Trip: BQ5 Barnhart Ranch Retreat, a Texas Private Ranch Photo Tour-Near Goliad, ‘South Texas’
For pricing, dates, and reservations click the “Book Now” button.
Note: Upon request we can arrange a multi ranch package tour that includes different bird species ands habitats in Texas
Green Jay
Join us for fantastic photography at a special coastal plains private ranch, 700+ acres managed for wildlife with special photography blinds and on site lodging in historical setting. Located between Goliad and Beeville, Texas.
Select as many days as you like, the experience is currently offered as a daily package so you can select as many days as you like. We strongly recommend that for the best overall experience you stay 3 nights.
About this trip
Experience incredible bird and wildlife photography on a private Texas ranch managed for wildlife and welcoming photographers. Stay in historical onsite lodging, use of 4 dedicated photography blinds, and benefit from the experience of your local guide.
Three bird photography hides/blinds have been created for up to 6 photographers plus a guide. One for morning, one for afternoon and a raptor blind set up for afternoon. All have feeders and small water feature. In addition an in ground hide/blind for 3 photographers is set up at a permanent waterhole and can be used morning or afternoon. There is space for additional people however its not ideal for more than 3 photographers.
MARCH 2026 – Your guide is an award winning wildlife photographer and guide with extensive experience at this property as well as across Texas and beyond.
Short walks (~100 meters) over uneven terrain should be expected however we are able to drive to each blind. There are also many miles of trails for exploration as desired.
About the Site
Family owned and operated, The Barnhart Q5 Ranch is a Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD) Land Steward Award–winning 706-acre working ranch. Situated within the Tamaulipan scrub brush ecosystem of South Texas, our land is rich in shady old oak trees, lots of thorny brush, wondrous cacti, and fields of wildflowers and grasses. Indian Creek winds through the Southern pastures here, and though now seasonal, the creek is on Texas maps dating back to the early 1700s.
The owners are Certified Master Naturalists and support all kinds of wildlife.
“Our ranch management philosophy is to conserve our natural habitat for the benefit of wildlife and livestock. We keep a herd of Brangus cattle and a small herd of Mediterranean miniature donkeys. Cattle are one way we fund the ranch, guest housing is another, birding and photography yet another.”
“We cater to birds. Twice annually their populations ebb and flow during the spring and fall migrations, while birders and photographers flock to the ranch, too. Our resident birds make room for them somehow, and the brush lines become a living environment of color and activity. Seed and nectar feeders are filled constantly, and drip watering is intense!”
What’s included – Almost Everything!
- Experienced Wildlife Photography Guide
- Use of dedicated photography blinds/hides
- Self Service Kitchen,
- You have option to bring your own food or for us to stock the kitchen with food for your stay.
- On-Site lodging is booked and paid separately with the ranch. However when you book your photo tour we will make a reservation for you and have the ranch contact you for confirmation. Just let us know if you want a private room for each person, or two people per room, or if two people would like to share a room and a bed.
- Firepits, hammocks, sitting on the porch…all part of the opportunity!
What’s not included
- Transportation to and from site is not included. Contact if you need it.
- Lodging is arranged and paid to the ranch however upon your photo trip reservation will make a room reservation for you and have the ranch contact you. You can reserve directly at https://www.barnhartranchretreat.com/
A few images of birds you can photograph at this ranch…some are resident and some are migratory.
Photos by Miles Phillips