Scary Halloween haunts in Texas

Formerly a Spanish colony, Texas is one of the oldest states in the US, so it should come as no surprise to hear that things go bump in the night on Halloween. According to Ranch Rider, the majority of US ranches have a rich history, the owners often fifth or sixth generation cowboys – so whether it’s the ghostly presence of Clay Allen’s Grandmother at the Lazy F or a mysterious black figure joining guests round the campfire at the Dixie Dude, you’ll in be in for the ride and the fright of your life.

If you can’t make Halloween, never fear, as according to paranormal investigators – there are plenty of other significant spiritual dates in the calendar; including All Saints Day (November 01), the winter and summer Solstice and the spring and autumn Equinox.

The Dixie Dude in Bandera was established way back in 1901, as a working ranch raising Longhorn cattle. Open to guests for the last 71 years, the ranch offers a range of activities from catch and release fishing to hiking, and morning and afternoon riding. On the surface, it might sound like a traditional ranch stay, but book into the Jingle cabin and you could catch sight of a surprise Halloween visitor.

Simone Taylor, a recent guest and investigator from the World Oneiric Life Force Paranormal Research team, reported a mysterious black figure gliding past her bed in the very same Jingle cabin. She described the dark silhouette, as that of a tall male with long hair and bulky clothing featuring strange shaped objects. While saddling up the following day, she quizzed the wranglers who confirmed the sighting of a Native American ghost, the dark spectre often joining them round the campfire in the dead of night.

If you want to investigate further into the origin of this tribal spirit, you can book a 7-night stay at the Dixie Dude with Ranch Rider from £626pp (based on two people sharing) including all accommodation (full board), gratuities, all ranch based riding and activities. Excludes transfers as car hire recommended. Available January to November.

A sixth generation working ranch, the Lazy F in Gonzales County has a chuckwagon-load of history – infamous outlaws, serial killers and violent cannibals having occupied the 2,500-acre property. Offering an authentic experience, guests can enjoy round ups, roping and branding; and when the cowboy work’s done, listen to owner Clay Allen, as he tells spine chilling ghost stories on the ranch’s very own haunted hill. The perfect spooky setting, guests often shudder when they hear about the Karankawa tribe, the Native American group once holding regular ceremonies and feasting on human flesh in the exact same spot.

There are also plenty of Halloween delights in Gonzales – the county featuring an abandoned haunted house across from the city museum and spirit filled jail house where many criminals were hanged.

An opportunity to get acquainted with several generations of the Allen family – the Lazy F even features its own ghosts, including the owner’s mother and grandmother. Noisy, but friendly spirits, guests have reported doors opening and closing of their own accord, the faint sound of music and other strange noises. Ranchers in search of a holiday that will make the hairs stand up on the back of their neck, should book 7-night’s at the Lazy F with Ranch Rider from £769pp (no single supplement) including all accommodation (full board), gratuities, all ranch based riding and activities. Excludes transfers of £75pp. Available year round.

Only an hour’s drive from San Antonio, guests of the Lazy F can also make a day trip to the Alamo. Smoky spirits are said to wander its grounds and the faint trumpet notes of "El Deguello," the ancient Spanish call of "no quarter" that Santa Anna ordered played during the final assault on the fort, have been heard from inside its walls.

The above prices exclude return international flight. Ranch Rider offers flights from the following departure airports, Heathrow, Gatwick, Manchester, Edinburgh and Glasgow. Additional departure airports including Aberdeen, Bristol, Cardiff, Leeds/Bradford, Humberside, Teeside, Newcastle and Norwich are also available at a £50pp supplement.

For more information and bookings, log on to Ranchrider.com.