Nestled within Deep East Texas and along the banks of the Neches River on a historic high point you will find River Run Resort & Retreat Center on Bearman’s Bluff Ranch. An idyllic family retreat and youth camp that features miles of trails, a beautiful 4-acre bass lake, a river fishing dock, oaks, cypress, and abundant wildlife around our Western Heritage style lodge. The stunning lodge and guest rooms invite you to come and relax, create memories under the 5000 square foot covered pavilion and fireplace, and enjoy a home away from home experience in the beautiful Piney Woods.

Imagine building your own kayak, with the help of our expert boatbuilder, and taking it on its maiden voyage down the scenic Neches River. The water slips by effortlessly as you paddle your craft with a paddle you fashioned yourself. The sense of camaraderie and accomplishment swells as you enjoy the trip with the friends who, only a week ago, were mere acquaintances. This is the mystique of building your own boat.

A note to first responders and veterans of the United States military: Thank you for stepping up and serving. You made the choice to serve, now it is our time to honor and serve you. R4 offers special boatbuilding sessions strictly for vets and first responders. We know that you are part of an honored tradition and that you have an understanding of teamwork that surpasses most others. A week of boatbuilding is an opportunity to give and take with others who understand you and what you have done. Our desire is that you go home with a new boat, and cadre of new friends to paddle with.

Camping… the word evokes memories of crackling fires and chirping crickets. Echoes of the laughter of your children, and their joy and sense of accomplishment when they learned to shoot a bow and arrow, or the way your child’s face lit up as he/she participated in the boat race on the lake. These and other wonderful memories are what you will take with you after camping at R4. Whether you come as a family or send your children for a week of youth camp, you will be sure to have an experience that will last long after the smoke has cleared.

As friends of Israel, making time to really know more about its history is time well spent and learning more about our Yeshua is even better! Such as, where did he live? What was life really like in ancient Israel, and how has it changed today? What type of clothes did he wear and what about those fringes on the corners? Explore the amazing history and lasting traditions of the Hebrew people. Perhaps you will learn to sing like Yeshua sang or share a typical meal He may have eaten. Whatever the lesson, you will be inspired, amazed, and somehow changed… because you will emerge closer to Yeshua.

We have designed a camp where everyone will feel at home. Come and enjoy all the amenities such as the beit mikvot / baptism, or the kosher style cooking, or the beit tefillah / house of prayer. Rest at ease knowing your daily needs and customs will be met and appreciated. R4 will be celebrating all of the major feasts and festivals such as Passover Seder, Feast of Trumpets, and Feast of Tabernacles/Sukkot. Just imagine Sukkot, with hundreds of tents nestled together in the vast open green grass fields where you and your family can freely worship our Creator as we gaze into the heavens. We invite you to call and ask about the details, and we look forward to sharing these feasts with you and your families!

Steamboat traffic was common on the Neches during the Civil War. It was during this time that Bearman’s Bluff got its name. The land served as a refuge for a group of reclusive frontiersmen. When steamboats would appear, the group would hide in the woods, leaving fresh bear meat on the landing for the boatmen. The crew would swap bacon or other staples for the bear meat with no questions asked. The ‘Bearman’ name was given by the crew to this mysterious trader of bear meat.