Family Retreat in East Texas
A private 300-acre property near Jacksonville, Texas — pond, trails, hot tub, and enough space that the kids entertain themselves.
Most family vacation rentals give you a house in a neighborhood. Whispering Pines gives you 300 private acres.
The property is completely gated and secluded — no neighboring homes visible, no shared roads, no other guests. A 7.6-acre stocked pond, miles of trails, a Polaris Ranger EV, a 6-person hot tub, and a firepit with s'mores are all yours from the moment you arrive. The cabin sleeps up to 10 with the optional RV suite, making it one of the more practical options in East Texas for families who want to stay together.
It's a 5.0-star Airbnb in the Top 1% of homes nationwide. Book direct and skip the platform fees.
What Families Come For
The pond is where most family stays actually happen. It's a 7.6-acre private lake stocked with Florida bass and bluegill — completely yours, with no public access or shared shoreline. Fishing rods, tackle, and life jackets are all provided. There's a dock for fishing, a canoe, a kayak, and a pedal boat for the kids. Most families spend the better part of each day out there without planning to.
Beyond the water: the Polaris Ranger EV is a popular add-on for families who want to cover the full 300 acres — kids tend to love it. There are miles of maintained trails through East Texas pine forest, a spring-fed natural pool tucked into the property, a firepit with Adirondack seating and a s'mores kit, and a 6-person hot tub for the adults once the kids are down.
Inside, the cabin is genuinely stocked for family stays. Full kitchen with everything you need to actually cook, a coffee bar, a 55" smart TV, board games, books, and fast fiber Wi-Fi. Three bedrooms plus a loft, sleeping 6–8 in the main cabin. The optional RV suite adds two more with a completely private setup — useful for multigenerational families where grandparents or older kids want their own space.
What's Included for Families
- 7.6-acre private stocked pond — dock, canoe, kayak, pedal boat
- Fishing rods, tackle, and life jackets provided at no charge
- 300 private acres — trails, wildflowers, deer, open space
- Spring-fed natural pool and creek
- 6-person hot tub, open year-round
- Firepit with s'mores kit and Adirondack seating
- Full kitchen stocked for real cooking
- Premium coffee bar — Nespresso, espresso, French press
- 3 bedrooms + loft · sleeps up to 10 with optional RV suite
- No cleaning fee when you book direct
- Polaris Ranger EV available as add-on
Sleeping Arrangements for Families
The main cabin has three bedrooms and a loft — comfortably sleeping 6–8 guests depending on the group. Two queen bedrooms, a loft with additional sleeping, and a large common area that gives everyone room to spread out.
For larger families or multigenerational groups, the optional RV suite sleeps two additional guests with a private queen bed, bathroom, shower, and kitchenette. It's fully self-contained and sits adjacent to the main cabin — ideal when grandparents want their own space, or when teenagers need some separation from the main house.
Total capacity with RV suite: up to 10 guests.
See the full cabin walkthrough, →
Location for Family Road Trips
Whispering Pines is east of Jacksonville, Texas — a straightforward drive from most of the state's major family markets.
- Dallas / Fort Worth: approximately 2.5 hours
- Houston: approximately 2.5 hours
- Tyler: approximately 1 hour
- Austin: approximately 3.5 hours
- Shreveport: approximately 1 hour
The property is accessed via a private gated road — exact address provided after booking. Jacksonville has grocery stores, a pharmacy, and a few good restaurants a short drive away. Most families stock up on arrival and don't need to leave again until checkout.
What to Know Before Booking
The property is private and gated with no through traffic. The pond has a dock and shallow entry points — life jackets are provided and guests supervise their own children as they would at any waterfront property. The trails are maintained and easy to walk. Most families with young kids find it one of the more relaxed outdoor environments they've stayed at. We also provide a portable crib, high chair and child friendly plates.
Yes — fishing rods, tackle, and life jackets are all included at no extra charge. The pond is stocked with Florida bass and bluegill. No fishing license is required for private ponds in Texas.
Quite a bit. The pond has a canoe, kayak, and pedal boat in addition to fishing. The Polaris Ranger EV (available as an add-on) is a highlight for kids who want to explore the property. There are miles of trails, a spring-fed natural pool and creek, a firepit with s'mores, and a large outdoor space with room to run. Most families say the kids were fully occupied without any structured activities.
The main cabin sleeps 6–8 across three bedrooms and a loft. With the optional RV suite — which has a queen bed, private bathroom, and kitchenette — the property accommodates up to 10 guests total.
The optional RV suite works well for this. Grandparents or older family members get a completely private, self-contained space adjacent to the main cabin. The main cabin has comfortable beds, a large living area, and everything needed for a relaxed stay regardless of age.
Summer weekends and holiday weeks book out 1–3 months in advance. Weekday stays and shoulder season dates are generally available with shorter lead time. Booking direct through this website gives you the lowest rate and direct communication with your hosts.
Ready to plan your stay?
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