Bandera has always had a special place in the memories of anyone thinking about the Texas Hill Country. The colorful history of the County includes tales of Indian raids, settlement of the Mormons and Polish families, exciting experiences at area Dude ranches, Texas Rangers, Longhorn cattle drives up the historic Western Trail, just to name a few.
Bandera Texas – Cowboy Capital of the World!
Actually, it was that famed Western Trail that led Bandera to its title of “The Cowboy Capital of the World”. Almost everything Bandera is known for; cowboys, horses, World Champion cowboys, western swing music, dude ranches, architecture, trick ropers, dance halls, Cowboys on Main Street, all came from that twelve year period when the over 7 million head of Longhorn cattle gathered in Bandera and made their way to Kansas City and points north. You remember that trail. The one made famous by Larry McMurtry in his book “Lonesome Dove”?
Bandera does not just celebrate our history, we live it. So if you are looking for a great place to get a way and do something really different – head to Bandera. You will still see beautiful hills, pristine rivers, cowboys, longhorns, chuck wagons, rodeos, gunfights, singing cowboys, horses, lots of cowboy hats and boots and a few spurs. Most of all, you will find a lot of nice folks. You see, Bandera residents welcome visitors. Tourism is what we are all about. Folks that live here love visitors. We want you to love it too!
Bandera is well known for wonderful events. We like to play hard and do stuff a little different. Like catching wild hogs at the Wild Hog Explosion in March, or if you’re here in April, check out the quick draw competition at the new Mayhem on the Medina. Join us Memorial Day weekend for some world class rodeo at the annual PRCA Rodeo. In June you can even participate in a river rodeo or enter something fun in the Anything That Floats Regatta at Bandera Riverfest. If that doesn’t do it, come on back to Bandera in July as we celebrate The National Day of the American Cowboy including a Ranch Rodeo where teams compete in competitions like penning and wild cow milking. Then hurry on back for Celebrate Bandera Labor Day Weekend featuring, Cowboy Mounted Shooters, a horseless ranch rodeo, Cow Patty Bingo, the Circle of Life Intertribal Powwow, a real longhorn cattle drive right down Main Street, a Wild West Show and the National Professional Bull Rider’s challenge.
If hunting is your thing, Bandera has lots to offer and the kick off could not be better than the annual Hunter’s Bar –B-Que and Outdoor Expo the night before opening day of hunting season. We don’t stop there. Bandera has an awesome celebration and parade when Bandera Honors Veterans is hosted by the local American Legion on Veteran’s Day. We cap off the end of the year with holiday celebrations including Shopper’s Jubilee with carolers and musicians strolling Main Street while you shop and fabulous Christmas lights all over Bandera and in City Park with over 100 Christmas trees and scenes. Yep, we want you to come to Bandera. Why else would we throw so many parties?