Market Overview for Madrone Ranch
There are 0 active listings in Madrone Ranch.
About Madrone Ranch
Madrone Ranch is a gated equestrian community in southwest Travis County, Texas, located off Hamilton Pool Road west of Bee Cave and Lakeway. The neighborhood encompasses approximately 70 acres of land and was developed primarily between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s. Lots in Madrone Ranch range from one to 36 acres, with most homes sitting on three- to five-acre parcels. The community was designed around equestrian use, with miles of private riding and walking trails, one covered arena, one open arena for residents, and access to a 70-acre equestrian greenbelt that extends behind the neighborhood with roughly four miles of riding trails. The gated entrance and low-density lot plan give the community a rural Hill Country character despite its location approximately 25 miles from downtown Austin.
Lake Travis Independent School District serves Madrone Ranch, and the district is one of the higher-rated systems in the Austin metropolitan area. Bee Cave Middle School and Lake Travis Middle School both serve students from the neighborhood, with Lake Travis Middle enrolling the majority. Lake Travis High School in Lakeway serves grades 9 through 12 and enrolls approximately 3,500 students. The high school offers more than 210 courses including 26 Advanced Placement classes across English, math, science, social studies, computer science, languages, music, and art. Six Institutes of Study provide focused academic tracks in subjects including Advanced Sciences and Medicine, Business and Finance, Engineering and Architecture, and Fine Arts. The school fields 17 competitive sports teams and hosts over 70 student clubs and organizations. Lake Travis ISD operates multiple elementary and middle campuses across the Bee Cave, Lakeway, and Spicewood areas.
Hamilton Pool Preserve, a Travis County park located roughly 10 miles west of Madrone Ranch on Hamilton Pool Road, features a 50-foot waterfall flowing into a natural swimming hole formed by the collapse of an underground river dome thousands of years ago. The preserve requires reservations during peak season and charges a $15 vehicle entry fee for Travis County residents ($20 for non-residents). Pedernales Falls State Park, a 5,212-acre Texas state park about 30 minutes west, offers 19.8 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, river access for swimming and tubing, 69 campsites with water and electric hookups, and limestone formations along the Pedernales River. The Hill Country Galleria in Bee Cave, a mixed-use development along Highway 71, contains retail anchors, restaurants, office space, and residential units, providing shopping and dining options within 10 minutes of the neighborhood.
Madrone Ranch's position along Hamilton Pool Road places it within commuting distance of both Austin's urban core and the employment centers along the Highway 71 and Highway 290 corridors. The Bee Cave and Lakeway area has attracted healthcare, technology, and professional services firms in recent years. Baylor Scott and White Medical Center-Lakeway operates a full-service hospital in Lakeway. Lake Travis ISD is one of the larger employers in the area, with staff across multiple campuses. The community's equestrian infrastructure, including stables operated by Madrone Ranch Stables on site, sets it apart from most residential neighborhoods in the Austin market. A few undeveloped lots remain available for custom home construction, and the neighborhood's deed restrictions maintain the equestrian and low-density character that has defined the community since its original development.
Living in Madrone Ranch
Daily life in Madrone Ranch centers on the Hill Country landscape and the equestrian amenities that define the community. Residents who keep horses on their property can ride directly from their barn onto the neighborhood trail system without loading a trailer, and the covered and open arenas are available for training and exercise. The four miles of riding trails through the 70-acre greenbelt connect to walking paths used by non-equestrian residents for hiking and dog walking. The gated entrance limits through-traffic, and the three- to five-acre lot standard means neighbors are spaced apart with room for barns, workshops, gardens, and outdoor living areas. The Hill Country terrain includes live oak, cedar, and madrone trees, and the area supports native wildlife including white-tailed deer, wild turkey, and various bird species.
Grocery shopping, medical appointments, and restaurant dining are concentrated in Bee Cave and Lakeway, both within a 10- to 15-minute drive along Hamilton Pool Road to Highway 71. The Hill Country Galleria and the Shops at the Galleria provide grocery, pharmacy, and retail options. Commuters heading to central Austin can expect a 35- to 45-minute drive via Highway 71 to MoPac or via Highway 290, depending on time of day. Lake Travis ISD's schools are a factor for families, and the district's strong academic programs and extracurricular offerings draw residents from across the Bee Cave and Lakeway areas. Property in Madrone Ranch carries Travis County tax rates, and homes on larger lots reflect the premium associated with acreage communities in the Hill Country market. The neighborhood's stable resident base and deed restrictions have maintained its equestrian focus for over two decades.
Things to Do in Madrone Ranch
- Hamilton Pool Preserve: Travis County park featuring a 50-foot waterfall and natural swimming hole. Reservations required in peak season. $15 vehicle entry for Travis County residents, $20 for non-residents.
- Pedernales Falls State Park: 5,212-acre state park about 30 minutes west. 19.8 miles of hiking and mountain biking trails, 69 campsites with water and electric, swimming and tubing on the Pedernales River. $6 daily entry per adult.
- Madrone Ranch Trail System: Four miles of riding and walking trails through a 70-acre equestrian greenbelt behind the neighborhood. Accessible directly from residential lots. Open to Madrone Ranch residents.
- Hill Country Galleria: Mixed-use retail and dining center in Bee Cave on Highway 71. Includes restaurants, shops, a Cinemark theater, and outdoor event space. About 10 minutes from Madrone Ranch.
- Lake Travis: 64-mile-long reservoir on the Colorado River offering boating, swimming, fishing, and waterfront parks. Multiple public boat ramps and marinas within 15-20 minutes of the neighborhood.
Major Employers in Madrone Ranch
- Lake Travis ISD (Education): Operates multiple campuses across Bee Cave, Lakeway, and Spicewood. Employs teachers, administrators, and support staff district-wide.
- Baylor Scott & White Medical Center - Lakeway (Healthcare): Full-service hospital in Lakeway providing emergency, surgical, and inpatient care to the Lake Travis area.
- Hill Country Galleria (Retail / Mixed-Use): Mixed-use development in Bee Cave with 285,000 square feet of Class A office space, retail anchors, restaurants, and residential units.
Madrone Ranch Schools
Madrone Ranch is served by Lake Travis Independent School District, one of the higher-rated districts in the Austin area. Lake Travis High School offers 26 AP courses and six specialized Institutes of Study.
School District: Lake Travis ISD
Public Schools
- Bee Cave Elementary
- Bee Cave Middle
- Lake Travis High School
Pre-Schools
- Primrose School of Bee Cave - Located in Bee Cave, TX. Provides educational daycare and preschool programs from infant through pre-kindergarten.
- Kiddie Academy of Bee Cave - Educational child care in Bee Cave offering programs from infant daycare through preschool and kindergarten.
- Little Sunshine's Playhouse - Lakeway - Located in Lakeway, TX. Provides educational child care for infants through pre-kindergarten.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is Madrone Ranch an equestrian community?
Yes. Madrone Ranch was designed for equestrian use with miles of private riding trails, a covered arena, an open arena, and a 70-acre greenbelt with approximately four miles of riding trails. Residents can ride directly from their property.
What school district serves Madrone Ranch?
Madrone Ranch is served by Lake Travis ISD. Students attend Bee Cave Middle School or Lake Travis Middle School and then Lake Travis High School, which enrolls approximately 3,500 students.
How large are lots in Madrone Ranch?
Lots range from one to 36 acres, with most homes sitting on three to five acres. The community encompasses approximately 70 acres total and was developed between the mid-1990s and mid-2000s.
How far is Madrone Ranch from Austin?
Madrone Ranch is approximately 25 miles from downtown Austin. Commute times are typically 35 to 45 minutes via Highway 71 to MoPac or via Highway 290.
Is Madrone Ranch gated?
Yes. Madrone Ranch is a gated community with controlled access at the entrance. The gate limits through-traffic and contributes to the neighborhood's low-density, rural character.
Are there still lots available in Madrone Ranch?
A small number of undeveloped lots remain available for custom home construction. Deed restrictions maintain the equestrian and low-density character of the community.