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Private River Escape! Waterfront Home. The Backyard Manatee Club.

Riverside holiday home with kitchen and patio

Photo gallery for Private River Escape! Waterfront Home. The Backyard Manatee Club.

Pool
Terrace/patio
Large raised deck with grill and seating for your family and friends.
Football, frisbee, playing catch... plenty of room to run.
Clear shallow river provides plenty of room for swimming and exploring.

Reviews

10 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 91600 sq ft

Popular amenities

  • Parking available
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Washer
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
  • Place, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
  • Place, 7 Sisters Springs
  • Place, Three Sisters Springs

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 9)

East Wing Bedroom #2

1 Double Bed

East Wing Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

North Wing Master Bedroom

1 King Bed

North Wing Walkout Bedroom

1 Queen Bed

2 bathrooms

East Wing Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Toilet · Shower only · Shampoo · Hair dryer

North Wing Bathroom

Soap · Towels provided · Bathtub or shower · Toilet · Shampoo · Hair dryer

Spaces

Deck or patio
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Outdoor play area
Garden
Dining area

About this property

Private River Escape! Waterfront Home. The Backyard Manatee Club.

4/2 Riverfront vacation rental located on the Homosassa River in Homosassa, Florida.

Perfect for large families or families vacationing together.

River and water lovers would be hard pressed to find a place that is as unique and fun as this property. When we started renting the property in July of 2019, we did so with hopes of connecting to families and sharing our passion for the river, the wildlife and the serenity the springs have to offer. The feedback from our guests has been amazing and knowing we’re building future nature lovers and fans of the Homosassa River gives us great pride.

-- Family perfect!
-- 200 + feet of Riverfront
-- Decks galore
-- Fire pits with firewood included.
-- Waterslide into private lagoon
-- Clear shallow river, low boat traffic
-- Neighbors the Homosassa Wildlife Park (you’ll feel like you’re staying in the park!)
-- 600 square foot raised deck provides amazing views.
-- 400 square foot river deck offers additional private area for gathering and meals.
-- Boat dock available (if your plans including bringing your own boat - See BOAT CLEARANCE requirements below)
-- 4 Kayaks and 2 Stand-up Paddle Boards to use
-- No canals, only fresh spring fed river to enjoy!

Situated near the headwaters of the Homosassa River, the property features over 200 feet of riverfront on nearly an acre of land, a private lagoon and a water slide for young and old alike.

The house features two wings that share a large common area in between. This allows large families or multiple families to vacation together yet still have their own space. A substantial butcher block table counter provides seating for up to 10 and multiple tables and chairs are available on the screened porch, large deck and patio.

The home features a 600 square foot raised outdoor deck that provides breathtaking views of the riverfront and is the perfect platform for outdoor cooking and gathering. A gas grill and propane are provided for your convenience.

A water level patio provides shade and a great place to enjoy meals at the water’s edge.

The clear shallow spring-fed river (72 degrees year-round) allows for great snorkeling and viewing of schools of fish and of course, manatee! In season, manatee are routinely seen in the backyard and the rental includes 4 kayaks and 2 SUP (Standup Paddleboards) for exploring the river and exploring the springs.

Spend evenings around your choice of 2 available fire pits, one which can be enjoyed from the backyard patio and the other near the river's edge for a more rustic experience.

The property also features a private boatwell that can accommodate boats up to 25 feet in length comfortably.

**Master Bedroom#1: King Bed
**Master Bedroom#2: King Bed
**Bedroom 3: Queen Bed
**Bedroom 4: Double Bed
***There is a single day bed that can accommodate the 9th guest is necessary.

-------------------MINIMUM STAY REQUIREMENTS-----------------------
Minimum stay requirements vary throughout the year. Discounts for stays of longer than 7 days are also available.


***Bridge Clearance for Boats***
The property’s location on the springs is protected by a low bridge. If you have a boat that has a T-top or fixed top you will not be able to access the property from the waterway. Low clearance boats are the only means to accessing this property via water. Depending on tide, you will need an air draft (distance from the water line to the highest point on boat, including antennas) of less than 80”. On an average day, the bridge clearance ranges from 72” to 80”. Please inquire if you need additional information

*NOTE: Your safety matters. This property features exterior security cameras, all facing out away from the house. They do not look into interior spaces.

Policies:
- No fireworks
- No smoking indoors.
- Pets. Please contact us for a copy of "Common Sense Pet Rules".
- No events, parties or large gatherings
- Please reach out to Owners for long term stays or if calendar does not show availability
- Guests on the property are limited to 9 including adults(6) and children(3).
- Rental Agreement must be signed and returned to complete reservation.


Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 32
Check out before 11:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
Adult supervision of children required @ all times
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Events

No events allowed
No unlisted guests w/o prior approval.
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Pets

Pets allowed: dogs less than 23 kg per pet (limit 2 pets total)
Pre-approval required and subject to Pet Fee.
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Smoking

Smoking allowed: in designated areas
Outdoors only. Violation forfeits security deposit

Check-out instructions

The host requires you to complete the following before checking out:
Load and start the dishwasher
Gather used towels
Remove personal items, remove leftover food and drinks and take out the rubbish
Turn off the lights, lock the doors and return the keys
Please see Checkout Instructions posted on the refrigerator for complete checklist.
Failure to complete these may result in a negative review from the host.
The most important rule is respect for our neighbors. They are the arbitrators of noise levels, trespassing, disrespecting the property or river.
No Spring Break Types. No dumping of scallop shells in river, pool or boat well. Violation will result in forfeiture of security deposit.
A completed Rental Agreement and Liability Waiver is required. Failure to return within 7 days of receipt will result in cancellation.

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a private host (a party not acting within their trade, business or profession). EU consumer law, including the right of withdrawal, will not apply to your booking. The cancellation policy set by the private host will cover your booking.
Extra-person charges may apply and vary depending on property policy
Government-issued photo identification and a credit card, debit card or cash deposit may be required at check-in for incidental charges
Special requests are subject to availability upon check-in and may incur additional charges; special requests cannot be guaranteed
On-site parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Note from host: No unlisted guests w/o prior approval.
Host has indicated that there is a carbon monoxide detector on the property
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

We should mention

This property does not have any lifts

About the area

Homosassa

Located in Homosassa, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park and Crystal River Archaeological State Park are local landmarks, and the area's natural beauty can be seen at Three Sisters Springs and Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.
Map
Homosassa, FL

What's nearby

  • Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park - 1 min walk - 0.1 km
  • Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park - 5 min drive - 3.0 km
  • Citrus County Dog Park - 5 min drive - 2.8 km
  • Three Sisters Springs - 14 min drive - 14.0 km
  • Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - 14 min drive - 14.3 km

Getting around

  • Tampa, FL (TPA-Tampa Intl.) - 70 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪RaceTrac - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Pizza Hut - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Manatee Pub - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬16 min walk

Frequently asked questions

Is Private River Escape! Waterfront Home. The Backyard Manatee Club. pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows dogs (limit 2 total) with a maximum weight of up to 23 kg per pet.

What time is check-in at Private River Escape! Waterfront Home. The Backyard Manatee Club. ?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Private River Escape! Waterfront Home. The Backyard Manatee Club. ?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is Private River Escape! Waterfront Home. The Backyard Manatee Club. located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is steps from Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and within 3 mi (5 km) of Citrus County Dog Park and Old Mill House Gallery and Printing Museum. Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park is 1.9 mi (3.1 km) away.

Reviews

10

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
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Rating 10 - Excellent. 144 out of 145 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 145 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 1 out of 145 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 145 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 145 reviews

10/10

Cleanliness

10/10

Check-in

10/10

Communication

10/10

Location

10/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Verified traveller

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Perfect family vacation

We enjoyed our time at the house so much that our kids didn’t want to leave to do anything else. Vero responded quickly to any questions we had and everything we needed was there for us. The house looks exactly like the pictures but better. The location is perfect and we’re already booked for next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Daniel D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Amazing trip

We came here for the first time with friends and family for our son’s birthday and it did not disappoint. The house was perfect and all of the local restaurants were great. We were definitely the envy of the river whenever someone was boating by and saw the kids playing on the slide into the pool. Cannot wait to come back next year. The owners seem like very nice and genuine people as well who wish for you to have the best experience possible.
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Christian P.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An absolutely magical place. The river is crystal clear and having access anytime of day is wonderful.We swam with the manatees that came right to the steps twice! We saw otters, stingrays, crabs, and so much more. The home is beautiful and so peaceful. The kids were in the lagoon every minute they could be. The hosts were kind, caring, and informative. They make you truly feel like their home is your home. The 11 am check out was a huge bonus! We will be back!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2025

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer O.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Awesome!!

Will book another stay soon.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Cindy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

5 stars

Wonderful vacation home. Plenty of space for our family. Thanks for sharing this piece of paradise.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2024

6/10 Okay

NICOLE w.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Location

Beautiful property. Perfect location
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Tara N.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great vacation home!

This was a great vacation home for our family. The owner was very easy to communicate with. The home is great and has lots of activities for the whole family. Will definitely rent again:)
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Eric H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great property to enjoy being outside

Beautiful piece of property surrounded by spring fed water. Great place for kids to run around and enjoy being outside
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

mike B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Homossasa

Great host! Great house !
Stayed 5 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

Annie C., TAMPA

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Family Time - Snorkel & Kayak

We enjoyed the backyard area - the lagoon with the slide was a huge hit with the kids (3, 6 & 9)! The river is very scenic with clear water to snorkle, swim and kayak/paddleboard in. Vesa checked in with us from beginning to end - everything was good!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2021

10/10 Excellent

Colin C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Oasis

What a great place to stay! The home is comfortable and nice but the real enjoyment is the backyard. From your own private swim lagoon, lots of river access, and your own private dock. They had lots of toys, games, kayaks, and floats for the entire family to enjoy. The yard and activities were great for a family to spread out and enjoy the Memorial Day weekend! What a great Oasis!
Stayed 4 nights in May 2023

10/10 Excellent

James S.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Jim

Great location. Comfortable river home. East kayak to the state park area. Owner immediately responds to inquiries. Crumps Landing and the Freezer restaurants are a must.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Deedra B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Great Vacation

The layout of the house was perfect for us. The property is beautiful. You are provided with so much to do for no additional cost! Most rentals want to charge you extra for kayaks, paddle boards, floats, etc but not here it is all included! We had an amazing vacation and saw so many animals right from the backyard.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jeremy H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Relaxing get away

The property is exactly as described we were on the water every day the private lagoon was awesome on the days the river was busy we were able to relax . The kids loved everything about it we felt very comfortable letting them float around the river. The local neighbors were all very friendly. We got the see the manatee’s almost everyday sometimes multiple times this is a very cool place to stay can’t wait to stay again also Veso is one of the best host very informative and helpful didn’t mind all of my questions
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Eve G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Wonderful River Home

Great contact during our stay. Owners were always ready to help if needed anything. The property is better in person! There is no way to capture the beauty of the this part of Old Florida- unless you see it in person. Kids played outdoors the entire time. Great stay!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Shannon M., Maitland, FL

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Love it!

This is our second time visiting the property and we just love it. So tranquil, relaxing, and peaceful! We got to see manatees, otters and all kinds of birds. We caught fish and paddled the days away! Veso is wonderful to work with and very accommodating. We will be back!
Stayed 4 nights in Oct 2021

10/10 Excellent

Jennifer and Jonathan V.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

A natural beauty

Our stay was absolutely fantastic! The property and amenities exceeded our expectations. The house is thoughtfully furnished, spacious, and set up to entertain. The lagoon and slide kept us occupied most of our stay. Outstanding aesthetic all around, and so much fun. The grounds and the river are beautiful. You have easy access to the clear, clean spring fed river. We really enjoyed using the kayaks and paddle boards provided. The hosts were friendly and very easy to communicate with. We had a truly unique, amazing time and we hope to return for a longer stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jackie N., Boca Raton, FL US

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Best Family Vacation Ever!

The house was very clean and more than spacious for two families. The location on the River, back yard and lagoon were absolutely amazing. The hosts were hospitable, friendly, and made sure we had everything we needed. We grilled and roasted marshmallows on the fire pit with the kids every night. Kids 7 and 8 were entertained the entire trip with the swing, hammock, River, plentiful wildlife and games galore which gave the adults plenty of relaxing time!! Our favorite was the slide into the lagoon, it was so fun and refreshing…enjoyed by all!! Thank you Veso for sharing your gem of a place with us and allowing us to make unforgettable memories, we can’t wait to return.
Stayed 5 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

kelsey m.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Scalloping Weekend in paradise

This house was absolutely perfect. It met all of our needs. From enjoying the beautiful spring water to resting on the screened in porch, things couldn’t have gone better. The owners are very friendly and communicated with us throughout the whole stay about small hiccups. They were very transparent and honest, just wanting everyone to have a good time. The family enjoyed kayaking, paddle boarding, sliding down into the lagoon, and even the sauna! This hidden gem was such a blessing and we will definitely be back. Thank you for sharing your home with us, these memories are ones we will never forget.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2020

10/10 Excellent

Virginia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

River paradise!

Driving in, the seclusion is obvious. Upon walking up to the property, paradise is found! This is an amazing property with so much fun for all ages! The fun starts at the slide into the natural pool and goes into the river on the paddles boards and kayaks. The home is split with two bedrooms on one side and two bedrooms on the other. This was excellent for privacy and letting those that wanted to sleep in, sleep in peace. The skylights throughout the house provide so much natural light, and the screened in porches have ample seating to relax outside, under cover. Our kids cried when we left and are already asking to go back. This is truly an Airbnb gem!
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2020

10/10 Excellent

Lauren B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Nothing short of magic

We booked this house last minute for a birthday trip with adults. Brought up our 13’ whaler which was the perfect size for the area- boatable to 6 restaurants/ bars. Close to the public boat ramp, with a perfect covered boat slip. No issues with depth to and from boat ramp and around the area. Crystal clear spring water at the property. Photos do NOT do it justice. We had manatee encounters daily, numerous. Otters, ducks, plenty of fish. The mostly fenced property was incredible for our dogs. Most places near by are dog friendly on patio. The screened in porch was a bonus, however the bugs weren’t bad at all!The pool and slide were a blast. Floats, life jackets, paddle boards, kayaks for everyone. Fire pit was beautiful, and love the variety of seating areas around the property. Couldn’t be easier to hop in the water and onto your paddle board and be right at the spring head! Loved the night lighting around the patio and pool. Didn’t use the sauna but plan to if we come back in the cooler months. Close to Publix and Walmart. Great grill, open kitchen for cooking and eating together. Great floor plan for two families. I can’t WAIT to come back !
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2025

10/10 Excellent

Lora C.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy

Serene

What a beautiful, peaceful get-a-way! We were a family with two toddlers and two teens, plus adults, and the layout of the house gave everyone the opportunity to have privacy and quiet when it was needed. The kitchen was well stocked - we were able to prepare our traditional Thanksgiving dinner with room for all of the cooks :-) participating. The outdoor space... I can't imagine a more perfect setting. Even though it was chilly, the waterslide was so much fun that everyone was in the water despite the temps - of course, to warm up afterwards there was the sauna... We kayaked and swam and ended each day roasting marshmallows over the fire in the firepit. It more than met my expectations in every way. This is the best part of Florida, beautiful surroundings, crystal clear water, manatees, stingray, fish all in a quiet, tranquil environment. Vesco was thoughtful and quick to respond to any requests. Highly recommend!
Stayed 5 nights in Nov 2023

10/10 Excellent

Aurelia M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Nice, comfortable home on a beautiful piece of property on the river. Plenty of amenities for a relaxing and enjoyable stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Clay M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What an incredible place. Veso has done a great job with this property. The house has everything you need to be able to relax, enjoy nature and make great memories with your family. The location is set on a very quiet part of the river. We felt like we had our own private spring. We came across manatees 25 yards from the backyard. Highly recommend this stay.
Stayed 3 nights in Oct 2025

10/10 Excellent

Kimberly D.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
We love this property! This has been our third time staying here and my bother's 5th time! Crystal clear waters :)
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025

About the host

Hosted by Veso and Kirsten Dimitrijevich

Host profile image
Contact me directly to learn about other available discounts.
veso.dimitrijevich@gmail.com
248-302.9098

Languages:

English

Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests