Oil Ranch
Monday
9:00 AM - 4:00 PM
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About
A real working Texas ranch with more than 50 acres amusements and activities for the entire family. Perfect for a family day out, kids' birthday parties, reunions, or corporate events with lots to do and party pavilions for gatherings. We offer lots of activities for all ages including pony rides, putt putt golf, hayrides, train ride, swimming pool, petting zoo and farm activities like feeding and milking cows. Our ranch is very educational and popular with schools and homeschool parents for field trips. The ranch is home to popular seasonal events such as our Easter Bunny Visit & Egg Hunt, the Pumpkin Patch & Scarecrow Festival, and the Santa Ranch Express. Call the ranch for weather closures as well as seasonal closures which are generally mid-December through February and August through September.
Suggested duration
More than 3 hours
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Detailed Reviews: Reviews order informed by descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as cleanliness, atmosphere, general tips and location information.

3.5
42 reviews
Excellent
15
Very good
14
Average
3
Poor
4
Terrible
6

Beth G
Orange, TX57 contributions
Jul 2017 • Family
Went with two two year olds and a nine year. The heat was sweltering but that's not their fault; although, I do think the activities are wayyy too spaced apart with little to no shade or cover for the walks. Bring plenty of sunscreen. We got to pet some goats, ride a pony, milk a cow, mine for some rocks, ride the train, and bounce in some bounce houses.
Written July 29, 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
We do wish we could control the heat during the summer. When the original owner designed the ranch, he wanted it to be spread out so when we do have crowds everyone isn't right on top of each other. We are looking considering misting stations when we open next season. Please come back in the fall when it is cooler and see our pumpkin patch and scarecrow festival. The ranch comes to live with over 70 decorated scarecrows and 1,000 pumpkins a day.
Written July 31, 2017
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

QLR
Magnolia, TX8 contributions
Feb 2014 • Family
Took 8 8th graders to Oil Ranch for a day of paintball. We were treated well by the staff, especially Mike and Zeke. The boys had a great time in the 3 huge paintball fields. I would go there again.
Written February 10, 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gloria P
1 contribution
Oct 2019 • Family
My two children enjoyed the ranch a lot. They had the opportunity to interact with goats, cows, and sheep. The pumpkin patch was also a nice activity.They were able to see chickens, turkeys,roosters. An explanatory tour about life cycle of a dairy cow might be necessary and interesting.The area where they can ride horses is very small and the ride lasted no more than 2 min. We were very hungry and the food that the ranch offered did not meet our expectations. At the end of the day if you are not out of the place at 5:00 PM the staff (particularly supervisor named Ana Rosa)takes you out of the facility in a very rude manner, no friendly at all. Definitely we are not coming back.
Written October 13, 2019
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Kristy G
1 contribution
Dec 2020 • Family
We arrived to for the Christmas event and was not told the ticket price was $6 more per person than advertised online. Online doesn't specify prepay tickets are cheaper as they only listed one price. Events are mediocre and pony ride was the only thing the kids found exciting and petting zoo. No real lights or displays for Christmas at best was what you'd find in your neighborhood. I will not be back as I has also emailed asking for explanation of price difference and no one reached out. May have to dispute with my credit card company.
Written December 22, 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Resort436791
4 contributions
Sep 2012 • Family
There was not a lot to do. The place is very hot and spread out.
The general staff were ok, some seemed bored.
There was a woman riding around on a cart yelling at people.
Overall, not welcoming. The animals seemed tired too.
Written October 2, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Natster396
187 contributions
Aug 2012 • Family
The one thing that stuck with me is the bad customer service I received. When we checked in, there was one person and she was in charge of the check in process AND taking orders for lunch. There was no one else and when the lunch line formed, you had 8 people in line and 6 others in line at the office to check in. I assume she had to take turns taking care of people. Thank goodness, I checked in earlier and had already ordered my food when people started coming in. It was about 1 pm when it was crowded and she was the only one working. This is not the worst part. The worst part was half their food was OUT! We still have three weeks left in August before they close for the season (or whenever that is) and they were out of pizzas, corn dog, & something else .. they basically had chicken nuggets/chicken sandwich and pulled meat sandwich. The girl told me the owner did not want to order so much because they didn't want any leftovers. Hello!? Isn't there a thing called a freezer? The owner should of thought about the customers who needed a variety of food. It's not like this is the last day of the season. Now, to the food taste .. the food was the worst I've ever eaten! It was not even good enough for my dog. The chicken nuggets and sandwich was hard with no flavor! I had to spit it out, that's how bad it was. There were no lettuce or cheese on the sandwich either. Just a piece of hard chicken patty. The meat sandwich was average and the sauce was tangy but in a scary way. OH .. they ran out of WATER bottles. That is unacceptable!! How do you run out of water bottles? Owner is so irresponsible as to not order more on a for the summer hot days when families are coming. See why I am so bothered by this place? Now, to the activities. I only went to the right side of the place where they had the petting zoo, the barn, milking cow area, pony ride and pool. It was so hot, we didn't even go to the other side but I guess it was nice since there was a lake to fish in. I also saw the train over there. Over here, my girls rode the pony and the guy walking around the pony looked like he was mad he had to be working! He was not friendly and didn't even muster a hello! WHen the girls were done, no one was behind us, so I said they will go another round .. he said .. one time. I said, uh, I thought it was all you want, and he said .. yes, but not now. Come back. Go do the other stuff. WT heck? I didn't want to make a scene in front of my girls, so I just left. We went to milk the cow which was interesting cause you used your hand directly on the cow. Ok then. The barn was dark, and dirty. I only saw like a few animals where you can pet them and we passed. We ate, then we decided to go back and ride the pony again. He didn't say anything, he just put the girls on the horse. I was so irked by that man. Anyways, the one good thing is the pool. It was clean and is great to cool down. We were going to go to the other side but it was just too hot and it was a long walk across the plains before we got to the other side. My family will not be returning.
Written August 13, 2012
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

dentistmommy
Houston, TX58 contributions
Mar 2015
We visited in August 2014 with friends . I cant share very good impressions about this place . It was supposed to be a fun visit for children play date, lots of space for kids to run and see animals. Animals are not being kept in a clean conditions as they should be . Territory of Oil Ranch is full of fire ants absolutely everywhere .We were watching closely our kids all the time ,but my daughter was bitten by fire ants there anyway, we ended up rushing to nearest emergency room ,because she had a severe allergic reaction. The excuse of the management was that the ranch is big and they cant use enough of fire ants insecticide in all territory . They charge entrance fee and its place of business that should be kept accordingly with business regulations .
Written February 4, 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

tmach41
Missouri City, TX11 contributions
Jun 2015 • Family
Just attended a birthday party and it was not a very good experience. The animals were over heated, TONS of FLIES everywhere especially all over our food. It was disgusting. The staff was not very helpful with the party activities. We were all on our own. We had to serve the food that was just plopped on the table then we had to clean up too. It was very over priced for what was offered. Everyone stayed under the pavilion which was full of flies and no fans to distribute the air. No staff in sight!!!
Written June 21, 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Gabriela R
Houston, TX1 contribution
Apr 2013 • Family
I went today with my five year old son. We did not had a good experience staff were rude specially the train driver. She made my son to step out of the train for no reason. This made may son fell so bad and me embarrassed. I talked with management and they did not help me. Still the bad moment they make my son live is unjustly.
Written April 25, 2013
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Safety is priority one at the Oil Ranch, Your Child continued to stick his arms and legs out of the train, At that point we have to stop and remove him for safety reasons. I would much rather read your review about his embarassment then read about how he was injured because we did not pay attention to his safety. Thanks for your comments we appreciate them all.
Written November 19, 2013
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.

Louise M
Cypress, TX40 contributions
Jul 2011
For a day trip in the heat of Texas July, very disappointing. Very little to do there other than pool.

Also, forgot sunscreen and place was totally run out. Had to travel 10 minutes to get sunscreen. Again, in the heat of Texas July, should be well-stocked. Three young children with us.

Time was posted as being open til 5PM, but everything closed down at 4:30.

Will not be returning.
Written August 3, 2011
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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Oil Ranch (Hockley) - All You Need to Know BEFORE You Go

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  • Mon - Mon 9:00 AM - 4:00 PM



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