What to bring for a visit to Hollow Oak Ranch
You're coming to Hollow Oak Ranch. You're excited to meet the longhorns, watch the horses, hunt for fossils, or maybe just sit under a tree and think about nothing! Before you can do that, though, you need the appropriate stuff. So what 'stuff' do you need?
- Weather-appropriate clothing
- Closed toe footwear (mud/dirt/rock appropriate per weather)
- Sun protection
- Sunglasses
- Swimsuit
- Refillable water bottle
- A great appetite
For weather appropriate clothing, keep in mind the ranch tends to be colder than the city when it's cool and hotter than the city when it's hot. If you're checking San Antonio weather, expect things to be worse out here.
Clothing-based sun protection is very helpful, beyond just sunblock, and may also help you avoid some of the more hostile plants. Hats should be able to stay on your head in a strong wind. Long pants help avoid both irritating plants and biting insects.
Other hazards:
- Stabby plants (cactus, thorny vines, etc.)
- Irritant plants (like poision ivy, but some are shrubs)
- Snakes (venomous and not)
- Loose & falling rocks (be careful if you climb anything)
- Biting insects
If riding horses, please bring/wear:
- Closed toed shoes with a heel
- Long pants
If you have a riding helmet, please bring it. If not we may ask you to wear one of ours. Even if you normally ride without a helmet a fall onto our rocky ground hurts.
We also have a range of wildlife, from jackrabits and foxes to katydids and centipedes. Also birds, a wide range. Consider bringing binoculars, telephoto lenses.
You're welcome to bring beverages of your choice, food, etc., but don't feel obligated. We're also not far from good stores, so if you forget something that we don't have on site, it's easy to get replacements!
Most of the cautions here are for wandering around the pasture or going to outdoor activities in the area. If you'd rather just sit around the pool/on the porch or stick to the pavement, the only concerns may be sun protection and swimsuit. And we have sunblock!