There are numerous family-owned ranches in the Texas Hill Country that are worth exploring, one of which is an historic exotic game and cattle ranch outside of Llano.

Inks Ranch, which is about two hours north of San Antonio and near Inks Lake State Park, is typically off limits other than for a few weekends a year. While there are no more dates left in 2025, the “pristine” Hill Country spot will offer a rare opportunity for camping, climbing and exploration in 2026.

The limited access is thanks to a partnership with Access Fund, a national conservation and climbing advocacy group intent on protecting the sport of climbing and the environments that allow it to thrive.

According to Access Fund, Ink Ranch offers some of the rarest climbing that the Lone Star State has to offer, with “troves” of hidden granite boulders, slabs and cracks ready to be explored.

Inks Ranch in Llano, Texas, just two hours north of San Antonio and west of Austin will have more open weekend dates at the typically off-limits climbing spot in 2026. (Grant Pittman/Courtesy of Access Fund)

Inks Ranch in Llano, Texas, just two hours north of San Antonio and west of Austin will have more open weekend dates at the typically off-limits climbing spot in 2026. (Grant Pittman/Courtesy of Access Fund)

“Inks Ranch is the last of the granite crags in Texas to be largely undiscovered,” the group said in a recent Instagram post. The granite landscape and climbing is apparently very similar to that of Enchanted Rock in Fredericksburg.

You can reserve a spot with Access Fund and purchase tickets through Eventbrite as dates get closer. The weekends for 2026 are Jan 30-Feb 1; Feb 27-Mar 1; and  Mar 27-29.

Inks Ranch in Llano, Texas, just two hours north of San Antonio and west of Austin will have more open weekend dates at the typically off-limits climbing spot in 2026. (Grant Pittman/Courtesy of Access Fund)

Inks Ranch in Llano, Texas, just two hours north of San Antonio and west of Austin will have more open weekend dates at the typically off-limits climbing spot in 2026. (Grant Pittman/Courtesy of Access Fund)

The ranch has been owned by the same family since the 1830s, according to Access Fund. It is not open for “at will” public access, and the owners have allotted limited access to climbers for only a certain number of weekends for a limited group of self-reliant and competent climbers. Expect to find potentially loose rock, a “primitive experience,” and bring your own food, water and essentials for overnight camping.

Find it: County Road 113A, Llano, TX 78643

This article originally published at Exclusive Texas ranch opens rare access to camping and climbing.