If your idea of a summer vacation is a casual, slow pace, a cool swimming hole on the river, and enjoy tubing and dancing to live music under the stars (all ages, welcome), then this may be the place. It is a country music/chicken friend steak type of atmosphere with most people attired in shorts or bathing suit wear and for the Sat. night dance many of the girls/women brought cowboy boots and wore them with shorts. The staff are friendly and competent and really go the extra mile to make sure guests have a good experience. From what I observed there were lots of extended families there, staying from 3 days to a week in rustic cabins mostly, although there were RVs and tents set up as well. Everyone I saw looked really relaxed and amazingly, children were walking about socializing with others and not tethered mentally to their cell phones. Many of the adults had set up chairs in the shallow area of the Frio River and were visiting with other adults while watching their kids go down a water slide, jump off rocks into the water, or use a rope swing. On Saturday afternoon, the Frio River was quite crowded with people of all ages, but it was not a rowdy crowd. On Sunday morning the swimming hole was almost deserted and great for solitary lap swimming or watching the sun come up. Nice get-a-way place only about 1.5 hours from San Antonio. read more

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Umm...stay on the right side of the highway. No seriously - literately stay on the right side...otherwise you may as well kiss driving a golf cart, or having their complimentary golf carts drive you back after a day of fun to the room good bye. For real tho...if you want to experience Neal's and not be hindered by their ridiculous insurance regulations stay on the right side of the highway. read more

Great owners and staff! They strive to make everything EASY for their guests and they nailed it! Cabin 8 was perfect for the hubby and I. We loved Joe Jimmy's and even brought our dinner over to eat while we listened to the band. read more

Neal's charged us for a mattress that we did not damage! They said my kids had 3 pee spots on their bed, which was untrue. I cleaned before we left and there was nothing but the tattered, but clean covers they had placed on the beds when we arrived. We all slept on our own comforters and sheets on top of their 'made' beds, because I'm a germaphobe. There was no way this happened as they said. When I called to ask about the charge, I got a profane "Tia Davenport" who is the supposed owner. She was vulgar and had the attitude of a menstruating teenager during our conversation. She said she gave me a break, and I should be happy. I'm never happy with dishonesty and morals that lack integrity. Especially when met with such profanity when questioned. She stated in our call that "Neal's isn't for everybody." Only go to this "resort" if you appreciate being scammed for damages after you are 400 miles away at home. read more

For the value, Neal's is an excellent place to stay! My family of 6 did a Memorial Holiday river trip and felt very satisfied with the accommodations provided. We had plenty of room in our cabin and enjoyed that ours was tucked back in the brush for privacy. We read all of the information and policies provided to us beforehand, something I'm not sure other reviewers did, and came ready with extra linens. We knew we'd be close to the river, but did not see expect to be as close as we were. We didn't even need to take the car and walked to the river access point each day. The staff members were very friendly, as were the other guests staying at the lodge. We plan to make this holiday trip a yearly tradition at Neal's. read more

So my friends and myself were staying at the concan country club and we wanted to do something different. We saw that Neal's lodge had a slide with the river and we decided to go. First, when we went to pay for the river wristbands, the lady at the front didn't give us great directions to the river, but we found it. So when we get to the river, we had a friend go into the slide and none of the "staff" bothered to try and help us. None of our other friends could swim and did not want to risk it so when we had another friend try and help, she was also drowning. So the "staff" was not helpful at all and didn't even throw the life line tube out into the water. Instead, other customers at the pool helped by giving a tube of their own. Besides the staff, the river was great, but this review is for a better staff. We also learned that a woman from earlier in the day almost drowned because none of the "staff" helped. There was also no "swim at your own risk" signs available. read more

We stayed in an rv spot, which was really pretty decent, it even had a 50 amp to our delight, when they said it would only be 30. My biggest complaint was they advertise free wifi, which they had, it just didn't have internet connected to it. Nice strong wifi signal with no internet access. When we asked if there was an issue, they said there was internet in the store. Literally, just in the store. Don't reserve here if you're planning a get away on an on call schedule. Especially since the only cell service is ATT, if you don't use them you can't even hot spot. Now, you may be thinking hey, you're camping, get over it and unplug. Which I can get behind, if they take the disclaimer of free wifi off their website. After reading reviews (before I posted this) I would recommend the rv spots - except maybe spot one, it looked pretty close to the road - and only if you are ready in advance to be out of contact for your trip. The river access was decent, and the people with carts driving groups up and down the road was nice. Lastly, the bathrooms were pretty bad, so if you don't like to use the one in your rv, it might be best not to reserve here. read more

I was part of a group of 100+ family members who stayed there for our Family Reunion. Neal's was aware of our family reunion as we informed them when we booked our lodges in October 2015. While planning, we utilized the map provided by Neal's which is extremely misleading to the distance between each lodge. We were spread between The Cattleman, Rio Dulce, Catahoula, Casa Santiago, Buckhorn, Cattleman at Catclaw Mountain and various cabins. Per the map we should only be about 3 miles max apart from each other. The distance from the Cattleman to the Buckhorn was about a 15 minute drive. This info would have been helpful so that we could stay in the lodges that are closer together. The lodges are extremely difficult to find, and the only cellular service there is ATT. I was lost for 30 minutes on the back road trying to find my lodge despite the fact that I stopped at the office and received a map with directions from the lady at the front desk. The issues continued. The refrigerators didn't work in the Buckhorn, Cabin 63 and the outdoor fridge at Casa Santiago, when we notified the front desk staff, they told us we were causing the refrigerators to not work by over-packing it. I informed them that the refrigerators were not over-packed and they then stated that we must have too many items on the top shelf. I again informed them the refrigerators were packed as any normal refrigerator would be packed. They finally sent someone to fix the refrigerator in the Buckhorn and it still did not work. After arriving we found that we had to put the provided sheets on the bed ourselves. With each lodge costing about $600+ a night, this is a bit ridiculous. When we tried to provide feedback to the front desk staff, a lady who acted as she was a manager, argued with my mom. Her exact comments were "well that is your opinion which you are entitled to," "we have a lot of happy customers, it's a free country and you didn't have to come here." I finally had to interrupt and say "clearly this conversation isn't going anywhere" and she replied "ha, you're right it isn't" and walked off. The lodges were also not very clean. I pulled out multiple coffee mugs from the cabinets and all of them were dirty with coffee inside. We had to wash our own dishes prior to using them and then wash them again before we left per Neal's instructions. The floor mats were covered in the grass that stabs you from outside. It was to the point that I had to roll up the rugs and throw them under the bed just to be able to walk in the bedroom. The mats in the living room were the same. The pillows on the couches were stained and dirty. Had to kill a scorpion in the living room and a spider in the bathroom that was too large for comfort. Neal's claims to offer WIFI however the lodges do not have WIFI, you have to drive to their office to use WIFI which again for some lodges is a good 15 min drive. To add to the frustration, many of us were excited to experience horseback riding in Concan with the river and hills, we figured it would be a great experience. When we attempted to RSVP, we were told only 7 (out of 14) horses were allowed out on the trail at the same time and that all of the 3 time slots (9 am, 11 am and 1 pm) only had 3 spaces available. I reminded them that we were a group of 100 so there were more than 7 of us that wanted to go horseback riding. I asked to schedule our own group time so they scheduled us for 3 pm the next day. Then another lady who works there tells me that I had to pay for it or they wouldn't be able to hold it. I informed her that everyone was spread across the multiple cabins and I didn't have their money. She then replied that she would allow me an hour to get everyone to sign the waiver forms and pay or she would let go of our reservation and give up the slots to other people. (As I stated above, many of us were at least a 15 minute drive away from each other one way, 30 minutes both ways.) I asked her, why would you allow others to book in our slot when I just scheduled our own group time that wasn't even on your books to begin with? Her response was "oh, well you still only have an hour or I'm cancelling it." Neal's fails to notify its guests that they only own half of the Frio River that is on the side of their cabins which by the way has no area for anyone to set up and hang out at without actually being in the water. Again, we were a large group so we set up on the side of the river that allowed us to put up tents and tables with food and watch the many little children we had with us. We were then greeted by a not so friendly owner of that side of the Frio River who charges Neal's guests a "discounted rate" of $5 a person to be on her side of the river. Given the fact that there were 80 of us there, we had to shell out a total of $400 dollars to hang out in the river that Neal's claims is part of their property. Our family reunion generated at least $10,000 for Neal's Lodges and we will never go back. read more

I wish I could say wonderful things about this place, as I was so excited to come for our first time. But between all the trash left in and along the river (beer cans and cigarette butts and food leftovers) and inconsiderate RV neighbors who kept us up till 3am nightly allowing their kids and extended family's kids party at their site yelling and playing with fire and to the point my husband had to follow along behind a couple not even teenagers putting out the small fires they created by their homemade torches. I understand not enforcing a quiet hour, but a line has to be drawn. Everything from giant trucks to golf carts driven by preteens piled in up to 8 kids full going at top speed on the dirt roads is only asking for disaster. The horseback rides were great with awesome ranch hands, and the office was honest to suggest we go tubing at a different location due to the low water which was greatly appreciated. I guess it comes down to common courtesy and human nature with our stay for the most part. The RV site we stayed in was small but wonderfully shaded and even in 100 degrees it was very comfortable. I can't say if we will be back to try it again, I just wish this stay was a more enjoyable experience. read more

Great location for outdoor activities (we're bird watchers; feeders on property attract many species) but cabins (large) are old, with furnishings that were modest from the beginning and now very shabby. Ants in room. Amenities sparse. Wireless only available at central building. Place now has brand-new owners, so perhaps things will improve. Two stars is being generous right now. read more

2 stars because the staff was super friendly and helpful, obviously a bunch of kids wanting a fun summer job, but it's obvious the management is trying to take every penny they can get from you. when paying $650 for a two night stay in a two bedroom cabin one would think that the shuttle to get to the river would be included. it's not. understandably neither are the tubes. but whatever. what made us mad was that my mother, who is older, checked us in and misplaced a wristband. when we got there, me and 3 friends, we had to pay FORTY DOLLARS to replace a wristband even though we didn't bring an extra person. on top of that, we were unaware you had to return the piece of PAPER that indicates your car is registered at neal's. my brother left early the morning we checked out and we were charged another ten. yes it's little amounts here and there but obviously these fees are in place to scam people who make common mistakes. this place loves to take advantage of the "oops" moments of its guests like that. maybe this would be expected in a nicer place, but this small cabin had MULTIPLE bugs (cockroaches in the fridge, in the pans, etc) and a RAT. things I would probably overlook if it wasn't for the overwhelming greediness of the people who run this place. would not recommend. read more

Stayed at the Ranch House. We had a backyard petting zoo and hayride. Very nice and windy at night for family Bar B Q, especially for July. Swam the Frio River for the first time, loved it! read more

I have been going to Neal's since 1983 every year and a lot of times twice a year .my kids have been at Neal's since they were babies and now my grand kids go to the frio. I've seen all the changes that has happened and am greatful for the upgrades the new owner is doing. Everything from old beds appliances,lighting,etc needed updating for safety reasons and to make your stay nicer . Also new stain and paint is very attractive and you still have the views which are startling impressive as you walk outside looking at the hills etc. I always take a bag of corn and put some out at nite and it always draws deer to the house I'm staying in. Of course the ability to float is always up to nature in any year. So I see needed positive changes happening to the lodges which take time to complete and a lot has been completed already by the new owners. We will always go to Neal's read more

It's really sad. My family and I will no longer be going to Neals. We have been going for over 15 yrs. they have gotten greedy with the pricing and along with their customer service. Instead of making the customer happy and comfortable they tell u it is what it is. We paid over 400 for 2 nights in a cabin in off season for New Years and had 4 kiddos with us. The pics definitely do not do justice! We didn't expect to have such a cramped space. So instead of accommodating they told us they were going to charge more money. Mind you this was in off season!!!! No one there!!! I'm done with Neals they are money hungry!! Horrible last experience!!! Horrible management and customer service! Insane pricing!!!! Never again! I'm so angry at the waste of money! We left a night early because it just made us so upset!! read more

We booked a 2 bdrm/ 2 bath cabin for a weekend in October. Cabin was dirty upon arrival. Mud in bathtubs, no sheets on beds and floor was covered in soot, maybe from fireplace?? People in nearby cabins were partying until 2am. We ended up leaving after the first night not because of events previously mentioned BUT due to flash flooding in the area. Our cabin was near the river and we were concerned for the safety of our family. You would expect a refund for unforeseeable weather conditions especially after the recent events in Wimberley. However, ownership stills wants to charge us for the entire weekend. What kind of customer service is that for a "family-friendly" place? read more

This may be the go-to resort if you are living in Houston (as they advertise), but this Texas visitor expected way better for the price. Sure, that is the prettiest part of the Hill Country, and the Frio Bat Flight is an awesome experience, but Neal's is a dump. We stayed in unit 37, a so-called two bedroom unit. One bedroom did not have a window. It was a cave with no reading light. You have to make your own bed--with worn out sheets and no fitted sheet for the mattress. The quilts were just as worn and threadbare. There were insects in the shower stall. The kitchen was equipped with one spoon. A handle fell off the water tap for the kitchen sink. The front porch had not been swept and the two plastic chairs on it were filthy. You would not have wanted to sit on them. The grounds around the building were littered with trash. This was not just worn. It was a dump. This place has got to be living on its yester-year reputation. I found it insulting to be charged $139 per night for this. I would never recommend this place to any other traveling birders. There simply have to be motels around there that are cleaner and offer a more reasonable price. That said, it is probably an acceptable place for tent and RV camping (assuming the restrooms are cleaner than the lodging units). read more