pa r a d i s e c a n yo n
TEXAS LIFESTYLE | Road Trip
A river runs through Paradise Canyon, where Paul and Laura Dixon have created a peaceful, unplugged riverfront sanctuary.
Paradise Canyon IT ’S R EAL
By Marika Flatt
A
pa r a d i s e c a n yo n
pa r a d i s e c a n yo n
Inside the special events building.
The view from the special events building, which seats 60.
s I checked in with the friendly owner, he said, “Folks call me Red. Everyone gets a nickname in Paradise.”
dip into the water—from flowing streams to big, beautiful swimming holes and rapids with a secret “cold tub.”
We found this little slice of Hill Country heaven called Paradise Canyon that’s been around since 1957. Less than a half hour from San Antonio, heading towards the hills, sits this jewel in the rough.
There are four tiny house cabins that can sleep six – a double mattress in the loft and two double futons that fold out on the main floor. There’s a small kitchenette with cabinets, a sink, coffee pot, mini fridge and microwave. No stove, but you have your own grill outside near your fire pit. But the real reason to rent a cabin versus simply camping at Paradise Canyon is that you have a tiny bathroom.
Paul, “Red,” and his wife, Laura Dixon, bought the riverfront property in 2006, and their four kids can be seen working the front desk and delivering firewood bundles. They’ve taken the 78 acres of Paradise Canyon and turned them into a riverfront sanctuary: peaceful (because there are strict anti-noise warnings) and unplugged (no Wi-Fi, no TVs, little cell tower reception). What better way to spend the weekend connecting with your family? You’re in a beautiful canyon with a mile of riverfront. Yes, a river runs through it—the entire canyon. And you’ll find many ways to
70 Texas Lifestyle Magazine | Spring/Summer 2018
You can also camp. There are a select few electric hook-ups but plenty of non-electric campsites right on the Medina River. Because of this, they’re quite busy from Memorial Day through mid-August. During high season, you’ll want to book early. We found Columbus Day weekend in October to be a perfectly
