Every Spring Break for the last fifteen years or so, we have packed up the van and spent the week or at least part of the week at the Ranch. The Ranch has changed over the years, but the Prude family has worked very hard to retain the feeling of belonging once you get there. I hope that never changes. They are as nice to families that stay there as they are to the large groups that come in. The Prudes recently mourned the passing of their patriarch, John Robert Prude, truly a nice man and a driving force in the summer camps held there each summer.

It is rustic, which is part of its charm. There are mountains to climb, horses to ride, and many places to visit in the area like Fort Davis National Historic Monument, Alpine, Marfa, McDonald Observatory, Balmorea State Park.

My family had a wonderful time at Historic Prude Ranch. There are two historical markers on the property.

The food was excellent and plentiful. They serve all you can eat buffets....We also had the meal with the chicken breast...Prude Ranch Baked Chicken, they called it. My family thought it was excellent.

The pool is refreshing and the horseback riding is superb! Great trails. They also have wireless internet throughout the ranch!

The employees are down to earth and easy to get along with.

There were several groups there at the same time and they treated my family with the same respect they treated the groups. I would highly recommend this place to other people.

The Bad: Old, caved in mattresses---Breakfast, Lunch, and Dinner served on styrofoam plates (!)----$14.95 for 1/3 chicken breast w/ cream of mushroom soup poured on top---No updating of rooms since...1970s?---No usual dude ranch activities...no campfires, cookouts, cowboy stories, smores, etc----

We stayed in room 42. The room was large but well worn. Bring your own shampoo and hair drier!

No cell service, no internet service, no phone, no tv in room, no tub in room--tiny shower only. You can drive into the town of Ft. Davis and get cell phone access (6 miles).

We saw their cook having dinner at hotel restaurant in town. Uh oh.

The Good: Horseback riding @ $30 per person---Nice scenery---It's near the McDonald Observatory---Not in town.

Our daughter took part in a two week summer camp with lots of horseback riding at Prude Ranch which she absolutely loved (Can I go back for the whole summer next year? she asked.)

My husband and I stayed over night in one of their cabins when we went back to pick her up. It was basic, but very clean, very quiet and so relaxing. We ate supper that night and breakfast the next morning with all the campers. Good, basic food with plenty to eat.

That part of Texas is wonderful to drive through -- absolutely beautiful views.