My property is right on the river, located a couple of miles (as the bike rolls) from Utopia (much closer as the crow flies). Note that the map incorrectly shows county road 353 coming to my house... There has never been such a road because 353 is blocked by gates on other people's properties. Follow the red arrows.
You will encounter ¾ mile of caliche road with a few bumps which is my driveway. I ride this regularly on my Vulcan custom, so I know any bike can do it.
Swimming is great, though the water is usually cold because it's aquifer fed. It's about 8-10 ft deep in most places so some people will need floatation if they can't swim well. I have some vests that will fit kids, flippers and snorkels you can use. Larger sizes should be brought by the camper.
NOTE: NO LIFEGUARD IS ON DUTY AND YOU USE THIS FACILITY ENTIRELY AT YOUR OWN RISK. YOU MAY NOT STAY HERE IF YOU EXPECT ME TO BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ANYTHING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU OR YOUR GROUP. I WILL NOT BE RESPONSIBLE FOR ACCIDENTS, INJURIES, UNHAPPINESS OF ANY KIND OR FOR ANY- THING THAT HAPPENS TO YOU.
Fires are ok in the camping areas except when we have a county burn ban. I'll let you know about that when you contact me. If you don't want to rough it, there are cabins next door and in various other places around the area. When you come here, you are my guest and I'll try to treat you as one if I am not gone or very busy. I'll join you for motorcycling even if I'm busy! Please feel free to bother me if you need help or some scarce item. These photo views change with the season and due to construction or maintenance. If you're planning on visiting us with your camping gear, there are three main places to stay:
Riverside is a small area that is secluded from all but the swimming area. There is no electricity there and no water (other than the river). Shade most of the day.
The main camping area is about 4 acres that we try to keep mowed. There are a few mesquites out there, fruit trees, pecan trees, gardens... but not a lot of shade. River water is pumped up and available at the mini-gardens. Of course there's no electricity unless we run an extension cord from the workshop. Rough and rustic camping is available in a non-cleared areas and you'll find no comforts at all there.
I have a toilet available to guests, it's the right hand door shown on the picture.
It's only a toilet, but is available 24/7. If you need shower or shaving or make-
up facilities, we can probably arrange that in my house unless your group is
too large or there are other groups staying at the same time.
All water taps around the area are simply river water, which is possibly not good
to drink sometimes. Bring your own drinking water or I can fill gallon jugs for
you from our reverse osmosis system.
I do ask that you go down our dirt road very slowly because it's easy to kick
up dust that settles all over my sister's porch and she'll mention it to you!!
Also my very old and osteoperotic mom takes walks down the road and can't
get out of your way...plus she startles easily!!
If you'd like to visit, you will be welcome. But if you show up without first
contacting me, it might be hard to see the welcome in my smile... :)
Please call 830-279-9555 to give me some notice.
More info and pics:
Roads to ride in this area:
Utopia's Nearby Rides:
Most paved highways around Utopia are very high quality roads
without potholes, washboarding or surface dirt. They are often
full of curves and switchbacks and drop-offs, so I suggest riding
them slowly at first to make sure the road is free of debris and
bicyclists. Most areas are very light traffic.
Sports Riding / Touring:
Take hwy 187 north 10 miles to Vanderpool.
You'll find three directions to go.
Left (west) puts you on 337 taking you to Leakey (pronounced Lake-ee)
and is the first stage of the three sisters loop. This is a scenic tour
mainly but does have great curves. You'll find a lot of motorcycle
traffic out there most days. There's a great motorcycle stop / cafe
there just past Leakey on 337. The 3 "twisted sisters" includes
337, 335 and 336. Around Vance on 335 there are some high speed
whoopteedoo type rises and falls that will have your stomach floating
from your throat to your toes. Do be careful on 336 to look out for the
cattle guards that are numerous and tend to catch you by surprise at
speed.
Straight on 187 from Vanderpool takes you to Hunt, Ingram and Kerrville
and is likely to have a little more traffic in places, but still good scenery and
curves. You'll also find the Lost Maples Natural Area there, which is open
to slow speed sightseeing, hiking, etc. Also a great place to stop is the Lone
Star Motorcycle Museum... do get their Jalapeno Burger! It's not very hot,
but sweet and delicious.
Turning right (east) on 337 toward Medina is a high speed, gradually curving road
that has some rapid elevation changes. If you turn left (north) at Medina
and take hwy 16 toward Kerrville, soon as you crossthe Kerr County line
you are into the "Sweet 16 Switchbacks". These are tretcherous curves,
almost all of them unprotected by guard rails. Definitely ride these slowly
at first to make sure all is clear and to acquaint yourself with the degree of
bank, washboarding (caused by thousands of cars slamming on the brakes
because they didn't know what they were getting into) and bicycles. It's
only a few miles long, but can be ridden over and over if you like. Look for
Koyote Ranch Campground right at the Kerr County line to stop at the cafe
for refreshments.
Dual Sporting:
There are literally hundreds of dirt roads around Utopia and I haven't been
down most of them. Some are clear all the way through, some are not. Do
not open a gate without permission. The Seco Ridge area, right near my
property is fairly short but fun. Little Creek road and B&R road are paved
in some places, dirt in others. Explore and enjoy!
I suggest you find Utopia on Mapquest or GoogleMaps and magnify to the
closest you can, then just follow the roads around the area to see a general
idea of what's available. Do this on the aerial view setting.
Be warned though that sometimes they show a county road that doesn't
exist... maybe it was planned at one time and never developed, I don't know.
They show a county road coming right to my house, but there is none and
never was.
Places to Eat:
IN Utopia:
1. Lost Maples Cafe *** (country atmosphere)
Open 7days a week All Day.
Wide menu and variable service.
Food has improved a little
$$
2. Hicks House **** (Bakery & Lunch)
Open 11-2 Tues-Fri for Lunch Special but open other times for Bakery and Sandwiches. Good Service and excellent home-cooked meals.
$$
3. Utopia Joe's **** (Breakfast, Sandwich and Coffee Shop)
Open most days until 2. Coffee, pastries, superb sandwiches and more.
$
4. The Laurel Tree ***** (Quality Gourmet)
By Reservation Only. This is Utopia's famous Gourmet Restaurant. A beautiful and delicious place to eat, but expensive. Gordon Ramsey would be proud.
$$$$
5. Paradise Pizza *** (cook to order)
Open evenings. Also has pasta dishes. Slow but friendly service, decent chow. Pizzas can be skimpy on toppings unless you request extra.
$
Vanderpool: (13 Mi)
1. Lone Star Motorcycle Museum ****
Open 10-2 Aussie Meat Pies, Burgers, etc. Lots of Bikes. Good Attitude.
Try that jalapeño burger!
$
Medina: (30 Mi)
1. Koyote Ranch **** (Campground and Cafe)
This is a special place to visit. Very motorcycle friendly, in fact home of the 3 Sisters Rally and the Texas Gathering of the Guard.
The cafe takes real pride in their quality and in fact the cook came over to ask how everything was. Gotta say, this place had the most
pefect fries I've ever had... crisp outside, soft inside and tasted like baked potato, not grease. The other food is done with equal care.
They do serve beer.
$$
2. Love Orchard Cider Mill Patio ***
An unusual place with a wide menu, nice gravel patio, trinkets and plants for sale... even apple trees!
$$
3. Keese BBQ ***
Your standard Texas BBQ joint... tender and delicious.
$
4. Biker Paradise. Brand new and I haven't stopped there yet. It's on 337 just west of Medina.
Sabinal: (22 Mi)
1. R BBQ *** (country atmosphere)
Open 7 days but closed 2-5pm. Fair Menu, Good BBQ, Good TEXMEX. No Frills.
$
D'Hanis: (30 Mi)
1. Bill & Rosa's **** (country atmosphere)
Open most afternoons and evenings. Wide Specialty Menu. Daily Specials. Live Music and Serves Alcohol. Service variable. Good fried shrimp, marginal steaks.
$$
Leakey: (28 Mi)
1. Lone Star Motorcycle Stop
Tarpley: (28 Mi)
1. Mac & Ernie's **** (tiny place, excellent food)
$$$
2. Thunder Inn Cafe
Sadly no longer in business... this was a jewel of a biker stop, not discovered by many in time to keep them in business.
Bandera: (35 Mi)
1. OST Restaurant **** (country atmosphere)
$$
2. China Bowl **** (1st Class Chinese)
$
Note: If you find yourself in Kerrville and hungry there are a hundred places to eat, but please at least once try “Classic Burgers & Moore” on a little
courtyard on hwy 16 (Stanley Baker) just across from the Albertsons. This is one of the best burger joints in Texas... I kid you not!