The video above tells the story behind one of the most recognizable songs in Texas country music — and how a road trip connecting Snake Farm New Braunfels with a live show at Gruene Hall turned into something unexpectedly memorable. David Bridwell traces the connection between the real-life animal attraction on I-35 between Austin and San Antonio and the song that put it on the musical map, giving you a look at both places in a single trip.
Is Ray Wylie Hubbard's "Snake Farm" About the Real Snake Farm in New Braunfels?
Yes. Ray Wylie Hubbard wrote "Snake Farm" after passing the actual Snake Farm on one of his many drives between Austin and San Antonio. The roadside attraction caught his eye, and he sat with the idea of what it means — a whole collection of snakes just hanging out, presumably being farmed, having little snake siblings. The concept was strange enough to build a song around, and the hook came together when he imagined a guy falling for a woman named Ramona who works and lives at the place. The chorus — "snake farm, it just sounds nasty" — pretty much wrote itself. The song became one of his most requested and a staple of Texas honky tonk playlists.
What's Actually at the Snake Farm Today?
The Snake Farm started out as a snake-only exhibit, but over time it expanded based on what visitors wanted to see. Today it houses a surprising range of animals beyond reptiles:
- Lions — the real stars of the place, with crowds gathering to watch the interaction between the male and female
- Camels — just hanging out in the enclosures, easy to spot as you walk through
- Tortoises — slow-moving residents that are fun to watch up close
- Primates — monkeys and other species adding some energy to the mix
- Crocodiles — lazy ones, sprawled out and barely moving
- Birds and free-roaming chickens — the chickens will peck your feet if they feel like it
It's a weird, charming stop that feels like it belongs on a Texas road trip checklist — not polished, not trying too hard, just genuinely odd in the best way.
Pairing the Snake Farm with a Show at Gruene Hall
What makes this trip worth planning is doing both in the same day. The Snake Farm sits right off I-35, and Gruene Hall is just a short drive into New Braunfels — the oldest continually running dance hall in Texas, with a dirt floor and no air conditioning, exactly as it should be. David Bridwell caught Ray Wylie Hubbard performing there, and hearing "Snake Farm" live after visiting the actual place earlier that day made the whole experience hit differently. You're standing in a historic hall, listening to the song about a place you just walked through an hour ago. That kind of thing doesn't happen unless you plan it, and it's worth planning.
If you're driving between Austin and San Antonio and a show lines up at Gruene Hall, carve out the time for both stops. It's one of those rare days where everything connects.