Rancho El Charco 5.99

Rancho El Charco is a 150 acre ranch with activities for young and old alike. From mule drawn wagon rides & swimming to cane pole fishing & picnic cook outs, there’s something for everyone to do at Rancho El Charco……Located only 15 minutes west of McAllen, Rancho El Charco attracts many visitors from the Rio Grand valley & Mexico.

The ranch is also the proud home to a vast wildlife community consisting of white tail deer, javalina, bobcat, black buck, buffalo, mules, horses, longhorn, and gemsbok.

Mule drawn covered wagons transport visitors to the main attraction in the heart of the ranch where crystal clear man made pools provide refreshing cool water to swim in. Also families enjoy other attractions such as an animal petting zoo as well as old time fishing with cane poles and bait. The new Carreta Loca wagon ride takes the visitor on a guided tour of the ranch where they learn about the history and see animals in their natural habitat. They even enjoy hand feeding the buffalo.

Another attraction to Rancho El Charco is the Picnic Park. Located along the shore of Walker Lake in a large palm grove are picnic sites complete with tables and grills. Here the visitor can bring their food, waters and soft drinks and experience an old fashion family picnic.

Conservation, education and protection of natural habitat are at the forefront of Mark & Happy’s vision for the future. They are actively involved with local schools and universities to see that future generations learn to enjoy and protect the native environment that is so rapidly disappearing from around us. There’s also a therapy center for youngsters who need a extra helping hand.

Each year hundreds of valley school children from elementary thru middle school and above visit the ranch to witness first hand the natural landscape of Texas of days gone by. The ranch is also actively involved with senior citizen and adult day care centers so that this sector of the community is also touched.