See all properties
Entire home

River Rat's Rest

Holiday home in Homosassa with kitchen

Photo gallery for River Rat's Rest

Exterior
Exterior
Property grounds
Aerial view
Living area

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional
4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12

Popular amenities

  • Dryer
  • Washer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Barbecue grill

Explore the area

View in a map
Homosassa, FL
  • Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • 7 Sisters Springs
  • Three Sisters Springs
    ‪10 min drive‬

Rooms & beds

4 bedrooms (sleeps 12)

Magnolia Room

+4
3 Single Beds, 1 King Bed and 4 Queen Beds

2 bathrooms

Hall Bath

Bathtub or shower · Toilet

Master Bath

Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only

Spaces

Kitchen
Garden

About this property

River Rat's Rest

This is where you can experience wild Florida while enjoying all your favorite comforts. Our completely remodeled home is on a canal just 200 feet away from the Halls River. Located in a friendly residential neighborhood, this immaculate 3 bedroom 2 bath (plus loft upstairs) home is perfect for your year-round getaway. The open concept living, dining and kitchen areas overlook the canal, with ample opportunities to watch otters, manatees, and birds as you drink your coffee.
Our prices include all fees. No hidden fees.
Lock

Protect your payment — always book on Vrbo

If someone asks you to book through them or pay them directly before you book on Vrbo, report it.
Find out more

Add dates for prices

Amenities

Kitchen
Washing machine
Dryer
Pet-friendly
Free WiFi
Air conditioning

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

Get instant answers with AI powered search of property information and reviews.

Similar properties

Pool

Entire 4 Suite Botique Hotel like home w/ Indoor Pool & Waterfalls

  • Pool
  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
9.2 out of 10, (23 reviews)
Entire 4 Suite Botique Hotel like home w/ Indoor Pool & Waterfalls

House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 11:00 AM
default

Children

Adults only
default

Events

No events allowed
default

Pets

No pets allowed, service animals permitted
Less than 30lbs; must be on leash!
default

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted
Booking this home indicates your consent to be bound by our Rental Agreement. Please read this document *in full.*
This is a waterfront home with no fencing. Various animals including alligators and snakes may be present. Boat and swim at your own risk.
There will be a $250 damage deposit hold placed on your credit card at the time of booking. After checkout, this money will be promptly returned.

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
Host has indicated that there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated that there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher and a deadlock

About the area

Homosassa Springs

Homosassa is home to this holiday home. 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. Take the opportunity to explore the area for outdoor excitement like hiking/biking trails.
View more Holiday homes in Homosassa SpringsOpens in a new window
Map
Homosassa, FL

What's nearby

  • Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park - 3 min walk - 0.3 km
  • Citrus County Dog Park - 3 min drive - 2.1 km
  • Plantation Inn and Golf Resort - 10 min drive - 11.3 km
  • Three Sisters Springs - 10 min drive - 11.4 km
  • Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge - 11 min drive - 11.7 km

Getting around

  • Tampa, FL (TPA-Tampa Intl.) - 65 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪RaceTrac - ‬3 min walk
  • ‪Sugarmill Family Restaurant - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Manatee Pub - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬5 min walk
  • ‪Monkey Bar - ‬8 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is River Rat's Rest pet-friendly?

No, only service animals are welcome at the property.

What time is check-in at River Rat's Rest?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at River Rat's Rest?

Checkout is at 11:00 AM.

Where is River Rat's Rest located?

Situated in Homosassa, this holiday home is 0.2 mi (0.3 km) from Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and within 3 miles (5 km) of Citrus County Dog Park and Yulee Sugar Mill Ruins Historic State Park. Old Mill House Gallery and Printing Museum is 3.1 mi (5 km) away.

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window
Rating 10 - Excellent. 35 out of 36 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 36 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 36 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.8/10

Communication

9.8/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Bobby B.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very clean and nice great atmosphere will be back
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

10/10 Excellent

Wendi S.

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

Spring Break 2025

As advertised! We enjoyed everything about our stay. Manatee visited us daily on the floating dock. The house was on a quiet road with 4 houses. The nature that surrounded us was amazing!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Randolph H.

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

Great floor plan and location

We loved the openness of this property. It let us enjoy visiting and talking while giving privacy to those who needed it. The covered parking was very helpful especially during summer storms. We enjoyed our stay very much!
Stayed 2 nights in Aug 2024

10/10 Excellent

Heather D., pinellas county, fl

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

This house was very nice and comfortable for our group of 12

Definitely would recommend this property
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Kay C.

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

Beautiful spot!

Great location and lovely rental! Had everything you would need - to cook in, or good places to eat out!! Home was really comfortable!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Patricia P.

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

Homosassa retreat

Beautiful house on the river. Very spacious and clean. Nice dock with a canoe and kayaks. Quiet neighborhood yet close to everything.
Stayed 5 nights in Jun 2024

10/10 Excellent

Jay T.

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

Incredible Place!

Our stay at this river house was absolutely amazing. The beds were comfy, and the air was nice and cold. The home had such a peaceful setting. We made many memories as a family kayaking and canoeing. We loved visiting the state parks and local springs. Grocery shopping and restaurants were all close by. The host was amazing. They were helpful and always available. We are blessed to travel often and experience many different properties, and this property is at the top of our list. We look forward to return!  
Stayed 7 nights in Sep 2024

10/10 Excellent

Robin H., Lithia

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

Excellent, short stay!

This home was perfect for our family of 5! Very clean, nicely decorated, and very comfortable. We LOVED using the kayaks and the canoe in the calm waters around their home. You will ot be disappointed staying here!!
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Lea W.

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

Amazing

What a place!! So comfortable. Beautiful location. The town is just lovely. We loved every moment there!
Stayed 3 nights in Jun 2022

10/10 Excellent

Chris M.

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

Magical Wildlife Location

Saw lots of manatees…and one juvenile hung out by the house dock for a day. Lots of great bird watching as well.
Stayed 7 nights in Apr 2023

10/10 Excellent

April K.

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

At peace with nature

Our stay was wonderful. Perfect space for 9 adults and 2 children. The outside was so peaceful and our two grandchildren looked forward to a kayak ride every evening.
Stayed 4 nights in Jun 2023

10/10 Excellent

Billy K.

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

Manatee Spectacular

We had plenty of room for our family. We were celebrating my 16 year olds birthday. We also hosted two of my sisters and their husbands. The kayak and dock access was a great treat. My 16 year old caught 8 bass and several brim right off the dock. The water was so clear you could see turtles, crabs, sheep head, mullet and of course the star of the show manatee right off the dock. The manatee visited every morning and afternoon. With a short kayak trip to the end of the canal you could see many more. We also paddled to the Emu farm just past the canal. We visited the local state parks and rented a pontoon boat for a morning to go up into Hunter Springs and Three sisters spring. There were manatee and dolphins everywhere in the river all the way out to the Gulf of America….lol. Would definitely recommend as house is great for large family getaways and being able to bring our dogs was a plus.
Stayed 5 nights in Mar 2025

10/10 Excellent

Edward C.

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

great property

we had a magmificent time.The master suite and other bedrooms on the main floor worked great for the adults and the kids loved the loft.The place was very clean an well equiped.What a nice surprise seeing a mother and baby Manatee come right up to the dock.
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Susan M.

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

Nice hideaway

Had a real good time here. Place was really spacious. Everything here to cook great meals and kayaks and canoe were awesome. Only problem we had was couldnt figure how to get the light to come on until you were at bottom of stairs. Thank you for letting us stay. Wud highly recommend.
Stayed 5 nights in Oct 2023

10/10 Excellent

Jason H., Vine Grove, KY

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

Great spot to see manatees

Our family enjoyed our time celebrating Thanksgiving together. We really enjoyed seeing all the cool fish and even manatees come up to the dock. The house was very close to stores and restaurants. Kitchen was big and had everything we needed to cook some great meals. Lots of fun. I really enjoyed the fire pit outside.
Stayed 7 nights in Nov 2022

10/10 Excellent

Tine N.

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

Perfect hideaway

It is the second time we stayed at this lovely home and it won’t be the last. It really feels more like a home than a rental with fluffy towels and soft comforters. We love being on the water and they provide good quality kayaks and paddles. The house is situated on a quiet canal and within a few minutes on the water you are surrounded by nature and, if you are lucky like we were, dozens of manatees. Our stay was perfect and we will come back next year!
Stayed 5 nights in Dec 2023

10/10 Excellent

Sarah P.

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

Great Vacation Spot!

This was a great place to stay, central to a ton of things. We were a large group (12 people) with young kids and had plenty of space in the house. The dock was a hit for fishing and kayaking/canoeing. Restaurants are close by, up to 15 min drive for some of them which provided nice views of the salt marshes. There are springs for swimming just up the road in Crystal River and beach access about 10 min away in the gulf. The kitchen was well stocked, plenty of towels and blankets for when we needed them, and a nice firepit outside for s'mores nights with the kids. Definitely hit up the Ellie Schiller park just a few miles down the road to see manatees and other local wildlife! This was an ideal HQ for our vacation and we would definitely stay again!
Stayed 7 nights in Jul 2024

2/10 Terrible

Trey S.

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

Don’t let this listing fool you …

Hi Jennifer & David Rogers,We checked out today, and I just wanted to offer some honest feedback. I’m not reaching out to ask for anything, and I don’t mean to sound arrogant or ungrateful—I just believe it’s fair to share what we experienced.You titled the property well—it definitely has charm. The inside of the house is nicely done and has a comfortable, welcoming feel. However, several issues left us disappointed and made the overall experience fall short of what we hoped for.⸻Cons:1.Boat Access MisrepresentedThe listing should clearly state that this is not a bay boat-friendly property. Our two 22–24 ft boats couldn’t make it through. This is really only suitable for a small jon boat. The low-clearance bridge that blocks boats with T-tops should absolutely be disclosed.2.Exterior ConditionThe outside is very dirty. A simple pressure wash would make a world of difference.3.Siding IssuesSome of the siding is melted or hanging off in places. This gives the impression that the home isn’t being maintained.4.Carport AreaThere was standing dirty water and mud under the carport, which made unloading messy and frustrating.5.Grill ConditionThe grill was completely rusted out and unusable. The baffles were gone, and we couldn’t get it to work at all.6.I work hard and value my time off, so I do come with high expectations. When my kids walked in and said, “Dad, this place is bad,” just 30 minutes after arriving. It’s was disheartening
Stayed 6 nights in Jun 2025

10/10 Excellent

Laura O.

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

River Trip

Home is wonderful and clean plenty of room for my family and our dogs! Kayaks and canoe for use are an awesome bonus! We saw a family of manatees right off the dock. Very relaxing stay. The check in and out process were very simple. Owner does not leave you a huge list of chores to do before checkout which is a big bonus for me! I would recommend and will be back 😊
Stayed 6 nights in May 2022

10/10 Excellent

Jackie H., usa

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

Homosassa hidden treasure

Everything about the house was perfect. It was in a very quiet area. It had everything we needed for an extended stay (30 days). We kayaked often and saw manatees every time except one time. The kayaks that were provided were nice too. The master bed was very comfortable and having the bathroom in the bedroom was very convenient. We loved our stay and are considering renting again in the future.
Stayed 28 nights in Feb 2023

10/10 Excellent

Alexa W.

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

A riverside retreat to remember for the ages!

We had an all-girls nature retreat at this amazing home and I can’t imagine having spent such a magical weekend anywhere else. The house comes with some kayaks and a canoe, which was so helpful. We had additional yaks dropped off by a local company called Sassa Style Rentals. We saw so many manatees on the water, enjoyed emu island, fishing, campfires, yoga by the river, and we experienced some incredible sunsets while exploring the marshes. The best surprise of all was the bioluminescence off the dock on our last night - it was truly a once in a lifetime experience watching glowing turtles and fish swimming through the dark waters. As for the space itself, there was enough indoor space for everyone to be comfortable and the outdoor space was plentiful and private. I can say without a doubt everyone will always cherish this special slice of paradise and the memories we shared here. Needless to say, I can’t recommend this place enough :)
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tine N.

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

Perfect for a quiet retreat

We go to Homosassa every year and love the location on Halls River. We bring paddle boards but the kayaks were a big plus. We love that it has little boating traffic so nothing disturbs the wildlife and there were about 13 manatees right around the bend. It was the coldest weather we e er had up there which was great for watching manatees and there are always a couple hanging around the dock in case the weather is not inviting enough to venture outside. The house itself is beautifully decorated, more like a home than a rental property. And has everything and more than you could wish for. Even the instructions are written in such a friendly and welcoming tone that you feel right at home. Had the weather been better I think we would have missed outdoor seating/eating option but as it was I was happily watching manatees from inside! We already booked for next year!
Stayed 4 nights in Dec 2022

10/10 Excellent

Doug E.

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

Springs and Scalloping

Everything you need is already here , lg. house and family room. GREAT AIR CONDITIONING !!! +++ 6 adults 3 children 7 , 4 , and 6mos.old. The water at the dock behind the house is perfectly crystal clear and the kids enjoyed swimming in it and being taken out in canoe and kayak into the Hall river , saw emu island and lots of different fish. Beautiful drive out to Ozella , and great seafood restaurants are close by, we really enjoyed "THE CRAB PLANT". I recommend it !! Easy access to several springs and numerous parks all around We rented a pontoon boat for 2 days and we had a blast , got a few scallop , left the rest for you ! Plenty of local guides for scallops and fishing . Homosassa springs river waterfront is a happening place on both sides of the river . A large time was had by all .
Stayed 4 nights in Jul 2023

10/10 Excellent

Suzie S.

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

Family Staycation

We booked River Rats Retreat as a vacation for our extended family that wasn't too far from home in Jacksonville. The check in process was easy and the home was beautiful. The kitchen was fully stocked not only with cookware but also spices and even some disposable items. The layout of the house and bedroom set up was perfect. All 4 kids stayed in the loft area and the one bedroom with the desk was perfect for my sister who worked remotely during our stay. We enjoyed using the kayaks that were available and will bring a fishing pole next time since there were tons of fish right off the dock. I would highly recommend eating at the Biscuit Barn for breakfast. The staff was super friendly, service was quick and the food was great (make sure to get a cinnamon roll) We also rented a pontoon boat from Manatee Swim Center. For only $150 for 4 hours it was a great affordable was to explore Kings Bay and 3 Sisters Spring. This was the perfect vacation for our family and I would highly recommend staying here. I look forward to booking again in the winter when we can see more manatees.
Stayed 3 nights in Jul 2022

10/10 Excellent

Steven S.

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

A perfect clear spring Halls River retreat

Nine of us had a most enjoyable stay at this Homosassa Springs home. The home was laid out perfectly for our 2 couples, 4 teen boys and 1 single gentleman. The kitchen was very functional & well stocked. The multiple included boats were a huge plus for os as well. We rented an additional kayak as well as 2 paddle boards from Hunter Springs Kayaks a few miles up the road. We also rented a pontoon boat from Homosassa Springs marina for a day long trip on the big river. The greatest surprise was the number of abundant manatee right out the back door in the canal and adjacent springs. One curious manatee came right up to the pier looking to munch some algae off the side. It was great fun watching him look us over. We took extensive paddles up & down the river spotting a family of 4 otters, literally thousands of fish, an alligator snapping turtle and too many birds to count. The small lakes were full of manatee of every size, we probably paddled by 30 during our 3 day stay. The teens enjoyed their freedom to roam the lazy river & springs and they caught plenty of fish, though all were too small to keep. Our group had a marvelous time immersing ourselves in this uncrowded natural paradise. A WOW experience for sure!
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2022

About the host

Hosted by Jennifer & David Rogers

Host profile image
We are David and Jennifer, long-time Florida residents who enjoy spending time with our family and friends in the great outdoors. David was born and raised in Florida, and so is a true Florida Cracker.* We raised our family in the central Florida area and now enjoy spending time with our 14 grandchildren both in and out of state. David has worked extensively for the theme park industry and Jennifer had a long career as a public school educator. We hope you love our home state as much as we do!

*Fun fact: The term Cracker is a colloquial term for a Floridian that developed in the late 19th century because of the crack of the whips used by Florida cattle ranchers!

Why they chose this property

We bought this property because we have a deep love for properties with an Old Florida feel. Although we have definitely enjoyed living 10 minutes from Disney for most of our married life, we loved taking our children camping in various parts of the state as they grew up. We hope to introduce more people to all the beauty that Florida has when you step outside of the more manicured attractions.

What makes this property unique

Stilt houses have a long tradition in Cracker architecture and the fact that it was waterfront on a quiet canal instantly appealed to us! We love the friendly neighborhood with all our great neighbors and ease of access to fishing and boating.

Languages:

English
Tell us how we can improve our siteShare feedback