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

Aerial view
Property grounds
Property grounds
Exterior
Views, views, views!

Reviews

9.8 out of 10, Loved by Guests
Top 10% of guest reviews in this area
4 bedrooms3 bathroomsSleeps 8

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Pet-friendly
  • Free Wi-Fi
  • Air-conditioning

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.

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House Rules

Check in after 4:00 PM
Minimum age to rent: 25
Check out before 10:00 AM
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Children

Children allowed: ages 0–17
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Events

No events allowed
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Pets

Pets allowed
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Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

Property # 3408104vb
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. Spend some time exploring the area's activities, including birdwatching, power boating and wildlife walks.
Map
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
  • St. Augustine Beach - 44 min drive - 60.6 km

Getting around

  • Palatka Station - 15 min walk
  • St. Augustine, FL (UST-Northeast Florida Regional) - 45 min drive

Restaurants

  • ‪McDonald's - ‬4 min drive
  • ‪Wendy's - ‬3 min drive
  • ‪Burger King - ‬6 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬5 min drive
  • ‪Taco Bell - ‬4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly pet-friendly?

Yes, pets are allowed at this property.

How much is parking at Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly?

On-site parking is available at the property.

What time is check-in at Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly?

Check-in begins at 4:00 PM.

What time is check-out at Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly?

Checkout is at 10:00 AM.

Where is Historic St. Johns River Retreat | Dock, Boat Access & Pet Friendly located?

Situated on the waterfront, this holiday home is within a 15-minute walk of Larimer Arts Center, Palatka Welcome Center and Ravine Gardens State Park. Bronson-Mulholland House and Palatka Municipal Golf Course are also within 2 miles (3 km). Palatka Station is 15 minutes by foot.

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. 18 out of 20 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 2 out of 20 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 20 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 0 out of 20 reviews

9.6/10

Cleanliness

9.8/10

Check-in

9.6/10

Communication

10/10

Location

9.8/10

Listing accuracy

Reviews

Verified

10/10 Excellent

Susie M.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Beautiful home and neighborhood, walking distance to lovely park Plenty of room for the whole family
Stayed 3 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Sept, 2025
Thank you for your kind words! We’re glad you enjoyed the home and neighborhood. We’d love to host you all again anytime ❤️ -Abi
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Victoria d.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Property was very clean and beautifully updated. The master suite was an amazing stay excelt the bed was extremely uncomfortable. It was perfect for our family and would absolutely book again!!
Stayed 5 nights in Sep 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 2 Oct, 2025
Thank you so much for your kind words! We're glad you enjoyed the cleanliness, updates, and that the home was a great fit for your family. We appreciate the feedback about the master bed and will definitely look into it. We'd love to host you again in the future! 😊-Abi
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Thomas S.

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

Great sailing destination

We were only there a few days - we will book longer next year - Area rich in history
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 21 May, 2025
Thank you so much! We're glad you enjoyed your stay, even if it was a short one. The area really is full of history and charm. We'd love to host you again next year for a longer visit! 😊 - Abi
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Keith K.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Great home! Clean, updated, and comfortable ! Rapid response from the management team!
Stayed 8 nights in Oct 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 3 Nov, 2025
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review 🫶 We'd love to have you back!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Nelda M.

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

An Awesome Place on the St Johns River

Place was very beautuful, clean, spacious & had everything you need to enjoy a few days or weeks on the river with family & friends. We truly loved the convenent location to everything. Great place!
Stayed 3 nights in May 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 14 May, 2025
Thank you so much for your lovely review! We're so happy you enjoyed the beautiful and spacious home, and that it had everything you needed for a relaxing stay on the river. It’s great to know the location worked out perfectly for you and your group. We’d love to welcome you back anytime!- Abi
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Diana O.

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

Clean home, great location

Peaceful location, huge home, plenty of room for everyone, check in process was super easy.
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 20 Mar, 2025
Thank you for your kind words, Diana! We’re so glad you enjoyed the peaceful location and spacious home. Hope to host you again soon! -Raven
Verified

8/10 Good

Carol G.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
Spacious and comfortable home with a beautiful view of the river. We had a couple of issues upon arrival and the host was very responsive.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Aug, 2025
Thank you so much for your feedback! We’re glad you enjoyed the space and the beautiful river view. I appreciate your patience with the issues at check-in and am happy we were able to resolve them quickly. We’d love to host you again in the future! -Abi
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Matthew W.

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

Fishing trip

We had a great time and enjoyed our stay.
Stayed 3 nights in May 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Jun, 2024
Thank you for the kind review Matthew! We enjoyed hosting you, feel free to come back anytime.
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Shrita K.

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

Waterfront Wonder on the River

We enjoyed our stay at this beautiful property on the St. John’s River. The home is very spacious with nice amenities.
Stayed 3 nights in Aug 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 30 Aug, 2024
Thank you for taking the time to leave a review! We are glad you enjoyed your stay :). Feel free to book again, we'd love to host you!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Holley W.

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

HW

Best location in Palatka. Front porch sitting with cocktails overlooking the St. Johns. We will return.
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 25 Mar, 2025
Leonard-Thank you so much for your kind words! We're thrilled to hear you enjoyed the beautiful view of St. Johns perfect spot for a relaxing cocktail! We can't wait to welcome you back on your next visit. Safe travels, and see you soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Victoria S.

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

Beautiful

Beautiful home in the perfect location for fishing and relaxing by the water! We also enjoyed our time on the front porch talking with the neighbors and learning tons of history on the area!
Stayed 2 nights in Apr 2024
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Southside Baptist C.

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

Very Pleased

Very nice and accommodating
Stayed 6 nights in Oct 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 5 Nov, 2024
Thank you for being an awesome guest. We hope we can still host you soon! Thank you, Benie | Guest Relations Specialist Rent & Relax Vacation Rentals
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Stacie L.

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

Amazing River View

This was absolutely the perfect place for our family to have enough room to sleep as well as entertain family and friends who lives in town. It also has many places for the kids to hang out, play games or even sit in solitude. The views of the river from both the porch and front window were picture perfect. We will absolutely stay here on our next trip to Palatka.
Stayed 6 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 1 Mar, 2024
Hey Stacie, we appreciate your kind review! We're so happy y'all enjoyed yourselves, we would welcome you back anytime! 😁
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Jinger O.

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

Wedding Party

It was wonderful to have a place so peaceful and cozy to sit around and reminisce with family we haven’t seen in a long time. Very clean and so easy to just sit back and relax. Loved the sunrise from the dock!
Stayed 4 nights in Apr 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 19 Apr, 2024
Hi Jinger, we appreciate you taking the time to leave a review. Thank you for your feedback and you are welcome to stay here again!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

David M.

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

Palatka Downtown and on the River

Great house in a great location. The house was roomy and beautifully decorated / outfitted. We had 4 adults and had plenty of room to enjoy the premises. Great views of the river and early morning sunrises. Secure parking in the back and a fenced back yard. It was a short walk to dinner downtown and to the parks along the river in Palatka.
Stayed 2 nights in Feb 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 6 Mar, 2024
Hi David! Truly appreciated your detailed and wonderful feedback. Great to know everyone enjoyed the vacation with us! Can't wait to host you again soon!
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Barbara C.

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

A family celebration

Spacious, clean and beautiful home that our family enjoyed to celebrate our granddaughter's first birthday and my son's wedding the following day at Ever after farms ( easy 23 minute drive) communication with host was great, and grocery shopping , plus more just 3 miles away. Highy recommend this gem.
Stayed 3 nights in Nov 2023
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Ellen F.

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

Beautiful home and location

The house has been renovated and is beautiful and comfortable. The kitchen is super well-equipped. Beds, pillows etc all comfortable. A few issues- the automatic lock didn’t work after letting us in, the garbage sat at the curb from Tuesday when we arrived until the pickup on Friday. The upholstered furniture has seen better days. I was afraid to sit on the two easy chairs. The mudroom where the laundry is is filthy. The management was very responsive and these issues were minor but I wanted to explain the 4s.
Stayed 4 nights in Mar 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 13 Apr, 2025
Thank you so much for your thoughtful review! We're so glad to know you found the house beautiful, comfortable, and well-equipped, especially the kitchen and bedding! We really appreciate you bringing the other points to our attention as well. We're already fixed the lock issue and will make sure the mudroom and furniture get the attention they need. Thanks again for your kind words about our team’s responsiveness. It was a pleasure hosting you, and we’d love the chance to welcome you back in the future. -Abi
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Tracy S.

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

A Great Location and View!

We had a wonderful time and the front porch view is phenomenal. Fishing from the dock was not fruitful but everyone had fun. It is an old house but very lovely. There are a few recommendations I'd make to owners/ property mgr but nothing that would prevent us from rerenting. Note, the front door sticks and 1st floor wood is warped, severely in some cases, which could hender an elderly person. Kitchen and bathrooms are very modern, which is nice. People left lots of spices, rice, coffee, tea, etc. It would be nice to have labels on remotes and light switches. It's a great location spot as you are 30- 2 hrs from a lot of tourist spots. It is a small, up and coming town, with some great breweries, wineries, bars and restaurants within walking distance, as well as Ravine Fardens just a few blocks away us from re-renting; front door stocks
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2024
Response from VrboOwner on 12 Mar, 2025
Thank you, Tracy, for your thoughtful review! We’re so glad to hear you had a wonderful time and enjoyed the phenomenal front porch view, even if the fishing didn’t quite go as planned! We appreciate your feedback about the house, and we’ll definitely look into the front door and wood issues for the comfort of future guests, especially those with mobility concerns. It’s great to know you liked the modern kitchen and bathrooms, and we’ll take your suggestion about labeling remotes and light switches into consideration. We’re also happy you enjoyed the location and the local spots nearby! We’d love to have you stay with us again for another great trip! 😊🏡🎣
Verified

10/10 Excellent

Justin H.

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

Osceola getaway

Everything about this place was amazing except for the last day and check out. I had spoken to a lady, i apologize i cannot remember her name, but she allowed our group an early check in and late check out, due to no reservations prior to or after. We left our things at the residence and returned by 11:30 AM or 12 noon to leave. Everything was already packed we just needed to change clothes and load up. The owner's brother had already been to the house with all of our belongings and started his clean out process. When we returned to check out is when we found this out. He abruptly pulled in moments after we arrived and was not the nicest fella. He was very pushy to get us out even after we told him we were approved for a late check out by 2PM. He then left the prooerty very hastily and sped off. Mind you his truck is not the most sound pleasing. Aside from that, this place is AWESOME!!! Definitely recommended!
Stayed 3 nights in Apr 2025
Response from VrboOwner on 26 Apr, 2025
Thank you so much for your review and we're happy you had an amazing stay overall! We sincerely apologize for the experience you had on your last day with the check-out situation. That is certainly not the level of service we aim to provide, and we appreciate you bringing this to our attention. We'll be sure to address this with our team to prevent any future misunderstandings. We're so glad you still had a great time, and we truly hope to welcome you back again soon🌴🌊! - Abi
Verified

8/10 Good

Geoffrey H.

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
Stayed 3 nights in Mar 2026

About the host

Hosted by Beth Swaggerty

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Premier Host

They consistently provide great experiences for their guests
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