The Best Outdoor Summer Activities for Large Groups in Central Texas

Planning a summer trip for a large group always comes down to the same question: what is everyone actually going to do all day? With 50, 75, or 100+ people of different ages and interests, the activity list has to be deep enough that nobody runs out of options — and varied enough that no one feels left out.
Central Texas has the answer, and Spring Lakes Ranch in Aquilla — just 20 minutes south of Waco — puts nearly all of it on one private 1,000-acre property.

Swim
Two pools keep a large group cool without anyone waiting in line. The standout is a natural artesian spring-fed pool with a waterfall — genuinely cool, clean water that feels nothing like a standard hotel pool. Add a hot tub for the evening crowd, and the water options alone could fill a full Texas summer day.

Fish
Two spring-fed lakes stocked with trophy bass, catfish, and perch give the fishing crowd real fishing, not just a line dropped in and hoping. Flat-bottom boats launch from the two-story boat dock for groups who want to cover more water, and guided fishing trips are available as an add-on for anyone who wants local expertise on their side.

Paddle
Kayaks and canoes launch right off the dock — an easy, social activity that works for almost any age and gives the group a completely different view of the property than they get on land.

Play
Basketball, tennis, pickleball, and sand volleyball courts give the competitive members of the group somewhere to burn energy and settle some friendly scores. Cornhole and lawn games keep things low-key for everyone who'd rather watch than compete. Electric scooters are available as an add-on for the teenagers who need a little more speed in their day.

Explore
Hiking trails wind across 1,000 acres of open Central Texas land, with enough distance and terrain change to feel like a genuine adventure rather than a loop around a parking lot. Horseback riding is available as an add-on for groups who want to experience the ranch the old-fashioned way.

Meet the Animals
Spring Lakes Ranch is a real, working cattle ranch with over 250 farm animals — Wild Mustangs, Highland cows, Longhorns, mini ponies, goats, donkeys, and chickens. It's the activity nobody plans the trip around that almost always ends up being everyone's favorite part of the weekend.

Gather at the Fire
After a full day outdoors, the stone campfire pulls the whole group back together. S'mores, stories, and the kind of unplanned evening that ends up being the one everyone talks about long after the trip is over.

Plan Your Group's Summer Activities at Spring Lakes Ranch
With sleeping capacity for 100+ guests across three private homes and full property buyout available, Spring Lakes Ranch gives large groups everything they need for an active, memorable summer weekend — all in one place, just 20 minutes south of Waco and within easy reach of Dallas/Fort Worth, Austin, Houston, and San Antonio.
Contact Spring Lakes Ranch today to check availability and start planning your group's summer weekend.