We acquired the 5,800 acre ranch more than seventeen years ago with the vision of developing it into a unique West Texas destination for birders and eco-tourists. The property had been a working ranch in the same family from 1900 to 2000, prior to our family acquiring it. Today the Twistflower Ranch proudly offers nature activities and true West Texas relaxation.
More than half the ranch is set aside as a riparian buffer zone where no livestock grazing is allowed. As a result there is abundant food and cover for our wildlife giving us large numbers of whitetail deer, mule deer, turkey and quail, both bobwhite and scaled. Additionally, with little grazing competition, our wildflowers, including basketflowers, twistflowers, blue gilia, Texas vervain, prairie verbena, Engelmann’s daisies, and literally more than a hundred other flowering species, thrive.
The property has two wet weather creeks, five distinct ecological zones and over 300 feet of topographic relief. The view from our main lodge is endless. Our canyon views from each cabin provide intimate looks at our abundant wildlife such as javelina, fox, bobcat, whitetail deer, mule deer and more than a hundred bird and plant species, including the delicate threatened twistflower, the ranch’s namesake.
The Twistflower Ranch Nature Retreat has been featured in numerous publications. Choose an article below to read more.
"Often the most exceptional things are found by accident. That's what happened at Twistflower Ranch, 5,800 acres of West Texas mesas and canyons, named for the rare bracted twistflower that bathes the arid landscape with delicate purple blossoms in the spring..."
"The bucolic Texan purchased his Twistflower Ranch, a 5,800-acre spread in West Texas near the town of Iraan some 20 years ago after his retirement. His quest has been a race against time to restore the ranch to its natural state..."
"Twistflower Ranch is a 5,800 acre property located in Northwest Crockett County, owned and operated by Mike and Donna McCloskey. It was originally part of the Harris Ranch, which was “assembled” around 1905..."
Our staff is our family, literally. The owners, Mike and Donna play active roles in managing the ranch and caring for our guests. Donna is a certified yoga instructor and yoga therapist. Mike has completed the basic course work of the master naturalist program and provides tours of Native American sites, as well as historical ranch buildings and equipment.
