlook with Mansion Global, suggesting that the development activity surrounding Llano could bring prominent executives and international visitors to an area that has traditionally maintained a quieter, small-town identity.
For prospective owners, this emerging luxury presence adds context to the property’s location, although it does not guarantee future appreciation or investment returns.
Ownership History and the Appeal of an Established Ranch
The current seller acquired Buffalo Ridge Ranch in 2012, according to Hunter Shannon, before commissioning the custom-built main residence, completed in 2018. The seller has declined to comment publicly, and the purchase price from 2012 has not been independently established.
An archived Buffalo Ridge Ranch website also traces the property’s broader historical setting to the former StillWaters Ranch, which was acquired by a fifth-generation family in 1882. This historical reference offers additional context about the area’s ranching heritage, although it should not be interpreted as a verified ownership chain for the present 351-acre property.
The improvements accumulated over the years represent a considerable investment in creating an established private retreat. Developing a lake, installing high game fencing, establishing wildlife populations and constructing residential facilities across hundreds of acres would require substantial time and resources.
Swope emphasized this advantage when discussing the listing with Mansion Global, explaining that a buyer starting with undeveloped land could spend multiple years creating comparable amenities and infrastructure.
That established condition is an important part of Buffalo Ridge Ranch’s appeal. Rather than purchasing a raw tract and undertaking a lengthy development process, the next owner would acquire a property with a residence, recreational facilities, wildlife and operational improvements already in place.
Buffalo Ridge Ranch Brings a Distinctive $14.25 Million Opportunity
At $14.25 million, Buffalo Ridge Ranch represents a different interpretation of luxury real estate. Its appeal is not based solely on the size of its residence or the sophistication of its interior finishes. Instead, the property’s defining qualities are its approximately 351 acres, deep private lake, established wildlife population and combination of residential and operational facilities.
The custom-built main house provides a comfortable residential setting, while the barndominium offers additional accommodation and storage. The lake introduces a substantial recreational feature, and the bison herd gives the property an identity that would be difficult to reproduce elsewhere.
For californialuxuryhouses, Buffalo Ridge Ranch illustrates the enduring appeal of large private estates in the American West, where land, water, wildlife and independence can be just as important as conventional luxury amenities.
For a buyer seeking an established Texas Hill Country retreat within reach of Austin, the opportunity is to acquire more than a country residence. It is the chance to own a substantial private landscape, complete with its own lake, roaming bison and the unmistakable character of Texas ranch living.