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River Rat's Rest

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Outdoor dining
Exterior
Property grounds
Fridge, microwave, oven, stovetop
Smart TV, DVD player, books

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12182 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washing machine
  • Dryer
  • Free Wi-Fi

Explore the area

View in a map
Homosassa, FL
  • Place, Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park
    ‪3 min walk‬
  • Place, Three Sisters Springs
    ‪19 min drive‬
  • Place, Weeki Wachee Springs
    ‪43 min drive‬

Room options

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About this property

Entire place

You'll have the entire home to yourself and will only share it with other guests in your party.

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.
During your stay at this holiday home, you're just a quick walk from Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park. Enjoy features like laundry facilities. The holiday home includes amenities such as free WiFi and a kitchen.
  • Air-conditioned home with kitchen, washing machine and 2 bathrooms
  • Free WiFi
  • Amenities include laundry facilities
  • Just a 4-minute walk from Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and a 3-minute drive from Citrus County Dog Park
As a guest of River Rat's Rest, you'll find barbecue grills, a garden, and laundry facilities. The front desk is open around the clock.

Property amenities

Beach

  • Beach towels

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transport

  • Onsite parking options include a carport

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Hob
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Paper towels
  • Refrigerator
  • Toaster

Dining

  • Dining table

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Shower
  • Toilet paper
  • Towels provided

Living spaces

  • Dining table
  • Living room
  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Books
  • DVD player
  • Games
  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Barbecue grill
  • Dock
  • Garden

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Work spaces

  • Desk

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming dogs only
  • Up to 23 kg per pet

Suitability/Accessibility

  • 20 steps to reach entrance
  • Smoke-free property

Services and conveniences

  • Iron/ironing board

Things to do

  • Kayak

Safety features

  • No carbon monoxide detector (host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector)
  • Smoke detector (host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property)
  • Fire extinguisher
  • Deadbolt lock

General

  • Garden
  • Unit size: 1,960 square feet

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM
Contactless check-in and check-out are available
Minimum check-in age - 25

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM
Contactless check-out

Special check-in instructions

You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions
Information provided by the property may be translated using automated translation tools

Rules

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.

Pets

  • Pets are welcome
  • Only dogs are allowed
  • Maximum 1 (weight limit: 50 lb per pet)
    • Service animals are exempt from fees.

Children and extra beds

  • Children are welcome.

Events

No events allowed

Smoking

Smoking is not permitted

Important information

You need to know

This property is managed by a professional host. The provision of housing is linked to their trade, business or profession.
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
This property is managed through our partner, Vrbo. You will receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, where you can change or cancel your reservation
You will receive an email from the host with check-in and check-out instructions. You will also receive an email from Vrbo with a link to a Vrbo account, which will enable you to manage your booking.
If you cancel your booking, you'll be subject to the host's cancellation policy. In accordance with EU regulations about consumer rights, property booking services are not subject to the right of withdrawal.

Property is also known as

778291

River Rat's Rest Reviews

Reviews

9.8

Exceptional

Rating 10 - Excellent. 36 out of 37 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 37 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 37 reviews

9.8/10

Cleanliness

Reviews

10/10 Excellent

Heather A.

Liked: Cleanliness
We had a great stay! The house was a perfect fit for our family and a great location for all the manatee fun! Thank you.
Stayed 4 nights in Nov 2025

10/10 Excellent

Bobby B., Lakeland

Liked: Cleanliness
Very clean and nice great atmosphere will be back
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2025

2/10 Terrible

Trey S.

Disliked: Cleanliness

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

Wendi S.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Billy K., Perry, Florida

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Alexa W.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Jay T.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Randolph H.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Sarah P.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

10/10 Excellent

Patricia P., Palm Harbor

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Cheryl S.

Liked: Cleanliness

This lively place had everything!

From age 5 to age 68, we all had fun! Kayaking, manatees, fishing, and a large open homey place offered the perfect grt-together place. Convenient to stores and restaurants, it was a lovely place and area.
Stayed 12 nights in Feb 2024

10/10 Excellent

Tine N.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Susan M.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Janet W.

Liked: Cleanliness

Amazing host~!

Host was so accommodating, answered fast and timely, really made our stay! It was a nice place, so thankful it had the amenities, it was close to everything as well! House was very nice and cozy!
Stayed 4 nights in Sep 2023

10/10 Excellent

Edward C.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Doug E.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

April K.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Diane J.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great place to relax

We all totally enjoyed our stay. We got to see manatees, bald eagles, hawks, we caught fish! Great place for relaxation!
Stayed 7 nights in Mar 2023

10/10 Excellent

Chris M.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Jackie H., usa

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Tine N.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Kay C.

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Jason H., Vine Grove, KY

Liked: Cleanliness

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

Erika S.

Liked: Cleanliness

Labor day weekend

We stayed at the river rats nest for labor day weekend and couldn't have selected a better place. It is clean and such a comfy home. We loved all the decor in the home as well. The owners were easy to communicate with. We will definitely stay here again.
Stayed 5 nights in Aug 2022

10/10 Excellent

Hollie A.

Liked: Cleanliness

Great stay!

Such a beautiful home and property! A great coastal vibe to the home. Clean and well laid out. My family and I come to this area every year and this has been one of our favorite houses. We also loved kayaking the beautiful river on property!
Stayed 4 nights in Aug 2022