Unique luxury one-bedroom guesthouses on the Pedernales River in Johnson City. Spectacular views. Perfect for a memorable getaway to the Texas Hill Country and wine trail. Each house is ~650 sq. ft., with king bed, a modern bathroom, a living room/fully equipped kitchen, and an outdoor patio. One queen or two twin airbeds can be provided to sleep up to two more, or two couples could rent both houses. (The other house is in a separate listing: Pedernales River Guesthouses - BLUE.) Stairs take you down to the river. No pets. Free Level 2 EV charger for Tesla or J1227. The two guesthouses are on 15 acres overlooking the Pedernales River. The view from the houses is gorgeous. We (your hosts) live on the property with our cat and golden retriever. We share the environment with an abundance of wild creatures. The river is clean and when the water is high it's good for swimming. When the water is low you can explore on the rocks. We also have two friendly horses and a dozen chickens you can visit. This listing for PONDER. There's a separate listing for an identical adjacent house named BLUE.
Property manager
Janice Fischer
Premier Host
Languages
English
Add dates for prices
Amenities
Kitchen
Free WiFi
Air conditioning
Outdoor space
Parking available
Mountain view
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Be sure to book for the number of guests that will actually be staying. We make specials provisions so that guests 3 and 4 will be comfortable.
Maximum stay is 14 days without pre-approval.
Important information
You need to know
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
This property uses solar energy
Host has indicated that there are no carbon monoxide detectors or gas appliances on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher, a first aid kit and a deadlock
About the area
Johnson City
Located in Johnson City, this cottage is in a rural area and on the waterfront. Lyndon B. Johnson Boyhood Home and Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park are local landmarks, and some of the area's activities can be experienced at Texas Hills Vineyards and Lost Draw Cellars. Exotic Resort Zoo and Texas Hill Country Wineries are also worth visiting.
Johnson City, TX
What's nearby
Highland Lakes - 6 min drive - 4.8 km
Exotic Resort Zoo - 6 min drive - 5.6 km
Lyndon B. Johnson National Historical Park - 9 min drive - 9.0 km
Texas Hills Vineyards - 11 min drive - 10.5 km
Texas Hill Country Wineries - 12 min drive - 10.0 km
Getting around
Austin-Bergstrom International Airport (AUS) - 79 min drive
Restaurants
Dairy Queen - 9 min drive
Pecan Street Brewing - 9 min drive
Fat Boy Burgers - 8 min drive
El Charro Restaurant - 9 min drive
El Agave - 9 min drive
Frequently asked questions
Is Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER pet-friendly?
No, pets are not allowed at this property.
What time is check-in at Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER?
Check-in begins at 2:00 PM.
What time is check-out at Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER?
Checkout is at 11:00 AM.
Where is Pedernales River Guesthouses - PONDER located?
Situated on the waterfront, this cottage is 3 mi (4.7 km) from Highland Lakes and within 6 miles (10 km) of Exotic Resort Zoo and TASTE Wine Art. Texas Vintage Motorcycle Museum and Western Art & Artifacts are also within 6 miles (10 km).
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Such a great experience from start to finish. Even before booking the host was very respectful and responsive. After they supplied numerous great suggestion and tips on local places to try. Very grateful for the hospitality and stay.
I can't say enough good things about this property. The owner was very communicative and made the check in process buttery-smooth. The design of the unit is very unique, and opens up onto a stunning view of the river below. We really enjoyed sitting on the patio in the evening watching the wildlife. The deer are literally everywhere, and the birding was excellent. The owner was accommodating in loaning us an air mattress for our son since there was only 1 bed-- and it was a very well made one.Inside the rental, the kitchen was fully stocked with anything you could want. The room was immaculately clean and comfortable. We only stayed for one night... but honestly, I could have done a week without flinching.If you want peace and quiet in a beautiful bit of nature, this is for you.
The Pedernales River guesthouse is amazing as it sits on the banks of the river with great views and plenty of wildlife. The house is modern and sleek, with every convenience to make your stay perfect. Loved everything about our stay and would definitely return. The owners were overwhelmingly accommodating and quick to answer questions! Easy access and 100% clean. Great spot!
We stayed two nights at “The Ponder.” It was a perfect spot for us. We were in the area for some family business, so we were sad that we didn’t get to spend as much time at the property as we wanted. We could have sat for hours on the deck overlooking the river. Just so beautiful and relaxing. We did work in a hike; down to the river and along about a mile along the riverbed. We had planned to go for a short hike in a nearby park, but why? When you have your own park to enjoy peacefully! Entry instructions were clear and easy to follow and everything was in order in the house. The home is the perfect size for a couple to enjoy some time together. We have to be back that direction again later this summer and are hoping that the event we are attending is close enough to stay here again…if it works logistically, we will definitely be back… Highly recommend!
Verified traveller
Stayed 2 nights in Mar 2025
About the host
Hosted by Janice Fischer
Jeff and I moved to Johnson City from Austin in 2017. Jeff built our house and the guesthouses. I'm a Professor at UT Austin. We like having more wildlife around us. We love living on the Pedernales River, and being among the birds and other creatures that we share the land with.
What makes this property unique
Overlooking the river in a modern house makes our place unique.
Languages:
English
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests