Entire home

River Rat's Rest

Photo gallery for River Rat's Rest

A two-story building with a balcony, surrounded by trees and a small body of water. - River Rat's Rest (Homosassa)
A kitchen with light wooden cabinets, a central island with stools, a black refrigerator, and a window with blinds. - River Rat's Rest (Homosassa)
A room with bunk beds, a ceiling fan, a window, and a chair. - River Rat's Rest (Homosassa)
A living room with a TV, a sofa, and a coffee table. There is a staircase leading to an upper level with a ceiling fan. - River Rat's Rest (Homosassa)
A wooden dock with two foldable chairs and a small round table, set up over a body of water surrounded by dense greenery. - River Rat's Rest (Homosassa)
River Rat's Rest provides laundry facilities and more. Stay connected with free in-room WiFi.

Reviews

9.8 out of 10
Exceptional

Entire home

4 bedrooms2 bathroomsSleeps 12182 sq m

Popular amenities

  • Kitchen
  • Washer
  • Dryer
  • Pet friendly
  • Free WiFi
  • Air conditioning

Add dates for prices

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.

Property amenities

Internet

  • Available in the house: Free WiFi

Parking and transportation

  • Onsite parking options include a carport

Kitchen

  • Coffee/tea maker
  • Cookware, dishware, and utensils
  • Dishwasher
  • Microwave
  • Oven
  • Refrigerator
  • Stovetop

Bedrooms

  • 4 bedrooms
  • Bedsheets provided

Bathroom

  • 2 bathrooms
  • Bathtub
  • Bathtub or shower
  • Shower

Living spaces

  • Separate dining area

Entertainment

  • Smart TV

Outdoor areas

  • Dock

Laundry

  • Laundry facilities
  • Washing machine

Comfort

  • Air conditioning
  • Heating

Pets

  • Pet friendly
  • Welcoming cats and dogs only
  • One pet total (up to 218 lbs per pet)

Suitability/Accessibility

  • 20 steps to reach entrance
  • Smoking not allowed

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

General

  • Unit size: 1,960 square feet

Similar properties

Restaurant
The Gator Den Motel
Dunnellon
  • Pet friendly
  • Parking included
  • Free WiFi
  • Restaurant
9.2 out of 10, Wonderful, 580 reviews
The price is AED 367
AED 410 total
includes taxes & fees
20 Sep - 21 Sep
The Gator Den Motel
Compare similar properties

Policies

Check-in

Check-in time starts at 4:00 PM

Contactless check-in available

Minimum check-in age: 1

Check-out

Check-out before 11:00 AM

Contactless check-out available

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 allowed

Service animals are welcome, and are exempt from fees

Welcoming dogs and cats only

1 total (up to 218 lbs per pet)

Children and extra beds

Children are welcome

Events

No events 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
Onsite parties or group events are strictly prohibited
Host has indicated there is no carbon monoxide detector on the property; consider bringing a portable detector with you on the trip
Host has indicated there is a smoke detector on the property
Safety features at this property include a fire extinguisher
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

About the neighborhood

Homosassa is home to this vacation 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 Crystal River Preserve State Park. Visit our Homosassa travel guide
View more Vacation Homes in Homosassa
Map
Homosassa, FL

What's nearby

  • A calm lake surrounded by trees and grass.
    Crystal River Preserve State Park
    2 min walk - 0.2 km
  • A manatee swimming underwater.
    Three Sisters Springs
    6 min drive - 8.6 km
  • Clear water with submerged rocks and aquatic plants.
    Crystal River National Wildlife Refuge
    7 min drive - 8.9 km
  • A sunset over a body of water with two people fishing on a dock.
    Fort Island Gulf Beach
    22 min drive - 25.7 km
  • Plantation Inn and Golf Resort
    6 min drive - 8.9 km

Getting around

  • Tampa Intl. Airport (TPA)
    75 min drive

Restaurants

  • RaceTrac
    3 min drive
  • McDonald's
    3 min drive
  • Michael Anthony's Pizza
    3 min drive
  • Grumpy Gator's
    4 min drive
  • Cattle Dog Coffee Roasters
    4 min drive

Frequently asked questions

Is River Rat's Rest pet-friendly?

Yes, this property allows cats and dogs (limit 1 total) with a maximum weight of up to 218 lbs per pet.

How much is parking?

Onsite parking is available 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?

Check-out is at 11:00 AM.

Where is River Rat's Rest located?

Situated in Homosassa, this vacation home is steps from Crystal River Preserve State Park, and within 6 mi (10 km) of Homosassa Springs Wildlife State Park and Citrus County Dog Park. A Crystal River Kayak Company and Plantation Inn and Golf Resort are also within 6 mi (10 km).

Have a question?

AI iconBeta

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

River Rat's Rest Reviews

Reviews

Exceptional

All reviews shown are from real guest experiences. Only travelers who have booked a stay with us can submit a review. We verify reviews according to our guidelines and publish all reviews, positive or negative.
Rating 10 - Excellent. 39 out of 40 reviews
Rating 8 - Good. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 6 - Okay. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 4 - Poor. 0 out of 40 reviews
Rating 2 - Terrible. 1 out of 40 reviews

9.8

Cleanliness

9.8

Location

Reviews

Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, location, listing accuracy
What we loved the most was watching all the wildlife in the canal … manatees, several kinds of fish, pelicans and Herons… very fun!
Stayed 93 nights in Dec 2025
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

10/10 Excellent

Liked: Cleanliness, check-in, communication, listing accuracy
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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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

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
Verified review

10/10 Excellent

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