Entire home
Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly
Photo gallery for Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly





Reviews
10 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8
Popular amenities
Explore the area

Palatka, FL
- Place, Palatka Welcome Center9 min walk
- Place, Ravine Gardens State Park10 min walk
- Place, Bronson-Mulholland House12 min walk
- Airport, St. Augustine, FL (UST-Northeast Florida Regional)50 min drive
Rooms & beds
4 bedrooms (sleeps 8)
Bedroom #1
1 King Bed
Bedroom #2
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom #3
1 Queen Bed
Bedroom #4
1 Queen Bed
3 bathrooms
Bathroom 1
Bathtub · Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 2
Toilet · Shower only
Bathroom 3
Toilet · Shower only
Spaces
Porch or lanai
Kitchen
Separate dining area
Dining area
About this property
Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly
River Vistas is a meticulously restored architectural gem set directly along the St. Johns River, offering unobstructed water views, private dock access, and timeless historic charm. Located on a stately riverfront street at the edge of Palatka's South Historic District, this home delivers a rare blend of elegance, serenity, and adventure. From sunrise coffee on the porch to evenings watching the river shimmer at dusk, every moment here feels unhurried and immersive. Whether you arrive with a boat, kayak, paddleboard, or simply a love for scenic views, River Vistas invites you to fully experience life on the water.
Standouts:
-Unobstructed St. Johns River Views from multiple living spaces
-Private Dock for boating, fishing, kayaking & paddleboarding
-Bring Your Boat: Public boat ramp nearby + dock tie-up at the home
-Historic South District Location with walkable parks & dining
-Flooded with Natural Light throughout the home
-Chef-Level Kitchen with six-burner gas stove & premium appliances
-Pet Friendly with fenced yard and dog door
-30 Minutes to St. Augustine Beach
A Home Designed to Be Enjoyed
Inside, the home is bathed in natural light, with river views visible from nearly every room. Comfortable seating areas and a porch swing make it easy to relax without ever leaving the house—sometimes the best view is right from the living room chair. The open-concept layout allows for effortless gathering, whether you're hosting family dinners or enjoying a quiet evening after a day on the water.
Kitchen & Dining
-Six-burner gas range
-High-end refrigerator
-Ample counter space
-Fully stocked cookware & utensils
-Large dining table for shared meals
Outdoor Living & Location Highlights
-Private riverfront dock for fishing, launching kayaks, or tying up your boat
-Riverside Park nearby for scenic walks
-Ravine Gardens State Park within walking distance
-Historic district strolls just outside your door
-Easy day trip to St. Augustine & the Atlantic coast
Guests enjoy full access to the entire home, including the private dock and fenced yard. Whether you're here for boating adventures, historic charm, or peaceful riverfront living, River Vistas offers a truly distinctive Florida stay—refined, relaxing, and deeply connected to the water.
-This property is dog friendly. A non-refundable pet fee of $180+tax will be charged. Please note that additional fees may apply if we find any damage, excessive pet hair, stains, or waste (inside or outside) upon checkout.
-The person reserving the home must be at least 25 years old and is fully responsible for all guests. This individual must be present at check-in and remain for the full stay.
-This is a smoke-free and vape-free property. Violations inside the home or outdoor spaces will incur a $500 odor remediation charge.
-We provide a limited initial supply of household essentials to get you settled on day one. Guests should bring or purchase additional items.
-All arrival instructions and property details are shared via a digital Welcome Guide before check-in.
-This rental does not include beach towels.
Standouts:
-Unobstructed St. Johns River Views from multiple living spaces
-Private Dock for boating, fishing, kayaking & paddleboarding
-Bring Your Boat: Public boat ramp nearby + dock tie-up at the home
-Historic South District Location with walkable parks & dining
-Flooded with Natural Light throughout the home
-Chef-Level Kitchen with six-burner gas stove & premium appliances
-Pet Friendly with fenced yard and dog door
-30 Minutes to St. Augustine Beach
A Home Designed to Be Enjoyed
Inside, the home is bathed in natural light, with river views visible from nearly every room. Comfortable seating areas and a porch swing make it easy to relax without ever leaving the house—sometimes the best view is right from the living room chair. The open-concept layout allows for effortless gathering, whether you're hosting family dinners or enjoying a quiet evening after a day on the water.
Kitchen & Dining
-Six-burner gas range
-High-end refrigerator
-Ample counter space
-Fully stocked cookware & utensils
-Large dining table for shared meals
Outdoor Living & Location Highlights
-Private riverfront dock for fishing, launching kayaks, or tying up your boat
-Riverside Park nearby for scenic walks
-Ravine Gardens State Park within walking distance
-Historic district strolls just outside your door
-Easy day trip to St. Augustine & the Atlantic coast
Guests enjoy full access to the entire home, including the private dock and fenced yard. Whether you're here for boating adventures, historic charm, or peaceful riverfront living, River Vistas offers a truly distinctive Florida stay—refined, relaxing, and deeply connected to the water.
-This property is dog friendly. A non-refundable pet fee of $180+tax will be charged. Please note that additional fees may apply if we find any damage, excessive pet hair, stains, or waste (inside or outside) upon checkout.
-The person reserving the home must be at least 25 years old and is fully responsible for all guests. This individual must be present at check-in and remain for the full stay.
-This is a smoke-free and vape-free property. Violations inside the home or outdoor spaces will incur a $500 odor remediation charge.
-We provide a limited initial supply of household essentials to get you settled on day one. Guests should bring or purchase additional items.
-All arrival instructions and property details are shared via a digital Welcome Guide before check-in.
-This rental does not include beach towels.
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10.0 out of 10, Exceptional, (115 reviews)
House Rules
Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
Children
Children allowed: ages 0–17
Events
No events allowed
Pets
Pets allowed
Smoking
Smoking is not permitted
Important information
You need to know
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 not indicated whether there is a 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
This property has outdoor spaces, such as balconies, patios and terraces, which may not be suitable for children; if you have any concerns, we recommend contacting the property prior to your arrival to confirm that they can accommodate you in a suitable room
About the area
Palatka
Located in Palatka, this holiday home is on the waterfront. Ravine Gardens State Park and Rice Creek Conservation Area reflect the area's natural beauty and area attractions include Larimer Arts Center and Welaka National Fish Hatchery Aquarium. Lake Broward Park and Willard Hazen Ball Park are also worth visiting. Make sure you get close to the area's animals with activities such as game walks and birdwatching.

Palatka, FL
What's nearby
- Larimer Arts Center - 8 min walk - 0.7 km
- Palatka Welcome Center - 9 min walk - 0.8 km
- Ravine Gardens State Park - 10 min walk - 0.9 km
- Bronson-Mulholland House - 12 min walk - 1.1 km
- Palatka Municipal Golf Course - 6 min drive - 3.0 km
Getting around
Restaurants
- McDonald's - 4 min drive
- Wendy's - 3 min drive
- Burger King - 6 min drive
- Taco Bell - 5 min drive
- Dairy Queen - 10 min walk
Frequently asked questions
Reviews
10
Exceptional
Reviews are presented in chronological order, subject to a moderation process, and verified unless otherwise labelled.
Learn moreOpens in a new window9.6/10
Cleanliness
9.8/10
Check-in
9.8/10
Communication
10/10
Location
10/10
Listing accuracy
Reviews
Verified
22 Sept, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Victoria d.
30 Sept, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Victoria d.
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Keith K.
2 Nov, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Keith K.
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Thomas S.
19 May, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great sailing destination
Thomas S.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Nelda M.
12 May, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
An Awesome Place on the St Johns River
Nelda M.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Verified
8/10 Good
Carol G.
21 Aug, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Carol G.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Diana O.
3 May, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Clean home, great location
Diana O.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Matthew W.
4 Jun, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Fishing trip
Matthew W.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Shrita K.
30 Aug, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Waterfront Wonder on the River
Shrita K.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Holley W.
25 Mar, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
HW
Holley W.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Southside Baptist C.
5 Nov, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Very Pleased
Southside Baptist C.
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Victoria S.
2 May, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful
Victoria S.
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Stacie L.
27 Feb, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Amazing River View
Stacie L.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Jinger O.
16 Apr, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Wedding Party
Jinger O.
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
David M.
5 Mar, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Palatka Downtown and on the River
David M.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Barbara C.
18 Nov, 2023
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A family celebration
Barbara C.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Ellen F.
10 Apr, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home and location
Ellen F.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Tracy S.
1 Oct, 2024
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
A Great Location and View!
Tracy S.
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Verified
10/10 Excellent
Justin H.
21 Apr, 2025
Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Osceola getaway
Justin H.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
About the host
Hosted by Beth Swaggerty
Premier Host
They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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